Indian Tiger - Endangered Cat

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Situated in Maikal Hills at the end of Satpura range Kanha National Park is a tiger heaven and paradise on Earth. It is populated by Grand Sal trees, mixed tree species and dense thickets of bamboo clumps the landscape abounds in small rivers, lakes, rivulets and large grasslands locally called maidans. The core area is 584 square miles and 625 square miles of buffer act as a protection.

Tiger rules here as it is the prime carnivore and leopard manages to survive in the tiger domain. With luck this elusive predator can be sighted in the core and buffer zones especially near the hotels in Kanha and villages. I have seen one here. The leopard comes to pick chickens, goats and other small game in these locations. An ideal tiger safari destination Kanha receives many visitors every year. 

Kanha Location:

In Madhya Pradesh of Central India about 100 miles south east of Jabalpur town. The park has two gates at Khatia- Kisli and Mukki a thrid gate has been opened at Sarai. Kisli gate is busier and there are more wildlife resorts and jungle camps here than at Mukki.

How to Get to Kanha:

By Road from Jabalpur and Nagpur both are airports well connect with Delhi and other major towns in India. By rail from all major towns upto Jabalpur.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Set amidst Vindhayan Hills, Bandhavgarh is the best place to see tiger in India in my opinion. It small compared to Kanha but equally exciting with tigers, leopards and other game sightings being very good. 

Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tigers in India. This hilly undulating terrain is densely forested and supports forty or more tigers in the wild. Bandhavgarh has rich bird life and winter migrants make birding more interesting.

There many hotels at Bandhavgarh to stay at from budget to luxury resorts that offer packages as per season. During winter rush the rates peak while discounts are available during after February. Incidentally this is the best time for sighting wild animals in India.   

Bandhavgarh Location:

In Madhya Pradesh of Central India about 100 miles of Jabalpur town. The main gate is tala where hotels in Bandhavgarh are situated. The entrance timings are morning and evening rides into the park.

Reaching Bandhavgarh:

By Road from Jabalpur and Umaria which is 32 kms. Jabalpur has an airport connecting to Delhi and rail head connecting major towns in India. Utkal Express halts at Umaria station every day it is an overnight train from Delhi.

Pench Tiger Reserve

Pench is situated in Highlands of Central India or Satpura Ranges it is part of the Seoni Hills and is home to tigers, leopards and lot of other Central India mammals. Bird life is rich and Pench is a good place for birding.  Kiplings "Jungle Book" is set on these dense forests of Seoni Hills in MP.

There are at present less budget resorts in Pench whereas most of the Pench Hotels are luxurious and at expensive. The park is expereincing increased visitors and more and more lodges are being established to cater to tourists.

Reaching Pench National Park:

The best route is fly to Nagpur from Delhi, Mumbai and drive eighty kilometers to Pench or drive down approx two hundred kms from Jabalpur town. Pench and Kanha are interconnected with the distance being approx 200 kms.

The season is same as Bandhavgarh and Kanha but the heat arrives early. Winters is the best time for birders. The tigers are seen year around with luck a panther in the wild.          

Kerala is an exciting destination which the world is realizing now. It is a beautiful country and offers not only the amazing ambiance of tropical greenery and meandering rivers and lagoons. Kerala offers many monument and excellent beaches as well. There is much to see in Kerala as a traveler and experience the fantastic culture and grace of its people.    

The serene backwaters in Kerala take you by the storm. The boats floating lazily on placid back waters are a treat to the holiday maker in Kerala. The backwaters are most attractive offering of Kerala tourism industry in India.

Another major attraction that Kerala tour offers is the wildlife viewing. Kerala is a tropical green country with dense forests and wetlands.
There are two national parks and 12 wildlife sanctuaries in the state. The major palces for wildlife watching are Periyar wildlife sanctuary,  Peppara Wildlife sanctuary, Parambikulam, Neyyar, Shenduruni, Aralam,Idduki, Chinnar, Muthanga sanctuaries. Kadalundi, Thattekad and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuaries and the two National Parks Silent Valley and Eravikulam.

The flora and fauna is diverse. Main floral elements are teak, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, bamboo, neem,  sandal, marythu, vaka,, mulluvenka., manjakadambu pala, vembu, aval and more than eighteen hundred flowering plants including grass spp, one hundred forty three spp of orchids etc.
 
The faunal elements are tiger, leopard, gaur or bison, sambar, wild elephants, wild dog, jackal, wolf, jungle cats, wild boars, sloth bears, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrels, flying squirrels, spotted deer or chital, the grizzled giant squirrels, civet cats, bonnet macaques, Loris, mongoose, Bengal fox, barking deers, pangolin to name a few. Nilgiri tahr and lion tailed macaque are among the endemic and rare species.
 
  

An article on tiger tourism at Bandhavgarh National Park or tiger reserve as  it is called for being under the umbrella of project tiger. Read this detailed article on tiger safari  at Bandhavgarh.

The death of a male tiger "Kaunda" couple of months ago at Kanha National Park in India is a sign of a major worry.For already the numbers of this beleaguered cat has come down drastically in spite of the program like the Project tiger. The  truth  is that the  big cat require active conservation measure and  an effective anti poaching campaign  which is not possibly committed approach of the administration and the political set up of this country.

The male tiger the biggest at Kanha died as a result of a territorial scuffle with two young tigers out to carve their territories. What turned into a blood bath and resulted into the death of the tiger takes a vicious turn as the big male was injured earlier when trapped in a snare. The territorial fights usually result in the dominant tiger driving away the looser with minor injuries at times to one or both. territorial fights rarely  end in  a  death.

If this is the state of tigers in India's finest managed wildlife park than what will the state of tigers elsewhere in reserves, sanctuaries and unprotected forests.It is certainly a cause of major concern.

Kanha tiger  reserve  is finest tiger habitat in the country with an intact ecosystem and amazing biodiversity. Large number of tourists visit this park to see the Bengal tiger and Kanha's abundant and unique wildlife and birds. Tourism has given a major boost to the economy in the periphery and number of hotels at Kanha have sprung up. It is this very tourism that is bringing awareness among the people about the tiger and the ecosystem it lives in ...which is very important for humans as well.  
   

 

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Tiger Conservation
Read about the status of Indian tiger

Tiger in trouble

Tiger Conservation

Read about the status of Indian tiger

Tiger in trouble

Tiger Conservation

I created these blog on India travel guide for those coming to see India and its wonderful sightseeing destinations, culture and historical monuments. Like wise those who come with a tiger tour in their minds would definitely relish this bengal tiger safari India blog for information and understanding the tiger and mammals of India.

Those who wish to book a tiger tour with an online  tour operator  will  benefit  with  the best  deal for package tour to see the tiger and  enjoy a cultural and historical tour along with  ...best  way to spend a  vacation in  India. Indian tiger reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench offer the best chance of sigting and Indian bengal tiger.