The magnificent Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most famous and most visited parks in India. Located in Madhya Pradesh’s Umaria district, the park is surrounded by the stunning Satpura and Vindhya ranges. Undoubtedly, the park is known for its scenic landscapes. It is also one of the top safari places where you can enjoy sightings of the Royal Bengal tiger. The density of tigers is higher in Bandhavgarh than in any national park in India. Before we get into the zones of Bandhavgarh, here is a short overview of the park:
History of Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh has an interesting origin tied to the great Hindu epic, Ramayana. The words ‘Bandhav’ and ‘Garh’ mean brother and fort respectively. According to the Ramayana, the park was gifted by elder brother Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana after defeating Ravana in the battle of Lanka. The legendary Bandhavgarh fort, situated atop a hillock of the Vindhya Range, is the inspiration for the naming of the national park.
Several rulers took over the Bandhavgarh fort and established it as a royal hunting ground, killing hundreds of tigers. This disrupted the entire ecosystem and was first brought to the attention of Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa. Based on his suggestion, the park was established as a national park in 1968 before being declared a tiger reserve in 1972.
The Flora of Bandhavgarh National Park
Spread across an area of 1156 square kilometers, the flora of the park is ever-flourishing and diverse. Bandhavgarh encompasses heavily forested hills, meadows, grasslands, and even natural watering holes. The Sal and bamboo species make up the majority of the forests found in Bandhavgarh.
The Fauna of Bandhavgarh National Park
The wildlife and birdlife are the highlights of the park, offering opportunities to experience exciting safaris in India. Bandhavgarh is home to a high concentration of tigers ranging between the numbers of 70 to 100. Moreover, it is believed that every white tiger across the world traces their origins back to Bandhavgarh. The first white tiger was spotted in this park, caught by Maharaja Martand himself. He named him Mohan, making him the forerunner of all the white tigers seen today.
Although no white tiger has been spotted in Bandhavgarh for over 50 years, the Royal Bengal tiger population continues to thrive. Other wildlife species seen inside the park are nilgai, spotted deer, leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, Indian antelopes, wild boars, and more. An estimated 200 species of colorful birds are spread across the park including the Paradise flycatcher, various parakeets, vultures, common rose pinch, and more. There are over 70 colorful species of butterflies as well as hundreds of different types of reptiles and amphibians. The fauna of the park supports the wildlife and birdlife species to balance Bandhavgarh’s ecosystem.
Zones of Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is divided into two separate zones called the core and the buffer zone. The core zone is located in the central part of Bandhavgarh and is known as the protected zone. They are solely made to preserve the biosphere of the park. The core zones are an important area that allows no human settlement, activity, or habitation. They are a densely forested zone, offering prime spots to see tigers and other animals in their natural habitats. The core zone is further divided into three separate main zones.
The Tala Zone
The oldest out of all, the Tala zone is where you’ll find the Bandhavgarh fort. It is also the densest zone, providing the perfect chance to spot tigers in the wild. Hillocks, grasslands, and abundant Sal forests offer remarkable sightings of the park’s wildlife. The famous meadows of Rajbhera and Chakradhara were the shooting locations for many tiger documentaries in Bandhavgarh. Visitors can do so much more than safaris at the Tala zone.
The Chara Ganga River which flows through the park, serves as a lifeline to wildlife. Further, the meadows begin their journeys from Shesh Shiya. It is a sculpture based on Lord Vishnu which depicts him sleeping on a seven hooded serpent. During the winters, this place transforms into a birders paradise due to the arrival of migratory birds. The Bari Gufa cave which dates back to the 10th century is another place to explore in the park. Many other attractions in the Tala zone include Three Cave Point, Sita Mandap, and more.
Magdhi Zone
Located close to Umaria, Magdhi is easily accessible and a booming zone among visitors and safari goers. It is characterized by several natural as well as man-made watering holes such as Murdhawa, Sukhi Patiha, Dabhadhole, Charkpwaha, and more. These watering holes attract wildlife and birdlife, especially during the summer.
The animal sightings are rich and thrilling to witness near these watering holes. The dense wildlife here is also seen in its woodland areas and grasslands. Other attractions in this zone are Dinosaur Rock, Climbers Point, Charger Point, Mahaman Pond, and Sookhi Dam among many others.
Khitauli Zone
Opposite the Maghdi zone is the Khitauli zone, covered uphill by dry deciduous forest. This zone has slowly become a main spot to see tigers and other wildlife species. A group of migratory elephants arrived in the park a few years ago and have continued to thrive here, promising their sightings during safaris in Khitauli. Besides being a good zone to see birds, one can also spot nilgai, chinkara, and chausingha. Visitors can explore other places of interest in Khitauli, such as Nilgai Nala, Marjadgarh Tower, Kumbhi Kachhar, and Garhpuri Dam.
Buffer Zones
The buffer zones are the neighboring zones to the core zones, acting as a buffer for wild animals. These zones allow local villagers and wildlife tocoexist, albeit in a regulated manner.
Panpatha is an extension of the Khitauli zone and has picturesque landscapes filled with flowing streams, bamboos, and deciduous trees. Wildlife species like Nilgai, chinkara, and even wild dogs can be spotted in this zone.
Johila or the Kawal zone is an extension of the Tala zone. The main attraction of the zone is the Johila waterfalls, famous among tourists. Other waterfalls and Ghats can also be visited in Kohila Zone.
Dhamokar is an extension of the Maghdi zone and remains nestled between the villages of Mahaman and Parasi. Dense wildlife is mostly seen in the zone’s Kadewaha grasslands where animals like sambar, wild boar, deer, and chitals are spotted.
Best time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh is a year-round safari destination. However, the core zones open from October to March, offering the best wildlife viewing during these months due to the temperate climate. The summer season, from April to June, promises sightings of wildlife near watering holes due to the heat. The buffer zones of Bandhavgarh National Park are open throughout the year, even in monsoon.
Consequently, safaris in Bandhavgarh have become even more exciting due to the implementation of core and buffer zones within the park.
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