Bandhavgarh National Park in Central India is a conservation unit chiefly focused on saving the critically endangered Bengal tiger. At Bandhavgarh tiger, tourism plays a major role in revenue generation. NTCA a government body sets guidelines for recreation in the park. The safaris are regulated and subject to terms and conditions shaped by several rules. The park is also a tiger reserve, and the conservation initiative is set by the forest department.
The regulations are under the
advice of the Supreme Court of India and are subject to be implemented for
tiger safaris. NTCA or National Tiger Conservation Authority is the guardian of
the Project Tiger Program initiated by the Government of India.
The park is divided into the core
or critical tiger habitat which is inviolate and no human settlement or any
activities are allowed and the outer ring or buffer comprises villages,
forests, and farmlands. Twenty percent of the core is subjected to tourism as
demarcated by the local forest department. This area is subdivided into three
zones and to visit each zone a safari permit issued by MP State Government is
required. The permit is issued by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh. The
open jeep safaris seat six people with a guide on a ride inside the core. Two
game rides are conducted daily, one in the morning and the other in the
evening.
How to Book Bandhavgarh Safari Permit?
The permits can be secured from
the MPOnline website of the State
Government. You have to decide which
zone to visit in the morning or evening safari rides. Do this much in advance, if you cannot decide
then take advice from the hotel naturalist you are going to stay at in
Bandhavgarh or seek advice from the manager of your tour operator in India.
To book a safari go online at the
MPOnline website, here you need to fill out the form which requires you to
submit personal details including those accompanying you on the jeep safari. A
photo ID could be a passport or a driving license. You can choose the date,
time, and zone and then make the payment if the slot is available. Make a
payment online using a credit/debit card or Internet Banking. After the
reservation has been completed take a printout of the permit. If you don't wish
to take the trouble of online reservations then get your permits through the
agent.
During the game rides, you have
to carry a copy of the permit and your original passport or photo ID. All
co-passengers will need to do the same. On the ride, you are allowed to carry a
camera or a Handycam/binoculars but no guns or inflammable articles.
When on the safari the jeep keeps
to the selected zone and cannot crossover into another zone. The canteen with
toilet facilities is in a designated area meant for freshening up and brunch
during the morning ride.
Remember, always reserve safari permits in advance as entry into the tourism zone is limited. At Bandhavgarh National Park the maximum number of jeeps allowed in one zone is twenty-five as the park is smaller compared with many other National parks in Central India.
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