Article on tiger conservation in India.
Article: Tiger Conservation
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Work Shop: Photography of tigers
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wildlife Photography Work Shop at Kanha
21st to 24th May 09
Photography workshop organized by Hotel Celebration at Kanha National Park. The workshop offers unique opportunity for budding wildlife and nature photographers to get first hand lesson in the art. The workshop will be conducted by acclaimed wildlife photographer Mr. Kalyan Verma.
The workshop at Kanha has three components:
Photo Sessions in the Park with Kalyan Verma.
Learn to photograph tigers and other wild animals.
Work shop in class room session by Kalyan Verma.
Get first hand knowledge techniques employed in Wildlife Photography.
Discussion with and demonstration by Kalyan Verma.
Discussions and demos of vast range of techniques.
Accommodation will be provided by Van Vilas Celebration Resort at Kanha National Park at Mocha. The Cost for attending the workshop is Rs.12200 per person twin sharing basis. For single occupancy extra Rs.2000 has to be paid over Rs12200.
What all is Included in Cost? *
All Park Fee *
Accommodation based on double occupancy *
All 3 meals inclusive with morning and evening tea*
Services of guide and jeep driver.
What is Not Included in the cost?
* Your travel charges to and back to your hometown.
* Elephant ride.
* Tipping
* Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, insurance and airport taxes.
* Alcoholic beverages and sodas
* Laundry, phone and other items.
For Registration - Please contact:
Rajesh Singh
Phone : 9425203151
Email : vanvilaskanha@yahoo.com
=============
For queries contact:
kalyan@rtns.org
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Trekking tiger at Corbett
It was just a faint sound that caught my ears. I knew well that it was an alarm cry of the Sambar. I brought the jeep to halt with a tap on the shoulder of the bewildered driver.
“There is a tiger here” I said to my guest from Germany. They were bit perplexed because they could not see one. Then the alarm cries of spotted deer confirmed my deduction. The deer were across the Ramganga river and could see them through my binocs. They were constantly warning and moving in the opposite direction on full alert. I knew now where the tiger was.
It was somewhere on the bank of the river towards us and probably in the deep nullah down the slope of the hill we were on. We waited for a long time, the Sambar call from over the hill had died down and so had the calls of the spotted deer.
I told my guests that we have a fair chance to see the tiger if it decides to come out in the open , where we could see it. My guests were bit impatience doubting as to if the tiger was actually there. “Come out Mr. Tiger or I will be proved wrong” I whispered to my self.
We were on a birding trip to North India that covered Bharatpur, Nainital district and Corbett national Park in Uttranchal. After a successful bird tour, we were on the last leg of our trip at Corbett. Birding was our focus but so was the tiger…obviously.
I was screening my surroundings as we waited silently…then out of blue a small troop of rhesus macaque arrived on the other side of the jungle road.
“We will see the tiger now! The monkeys will fetch the tiger for us,” I announced elated. By this time the rest of our group had also arrived behind us. “Move slowly towards the macaques,” I instructed the driver. He did so and so did the rest. Now we were in full view of the mountain slope.
The rhesus is like a curious cat and is afraid of the tiger and emits a strange clucking sound as alarm cry. Unlike other prey species they do not move away. The rhesus or red faced monkeys have a habit of going right next to the tiger (up a tree of course) and give its game away. They did right that and an irritated tiger rose up from the nullah and came right unto our view. Our package tour to North India for birding struck success with the tiger sighting. It is not always possible to sight tigers like this.
We could see it rushing past right through the short bushes. A tiger sighting had been made and people from far were elated. Tourists on tiger safaris come from far and wide to see the tiger. Whence they succeed in sighting the charismatic tiger all the effort, time and cost is paid for.
“There is a tiger here” I said to my guest from Germany. They were bit perplexed because they could not see one. Then the alarm cries of spotted deer confirmed my deduction. The deer were across the Ramganga river and could see them through my binocs. They were constantly warning and moving in the opposite direction on full alert. I knew now where the tiger was.
It was somewhere on the bank of the river towards us and probably in the deep nullah down the slope of the hill we were on. We waited for a long time, the Sambar call from over the hill had died down and so had the calls of the spotted deer.
I told my guests that we have a fair chance to see the tiger if it decides to come out in the open , where we could see it. My guests were bit impatience doubting as to if the tiger was actually there. “Come out Mr. Tiger or I will be proved wrong” I whispered to my self.
We were on a birding trip to North India that covered Bharatpur, Nainital district and Corbett national Park in Uttranchal. After a successful bird tour, we were on the last leg of our trip at Corbett. Birding was our focus but so was the tiger…obviously.
I was screening my surroundings as we waited silently…then out of blue a small troop of rhesus macaque arrived on the other side of the jungle road.
“We will see the tiger now! The monkeys will fetch the tiger for us,” I announced elated. By this time the rest of our group had also arrived behind us. “Move slowly towards the macaques,” I instructed the driver. He did so and so did the rest. Now we were in full view of the mountain slope.
The rhesus is like a curious cat and is afraid of the tiger and emits a strange clucking sound as alarm cry. Unlike other prey species they do not move away. The rhesus or red faced monkeys have a habit of going right next to the tiger (up a tree of course) and give its game away. They did right that and an irritated tiger rose up from the nullah and came right unto our view. Our package tour to North India for birding struck success with the tiger sighting. It is not always possible to sight tigers like this.
We could see it rushing past right through the short bushes. A tiger sighting had been made and people from far were elated. Tourists on tiger safaris come from far and wide to see the tiger. Whence they succeed in sighting the charismatic tiger all the effort, time and cost is paid for.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tiger Images
A tiger tour in Bandhavgarh can yield best images for a wildlife photographer. It is the best place to see and photograph the tiger in the wild. The photo have been obtained by courtesy of Dr. Nishith Patel an avid wildlife photographer and naturalist of repute. I am also thankful to the manager of Bandhavgarh resort a lodge called "Bandhavgarh Meadows" based in the tiger reserve. 
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Of River and Ravines
Chambal River Safari
I work as group leader and naturalist with Indian package tour operator "India Footprints". The company provides tailor made package tours in India.
The company operates package tours to several destinations in India. My involvement is in wildlife & birding tours as group leader and birder.
My recent visit to Chambal River Sanctuary was in one such package which included destinations like Sattal, Pangot, Bharatpur and Corbett National Park. The focus was on bird watching as it was a birding tour. The tour members where from Germany and keen birders.
Chambal river sanctuary stretches 400 miles and is a unique destination not so popular yet. It is an amazing river, pure and unscathed by pollutants of modern civilization. The river flows amidst ravines once famous for deadly dacoits - now dwindling. The dacoits are still there and so are the tourists who come to no harm from these insidious creatures.
The ravines impart exquisite charm to the river which offers finest boating experience ever. As one cruises along the river the hosts are none other then crocodiles and gharials with a pair of river dolphins occasionally popping up - it is an ethereal site.
The boating excursions are organized by the Chambal Safari Lodge owned by Mr. R.P.Singh a wonderful host and charming person. The boat excursion covers long stretch of the river with basking crocodiles and gharials - the fish eating cousin. Alongside loom large the sun burnt ravines and steep mountains. Amidst occasional splashes of cool waters, boating transcends into an incredible safari for the visitors. The river safari offers good birding, sightseeing and river exploration to the tourists.
This rugged land and the river retain pristine glory and charm of old India - glorified as personification of incredible beauty and wonder.
The Chambal lodge compliments the surroundings and hospitality is warm and the service par excellence. The accommodation retains the old world charm of land lords and their luxurious lifestyle. It is worth being here believe me!
The company operates package tours to several destinations in India. My involvement is in wildlife & birding tours as group leader and birder.
My recent visit to Chambal River Sanctuary was in one such package which included destinations like Sattal, Pangot, Bharatpur and Corbett National Park. The focus was on bird watching as it was a birding tour. The tour members where from Germany and keen birders.
Chambal river sanctuary stretches 400 miles and is a unique destination not so popular yet. It is an amazing river, pure and unscathed by pollutants of modern civilization. The river flows amidst ravines once famous for deadly dacoits - now dwindling. The dacoits are still there and so are the tourists who come to no harm from these insidious creatures.
The ravines impart exquisite charm to the river which offers finest boating experience ever. As one cruises along the river the hosts are none other then crocodiles and gharials with a pair of river dolphins occasionally popping up - it is an ethereal site.
The boating excursions are organized by the Chambal Safari Lodge owned by Mr. R.P.Singh a wonderful host and charming person. The boat excursion covers long stretch of the river with basking crocodiles and gharials - the fish eating cousin. Alongside loom large the sun burnt ravines and steep mountains. Amidst occasional splashes of cool waters, boating transcends into an incredible safari for the visitors. The river safari offers good birding, sightseeing and river exploration to the tourists.
This rugged land and the river retain pristine glory and charm of old India - glorified as personification of incredible beauty and wonder.
The Chambal lodge compliments the surroundings and hospitality is warm and the service par excellence. The accommodation retains the old world charm of land lords and their luxurious lifestyle. It is worth being here believe me!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
White Tiger
White Tiger - Images By Mr. Mohun Pai
The most amazing animal "the tiger" has the most amazing variant "the white tiger". Like the tiger white tiger has captivated the hearts and minds of a large number of animal lovers all over the World.
From being dubbed as an albino tiger to mutant to being a seperate species the white tiger is in truth is as a result a reccessive gene. Anyway it is a charming animals and excpet in case of pigmentation, in all respect same as the normal orange tiger.
What I understand from this is that at some stage of evolution the ancestors of the tiger might have no yellow pigment and where white. One reason I guess could be severe cold climate ice age justifying the white pigment (Siberian Tiger forgive me). The pigmentation changed whence climate change occured.........................Eeeeeeeeeeeeyah Best I can think of.
The first white tiger in the wild was discovered by the Maharaja of Rewa - HH Martand Singhji near the Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. Subsequently white tiger was transported and bred in many zoos.
There are many historical records of white tiger sightings in Indian jungles before Mohun was captured in Central Indian forests. Perhaps some day a white tiger would be found in the wild again if tigers do survive in the wild in India.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Basking Crocodiles
The first sight of Ramganga River forced me to call halt! The jeep driver was bit surprised at sudden intrusion into the smooth drive to rest house in Corbett tiger reserve. This was my first visit to Corbett in Uttranchal a few years back.
With the large stretch of clear blue transparent waters and white stone on the banks - Ramganga river is an enchanting site to behold. I had never seen such beautiful river in my life earlier.
We were on the way to Sarapduli rest house in the core area of the Corbett National park famous for tigers and wild elephants. Sarapduli in my opinion is the best place to stay on a wildlife safari although certainly not star class. The rest house is surrounded on three sides by dense forests and a steep slope in the front which leads to the river bank.
Though silent at day time Sarapduli comes alive to the roars of the tigers and alarm cries of deer in the night time. For a wildlife lover what more? In wee hour of the morning in bitter cold and dense fog a number of Indian birds of come to perch on the surrounding trees and shrubs.
On my first day I photographed basking crocs on river bank. It was one of the best photo shoot I have had of the reptiles. I missed a tiger by a whisker, whence returning from the photo shoot. The pug marks were clearly visible on the damp soil of the trickle from the marshy grasslands. I could see sweat on brows of the accompanying forest guard as he ushered me out of there back to the rest house.
In summers the rest house is crowded by wild elephants and the whole camp is alive in the night. It is feverish with activity in effort to ward off the elephants and there cubs from the premises of the rest house. Elephant watchers visit the park February onwards to see wild elephants that are every where especially in the extensive grasslands.
With the large stretch of clear blue transparent waters and white stone on the banks - Ramganga river is an enchanting site to behold. I had never seen such beautiful river in my life earlier.
We were on the way to Sarapduli rest house in the core area of the Corbett National park famous for tigers and wild elephants. Sarapduli in my opinion is the best place to stay on a wildlife safari although certainly not star class. The rest house is surrounded on three sides by dense forests and a steep slope in the front which leads to the river bank.
Though silent at day time Sarapduli comes alive to the roars of the tigers and alarm cries of deer in the night time. For a wildlife lover what more? In wee hour of the morning in bitter cold and dense fog a number of Indian birds of come to perch on the surrounding trees and shrubs.
On my first day I photographed basking crocs on river bank. It was one of the best photo shoot I have had of the reptiles. I missed a tiger by a whisker, whence returning from the photo shoot. The pug marks were clearly visible on the damp soil of the trickle from the marshy grasslands. I could see sweat on brows of the accompanying forest guard as he ushered me out of there back to the rest house.
In summers the rest house is crowded by wild elephants and the whole camp is alive in the night. It is feverish with activity in effort to ward off the elephants and there cubs from the premises of the rest house. Elephant watchers visit the park February onwards to see wild elephants that are every where especially in the extensive grasslands.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Kanha Kisli
The name brings nostalgic memories of Kanha of old. I remember when I first visited Kanha in early seventies. That time the National Park was popularly known as Kanha Kisli.
The reason for the park being called Kanha Kisli was due to villages in what is now the core area of the park. When you enter the park from Khatia gate you first reach Kisli, here the village has been shifted out of the park and only the British period rest houses remain. Besides the two rest houses and canteen an MPTDC hotel and a dormitory has come up and a day center for the forest staff. The petrol pump is also functioning at Kisli.
Outside the park in the periphery of the buffer zone the lodges at Kanha have far overtaken the rest house which now caters to VIPs and Government officers of top ranking. At that time the rest houses where in near dilapidated condition and you had to cook your own food. At the time of my visit the village at Kisli was still there but shifted soon after.
Tigers prowled the vicinity of the rest house we stayed in, and one could hear the roars at night time. Thankfully tigers still prowl there and roars can be heard even now. Villages at Kanha where shifted earlier and the rest house is now a museum. At hill top at Kanha the Field Director’s residence is enveloped by forest canopy and is one of most enviable object for a tiger lover like me.
Kanha museum is worth visiting informative and entertaining as it is. For those on tiger safari Kanha is a resting stop where one is allowed to consume eatables prohibited elsewhere in the park. If you are not carrying food then visit the canteen for some hot tea and spicy samosas.
On that trip I spotted a tigress and large herds of Bison or gaur as they are called in Hindi. The gaur population was depleted in 1976 due to rinderpest attack. The swamp deer or hard ground barasingha where struggling to survive and were penned in a large enclosure. This assured of an increasing population in times to come and conservation of this rare animal is history.
The reason for the park being called Kanha Kisli was due to villages in what is now the core area of the park. When you enter the park from Khatia gate you first reach Kisli, here the village has been shifted out of the park and only the British period rest houses remain. Besides the two rest houses and canteen an MPTDC hotel and a dormitory has come up and a day center for the forest staff. The petrol pump is also functioning at Kisli.
Outside the park in the periphery of the buffer zone the lodges at Kanha have far overtaken the rest house which now caters to VIPs and Government officers of top ranking. At that time the rest houses where in near dilapidated condition and you had to cook your own food. At the time of my visit the village at Kisli was still there but shifted soon after.
Tigers prowled the vicinity of the rest house we stayed in, and one could hear the roars at night time. Thankfully tigers still prowl there and roars can be heard even now. Villages at Kanha where shifted earlier and the rest house is now a museum. At hill top at Kanha the Field Director’s residence is enveloped by forest canopy and is one of most enviable object for a tiger lover like me.
Kanha museum is worth visiting informative and entertaining as it is. For those on tiger safari Kanha is a resting stop where one is allowed to consume eatables prohibited elsewhere in the park. If you are not carrying food then visit the canteen for some hot tea and spicy samosas.
On that trip I spotted a tigress and large herds of Bison or gaur as they are called in Hindi. The gaur population was depleted in 1976 due to rinderpest attack. The swamp deer or hard ground barasingha where struggling to survive and were penned in a large enclosure. This assured of an increasing population in times to come and conservation of this rare animal is history.
The road to Kanha was lined with pristine forests and small but quaint tribal villages. Now a whole community of retailers, small business men, hoteliers and what not has added to the population. The urbanization forces you to find succor within the National Park.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Elephant Trekkers – The Mahouts
The most exciting experience of tiger safari in Central Indian tiger reserves are of course the elephant rides which take you into the deep recess of the jungles. Albeit long rides on elephant back is a thing of the past with only Bandhavgarh offering it? This long ride is subject to availability and to current policies of the reserve. And exorbitantly costly affordable only by those who are cash rich.
Nevertheless tiger safari on elephant back can still be enjoyed for a short distance during the tiger shows. During tiger show you are taken on an elephant back from your vehicle to the spot where the tiger has been cordoned by a group of park elephants. One can enjoy elephant safari at Bandhavgarh tiger reserve, Kanha and Pench National Park in Central Indian tiger reserves.
Elephants bear the gruel of the rough terrain and a difficult routine so do their riders or mahouts. The routine starts at perhaps four in the morning in winters it is freezing cold. The elephants are fed by the mahouts and then saddled if you may call it that.
In the National Parks wild tiger trekking on elephant begins immediately at predawn in the darkness of the night. As expert trekkers that elephant drivers are they succeed often. With a clue here and there a pug mark fresh, alarm calls of distressed deer or a tiger roar whatever. Picking these clues the mahouts ride deep into the inaccessible forest and trek down the tiger.
The communication between the elephant and his driver is a matter of marvel. The team work that whole lot of driven elephants and their drivers is a marvel again. By the time the tiger is located and shown to you much of trekking has been done. Keeping the located tiger at one place is again demonstration of the mahouts skill and the resilience of their animal.
It is not easy to keep the tiger at one place yet they succeed amazingly. If the tiger gets restive they manage to hold him for a long time till beyond a certain point he is wisely let go off.
Elephant ride in through the dense canopy of dagger like and equally menacing bamboo clumps, steep rocky inclines and twisting water beds is an experience never to be avoided. Though petrifying at times you will relish the thrill of this elephant ride. Trust Me!
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