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It is one of the most 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. 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 the first 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.The four main zones of the national park are Tala, Magdhi, Khitauli, and Panpatta. Tala is the richest zone in terms of biodiversity, mainly tigers.
Avi – Fauna
The bird life is also abundant (over 150 species); one can see paradise fly catchers, golden-and black-headed
orioles, purple sunbirds, red-vented bulbuls, white browed fantails, steppe eagles, green pigeons, white rumped
shama, grey malabar hornbills, black and white malabar hornbills (quite a rare sighting), blossom headed
parakeets, parakeets, blue bearded bee eaters, green bee eaters, white bellied drongos, owls, Jerdon’s and gold
fronted leaf birds, minivets, woodshrikes and the lovely paradise flycatchers
Climate
Winters are extremely cold but it does not snow. The best weather is encountered from the middle of January to
the middle of March where it is mildly warm and sunny. But even during this period it can get very cold so warm
clothing is a must till beginning of April. Winters are ideal for birding in the park core zone and confines. The
temperature touches the high of around 42°C.
Summer begins in April and continues till July. The hot summer months are excellent for wildlife photography and
animal sightings. The park is closed during the monsoon season from July 1st to October15th.
Famous Tigers of Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh is home to some famous named individual tigers. Charger, an animal so named because of his habit of
charging at elephants and tourists since the 1990s. A female known as Sita, who once appeared on the cover of
National Geographic and is considered the most photographed tiger in the world was also to be found in Bandhavgarh
for many years. Almost all the tigers of Bandhavgarh today are descendants of Sita and Charger. Their daughter
Mohini, son Langru and B2 also maintained their tradition for frequent sighting and moving close to tourist jeeps.
Mohini, became prominent following Sita’s death. She mated with Mahaman Tiger. After the death of Charger, the
fully grown B2 survived as the dominant male in the forest between 2004 and 2007. He also became the strongest
tiger in the world. Mating with a female in the Siddhababa region of Bandhavgarh, he became a father of three
cubs. One of them was a male. He was named Bamera. He was first sighted in 2008 and was the dominant male of
Bandhavgarh until a couple of years back. He has been challenged on several occasions by a new male. Blue Eyes and
Mukunda are the dominant males of Magdhi and Khitauli zone respectively. The females who are seen more frequently
are Rajbehra, Mirchaini, Banbehi, Mahaman, Sukhi Pattiya and Damdama. There are a quite a few cubs also who are
either in sub-adult stage or have entered the adulthood and are separate now.
Fauna
In addition to the high density of tigers in the tourism zone of Tala, it is also possible to see sloth bear,
dhole (wild dog), leopard, chousingha (small four-horned antelope), chital, nilgai, the occasional wolf, gaur,
wild boars, chinkaras, rhesus macaques, black faced langurs, jungle cats, hyenas, porcupines, jackals, foxes and
ratels, among others.
Flora
Bandhavgarh has a large variety of tree cover. It has an excellent tree and foliage concentration. About half the
Bandhavgarh park is covered with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the
hills. It is only in the slightly higher lands that it changes to a more mixed vegetation of sali, saj, saja,
dhobin etc. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north.
A simple guide to ethical wildlife Photography