Bandhavgarh National Park

andhavgarh National Park (is one of the popular national parks in India located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 with an area of 105 km². The buffer is spread over the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals 437 km². The park derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which is said to be given by Hindu Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka (Ceylon). Hence the name Bandhavgarh (Sanskrit: Brother's Fort).
This park has a large biodiversity. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is one of the highest known in India. The park has a large breeding population of Leopards, and various species of deer. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured a white tiger in this region in 1951. This white tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the Maharajas of Rewa. 

History

The state of Rewa owes its origins to the foundation of a state dating to 1234 by Vyaghra Dev, a descendant of the Vaghelas of Gujarat. He married the daughter of the Raja of Pirhawan and conquered the territory between Kalpi and Chandalgarh. Karan Dev, son of Vyaghra Dev married the daughter of the Raja of Ratanpur, bringing Bandhogarh ( Now Known as Bandhavgarh) into the family as her dowry. The legendary fortress of Bandhogarh fell into Mughal hands in 1597, almost by accident. At the death of H.H. Maharaja Virbhadra Rao in 1593, his minor son succeeded as H.H. Maharaja Vikramaditya. Sent to Delhi for his own safety, the emperor took advantage of his absence to send one of his loyal nobles as temporary governor. Once he had taken control of the fort, the Maharaja’s nobles and officials were expelled and the fort annexed by the Mughals. On his return to his remaining domains, H.H. Maharaja Vikramaditya was forced to establish a new capital at Rewa, from whence the state took its name.
The history of the region can be traced back to 1st century. There are 39 caves in the Bandhavgarh fort and in the surrounding hillocks up to a radius of about 5 km. The oldest cave is of 1st century. Several caves carry inscriptions in Brahmi script. Some caves have embossed figure such as those of tiger, pig, elephant and horseman. Badi gufa, the largest cave, has broad entrance, nine small rooms and several pillars. It has been dated back to the 10th century. The cave appears to be primitive lacking the elaborate statues and carvings seen in the caves of Buddhist period. Its purpose remains mystery.
No records are available to show when Bandhavgarh fort was constructed. However it is thought, to be some 2000 years old, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the “Narad-Panch Ratra” and the ‘Shiva Purana”. Various dynasties have ruled the fort; including the The Mauryans from 3rd century BC, Vakataka rulers from 3rd to 5th century the Sengars from 5th century and the Kalachuris from 10th century. In the 13th century, the Baghels took over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617, when Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh moved his capital to Rewa. The last inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935.
Bandhagarh National Park is a park with a rich historical past. Prior to becoming a national park, the forests around Bandhavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharajas and their guests.
In 1947 Rewa State was merged with Madhya Pradesh; Bandhavgarh came under the regulations of Madhya Pradesh. The Maharaja of Rewa still retained the hunting rights. No special conservation measures were taken until 1968, when the areas were constituted as a national park. Since then, numerous steps have been taken to retain Bandhavgarh National Park as an unspoilt natural habitat.
Project Tiger was constituted in 1972 and then the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 came into force. It was realized that protection of just the 105 km² of prime Bandhavgarh habitat was not enough, so in 1982, three more ranges namely, Khitauli, Magdhi and Kallawah were added to Tala range (the original Bandhavgarh National Park) to extend the area of Bandhavgarh to 448 km². As Project tiger extended its activities and area of influence, Bandhavgarh was taken in its folds in 1993, and a core of 694 km². Including the previously named ranges and the Panpatha Sanctuary along with a buffer area. of 437 km² was declared as the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. 

The Famous Tigers of Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh is home to the highest density of Bengal tigers known in the world. It is known to be a place for some of the most well known tigers throughout the world. The tiger, Charger became the first known healthy male living in Bandhavgarh since the 1990's. He was named so because he would charge upon elephants and travelers but would cause no harm. He did it just for fun. A female known as Sita too ruled over Bandhavgarh for many years. Sita is known to be the most photographed tiger in the world. Most of the tigers of Bandhavgarh are genes of Sita and Charger. Sita became so famous that she used to be the cover girl of national geographic magazine. Another female known as Mohini took over the reign when she gave birth to three cubs B1, B2, B3. But Mohini came across a series of incidents which unfortunately separated her from her cubs. In 2003, she was hit by a vehicle at night while crossing the road and suffered wounds. Soon after some days, she was crossing the road made for vehicles, when she was on one side of the road and her cubs were on the other side. Immediately, tourists came in the middle and she lost contact with her cubs. She faced them by leaping on one of the vehicles. However the tourists made sure, she was driven away. But after that she never made it to her cubs since she was wounded before. Charger died in 2002. Later in 2003 and further till 2006 unfortunately, B1 was electrocuted and B3 was killed by poachers. Sita was killed by poachers. Mohini died by suffering heavy wounds on her body. However, the fully grown B2 became the only ruler of the forest during 2004 to 2007. Later, he mated with a female in the Siddhababa region of Bandhavgarh and fathered three cubs. One of them was a male. This new male was first sighted in 2008. Now he rules over Bandhavgarh just like his father and his great grandfather. Whereas one of the daughters has known to mate with another male tiger who is likely to challenge B2's son to rule.

Geography

Bandhavgarh National Park lies on the extreme north- eastern border of the present state of Madhya Pradesh in India and the northern flanks of the eastern Satpuda Mountain range. Latitudes and longitudes are 23°30' to 23°46' North and 80°11' to 80°36'East. The altitude of the park varies between 410 metres (1,345 ft) and 810 metres (2,657 ft). The geology is soft feldspathic sandstone with quartzite. The soil is generally sandy to sandy-loam. At least twenty streams rise or flow through the park, amongst the streams Umrar (forming the western boundary) is the largest. The other important streams are Johilla (eastern boundary), Janadh, Charnganga, Damnar, Banbei, Ambanala and Andhyari Jhiria. All these streams eventually flow into the river Son, which is an important southern tributary to the Ganges. At the centre of the Park is the Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 m above sea level – surrounding it are a large number of smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'bohera'. The lowest point in the park is at Tala, 440 m above sea level. The terrain is of great rocky hills rising sharply from the swampy and densely forested valley bottoms. The finest of these hills is Bandhavgarh, sided with great cliffs and eroded rocks.
The park lies within the tropical monsoon climatic zone, characterized by well-defined winters, summers and rains. Temperature as low 2 2 °C (36 °F) as has been to a high of 44 °C (111 °F) as has been recorded . Average rainfall is 1,173 millimetres (46 in), most of which falls during the monsoons. Some rains result from the cyclonic depressions as well, between the months of November and February. 

Natural heritage

ccording to bio-geographic classification, the area lies in Zone 6A- Deccan Peninsula, Central Highlands (Rodgers, Panwar & Mathur, 2000). The classification of Champion & Seth lists the area under Northern India Moist Deciduous Forests. The vegetation is chiefly of Sal forest in the valleys and on the lower slopes, gradually changing to mixed deciduous forest on the hills and in the hotter drier areas of the park in the south and west.
The wide valleys along the streams carry long linear grasslands flanked by Sal forests. Rich mixed forests consisting of Sal (shorea rubusta), Saja, Salai, and Dhobin etc. with dense bamboo thickets occur in many places. These together provide Bandhavgarh its rich biodiversity.
With the tiger at the apex of the food chain, it contains 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, about 70 species of butterflies, a number of reptiles. The richness and tranquility of grasslands invites pairs of Sarus Cranes to breed in the rainy season.
One of the biggest attractions of this national park is the tiger(panthera tigris tigris) and its sightings. Bandhavgarh has a very high density of tigers within the folds of its jungles. The 105 km² of park area open for tourist was reported to have 22 Tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 km². (Population estimation exercise 2001). There is a saying about the Park that goes: "In any other Park, You are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don't see (at least) one."
Bandhagarh tiger reserve is densely populated with other species: the gaur, or Indian bison are now extinct or migrated elsewhere; sambar and barking deer are a common sight, and nilgai are to be seen in the open areas of the park. There has been reporting of Indian Wolf (canis lupus indica), hyeana and the caracal the latter being an open country dweller. The tiger reserve abounds with cheetal or the spotted deer (Axis axis) which is the main prey animal of the tiger and the leopard (Panthera pardus). 

Tourist Information

The closest rail head is Umaria (32km/45 mins) however Katni (100 Km./3 hrs). Nearest Airport is Khajuraho/Jabalpur Dumna Airport at 220 kms from Bandhavgarh. Khajuraho/Jabalpur Airport have direct air-connection with Delhi. You Have to get Private Taxi to Reach Bandhavgarh Because except Umaria there is no regular Bus services to reach here.
At Bandhavgarh National Park, ther are so many lodges to stay, some are having restaurant like NATURE HERITAGE, GTV Resort, Bandhavgarh Meadows, Tiger Den, Kings Lodge, Bandhav Vilas, White Tiger Forest Lodge(MP Tourism Lodge). Some low budget Lodges are also there like: Kum Kum Home, Jungle INN, Pawan Lodge, Bagh Vihar, GTV Resort. You can also opt DHABA'S for food. There are 2 Park visit i.e morning and evening, the timings varies as per season. Now there is 4 Zones to visit:- 1. Tala, 2. Khitauli, 3. Maghadhi, 4. Panpatha, If you wish to visit Bandhavgarh Fort then you should opt for Tala Zone.