December 25, 2009

Absconding Panna Tiger captured

Tiger absconding from Panna National Park was captures miles away from Tendukheda forest area of Damoh district in Madhya Pradesh State. He was the same tiger of age between 2-3years, shifted from Pench National Park to Panna National Park in a process to revive tiger population in park that lost all of its tigers. Tiger was captured through tranquilization close to a pond called Kalmali pond. He was put in a cage so that he may be shifted back to Panna forest. More than 70 personnel team was engaged to capture the absconding tiger since last 15 days along with more than 10 elephant team. Team comprises veterinary doctors from Jabalpur, wildlife specialists from Dehradun, Panna National Park officers etc. Tendukheda forest area is a hilly area forest, about 60 kms from Jabalpur city.

If we carefully study the direction and distance covered by tiger since 20/Nov/2009 when he left the Panna forest, their will be no surprise if he could manage to reach his original home i.e. Pench National Park. He spend hardly few days in Panna Forest and left the park, which raises serious questions on success of tiger trans-location procedure & steps taken to monitor them after. It shows tigers do not accept new area so easily. Earlier two tigress were also shifted from Kanha & Bandhavgarh national park who were also missing for some duration.

November 10, 2009

Kanha Trip Report : 08/Nov/2009

On 09th Nov., 2009, Indus Excursion Team went on Kanha National Park Tour. Our main purpose was to gather ground level information. In our tour we visited Kanha Tiger Reserve we have following observations to share:

  1. It has been noticed that resort occupancy in Bandhavgarh has fallen by 50% compare to last tourism season.
  2. It was observed that about 85% visitors are Indian domestic tourists, inbound tourists rarely seen during safari tour.
  3. In compare to Bandhavgarh, Kanha Tourism have good support from domestic tourism. On holidays/weekends, many domestic visitors from Nagpur, Jabalpur & Raipur do visits Kanha.
  4. We begin our safari tour from Digdola area which is considered good for scenic beauty.
  5. It is often said that probability for Tiger sighting in Kanha is less in comparison to Bandhavgarh but we have comfortably seen two Tiger cubs of about 2 years of age in Naag Behra pond, playing with each other. They were with their mother. Sighting lasts for about 1 hour in that location. On further proceeding, we have noticed Tiger Show is also going on in other area but as we are more than satisfied with 1 hr. long tiger sighting, we moved ahead. We were surprised to know that Tiger sighting is not derived from any call.
  6. On our way to Naag Behera we have noticed fresh pug marks in Digdola hills also but there was no sign or tigers found.
  7. Throughout the visit, we have noticed cemented circular pillars of height about 3 ft. high and a numeric digit written on top. Our guide told me that these were the allotted number for each route and Kanha have 144 such routes.
  8. Recently, a 13 month old tigress was found dead, she was daughter of “7 number female tigress” had 3 cubs and all of them died due to some reasons. Now mother tigress was in stage of shock. Tiger show was going on for this aggrieved tigress.
  9. We have seen Crested Changeable Hawk Eagle in Naag Bahera area and did photography for atleast 15-20 mins.
  10. Through out the safari we have noticed a particular large sized spider between two trees. My guide told me it is “Giant Wood Spider”.

November 1, 2009

Bandhavgarh National Park Tour Report



On 29th Oct., 2009, Indus Excursion Team went on tour of Bandhavgarh to gather ground level information. In our tour we visited Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Bandhavgarh Fort and have following observations to share:


  1. It has been noticed that resort occupancy in Bandhavgarh has fallen by 35% compare to last tourism season.
  2. On given date only 38 Jeeps went on safari with high proportion of Domestic Indian visitors. 38 Jeeps means maximum 228 visitors did park safari which is much below expectation.
  3. Usually 2 or 4 vacant jeeps were found vacant during this month of visit but on given date 10-15 jeeps were waiting for visitors.
  4. On talking to safari guides, regarding current tiger-sighting status, they reveals that due to strict implementation of route-system, safari vehicles have to follow a given track and in limited time. They have to report to central point inside the park within a given interval of time which makes them to keep on running throughout the visit. Continuous running leaves less room for safari guide to explain about the places inside the park, few minutes to wait at a time despite of high probability of tiger in that region. Continuous running also reduces the scope of good bird-sighting, some popular places inside the park that don’t fall of allotted route are also skipped.
  5. Safari Guide claims of large number of tigress with cubs in Bandhavgarh and expects good sighting during summers as due to heat limited water sources left which causes animals to come out.
  6. Tiger B2 is of approximate age of 14 years and often kills villager’s cattle which is a alarming sign. Due to old age he kills 2-3 animals at a time and consumes them for next 4-5 days. It was said to know that now B2 have less time left.
  7. New Tiger King is emerging in Bandhavgarh, after Bokha. He is son of B2 and is heavily built up of approximate length 7ft, height of 4ft. He use to visit Chakradhara meadows in every 4-5 days and remains their, for 2 days. He has over-powered B2 and Bokha. In such conflict Bokha has lost one of his front teeth.
  8. During our visit to Bandhavgarh national park, we have noticed very few mammal species and a kind of silence. As per guide, due to large grass and dense forest, easy availability of water, animals have no reason to come in open. But in comparison to our recently concluded Kanha visit, here herd size of animals like wild boar, wild-dog dhole, spotted dear are small. Bird sighting in Kanha National park is better than Bandhavgarh.
  9. The best thing about Bandhavgarh is Bandhavgarh-fort & caves. Caves reveals the marks of human existence in the reserve area and later overtaken by actual king of forest. Natural & man-made caves have helped great to tigress of Bandhavgarh during the period they were with their litter cubs. Fort is at a height of 810 meter high cliff, highest point among 32 other surrounding hills. Large Statues of Varah, tortoise, fish, wild boar, lord Ganesha, 7-hooded snake etc are fabulous. The height of hill gives advantage in bird sighting as one can watch flying birds at their level or from top.
  10. Due large number of sand-stone hills in Bandhavgarh, water remains available to wild animals throughout the year. Sand stone absorbs water and retain them & flows through percolation throughout the year.
  11. Center point inside Bandhavgarh is a small place developed by authorities for reporting of safari jeeps and refreshment for visitors. Here tea, snacks are available. Public toilet is also their, for visitors. But in comparison to Kanha’s center point, it is under-developed & small.
  12. On our question to our safari guide, “why tiger sighting is claimed high in Bandhavgarh?” he says that due to dense web of safari tracks, if they miss the tiger at one point, with anticipation his direction of movement, they can frequently reach the next point. At the same time Tala zone have good number of water holes & prey which makes it best suitable place for tigers. Tala range is breeding ground of tigers.
  13. We were glad to find that during safari, information sharing between passing by safari guides and jeep drivers, helps a lot in animal tracking. It is really appreciable that guides & drivers shares information despite of any discrimination of being with Indian or foreigner client, or belonging to high-profile resort or being fluent in English or local language. It is the only way to share information as they don’t have any communication medium with them during safari.
  14. At the end, we learnt that patience is the best policy to get the things done as per you will in Jungle. Here we have to move according to them (animals) and they move as per their will.

October 31, 2009

Train From Khajuraho to Varanasi

Dear friends, I would like to share a good news with you all, train service from Khajuraho to Varanasi is likely to be available from 01/Nov./2009 for visitors. Name of Train is Bundelkhand Express. It is indeed a great news.

So far Bundelkhand Express is travelling from Gwalior to Varanasi. From 01/Nov./2009, it will go via Khajuraho railway station. It timing will be as follows:
  • Khajuraho to Varanasi : Bundelkhand Express Train (1107) coming from Gwalior and going towards Varanasi, will reach Khajuraho railway station at 23:40 Hrs (Day-1) and will reach Varanasi at 10:50 Hrs (Day-2) .
  • Varanasi to Khajuraho : Bundelkhand Express Train (1108) coming from Varanasi to Gwalior will start from Varanasi at 17:10 hrs (Day-1) and reach Khajuraho railway station at 05:10 Hrs (Day-2).
Train will have Air-conditioned coaches i.e. AC-1, AC-2, AC-3, Sleeper class, General class for travellers.

As we know Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Varanasi/Benaras/Kashi is another important tourist destination to visit. Distance between Khajuraho & Varanasi by road is 400 kms. If we travel by road, it will take atleast 8 hrs to reach. So far most of the tourists use to travel by flight as it takes just 40 minutes to reach Varanasi from Khajuraho, but during monsoon and bad weather, flights often gets delayed/cancelled at last moment which creates problem to tourists as they have check-out the hotel and in peak seasons, room availability often poses problem. So far, on flight cancellation, tourists have left with two options either to stay in hotel or to go with car. But now, one more option is available to tourists i.e. of travelling by train which is much better than travelling by car.

October 5, 2009

Wild Human Society for Wild Animals

On October 3, news come from Bandhavgarh about badly injured male Hyena, found in Beohari range of Bandhavgarh National Park. As soon as he was noticed, send to Jabalpur city veterinary hospital for treatment on Forest Department Special Van. Unfortunately, Hyena died on the way to Jabalpur and his body was send for postmortem.

On first sight, it seems he has been attacked by more than one attacker. His teeths were broken, back-side left leg was bleeding, many wound on belly. As per doctors, it seems he has been attacked by local villagers. Beohari is a small town where often wild animals move close to human society in search of food and pay for it by their life.

We I saw forest officials travelled more than 200 kms for sake of a Hyena's life, I thought of those persons who had attacked on Hyena. Both are human beings but how they can be so different, who gave them the right to take life of any living creature? Hyena may have caused some kind of loss to them but that was an act of ignorance and innocence but act of villagers was absolutely deliberate and pre-planned.

September 21, 2009

After Tigers, what else left for tourists in Panna National Park

Oldest living elephant in the world is in Panna National Park of Madhya Pradesh State, India. She is recognized as oldest living elephant in January 26, 2007 and was found 91 years old. Her name is VATSALA. She was born in Kerala State of South India where she was use to wooden log transportation purpose. Since 1971 she is in Panna National Park. At present she is not used for any kind of work and she is just passing her time in peacefull atmosphere of Panna reserve. Veterinary doctors of park are keeping constant eye on health and care of Vatsala as she is major attraction for tourists and jewel of Panna National Park.

Panna National Park have many elephants serving forest department of Madhya Pradesh. Recently on 18/Sept./2009 at 23:20 hrs, new elephant baby was born to a 45 years old elephant named Anarkali. Newly born baby elephant is gaining popularity among forest officials. As soon as park will open from 16/Oct./2009, he will draw attention of tourists who turn their face from Panna National Park due to dis-appearence of tigers from a Tiger Reserve.

If anyone get the chance to visit Panna National Park, must see both the ends of Elephant family: Oldest Vatsala and youngest baby elephant.

September 7, 2009

Plan to accommodate Cheetah & Asiatic Lion in Madhya Pradesh

Environment Ministry of India is trying to accommodate Cheetah in India. Recently in September, 2009 famous wildlife specialist of South Africa Mr. Deon Cilliers reached Gwalior city of Madhya Pradesh, India. Later he proceed to Kuno Sanctuary in Sheopur district of north-west Madhya Pradesh to find the possibility to accommodate Cheetah in Kuno Sanctuary. Kuno sanctuary is established in 1981 and is spread in area of 345 sq. km. Apart from Kuno Sanctuary he will also visit Rajasthan and Gujarat state to find the possibilities in those states also.

Kuno Sanctuary is also in news for Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project to accommodate Asiatic lion in these forest. Madhya Pradesh state government is striving hard to arrange lions and accommodate them in Kuno wildlife sanctuary. Wildlife specialists have found this area as most promising site for lion accommodation. In fact last Asiatic lion in Central India was found in same Kuno sanctuary in 19th century. So far Asiatic lion can be seen freely roaming in Gir National Park of Gujarat, India but increasing population is exerting pressure to find new home sites to them.

So we hope and extend our best wishes to all wildlife specialists and government authorities to get success in their mission.

August 17, 2009

Giraffes were present in India


In the month of August, 2009, certain ancient caves were discovered in forested area of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. When an archeologist visited the site, he noticed some drawings in the wall of cave. On examining them minutely, it was found that these paintings are rock paintings of about 10000 BC, drawn by humans of that era. 

Site was situated in small village called Silapuri between Damoh and Chhatarpur cities of Madhya Pradesh, India. Caves were situated on the hilly location of forest area. On examining the rock paintings it was found that pictures are of wild boar, Giraffes, spotted deers, human beings attacking on their prey, swamp deer etc. As access to site is not so easy, due to which paintings are in good condition to watch & study. It shows that Giraffes were present in Central India forests in past. Similarly in rock paintings of Katni one can find pictures of Rhinoceros in nearby areas. We can conclude that animals like Giraffes, Rhinoceros, lions etc animals were present in Central India in past and in present can be seen in rock paintings of Cental India.

Similar kind of Rock Paintings were spread in many parts of Madhya Pradesh like in Pachmarhi, Bhembetka, Grahi area (close to Kanha National Park), Katni city, on river-side sites of Chambal river, in Raisen District close to Bhopal city etc. These rock paintings are price-less gift to our generation from our forefathers. 

If we study the history & geography of Central India, we will realize that Vindhyachal mountains and Satpura Ranges were very rich in fossils and marks of human origin. These mountain ranges were always been known for their wildlife existence and treasures of fossils.  Similarly Narmada river valley that originates from Satpura ranges is evident of many Dinosaurs fossils found since many years.

August 9, 2009

Tiger cubs born in Satpura National Park

We are glad to inform about light of hope is coming from Satpura National Park.
Satpura National Park becomes playground of newly born tiger babies. Since March, 2009 to May, 2009, about nine tiger cubs have been born in Satpura Naional Park. Forest Department have been taking special care & vigilance of Madai, Jeharghat & Kajri places inside the Satpura National Park.
Area where these cubs have been born was blocked for general tourists and elephant patrolling team has been deployed to keep eye on these newly born babies. Patrol team is also keeping eye on tigress and its hunting activites like capturing the prey because any repulsive action during hunting may pose danger to cubs. Similar incident happened recently when tigress caught bison calf which made bison herd to charge on tigress and cubs were in danger as bisons may kill them during such time. Assistan Field Director of Satpura National Park has also confirmed the news of tiger cubs in Tiger Reserve.

About Satpura National Park
Satpura or Satpuda National Park is established in 1981. It is spread over the 524 sq.km. forested area Satpura hills. It lies in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Famous hill station of Central India called “Pachmarhi” is in forest of Satpura National Park. Major attractions of this park are: flying squirrel, leopard, tigers, bison (Indian Gaurs), mouse deer, black buck, wild dogs (dhole), spotted deers, porcupines, Indian joint squirrel, wild boar etc.
Tiger sighting in this national park is not as easy as in Bandhavgarh or Kanha National Parks but flying squirrel is special attraction of this park. Similarly park posses some unique quality medicinal plants which are very rare in nature.

How to reach: Bhopal (200km.) & Jabalpur (250km.) are the nearest airports from tiger reserve. Pipariya is the nearest railway station for Satpura Tiger Reserve & Pachmarhi. Their is direct train for Pipariya railway station from Delhi & Mumbai.

Since dis-appearence of tigers from Panna National Park, this news comes a relief to state government & animal lovers.

For further information visit: www.indusexcursion.com, www.jabalpur-travel-agents.com

April 9, 2009

Central India Tour

I worked as tour escort with Jabalpur Travel Agents which is sales division of one of the best wildlife tour operator of Central India called Indus Excursion. The company provides tailor made package tours in Central India.  Indus Excursion has its head office in Cultural City of State Madhya Pradesh called Jabalpur. Apart from that they are also having full-fledged office in Capital city of India, New Delhi.

Indus Excursion offers specialized package tours to Central India. My involvement was in wildlife & bird sighting tour of India. I visitd almost all the tourist spots of Madhya Pradesh during various tours. Some of the prominent Tourist Destinations of Madhya Pradesh are as follows:

Kanha , Bandhavgarh, Pachmarhi, Khajuraho, Amarkantak, Sanchi, Mandu, Pench National Park, Orchha, Amarkantak


Apart from above stated tourist spots, their are many hidden treasures in Central India which are yet to be explored by outside world. Indus Excursion do conducts tours to such hidden treasures of Madhya Pradesh like geographical central point of India, rock paintings etc.

 
Any tour of Central India will encompass Heritage sites, wildlife sector, tiger tour, temple tour, scenic beauty tour, tribal tour, bird sighting tour etc.

April 7, 2009

www.jabalpur-travel-agents.com

Indus Excursion has launched its another specialised website: www.jabalpur-travel-agents.com on Jabalpur City and its near-by tourist destinations like Bhedaghat, Bargi-dam, Madan Mahal fort etc. Indus Excursion head office is based in Jabalpur city of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Jabalpur city is considered tourist hub of Central India as 5 most prominent Tiger Reserves of Central India are within 260 km. range. They are: Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Panna National Park & Satpura Tiger Reserve. Apart from that UNESCO World Heritage site of Khajuraho is also 275 kms. from Jabalpur City. Jabalpur city has always been favorite palce to lauch any Tiger Expedition Tours.

Jabalpur city itself is located on the bank of holy river Narmada which is much older river than river Ganges. At the same time Narmada river is also known for purity of its water as their is no industrial region is close to Narmada river.