Searching for Tigers in Esoteric Tiger Landscape called Kipling Country

Kipling Country

Seooni Hills! Kipling referred to this mountain range in Satpuras as the abode of human-like creatures he penned so vividly in his book "The Jungle Book". These hills now comprise Pench National Park and the tiger reserve. Kipling's esoteric emotions can be well understood once you experience the panoramic grandeur of these mixed forests. Hardwood comprising tall trees like teak and its associates dominate the tiger landscape.  Mowgli is no more, but you see thousands in the villages around living in harmony with the wilderness around.  

                                                                         Tiger Safari Photo

It is here at Seooni Hills that Mowgli the wolf child was born and reared by the wolves. He was first discovered by Lt.Moor of the British Army in 1800 AD. The child was reared by his foster parents - a pair of wolves who led the pack. He virtually existed as a naked hunting human among the canids.  

Elephant Safari

Except for Sher Khan with a propensity to kill humans, especially Mowgli, the rest of the animals had become extremely possessive of the human child living among the wolf.  Despite all the myths and depictions in shikar tales, Sher Khan is no more a bloodthirsty human killer in this esoteric land. He is under the aegis of Project Tiger a program designed to save the big cats of India. He is the pride of India as the National Animal. 

Tiger Conservation Story

A country steeped deep in conservation ethos since the Vedic Times paradoxically managed to lose 90% of forest land and the tiger. Although the country lived with roots disabled by the invaders and foreign rulers still respects all life forms. Nevertheless, the Royal elites with priestly invocations were also responsible for the massacre of the tigers in India.

Barely 1400 tigers survived the onslaught of the hunters and poachers in the seventies whence the Project Tiger was launched. The merciless onslaught on wildlife was ongoing even after independence. Fortunately, India managed to stem the rot thanks to The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.  Fast-spreading agriculture, an imperative to feed teeming millions ravaged most of the ecosystems in the country. This impacted the very existence of the tiger in India but thankfully Project Tiger was launched in the year 1973. The notification of protected areas happened with the inviolate core. The core was a blessing in disguise for the beleaguered species as they could breed in complete privacy devoid of human interference. Only 20% of the core is open to regulated tourism and the big cats are flourishing in the zones.

Pench National Park

Today you explore Pench Wilderness by booking a tiger safari on the jeep in this Indian paradise. If your imagination surpasses Kipling's then you will see living creatures everywhere. They are like humans perhaps more gentle and kind. Do not forget a pat on Mowgli's back in the nearby village and say "Hello" to the wolves as you come across the pack. Remember to book the safari permit in advance. Vehicle entry is limited in the tourism zones. You can book online at MPOnline Portal belong to Madhya Pradesh Government in India.       

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Uday has worked as a naturalist and loves to write about tigers and other wildlife forms. He also provides SEO Services and Content for Digital Marketing. He can be contacted at :

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Mob/Watsapp: 9755089323

Terai Arc Landscape & Tiger Corridors

That's Dudhwa my agent pointed out to me. What!Where!" All I could see were some sugar cane fields and grassy patches. Not until we cut through a dense canopy of Sal did I realize that we were at the periphery of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.  

This was, way back few years a ago. The tiger reserve is now home to Rhino after a successful translocation. The reserve is host to the Northern Swamp deer, tigers, hispid hare, pygmy hog, wild elephants, and a number of mammals besides a large number of bird species. The region holds some rare and endangered species.     

Swamp deer was in abundance in the old time but due to excess hunting and habitat destruction, their population is limited to the tiger reserve. Singhai township is one place I frequently visited, this was once a hunting ground near the tiger reserve, and the name addresses the swamp deer. Singhai means an assemblage of horns this is in reference to the rare swamp deer species. Maharajahs and the British favored this place for hunts. Rest is the sordid saga of the destruction of wilderness in India.     

The North or Uttar Pradesh is a land of plains and intense agriculture. Heavily populated and urbanized, Dudhwa and adjoining forest patches are the few that are left. Thankfully they are under much-needed protection as wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves,

Dudhwa now encompasses Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and is connected to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary through narrow corridors - weak and facing human intrusion. On the Nepal side, the forest contiguity is provided by Shukla Phanta Wildlife Sanctuary and Bardia National Park.       

The green corridors connect the wildlife heavens but are in much need of protection and care. The corridors are denuded in place but nevertheless, animals migrate to adjoining forests in times of stress.

A green corridor that connects Dudhwa with Shuklaphanta is  Laldhadi. The lagga-Bagga corridor connects Pilibhit to Shuklaphanta. The Kartaniaghat-Khata and Boom-Brahmadev Corridors to Shuklaphanta and Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary. The latter is in the Uttarakhand State of India. Bardia National Park in Nepal is connected with Katarniaghat through the Khata Green Corridor. Rhinos migrate to and fro through this corridor.    

Human settlements engulf and intrude on the corridors reducing connectivity and giving rise to frequent man-animal conflicts. Many years ago the region had become volatile due to frequent cases of man-eating, especially at Gola and Mohammadi townships in Lakhimpur Kheri District where Dudhwa TR and Kisanpur WLS are situated. 

Man-animal conflicts do occur in recent times but the frequency has decreased thanks to greater surveillance and conservation measures.  A lot of work is being done to repair and rejuvenate these vital passages which have resulted in some improvement. The beleaguered wilderness needs much more work to be done if the free movement of wild animals has to take place without stress.

Apart from afforestation, resource preservation including water and strict protection management has to be in place if the tiger population in Terai Arc Landscape has to bounce back. This region had a one-time abundant tiger population and a high density of prey base. The resulting denudation has had an adverse impact on the floral characteristic. Human population and land use dynamics in the present circumstances have a negative impact on the habitats resulting in fragmentation and affecting the viability of corridors used for migration. Understanding key factors that impact habitats and life forms that inhabit the ecosystems is vital for the conservation ecology of the region as a whole.         

Bandhavgarh Spectacular Mountain Views

The tiger park has unique topography with high rise mountains, glens and meandering rivers. The Bandhavgarh mountains are table topped with dense forest on easy slopes and rocks, sand and tufts of grass on the cliffs. The table land are always enveloped in serenity  and clam. The esoteric scape send tourists on ruptures of delight. 

The mountains over look the green valleys and rivulets that snake through the grassy meadows. The panoramic grandeur is breathtaking and mesmerizing. Tiger sightings on such scape are enthralling, for many a time the big cat is seen on the plateaus of the mountains.

At that great height when you look around you, you see some barren mountain walls dotted with man made cave and horse stables. The cavities in the bare mountains walls have been further dug up to make these human structures. In ancient days these were used by soldiers and their horses.  You wonder in awe how far humans can reach. With the decline of dynasties that came to rule here these places are empty and only used by tigers. These are excellent resting and breeding grounds for the big cats of the park.   

The panoramic splendor is 360 degrees, breathtaking and awe inspiring. The sight and feel creates a synergy between the tourists and the pristine surroundings. The roads all around are rough and with full of discomforting stones nevertheless you ignore the bump they generate, fully enmeshed with the natural India.  

The tiger safaris at Bandhavgarh yield much more than animal sightings - you are in a different World. A mesmerizing experience in a wildlife heaven and amidst ancient historical architectural masterpieces.    

The highest point in the reserve is Bandhavgarh which sites atop the mountain with the same name. It is at 800 MSL plus and is accessible after a steep climb. The fort now in ruins is an esoteric delight with impressive idols of zoomorphic forms of Lord Vishnu scattered all along the table land.

The highlight of the tour is the reclining Vishnu about twenty feet long sculptured from igneous rock. The statue reclines beside a fairy pool that is surrounded by dense vegetation of ferns, climbers and moss. The small springs which feed the pool make Shesh Shaiyya and enchanting place. It used to shelter weary soldiers on the way up now tigers inhabit this place.   

You can see all the idols on the trip plus visit the huge man made reservoirs besides many artifacts of archeological importance. The religious minded can pay obeisance at the ancient Ram Janki Temple facing the park.         

A visit to the Fort is not possible on regular park safari. Special arrangement has to be made in advance. A  permit is required which the resort in Bandhavgarh that offers you the accommodation can arrange. You need to carry packed lunch and lot of water for the trip. 


The plateaus are heaven for wildlife an you can expect to see animals in the grassy meadows and the forests. They are excellent for  birding as difference in habitat yields new species. For exploring Bandhavgarh one needs a stay of at east three nights. A long stay is bound to result in exciting discoveries.