Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh national park have a very long history. Set among the Vindhya hills
of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168 sq miles (437 sq km), it contains a wide
variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of
tigers. Bandhavgarh was declared Project Tiger Reserve in 1993. Geography, Flora
and Climate: When originally formed in 1968, Bandhavgarh was a comparatively
small park of only 40 sq miles (105 sq km), but in mid-1986 it was extended to
include two large areas of forest adjoining it on the northern and southern
sides. These extension areas consist mainly of sal forest. In the north a series
of ridges, inter cut by perennial streams, runs parallel to the main Umaria road
which runs through the park. To the south, gently undulating forest is
interspersed with grazing areas, formerly agricultural land. Currently the
central area of the park the original 40 sq miles - remains the principal
viewing area. There are 32 hiils 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 slopes it is replaced by mixed
forest of sali, saj, dhobin and saja. Towards the north there are large
stretches of bamboo and grassland. Most of the bamboo flowered in 1985 and the
old clumps died, leaving the ground covered with new bamboo growth. Many streams
run through the valleys but only three are perennial. One of them, the
Charanganga, has its source at the fort
Winter temperatures (November-mid February) vary from almost freezing at night
to around 68 0 F (20 0 C) in the daytime. Summer nights are also cooler than the
daytime temperature which rises to 104 0 F (40 0 C). The park is closed during
the breeding season, which coincides with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall
in the park averages 50 inches (120 cm) per year.
Major Attractions of Bandhavgarh National Park are:-
Once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more recent times,
Bandhavgarh was declared a park in 1968. This is also the site where the fanmous
WHITE TIGERS of Rewa were discovered.
Wandering through the Bandhavgarh national park on an Elephant Back, the chances
of seeing a tiger are quite good. Among the other wild attractions include,
Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and sometimes a Fox or Jackal.
In the Bandhavgarh National Park the visitors can be entered on elephant back
apart from the four wheelers. In the elephant safaris a forest department guide
always accompanies the guests who will direct and tell about the flora and fauna
of the park. The best time to visit the park is early in the morning or after 4
pm to spot the animals. The park is closed from 1st July to 31st October, which
is the monsoon season.
Kalchuri Archeological Remains :Beside the wildlife, Bandhavgarh is also famous
for the archaeological remains of the Kalchuri period that have been found here.
The Bandhavgarhpark area is hilly and is dominated by the majestic Bandhavgarh
fort, built in 14th century. The fort and the adjacent hills have a large number
of caves belonging to the pre-historic period.