Bandharvgarh
set amongst the Vindhyas, in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh
is a small national park, but with the highest known density
of tiger population in India. Which is surrounded by 32
hills, which are covered with mixed forests of sal, dhobin,
and saga. Bandharvgarh is also having the fort, which
is believed to have been built by Lord Rama. Bandharvgarh
is spanning over an area of 448 sq.kms. This is also known
as White Tiger territory.
There
are more than 22 species of mammals, and 250 species of
birds. Rhesus macaque, the black-faced langur, jungle
cats, chinkara, black buck, munjtac and the chital. The
Park attracts many migratory birds in the winter months
that include the steppe eagle and a variety of wildfowl.
Reptilian fauna include cobra, krait, python, turtle and
a variety of lizards.
The
other residents of the park are the gaur or Indian bison,
the sambar, the barking deer and the nilgai. Prior to
becoming a National Park, the forest range around the
region had been maintained as a Shikargarh, or game preserve,
of the Maharajahs of Rewa. It was declared as a National
Park in 1968. Since then, stringent steps have been taken
to retain it as an unspoilt natural habitat.
HOW TO GET THERE
The most comfortable route to Bandhavgarh
is by air to Khajuraho, which is 210 km. The nearest railheads
are Jabalpur, which is 170 km away, Katni, which is 102kms
away, and Satna, which is 112 kms away. State/private
transport buses ply between Katni and Umaria, and from
Satna and Rewa to Tala Bandhavgarh.
