Tiger News

In perhaps what could be termed as unprecedented? Mr. Chouhan the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh the tiger state of India has transferred the Field Directors of three tiger reserves on account of negligence and dereliction of duty.

As per the news published in Indian Express and the local Jabalpur daily, they are the field directors of Kanha National Park, Panna, and Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in MP. Of late there had been lots of reports of questionable deaths of tigers and mismanagement of the parks.

The tigers of Mukki Range in Kanha have suffered and have been wiped out. The current evidence of tigers there suggests movement from the Kanha Range of the park. Subsequently, pressure came from the Central Government.

An investigative report conducted by NTCA or National Tiger Conservation Authority states the absence of tigers from key habitats in the parks. This is, by all means, alarming, and more tiger reserves would go the Sariska and Panna way.

The action of the Chief Minister of MP is coupled with an investigation into the performance of past Field directors for evidence of apathy and negligence and a special investigation at Panna for the complete decimation of tigers that have taken place there. An independent committee will conduct a probe as well as at other places where tiger deaths have occurred.

This is a heartening step for tiger conservationists in India and all over the World. Such action would at least reduce negligence and irresponsible governance by the staff at these tiger reserves.

Rarely have I seen any concerted action from a political big wig in India. But what remains to be seen is what action will be taken against those found guilty?

It must be noted that in many instances the staff and administration have shown neglect and apathy whence protection is concerned. What is required is to place these reserves in a special category and induct highly trained, dedicated, and committed staff who is capable of policing as well managing tiger reserves. All these qualities are prerequisites in top brass as well as those at the grassroots.

I have come across some officers who fit the bill, they should be permanently placed in sensitive biodiversity-rich ecosystems.

Tiger: Upsy Daisy

This tiger photograph is an example of creative photography at its best. Mr. Kamaljeet Singh Hora is an amateur wildlife photographer with professional zeal. His tiger image published here explores a Bold creative angle and the result is stunning!

Leopard Sightings at Kanha

Though famous for tigers and Hard Ground Barasingha Kanha is full of surprises. The leopard beleaguered cousin of the tiger is an elusive and nocturnal species at Kanha National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

In my many many visits to this tiger reserve, I have been fortunate enough to see the leopard only two times. As a result, I had given up trekking this shy cat. The leopards are strictly nocturnal and shy by habit in Kanha as a result of stiff competition with the tiger.

The confrontation between the tiger and the leopard is fatal with the latter being at the receiving end. Hence the animal is forced to space its movement carefully in order to avoid the big cousin. But the leopard does move in the day at times and is seen by the lucky ones on a tiger safari in the park.

Recent sightings of leopards at Kanha have been surprisingly frequent thanks to effective conservation measures.

The leopard population in Kanha is on the upward swing which has resulted in greater sightings. This has come as a boon to wildlife photographers as the leopard photos in this blog show. These images are the work of wildlife enthusiast and photographer Mr. Kamaljeet Singh Hora. He is well known to me and often sends his wonderful wildlife photos for my blogs.

The leopard has been frequently seen and photographed at Link No. 9 in the core area of the park. Many delightful sightings have taken place recently.

If the future augurs well Kanha tiger reserve will be popular not only for tiger safari but for leopard safari as well. A lot to cheer about.

Birding at Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for tiger safaris. But more is needed to know about the birding potential that the park offers. The tiger has been the focus of attention here, but many interested tourists and wild lifers have had a keen eye for the birds in the past.

Bandhavgarh has many interesting species such as Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Racket Tailed Drongo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Bonelli's Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Verditor Flycatcher, Black-rumped Flameback, Streaked Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Sirkeer Malkoha Alexandrine Parakeet, Brown Fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Sarus Crane, Hen Harrier, and Pied Harrier. The now rare White-rumped Vulture and Indian Vulture can be seen at Bandhavgarh. The steep cliffs accord the perfect nesting site for Indian Vultures. The wetlands inside the park are not extensive and I have barely seen some Northern Pintails, Comb Duck, Lesser Whistling Teal, Painted Storks, Cotton Pygmy Geese, and Ruddy Shelduck. A recce at Bamera Dam and other such places should result in good species of migratory ducks and waders.

With luck Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon and Common Kestrel can be sighted. There have been more than two hundred fifty bird species including migrants seen in the park. Many species can be seen near Bandhavgarh Lodges which offer hotel accommodations for tiger safaris in the park.

Most of the hotels in the tiger reserve have trained naturalists with good knowledge of birds. This helps tourists on wildlife safaris in the park. Trained bird specialists help professional birders from various regions understand the avifauna of the reserve.

Bandhavgarh has great potential as a birding destination, and professional birding groups will have a successful trip. The best time for bird tours would be winter when the migrants augment the number of bird species. But as the foliage is thick birding can be difficult nevertheless, the findings could be fascinating for bird lovers.

Forest birding is always exciting and full of surprises. Though Bandhavgarh does not have as many species as Corbett National Park, birding here is fascinating especially to sight birds of Central India. Bandhavgarh and Kanha will be interesting additions to birding trips in India.

Tiger Tourism in February

After the hectic December and January months, tiger tourism at Bandhavgarh and Kanha begins to ease. The exhaustive Xmas and New Year holiday rush begin to decrease as February approaches. The winter too becomes merciful, in fact, the weather is pleasant. The warm sunshine quite tolerable in the early hours of the morning is the best way to bask in the glory.

The surroundings though not a lush green area near the lush green. The beautiful hues and colors of flowering trees especially the Flame of the forest tree liven the forest canopy. The wintering birds are still here. Their chaotic plunder of flowering trees, full of sweet nectar and ripe fruits is a delight to experience. Not only tiger lovers’, bird lovers too flock to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Kanha to witness nature’s glory at its peak.

The real animal watching begins from February onwards. The crowd thins out, and the animals like majestic gaur or bison at Kanha Tiger Reserve start to descend from the hills. The graceful swamp deer too congregate in park meadows along with growing herds of spotted deer. The heat will rise from April onwards and stress animals and birds. For tourists, this is a blessing as stress forces animals and tigers into the open, and the need for water makes them more active during the day.

In February the parks are at their peak, full of life and hectic animal activity. The wintering birds and residents are easy to see as the foliage opens up to the coming hot months. Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, birders, and naturalists wait for this season to visit the tiger reserves. Their experience makes them choose the right time to capture the right moment on camera or in their memory banks. This is my favorite season too… maybe soon, I will be traveling to Kanha or Bandhavgarh tiger reserves.

Sloth Surprise

It is not often that you checklist an animal to see in a wildlife sanctuary or a National Park and get to see it.

But it happens!

My American friends came to Kanha on the final leg of their long safari from Corbett, Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh. They had seen the tiger and many other animals and wanted to see wild dogs and a sloth bear.

"Sloth Bear!" I said rather surprised. "Well lets see," I said Kanha is full of surprises so everything is a possibility.

Sloth bear are shy and nocturnal animals by habit and hence prefer to move in at night. Nevertheless some awaken in search of food and can be seen around the park meadows but with great difficulty. I have seen sloth bears around this jungle camp at Kanha on the periphery which has substantial forest cover and fruity shrubs to forage on. With luck a tourist can see a leopard around this resort as they often hunt spotted deer which make their way here after sunset. Most of the resorts at Kanha safari park are situated in the buffer zone and hence surrounded with lush green forest. The forest at places are dense and hence a habitat for lots of wild animals and birds.

Sloth bear are more often seen at Bamni Dadar hill road which they prefer due to some food factor and perhaps less disturbance. We headed on to the hill top on our morning safari but no luck as there were lot many jeeps on safari here which disturbed all animals including the sloth bears and the tigers.

It was in the evening ride as we were rolling down the hills whence we managed to spot the sloth bear which was well hidden in the jungle bush. The animal has a peculiar gait and is completely hidden in short bushes when on four legs. It was a big surprise not only for my friends but for me as well. It was there perhaps in answer to our prayers. At Kanha you can spot the tiger with greater certainty than a bear or a wild dog.

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.