Bandhavgarh National Park information details

Introduction

The reserve named after the highest hill Bandhavgarh (807 m) in the centre of it, falls between the Vindhyan hill range and the eastern flank of Satpura hill range and is located in Shahdol and Jabalpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
A chain of smaller hills, 32 in all, surrounds this hill, forming a number of valleys and spurs interspersed with low lying areas, such as Chakradhara, Rajbahera, Sehra-Dadra, Bhitri bah, Kolua bah etc. Since the main formation is of sandstone, water percolates through it forming a number of perennial streams and springs. The hills are mainly flat topped. The meadows in certain areas are marshy.

The Sal & bamboo covers plain tract and degenerates in growth and quality as it ascends the hill slopes, further giving place to mixed forest on upper slopes, mainly due to edaphic factors.

Few rare species like insectivorous plants Drocera peltata and medicinal plant like Buch (Acorus calamus) are found in some isolated patches of Tala ranges of the Reserve.

Rivers Johilla and Son flowing on the boundary on the eastern side, river Umrar passing through western fringes and the Bandhavgarh hill, which is visible from as far as 30 km, are some of the landmarks of the Reserve.
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. When he was 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, whence the state took its name.
Bandhavgarh fort
The history of the region can be traced back to the 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 dates from the 1st century. Several caves carry inscriptions in Brahmi script. Some caves have embossed figures such as tigers, pigs, elephants and horsemen. Badi gufa, the largest cave, has a 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 the Buddhist period. Its purpose remains a 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 Mauryans from the 3rd century BC, Vakataka rulers from the 3rd to the 5th century the Sengars from the 5th century and the Kalachuris from the 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.
Statue of Shesh-Saiya at Bandhavgarh National Park
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 into its folds in 1993, and a core area of 694 km² was established including the previously named ranges and the Panpatha Sanctuary along with a buffer area of 437 km² which was declared as the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

geography flora &fauna
There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Over half the area is covered by Sal forest although on the upper slope it is replaced by mixed forest of sal, saj, dhobin, and saja. Winter temperatures (Nov-mid-February) vary from almost freezing at night to around 68 degree Fahrenheit in the daytime. Summer nights are also cooler than the daytime temperature, which rises to 104 degree Fahrenheit. This park is closed during the breeding season, which coincides with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall in the park averages 50 inches (120cm) per year.

Bengal tigers

Bandhavgarh has the highest density of Bengal tigers known in the world, and is home to some famous named individual tigers. Charger, an animal so named because of his habit of charging at elephants and tourists (whom he nonetheless did not harm), was the first healthy male known to be living in Bandhavgarh 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,[citation needed] 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 Mahamn Tiger. She later died of her wounds from the vehicle accident.
Charger died in 2000 and his body was buried at Charger Point where he was kept in a closed region at his old age. Between 2003 and 2006, many of his descendants met with a series of unfortunate ends. B1 was electrocuted and B3 was killed by poachers. Sita was killed by poachers. Mohini died of serious wounds to her body. 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 Siddhubaba 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 is now Bandhavgarh's dominant male. In November 2011, B2 died. Postmortem studies suggest that he died a natural death. But many other professional people, who know more than the officials, say that he was injured by the villagers of the village in the buffer area.
Now, the most prominent tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park is Bamera, who has territory in all the four zones of the park. The females are Kankatti and Panpatti who both have three and two cubs respectively.


within the park
Bandhavgarh is justifiably famous for its Tigers, but it has a wide range of other game. The undergrowth is not as dense as in some northern terai forests, but the best time to see the park inhabitants is still the summer months when water becomes more scarce and the undergrowth dies back. 

The most effective way to search for Tigers is on elephant back. It's advisable tobook your elephant in advance and to wear plenty of warm clothings if going for an early morning ride in winter. The mahouts are kept well informed of the whereabouts of the nearest Tigers. However there are many tigers in the park and the elephants are able to take you up steep, rocky hillsides and down marshy riverbeds, which are impassable to vehicles.

There are several good weather roads in the park. Jeeps are definitely recommended over other vehicles and can be hired from the Tiger's Den resort. A forest guide must accompany all visitors into the park. Entry in to the park is allowed only during daylight hours. For both elephants and jeep rides the hours immediately after dawn and before sunset are best.

Chinkara, still rather shy, can be sighted on the grassland areas of the park,particularly on the formerly cultivated land in the southern extension area, on the edges of the main viewing area. Also to be seen in the grasslands are nilgai, chausingha, and sounders of wild boar, as well as the occasional jackal or fox. Muntjac and sambhar prefer denser vegetation. The main prey animal, however for the Tigers and the park's rarely sighted leopards are the chital, which now number a few thousand.

There are two types of monkeys common in the park, the rhesus macaque and the black-faced langur. Drives can also reveal jungle cats, hyenas, porcupines, ratels, and a variety of other mammals. Bandhavgarh attracts many migratory birds in the winter months, including the birds of prey like the steppe eagle and a variety of wildfowl. 

If the early morning Safari  is a thriller then the late afternoon rendezvous to get another glimpse of the Tiger, and watch the shadows grow taller as dusk approaches and the cacophony of birds grows louder in the trees, is not to be missed experience.

The nights in Bandhavgarh are an enigma- the twigs of the bonfire crackling in the resort lawn, combined with the calling of the jackal, the silhouettes of the trees against a starlit sky and perhaps, a distant rumbling roar deep in the heart of the forest.

It's an experience of elation and sadness. Elation; to have experienced a part of our rich bio-diversity. Sadness; considering the state of the dwindling Tiger population and our depleting forest reserve …will our children ever be able to witness nature in all its pristine glory? I wonder….

Structure

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. Together, these four ranges comprise the 'Core' of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve constituting a total area of 694 km². The buffer zone is spread over the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals another 437 km². The legal status as a national park dates back to 1968, but was limited only to the present Tala range for a considerable length of time. In 1993 the present scheme of things was put in place
According 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. According to forest officials, there are more than 250 species of birds, about 80 species of butterflies, a number of reptiles. But many people have the species' list of about 350 birds along with photographs. 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 to tourists was reported to have 22 tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 km². (Population estimation exercise 2001). The population of tigers in the park in 2012 is about 44-49. 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."
Bandhavgarh tiger reserve is densely populated with other species: the gaur, or Indian bison are now extinct or have migrated elsewhere; sambar and barking deer are a common sight, and nilgai are to be seen in the open areas of the park. There have been reports of the Indian Wolf (canis lupus indica), hyena 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). The Indian bison were reintroduced from Kanh

Avifauna
Some of the birds found in Bandhavgarh national park are

1. Plum-headed Parakeet
2. Orange-headed Thrush
3. Brown-headed Barbet
4. Coppersmith Barbet
5. Common Myna
6. Alexandrine Parakeet
7. Indian Grey Hornbill
8. Rock Pigeon
9. House Crow
10. Carrion Crow
11. Little Egret
12. Cattle Egret
13. Great Egret
14. Black Drongo
15. Pond Heron
16. Common Snipe
17. Black-winged Stilt
18. Red-wattled Lapwing
19. Indian Peafowl
20. Greater Coucal
21. Oriental Magpie Robin
22. Indian Roller
23. Indian Robin
24. Eurasian Collared Dove
25. Hoopoe
26. Sirkeer Malkoha
27. Large-billed Crow
28. White-browed Fantail Flycatcher
29. Yellow-crowned Woodpecker
30. Rufous Treepie (Normal And Pallida)
31. Lesser Adjutant Stork
32. Oriental White Eye
33. Olive-backed Pipit
34. Spotted Dove
35. White-throated Kingfisher
36. Red-rumped Swallow
37. Lesser Whistling Teal
38. Common Kingfisher
39. Black Stork
40. Green Bee-Eater
41. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
42. Red-vented Bulbul
43. Long-billed Vulture
44. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
45. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia
46. Crested Serpent Eagle
47. Black Redstart
48. Brahminy Starling
49. Brown Fish Owl
50. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
51. Malabar Pied Hornbill
52. Common Kestrel
53. White-throated Fantail Flycatcher
54. Rufous Woodpecker
55. Sapphire Flycatcher
56. Creasted Hawk Eagle (Cirrhatus)
57. Oriental Turtle Dove
58. White-rumped Vulture
59. Lesser Kestrel
60. Large Cuckooshrike
61. Pied Bushchat
62. Black-winged Cuckooshrike
63. Black-rumped Flameback Woodpecker
64. House Sparrow
65. Golden Oriole
66. Rose-ringed Parakeet
67. Paddyfield Pipit
68. Dusky Crag Martin
69. Long-tailed Shrike
70. Black Ibis
71. White-necked Stork
72. Purple Sunbird
73. Giant Leafbird
74. Tickell's Flowerpecker
75. Little Cormorant
76. Little Brown Dove
77. White-tailed Swallow
78. Jungle Babbler
79. Shikra
80. Jungle Myna
81. Common Tailorbird
82. Red Collared Dove
83. Red-necked Vulture
84. Painted Francolin
85. Eurasian Thick-knee
86. Common Sandpiper
87. Lesser Spotted Eagle
88. Greater Whistling Teal
89. Great Cormorant
90. Pied Kingfisher
91. Laughing dove
92. Bonelli's Eagle
93. Dark Black Crow
94. Asian Pied Starling

the fort
The fort still belongs to the Maharaja of Rewa and permission is required to visit it. However permission is available locally and no trip to Bandhavgarh is complete without making an effort to climb up the fort.

There are two ways up on the plateau, a jeep track and a footpath-both steep. It is far easier to see the fort by the jeep but much more rewarding to make the journey on foot. There is a convenient place to park vehicles on the southern side of the fort in the lush jungle which surrounds its base. This point is known as Shesh Saaiya, named after a unique 35 foot (11 meters) long statue of reclining Vishnu carved around the 10th century, from whose feet the Charanganga is said to flow. A rectangular pool of spring water lies just beneath the statue and the path to the main gate of the fort. On the other side of this imposing gateway lie 560 acres (227 hectares) of grassland, over which are scattered turtle-filled tanks and the many remains of the human inhabitants of the fort- from ancient statues to the barracks occupied by Rewa's troops upto independence. At a brisk pace the walk from the Shesh Saaiya to the southern side of the fort need only take an hour, but if you stop to see the statues and temples on the way it can easily take much longer. As you follow the path southwards, the most remarkable sights are the 10th century rock images of the incarnations of Vishnu. A statue of Narsimhan ( half man half lion) towers almost 22 feet above the grass. There is a carving of Barah Bhagwan (the boar incarnation), and a small temple enshrining a large image of Vishnu in his fish avtaar. The tortoise incarnation stands unenclosed and flanked by later carvings of Ganesh, the elephant God, and other deities. The charm of this walk lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoilt and unexploited. Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best to take a guide. Apart from the avatars, well worth seeing are three small temples of around the 12th century. These temples are deserted but the fort is still used as a place of worship. Kabir Das, the celebrated 16th century saint, once lived and preached here. 

The natural ramparts of the fort give breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. Vultures wheel around the precipice, which also attracts blue rock thrushes and crag martins. The fort has a small population of Blackbuck, which have been reintroduced and to some extent protected from Tigers in the park below by repairs to the masonry walls at the edges of the fort


geographical deatils

Area: 1161 sq. kms.

Core: 624 sq kms.

Buffer: 537 sq. kms.

Longitude: 80 47’15’’ to 81 11’ 45 E

Latitude: 23 30’ 12 to 23 45’ 45 N

Altitude: 440mts to 810mts above sea level.

Rainfall: 1175mm.

Temperature: Min. 2 c Max. 44 c. 

forest type

Moist Peninsular low level Sal -3C/C2a 

Wet Gangetic moist mixed Deciduous forest -3C/C3a 

seasons

Monsoon mid- June to Sept. 

Winter Nov. to mid-Feb. 

Summer mid -March to mid -June 

opening time

Park is open from 16st October till 30th June.

Safaris in Bandhavgarh

There are 3 ways you can do a safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park

The first is your own transport, preferably a 4-wheel drive. (It is however necessary to take along an authorized guide.) But take my advise and do not do this mistake as the road are quite bumpy, and you can have a very uncomfortable ride in your vehicle, also with windows panes rolled up you cannot hear any alarm calls, the forest guide with you cannot see any pugmarks, so your chances of wasting petrol, as diesel vehicles are not allowed inside the park, are very high.

The second option are the numerous authorized 4-wheel drives run by the locals, which are available from the hotels and rest houses you would be staying at. This is the best option available and a very exciting one at that, as most visitors prefer an open a safari into the jungle and being accompanied by a professional naturalist who will guide them through the forest. 

The third is an elephant ride. This happens are booked the same day depending upon the availability. Commonly known as Tiger show, it normally happens when the Tiger has been tracked by the forest department inside bush. 

Elephant Safaris

All the national parks in the country differ in the activities and the facilities that they offer to their visitors. Like wise Bandhavgarh too has certain unique selling point. There is a controversial method which is called "Tiger Shows". For these shows, the mahouts head out in the wee hours of the morning and track down a tiger. Once the tiger settles down in a spot, the word is spread and all visitors are taken for short rides from the nearest point on a jungle track. 

This, although it ensures that almost all visitors to the park go back with happy memories of a "sighting", is never as exciting as chance sightings from the tracks. Not knowing what one has in store sometimes is no doubt more challenging than knowing the whereabouts of the animals. 

General & Grocery shopping

There is a general merchant, Known by all as "Nathu Bihari", who is like an all-purpose store. There are a few vegetable vendors, cigarette shops and even a liquor store. A very welcome addition in the year 2001 was the opening of a fuel pump at Tala. This saves all the vehicles from making the earlier required 64 km drive to and from Katni. It is advisable to keep your tank topped up, as supply can sometimes be erratic. Tala is a small village, so do not expect hi speed broadband for sure, but lately there has been email connectivity at a couple of places. Making local and International Calls is not a problem, you can do the same from the hotel where you are staying or you can walk to the village and do the same. As of now, there is limited Cell connectivity, only BSNL and MTNL networks are available. Private operators have still not entered the area yet. 

Closest hospital is 32kms away at Katni, where you can expect some basic treatments to any accidental injuries. .

Besides small shops at the some of the resorts at Tala, there is a shop at the main entrance to the park. This shop sells all kinds of stuff ranging from T-shirts to key chains to ashtrays. Also available at this shop are interesting maps and books dealing with wildlife of the park. There are also mounted pictures of tigers photographed at the park but most of them are not of very high quality. The rates are fixed and haggling is not really advisable or of any use. Other shop that sometimes stocks some articles that can be picked up as souvenirs is the WWF nature shop located beside the museum.

Best Time to visit Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh defies all logic, most of Wildlifers think that hotter it gets better the Tiger and other game sightings near the water hole. For Bandhavgarh, it is applicable but only partially, the Tiger sightings are great from October till June. Sloth Bear sightings are good March till May, as they come out to eat a local flower called “Mahua”, the locals collect this flower to make a local alcohol as well. For Birds Bandhavgarh is good from November till March. 

Worst time in Bandhavgarh

Only one time you need to avoid between October till June is the time in March when the Holi festival is on, the festival of colours and water spraying is very aggressive in this part of the country. The Park is closed for Safaris on this day. The date varies every year, but it happens in March sometimes. The locals, drink, and make merry, they dance on streets, sing on loudspeakers, so it can be a bit disturbing as well. The park is open daily from 1st October till 3th June every year, except on Holi Day and also on the Republicc Day of India, i.e. 26th January, when the park open late, as there is a ceremony of National Flag hoisting prevalent in all offices and organizations. So the Forest Department also hoists the National park and open the gaes normally around 8am, instead of about 6.30am. 

Climate in Bandhavgarh

Like all good things have a season to compliment it, the national parks also have the best season and time to visit. Bandhavgarh is open from October till June every year, then closed from July till Sept for monsoons. Visiting in 1st half of October is not a good idea, as at times the monsoons are delayed and some of the park roads are not open for tourists. Safer bet is from 15th October onwards. Let me assure you that Tiger sightings in Bandhavgarh are good from October till June, but there are certain times that you can avoid, they are:

First fortnight of October, as there are chances for monsoons to delay opening of some routes inside the park 

Christmas and New Years time, as this is the time when there is plenty of Indian tourists in the park, lot of people, lot of vehicles, less of peace, but Tiger sightings are still good. Month od December though good for Tiger sightings can get quite chilly in Bandahvgarh, the temperature drops to about 1 degree Celsius, so chose a hotel which provides you good heaters, as nights can be very cold. 

Month of June only because it is hot, so chose a hotel which has Air-Conditioning, as you will find it real tough to stay in hotels without Air-Conditioning. 

Towards late summer, it is also advisable to carry some protection, for yourself and for your cameras, from rain. Bandhavgarh has an average annual rainfall of 1200mm. The rains here give very little prior warning and it is preferable to be prepared for your own protection, as well as for your equipment. These rains, however, bring good respite from the blistering heat. A single shower can make temperatures fall from 45 degrees to 30 degrees centigrade. Some showers happen in 2nd week of December, end of January or late February, the time can change a bit also. Then from 15th June onwards you can expect heavy downpour any time. According to local myth there is a time of 9 days, normally last 9 days of May, locals call it, “Nautapa”, these days determine how much rain will happen in the area. The hotter these nine days get, more the rain. To discover this wonderland of the big cat, you have to pack your bags and come home to this paradise. 

Location of Bandhavgarh

Location : Umaria District, Madhya Pradesh 

Nearest Access : Umaria (34 kms) 

Coverage Area : 450 sq km 

Climate : Winter- between 0° to 20° C and Summer- 36°C to 46°C

Major Wild life Attractions - Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Nilagai, Chausingha, Dhole, Jackal, Indian Fox, Striped Hyena, Wild Boar

Best time to visit : Mid November to June

The Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the north eastern border of Madhya Pradesh at the central part of India. It dwells around the Umaria-Shahdol district surrounded by the Satpura mountain range. The latitude and longitude are 23°30’ to 23°46’ N and 80° 11’ to 36°E. The park is elevated at an altitude between 410 m and 810 m. The mountains of Bandhavgarh Tala range are being composed of sandstone and the soil is sandy to sandy loam. The whole park is filled with more than 20 luminous streams out of which some of the most important streams are Johilla, janadh, charanganga, Damnar, Banbei, Ambanala and Andhiyari Jhiria. These streams then merge into the son river, an important southern tributary to the river Ganges.

Along with that many caves and lakes can also be found at the vicinity of Bandhavgarh Park specially around the area of the fort which is the most majestic and ancient part of Bandhavgarh.

Conservation History
The Bandhavgarh Fort, in the centre of the Reserve, atop the Bandhavgarh hill, was the seat of rulers of Rewa State, until they shifted to Rewa town in 1617 A.D. After independence and abolition of the princely States, the process of degradation of forests started due to relaxed control. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa, was deeply moved by the destruction of forests. On his proposal an area of 105 sq. km. was declared as National Park in 1965. The area of the park was increased to 448.84 sq. km. in 1982.
Bandhavgarh has been an excellent habitat of tiger and is known for the highest density of tigers in the world. Considering the importance and potentiality of the National park, it was included in the Project Tiger Network in 1993. The adjoining Panpatha Sanctuary too was declared as a part of the Reserve.

The area of 105 sq. km. of old National Park was finally notified in 1968. The remaining part of the National Park i.e. 343.842 sq. km. is yet to be finally declared though State Government had made the initial notification in 1982. Panpatha Sanctuary with an area of 245.847 sq. km. was declared in 1983.

Animal	Bandhavgarh National park	Panpatha Sanctuary	Total Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Tiger	46	6	52
Leopard	27		36
Sambar	753	59	812
Barking deer	151	49	200
Nilgai	518	153	671
Gaur	1	0	1
Chausingha	19	0	19
Wild boar	1414	447	1861
Wild dog	3	6	9
Chinkara	110	73	183

Bandhavgarh National Park - Wildlife Population Estimation - 1989-1997

SPECIES	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Tiger	59	60	45	40	41	44	46	43-49	44-49
Panther	20	22	22	22	24	24	26	23-26	25-29
Bison	36	38	35	35	32	32	30	1	1
Cheetal	7169	8659	6700	5900	6000	6500	7000	7400	7137
Sambar	4518	4628	650	570	600	700	750	821	753
Neelgai	4377	4403	460	490	500	350	550	644	518
Chausinga	61	61	9	10	8	10	15	13	19
Chinkara	215	430	150	160	150	150	160	224	110
Barking Deer	162	849	180	180	175	180	180	254	151
Black Buck	15	17	17	17	17	17	17	--	--
Deer	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--

How to Reach

Bandhavgarh is spread at vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km of topography varies between steep ridges, undulating, forest and open meadows. Bandhavgarh is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers the density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India.
click here
www.bandhavgarh-national-park.com/how-to-reach-bandhavgarh.html#

By Train :
The nearest railway stations for Bandhavgarh National Park are Umaria & Katni. Umaria is 35 Kms (45 Minutes drive) & Katni is 100 Kms (02 Hrs drive) from Bandhavgarh.

By Air :
The nearest Airport for Bandhavgarh National Park is Jabalpur & Khajuraho. Jabalpur 200 Kms / 04 Hrs Drive & Khajuraho 250 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive from Bandhavgarh. One can get regular flights for Jabalpur & Khajuraho from all major airports of India.

By Road :

Bandhavgarh National Park is well connected from the nearby town & cities like Jabalpur, Satna, Umaria, Khajuraho etc. Distance & approx driving time of Bandhavgarh National Park from some of the nearby cities are mentioned below:

Destination	Distance from Bandhavgarh National PArk
Jabalpur	200 Kms / 04 Hrs Drive
Katni	100 Kms / 02 Hrs Drive
Khajuraho	250 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive
Nagpur	490 Kms / 09 Hrs Drive
Umaria	35 Kms / 45 Minutes Drive
Varanasi	350 Kms / 07 Hrs Drive
Kanha National Park	250 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive