Bandhavgarh National Park

Geography

Bandhavgarh is a strange land. Flowing through a vibrant and luxuriant Sal Jungle, the wind murmurs the songs of nature in the voice of silence. It seems to be quiet. Life appears to be dead. Leaves don't rustle! Water doesn't trickle! Grasses stop to move! Even the wind pauses to hold its breath and watch the drama unfold! Then all of a sudden the Jungle springs to life! Langurs groan. Branches of trees begin to swing under their springing jumps. Fleeting hooves rustle the grass. Heavy bodies splash the water. Spotted Deers let out the alarm call. Let it be known - the King is here - "Hail, the King!" Lesser creatures flee. The King sweeps a gaze over his Kingdom. Period. Utter silence. The show begins.
Location: There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Over half the area is covered by Sal forest although on the upper slope it is replaced by mixed forest of sal, saj, dhobin, and saja. Winter temperatures (Nov-mid-February) vary from almost freezing at night to around 68 degree Fahrenheit in the daytime. Summer nights are also cooler than the daytime temperature, which rises to 104 degree Fahrenheit. This park is closed during the breeding season, which coincides with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall in the park averages 50 inches (120cm) per year.

History

A wildlife retreat, where history and nature meet, Bandhavgarh is not too far away from Kanha. Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges, the Park has a series of ridges running through it. Initially just 105.40 sq. km. in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437 sq. km.
About half the Park is covered with fine stands of sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north.
The main viewing area is still in the core of the Park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills. An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 metres high, dominates the Park.
Bandhavgarh's history goes back 2000 years in time and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the Caves excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi inscription here, date back to the 1st century BC A hunting reserve of the roya! family of Rewa in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a Park in 1968. This is where the famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered.
Wandering through the Park on elephant back, the chances of seeing a tiger are quite good. Also to be seen here are nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar and sometimes a fox or jackal. Other inhabitants of the Park include the muntjac, jungle cat, ratel, hyena, porcupine, the rhesus macaque and the black-faced langur. About 150 species of birds are also found here and include the migratory birds that arrive in winter like the steppe eagle and various water birds.
It is possible to climb up to the Bandhavgarh fort for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Park and there is also a small population of black buck that lives here, protected from the predators below.

Flora & Fauna

Chinkara, still rather shy, can be sighted on the grassland areas of the park, particularly on the formerly cultivated land in the southern extension area on the edges of the main viewing area. The main prey animal, however for the Tigers and the park's rarely sighted leopards are the chital, which now number a few thousand.
Also to be seen in the grasslands are Nilgai, Chausingha and sounders of Wild Boar, as well as the occasional Jackal or Fox. Muntjac and sambhar prefer denser vegetation. There are two types of monkeys common in the park-the rhesus macaque and the black faced langur. ;Drives can also reveal jungle cats, hyenas, ratels, porcupines and a variety of other mammals.
Bandhavgarh attracts many migratory birds in the winter months, including the birds of prey like the steppe eagle and a variety of wildfowl.
However as it has limited water surfaces it cannot compete with parks with large areas of wetland. Attracted by flowering and fruiting trees, some; very attractive and less common birds can be seen - like the blue bearded bee eater, white bellied drongo, Tickell's blue.

Bandhavgarh National Park Climate

Bandhavgarh National Park experiences the North Indian Monsoon and has well-defined a winter and summer season.
In the summers which lasts from end March until end June, the temperature can go upto 44 C (111 F) in May / June. By mid-June the rains can start with very little prior warning.
Winters set in around mid November and last till the end of February. Visitors are forced to put on multiple layers as protection against the biting cold. Lows of 2 C (35.6 F) have been recorded with frost forming in the open marshy hollows. As the vehicles in which one moves in the park are open, it is advisable to wear very warm clothes because of the wind chill factor.

Park Visiting Time

1. 15 November to 15 February - Sunrise to 12.00 noon and 3.00 pm to Sunset.
2. 16 February to 30 April - Sunrise to 1200 noon and 4.00 pm to Sunset.
3. 1 May to 30 June - Sunrise to 11.00 am and 5.00 pm to Sunset .

How To Reach Bandhavgarh National Park

Flight : The nearest airport for Bandhavgarh is Khajuraho (280 kms) served by both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways with daily flights from Delhi.

Train : The nearest airport for Bandhavgarh is Khajuraho (280 kms) served by both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways with daily flights from Delhi.

Road : Bandhavgarh is approx. 280 kms from Khajuraho, 210 kms from Jabalpur and 240 kms from Kanha.