In the Vindhyachal mountain range,
Bandhavgarh National Park is situated.
The Park offers a variety of wildlife including the famous tiger, leopard, sambar,
wild pig, blue bull, spotted deer etc. The flora attracts woodland
birds
which include green pigeon, crested serpent eagle and variable hawk eagle. There
are also interesting cave shrines scattered around the park, some of them dating
back to 1st century BC.
A wildlife retreat, where
history and nature meet, Bandhavgarh National Park is not far 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
inscriptions here, date back to the 1st century BC.
A
hunting reserve of the royal 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 habitants of the Park include the muntjac, jungle cat,
ratel, hyena, porcupine, the rhesus macaque and the black-faced langur.
About 150 species of bird 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 small population of black buck that
lives her, protected from the predators below.
HOW
TO GET THERE:
By Road: Bandhavgarh is approx. 280 kms from
Khajuraho,
210 kms from Jabalpur and 240 kms from
Kanha.
By Air: The nearest airport for Bandhavgarh is Khajuraho (280 kms) served
by both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways with daily flights from
Delhi.
By Rail: The nearest rail head for Bandhavgarh is Umaria (32 kms), served
by a direct daily train from New Delhi via
Agra,
Gwalior and Jhansi.
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India Travel Hotel.
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