Elephants in Tiger Reserve

Shiva was touching eleven feet and weighed perhaps five tons whence it killed two people in Kanha. This was perhaps the first such tragic incident in the National Park. The elephant was in an aggressive state of musth whence its mahout was transferred to control wild elephants in Sarguja District.

Elephants play a major role in the tiger reserves of India. Ecologically they are destructive in reserves that are not natural elephant habitats. Bandhavgarh Gate is the best example of how these pachyderms have ravaged the forests. There is no historical record of these animals in the wilds of Madhya Pradesh. In such places, they should be fed more and should not be allowed to forage in the forests extensively.

Anyway, their role in tiger reserves is to help patrol and protect from poachers. They are the prime attraction during the safaris whence the parks are open. Tiger show - much criticized in the past- is the best method to show tourists the magnificent animal in the wild.

Elephants are captured in Eastern and Southern India using various methods. They are then sold to buyers and are trained by elephant riders or mahouts. This might be not legal now. The training starts right from a young age. At Bandhavgarh I have experienced a young male being trained by the mahout it is a grilling exercise but definitely not cruel. Incidentally, I was there whence a calf was born at the reserve. It was for the first time in the history of the tiger reserves that a birth had taken place in captivity.

Elephants in Central Indian tiger reserves are a prominent feature. In the tiger show, the tiger is traced by the elephants and mahouts and then cordoned off. The tourist then rides on the elephant back up to the spot and is brought back. It is a short ride but fulfills many a dream of sighting a tiger in the wild as well as sitting on the huge beast. The most interesting part is how the huge beast traverses through dense forests and engaged in active conversation with its rider.

Most of the preserves have six to eight tame elephants which provide yeomen services. The pachyderms though tame have a wild instinct in them forever. They are like family members of the mahout for lifelong. There is a strong bond between the animal and its rider. It is an intelligent animal and very useful.

Bison Translocation - New Dimension in Conservation

The recent ongoing trans location of Bison or Gaur from Kanha to Bandhavgarh TR accords a new dimension to wildlife conservation in India. Earlier the trans location of the Swamp Deer from Kanha to Bandhavgarh had failed miserably. It resulted in the death of all the Swamp Deer being trans located.

It was not only tragic but a great loss as well since the swamp deer or Hard Ground Barasingha is a highly endangered sub species found only in Kanha. The swamp deer were being translocated to Bandhavgarh a habitat which holds no historical record or evidence of swamp deer ever present there. But that was way back.

With induction of new technologies and technique the Bison trans location to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve would be more successful. Nature conservation in India is in a piteous state in spite of the country making long strides in every field. Whatever is said, nature is accorded a low priority here.

The conservation impetus thrives due to few individuals, NGO and some dedicated and committed officials who go unsung. The required political will is not there though there are exceptions.

The trans location of Bison is going to be a major challenge since the stock being translocated is not familiar with the terrain. The Bison in India are local migratory species and the migration pattern is strongly ingrained in the genes. The only hope is that the population was once interconnected before habitat destruction took place. This would mean presence of genetic traits which will help the coarse grazer to migrate to suitable pockets as seasons change.

But the challenge will remain, the threat from foot and mouth disease, rinderpest is for real. Until unless proper inoculation of live stock in the buffers takes place the whole exercise will be futile. I strongly believe that the local extinction of this bovine was due disease. There is no palpable reason why the stock would migrate to another habitat leaving the present habitat which is well conserved.

Another plus point is that both the tiger reserves are similar in habitat or forest types, though topography may differ. Bandhavgarh was the last and only strong hold of Gaur North of Narmada River. If the success takes place than the tragic local extinction would fade into history.

Though prevention is better than cure no one minds re-establishment of locally rare species. This is the case with Panna and Sariska as well. Spreading of rare genetic stocks in suitable habitats augurs greater survival chance.

Alarms bells should sound in case of Gir Lions a population enclosed in one habitat. An epidemic like FPL can wipe the whole population. Donating a pride to Palpur Kuno would mean one step forward in conservation. This in case of highly isolated lion population and only sub species in the World - Asiatic Lion.

Wild Bovids: Indian Bison

Though not as popular as the tiger, Indian bison or gaur is an extremely majestic animal. The appearance is striking with a reach of five and a half feet to six feet and a weight of 700 to 1000 kg. The species is extremely muscular and shapely with white stockings...nature's striking adornment. The protruding dorsal ridge and dewlaps are typical to males who are glistening black (violet) in color. The fawn-colored females are smaller with inward horns and a less prominent dorsal ridge. The animal is the epitome of fierce strength, and looks fearful, though it is shy by nature.

Gaur belongs to the ox race and the name bison is a misnomer. It is a gregarious animal and as a coarse feeder, it has a penchant for floral elements on hillsides. It is a hill animal and is stressed out to descend up to the grasslands or meadows in Kanha and elsewhere in summer. The only species of Guar North of Narmada was at Bandhavgarh but the disease took its toll and none survive.

The largest population of Gaur (Bos gaurus) is found in the Melghat tiger reserve followed by Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh India. The animals live in herds of ten to forty and forage in grasslands at Kanha. Docile by nature they can ferociously defend their calves from charging tigers. Mostly silent the calls are a series of gutturals and woofs.

The big cat is their only predator and hunts the young ones and often adults. But tiger predation is not to a threatening extent...diseases are. The species is susceptible to rinderpest and foot and mouth disease. An epidemic in 1976 at Kanha tiger reserve took a heavy toll on this majestic bovine. The animals are very shy and like swamp deer cannot survive along with man.

Not much is known about the species, but they are hardy animals, true to their order, and survive in many National Parks in India. Their closest relative is the Banteng found in Eastern India.

The disease carriers are the livestock in the villages nearby the park. As a rule, the livestock has to be inoculated against such disease. The animals in protected areas are not in danger but those outside are unheard of leaving Kanha and Pench.

The herd consists of young ones and females and is led by an old female. The adult males take over the herd during breeding and then stay separate in groups of 2 or 3 or even solitary. The animal has a crucial role in the food chain and in preserving the ecosystem of dense forests.

26/11 & Aftermath - Tourism

The terror attack on Mumbai on twenty sixth November can be described as worst nightmare for India ever. The senseless massacre by hate mongers left India stunned and the whole World. Not only Indians but some Americans, British, Israeli and citizens of other nationalities touring India succumbed to the brutal assault.

India is being targeted for its rising economy, positive International image and all things good in the country. My tribute to the unfortunate victims and condolences to near and dear one's.

Who and where hate mongers are nurtured is a matter of investigation? HE! HE! (Sic!)

Like everything else tourism too has suffered especially tiger tourism which has become a flourishing industry of late.

Less tourists would be visiting Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves due to the fear and unfound insecurity that has set in among tourists both local and International. Tiger Tourism help made friends for the endangered tiger without doubt. More and more people turn to conservation on experiencing wild jungle safaris all over the World so in India.

Other victims are the hotels in Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks and elsewhere in tiger reserves all over the country. Not forgetting the local communities that benefited from hotel industries around the safari parks and the local economy in toto. But India is a resilient Nation and so are its masses. The recovery will be quick.

Wildlife tourism has come as a boon to hotel and travel industry in India and in other economies all over the World. For many small Nations tourism including wildlife tourism and birding has come about with blessings as the mainstay of the economy. When turbulence occurs the poverty stricken citizens are the first to suffer.

That night of horror and after was a butchery of anything that walked as in the days of old when ruthless senseless hunting and deforestation was in vogue. People who come to love and respect nature are the most peaceful non violent people on Earth because they have learned to respect and preserve all life forms.

The societies that are tackling the menace of extremism and rabid fundamentalist ideologies (sometimes state sponsored) should encourage education in nature conservation fervidly among its masses to root out violence in any form.

National progress comes as a result of quality of its people, a few unchecked rabid elements within like rotten apple end up destroying the whole Nation eventually.

Tiger Sighting Galore

The best tiger habitats in India give tourists not only a panoramic view of the nature bounty but fantastic tiger sightings as well.

India's Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park offer best sightings of tigers in the wild. This is the sole reason why wildlife safaris are so much appreciated in these parks. Apart from high density of tigers these parks have the best tourism infrastructure.

They are the best managed wildlife parks in the country and have best accommodation with wildlife resorts at Kanha and Bandhavgarh in tandem with world class facilities.

These preserves offer not only tiger sighting but fantastic viewing of Indian wildlife and birds as well. Winters are the best time for birding trips while animal watching is best in the dry season as herds gather around water holes in the park. Most of the water holes and small rivers dry out in the buffer zones and periphery but remain filled due to excellent ecosystem that prevails in the core zones where tourism is most active.

Tiger viewing is a thrilling experience what with new tigers being sighted and tigresses with cubs. Nothing can be more exciting then seeing a tiger family - mothers and cubs. The parks are prolific breeding grounds for tigers and hold the future of the magnificent but endangered animal in India.

Those fortunate enough to see the tiger carry home a lifelong memory of having witnessed nature's rarest wonder. Seeing the tiger is like witnessing life itself it is so much a part of us. When you see the tiger in the wild you realize that life is real.

Welcome to Wildlife Resorts Blog

Welcome to Indian Wildlife Resorts and Lodges Blog

This blog is about top wildlife resorts, hotels and lodges in India. The accommodation at wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks is an interesting feature which is very much a part of eco-tourism and wildlife safaris in Central India.

I will blog mainly on hotel accommodation at Chhattisgarh state, Raipur town, Barnawapara sanctuary and Jabalpur, Kanha, Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh state. These places are very popular for wildlife travels in Central India. The main aspects that this blog covers is to highlight various accommodations that the author finds worthy to write about. Indian wildlife resorts are an exciting safari experience which every traveler all over the World should experience.

The luxury resorts and jungle camps are specially designed to cater to the taste of all tourists, wildlife lovers, naturalists and nature photographers who travel a long distance in their quest to see the tiger and Indian wildlife. The wildlife photographers visit these wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks to photograph tigers and other rare and endangered wild animals and birds. The lodges offer unique cuisine which is influenced by the local tribal food habits. The hotel surroundings is a lush green tropical greenery unique to Indian forests. The staff is expert at service and wildlife savvy according a stay at these places ---A feeling of well being at its best!


This blog is also for interesting accounts of Indian wildlife and environment. The enchanting Indian wildlife attracts tourists from all over the World and of course India. The journey to the wilderness is a unique experience and accommodation is as well a matter of great interest. The hotel owners give a unique exclusive touch to their properties and create an environment that adds to the holistic experience of tiger safari at Indian tiger reserves.