Where is the Bandhavgarh National Park?
The Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Sahdol district in the
central Indian street of Madhya Pradesh. Surrounded by the Vindhyachal Hill
ranges, the park came into existence the Maharaja of Rewa handed over the
area to the Government.
What is it famous for?
Bandhavgarh National Park is known all across the globe for the density of
its big cat population. The park is also one's chance to witness some of the
larger specimens of wild boar, Sambhar, deer and barking deer.
How will you gain access?
Jabalpur (164 km) and Khajuraho (273 km) are the closest airport. Umaria,
32 km from the park, is the nearest railhead, lying on the South Eastern
Railway. For those coming in from Delhi, there is a train called Utkal
Exprees that takes around 19 hours to reach Umaria. There are regular bus
services available from the cities of Khajuraho and Jabalpur to all the
major destinations of the country.
What are the entry charges?
For Indians and citizens of other SAARC countries, the entry fee is Rs 20
per head. For foreign nationals, it is Rs 200 each. Extra charge is to be
paid for vehicles and cameras.
What is the best time?
The best time to visit the park is between the months of December and
February. However, warmer months of April, May and June are the best for
tigers and leopard sighting. The park remains closed during the monsoon
season.
What constitutes the flora, fauna and avifauna?
The forests at the Bandhavgarh National Park are dominated by Sal trees.
The higher reaches have a vegetation consisting of Sali, Saj, Saja, Dhobin
etc. In the northern region of the park, there can be found vast expanses of
grasslands and bamboo forests.
The animal inmates of the park include tigers, leopards, Gaur (Indian
Bison), Dholes, Nilgais (Blue bulls), wild boars, Chinkaras, sloth bear,
hyenas, porcupines, jackals, foxes, wild dogs, Chausinghas and Ratels among
others. Larger specimen of wild boar, Sambhar and deer can be seen here.
The park is home to around one hundred and fifty species of birds.
White-brow fantails, steppe eagles, green pigeons, grey Malabar hornbills,
black and white Malabar hornbills can be seen around. Blossom headed
parakeets, parakeets, blue bearded bee eaters, green bee eaters, white
bellied drongos, owls, Jerdon's and gold fronted leaf birds are the other
feathered inhabitants of the park.
What are the nearby attractions?
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Bandhavgarh Fort
The Bandhavgarh Fort is a major attraction around the park. From above the
fort, magnificent panoramic views of the national park can be enjoyed.
Though in ruins, the fort's high walls still stand to tell its glorious past
to one and all. No one knows when the fort was erected. From its reference
in the ancient scripture of Shiv Purana, the fort is believed to be almost
2000 years old. Brahmi inscriptions inside the fort date back to the 1st
century BC. A small population of black bucks can be seen here, protected
from the predators below.
