New Delhi: India is home to several national parks which were set up to protect the biodiversity of the country. They act as wildlife sanctuaries, protecting the diverse flora and fauna of the country which has a dynamic geography and climate. One of the most important national parks in the country is the Bandhavgarh National Park, which is renowned for its tigers and other wild animals. In this article, we will explore this wildlife sanctuary and the things one can see there.
Bandhavgarh National Park: Wildlife sanctuary with breathtaking beauty
Spread over the Vindhya hills, the Bandhavgarh National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh. The core area of the national park covers 105 sq km while the buffer area covers 400 sq km. The area’s topography varies between steep ridges, undulating forest and open meadows.
The name Bandhavgarh is an amalgamation of two words, Bandhav which means brother and Garh which means fort. As per the Ramayana, Lord Ram gifted the Bandhavgarh Fort to Lakshman after the battle of Lanka. The national park has been named after the Bandhavgarh Fort which was once famous for its architecture. The fort has several man-made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings.
The local rulers used to rule from the Bandhavgarh Fort before shifting the capital to Rewa in 1617 AD. After the relocation of the capital, Bandhavgarh became desolate and the area became covered by forest. The royals used it as a hunting reserve and each king killed hundreds of tigers. In 1968, a 105 sq km area was first designated as a national park based on the suggestion of Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa who wanted to protect the wildlife in the area and in 1993, it became a Tiger Reserve.
The animals which call Bandhavgarh National Park their home
At Bandhavgarh, the tiger population’s density is reportedly the highest in India. It is also famous for being a natural hub for White Tigers. In 1951, Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured the first white tiger in the region and it was named Mohan. Bandhavgarh has a high population of tigers, so much so that it is considered to unlucky if someone does not witness one there.
The area has a unique biodiversity as it comprises hills, valley, rivers, marshes and meadows to give rise to diverse vegetation. Apart from tiger, there are around 34 species of mammals in the forest and nearly 260 species of birds and 70 species of butterfly. The main mammals in the national park are Tiger, Leopard, Wild dog, Wild cat, Hyena, Wolf, Chital, Sambar, Black Buck, Rojda etc. The Indian bison was reintroduced there from the Kanha National Park.
Today, Bandhavgarh provides its visitors with several adventurous activities and a wealth of beautiful locations. For those excited to see exotic animals up close like the Bengal tigers and leopards, a safari in the Bandhavgarh National Park is a must-to-do thing. While exploring the national park, one can see the stunning scenery of the mountainous landscape and lush valleys of the Vindhya Mountain ranges. The best zone to see tigers in Bandhavgarh is Tala, while Khitauli is another zone where one can see the big cat.
How to reach Bandhavgarh National Park?
One can reach Bandhavgarh National Park via train to Umaria railway station which 32 km away from the park. One can go there by road from major cities in India like Satna, Rewa, Banda and Jabalpur. The airport nearest to the park is at Jabalpur which is around 200 kilometres away.
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh boasts the highest tiger density globally. Originally a hunting reserve, it became a national park in 1968, preserving diverse flora and fauna, including leopards, deer, and over 250 bird species. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
