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.

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.

Tiger Safari at Bandhavgarh

One of the top tourist destination to see the tiger Bandhavgarh National Park is World famous. Although it is smaller than Kanha National Park and Pench it is as popular . BTR has the highest density of tigers in India.

It was a chance introduction to this tiny paradise thanks to kind courtesy of Maharani of Rewa. As usual the family had planned to take our guests to Kanha National Park somewhere in early seventies. But at the last moment the booking was canceled as some dignitary was arriving at the rest house there.

It was kindness of Maharani of Rewa who permitted us to stay at the Royal Kothi at Tala in Bandhavgarh upon hearing of our predicament. Hence it was a first visit to the great place for my family (not me). I went there after two years. Since the first visit Bandhavhgarh National Park had sunk into our hearts and had become a regular haunt.

It was here that I saw my first male tiger on elephant back and then there were lot of tiger sightings that followed upon my many visits. In the seventies the park was much less visited and hotel accommodation began with the setting up of white tiger lodge by MPTDC. The sole accommodation till then was the forest rest house...as at Kanha.

Bandhavgarh now under Project Tiger is a small reserve with area of approx 450 sq.km. Although under PT the area of about 1100 sq.km in encompassed for conservation. Of the 450 sq.km about 125 sq km constitutes the tourist zone. Tigers are regularly seen in grassy meadows here.

The game is in plenty and the extinct Gaur or Indian bison has been re-introduced as per reports. It will be some time before the Gaur recovers here if they do at all. But one can see a lot of magnificent antlered Sambar deer and Spotted deer. Barking deer and Four Horned deer are oft seen. The Leopard is seen with luck but tigers are in plenty and most seen here.

Small game and bird life is exciting. Added advantage is the historical remains of erstwhile dynasties and the Fort at Bandhavgarh is supposed to date back to 2000 years in history. Bandhavgarh has the most enchanting landscape among parks of Central India.

To reach this park one can drive down from Jabalpur which is a rail head and an airport connected with Delhi. Else one can catch Utkal Express from Delhi which is overnight and alight at Umaria station about 32 km from the Park gate.

Tiger Tourism

Recently I was at Kanha at the invitation of Mr. Roshan Mishra manager of Van Vilas Resort at Kanha. It was a wonderful dinner meet with sumptuous Indian cuisine served delicately..he!He!

I keep on meeting Roshan as he is a frequent visitor to Jabalpur. His is an affable fellow with deep interest in wildlife and a good perspective of tiger tourism at Kanha. Our discussion often moves around from wildlife to tiger as key stone species and tourism which so overwhelmingly looms large at Kanha come tiger safari time.

Though few months afore 1st October hectic activity starts. Management awakens after a nap at Kanha hotels to gear up for the coming tiger safari season. But generally there are days when the hotel top brass is relaxed whence all scheduled chores function well. The staff is well trained at Celebration Van Vilas Resort and hence work goes smooth.

Amidst Naturalists there is a constant debate going on regarding pro and cons of tiger safari in Central Indian National Parks. No doubt the Kanha Lodges define tiger tourism and how it should be conducted. The park authorities frame rules and manage, besides which they have very little role to play especially in tourism.

The crux of the discussion now a days is - the guest experience. Earlier and to some extent now tiger tourism at Kanha was limited to tiger chase. Once the tiger was sighted interest in Kanha dimmed and some tourist left earlier than planned.

But the lodges at Kanha began to give greater inputs employed naturalists, trained staff, increased amenities at the lodges to engage tourist to a greater extent. This began to deliver holistic perspective of Kanha to the tourists. The trained nature guides began to unfold Kanha and tourist began to see the real Kanha besides the tiger.

Kanha landscape got deserved attention so did the birds, small game, floral elements and reptiles and butterflies. This is an on going process arising out of investment not only in properties but expert man power as well.

The resort owners have realized that though the tiger sighting is the main attraction of Kanha a more holistic approach is required to increase tourism potential of the park.

Kanha has so much to offer apart from tigers - it is a biodiversity that overwhelms and amazes each and everyone only good extrapolation is required.

Booking Park Excursion Entry

To book a park excursion entry or entries to Kanha tiger reserve or Pench, Bandhavgarh and Panna national parks in Madhya Pradesh, an online booking should be made before hand in order to avoid running into a closed gate due to fixed carrying capacity as per new rules regarding number of vehicle entry allowed in the parks .

Park Entry Online Booking

The online booking page also leads to information on tariff and availability of excursions on given date in the national parks or tiger reserves.

Bookings at the portal above can be paid for by credit card. For cash payment one need to use service of authorized kiosks of the government. The kiosks are situated only in Madhya Pradesh at present. Find list of about three hundred kiosks on the portal.

Hotel owners will also be able to book excursions into the national parks using the online facility subject to conditions mentions on the portal.

MP Online Hotel Owners

In case of bookings made in advance the passengers in a vehicle have to give names, IDs for verification.

Park gate also provides advance booking. MP Online is ready to appoint more lodges as their kiosks.