Tiger Safari Zones Bandhavgarh

 Bandhavgarh is a National Park and a tiger reserve situated in the Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh. It is located 170 Km from Jabalpur a large city of Madhya Pradesh or MP. The park is divided into the core zone and buffer zone.

The core zone is inviolate, and no commercial activity or settlements are permitted. The only habitation is that of forest guards, and they number more than 150. The core is the main breeding ground of wild animals and since the place is inviolate wild animals live and breed in peace.

The buffer zone is a multiple-use area, and it is a mix of forests, fields, and tribal villages. Tourism in the buffer is conducted in the remaining forests and movement of humans and livestock is not permitted. Tourism takes place in these restricted forests in day time but night safari takes place in some buffer zones.

Tourism Zones in Core

There are three tourism zones in the core where jeeps on permits are allowed.

The zones are:

• ·         Tala
• ·         Magdhi
• ·         Khitauli  

The buffer zones are:

• ·         Dhamokhar
• ·         Panpatha
• ·         Johila

Two-day safaris are organized one in the early morning and the other in the evening. Some parks also organize full-day safaris where there is no zone limitation. You can trespass any zone but meals are allowed in designated places. The entry is half an hour earlier than regular rides and the exit is half an hour later.

In all the zones safaris are permitted on a permit, and the entry of jeeps is limited. The permits can be booked online at MPOnline Portal. You can also book safari permits at the gate provided it is available. If one of your friends and family does not have their name on the permit they can still enjoy the ride through add-on policy. Only six tourists are allowed on one jeep remember? There is also a single-seat booking facility that can be booked and shared by solo tourists.

Bandhavgarh is home to a tiger, leopard, bison, and sloth bear. Except for the bison, other animal sightings are rare. For an exciting wildlife experience book your game rides in advance.

Buffer Zone Transition to Eco Sensitive Zone

 Eco-Sensitive Zone or Ecologically Fragile Areas - EFAs

This new concept is being developed, implemented, and regulated by MOEF in India.  I believe the eco-development committee with public participation will play a vital role in the management of our ring or the buffer zone of National Parks, tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries ((WLS) all notified as such but deemed to be considered as Protected Areas.   

Practically renaming the buffer zone as an eco-sensitive zone has very few consequences for the resident public mostly tribal farmers. But this whole exercise would not have been considered without some changes being brought about.  

Farming as usual by the locals will continue outside the limits of reserve forests. The certain industry will be banned as they are already banned but the notification would mean more will fall under the purview.  

The declaration is under the purview of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 in which sub-section 3 (2) (v) empowers the Central Government to manage or notify certain commercial activities in such zones as banned or permissible or to be regulated.  The effort is to provide greater protection and a smooth transition to outer areas which do not face such restrictions.  

Biodiversity, biotic and abiotic pressures, environmentally friendly land use limits, pollutants, and other factors have to be considered whence framing guidelines in these areas which are specific to each Protected Area.  The criteria would be nearly the same as that in declaring a No Development Zone by the Government of India.

The guidelines, restrictions, etc may be reviewed by the Central Government whenever it decides. The ESZ could be notified keeping ecological sensitivity into account based on species rarity,  ecosystem-based, and also based Geo Morphological Features.  

This strategy was formulated in a 2002 meeting of the National Board for Wildlife  India. The area designated was ten kilometers in the periphery of the core or in the case of tiger reserves the critical tiger habitat.            

Albeit this concept stands as highly important for conservation and the environment in India there are many problems faced by the PAs in different states which are creating hesitancy. The outer rings around many PAs are ill-defined due to the prevalence of a high population density, heavy industries, and even major urban settlements. All this will certainly create a state of conflict and make implementation difficult. In around such PAs the die has already been cast. Uprooting established activities would hamper development as many State bodies say.  

We are certainly at crossroads either we give two hoots to wildlife conservation and protection or face upheaval in order to rectify all anomalies made in the past whence the concept of proper land use pattern was not a consideration.  

Besides sustaining the sink populations due to active breeding since conservation initiatives were implemented these are vital wildlife corridors for migrant species in India. Migration is important for cross-breeding and thus the transfer of genes from one distant area to another. If this is not allowed to happen inbreeding will lead to near extinction possibly hampering all conservation initiatives in the country. Though the need for creating viable corridors is without any doubt, the implementation of political dispensations is difficult as a large number of human settlement translocations would be required. 

This is being penned for amateur enthusiasts interested in conservation. In the past few centuries, humans have encroached upon sensitive ecosystems and destroyed them. Those remaining or are partially viable are the subject of this policy. Many species find coexistence in close vicinity with humans impossible and furthered by indiscriminate land use mostly for agriculture the sensitive species lose ground quickly. This tragedy has occurred in our country extensively.  Swamp deer is a tangent example of this duress imposed by humans in India.

For greater clarity read the article of Wikipedia EFAs          

Further Read: Our Urban Footprints         

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Uday Works as Freelance Naturalist and Blogs on conservation, tigers, environmental issues.

He also provides SEO and Website Contents in English. He teaches Digital Marketing in Jabalpur in Summers.

He can be contacted at:

Mail: pateluday90@hotmail.com
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Bandhavgarh - More of it

After the notification of Bandhavgarh as Tiger Reserve the area was increased to more than 100 hundred sq km. This constitutes both the core zone as well as the periphery.  The neighboring Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary was also brought under the aegis of BTR.

The enlarged area is meant to accord greater protection to Bengal tigers and co-inhabitants as well as the ecosystem. A number settlements exist in the tiger preserve. Panpatha has hitherto become and entrance especially for tourism- Pan Patha Zone. This patch of forest was till now unexplored

Another interesting part of BTR is Marzad Garh where few tourist visit. The bamboo bridge on River Umrar is a sight to behold...the jungle road leads to a watch tower at the top of the mountain. The vantage point offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Bandhavgarh terrain. Marzad Garh is a less visited place and worth a visit.    

Tigers and leopards are reported in these forest which is home to impressive wildlife and bird life. The main road after leaving the forests leads to Barhi Highway from where one can reach to Muchmucha via Kuan Village. One has to take a turn towards Kuan Village about 12 km From Khitauli on Barhi Road. 

Muchmucha is a small village on the periphery of the reserve. It is an agricultural settlement of tribal and mixed communities. The surrounding forests, wetlands and open fields constitute an ideal birding destination. The tigers and leopards often kill livestock here and the bold ones lift them right out of the cowshed. The incidence happened whence I was on a birding trip here. I stayed in Muchmucha Kothi a quaint accommodation which was once a hunting lodge during the British Raj. The property belongs to Mr. Avinash Pathak -conservationist,  landlord and hotelier. He also runs a package tour company in MP.

The Kothi is enchanting with simple services and few modern amenities. It is spacious, well furnished with old time paraphernalia and exudes class. Many industrialists and businessmen have visited the place on holidays. I had good birding time here, and saw much wildlife though missed the tigers due to preoccupation with the avian species.

Muchmucha is about 30 km from Tala but offers peace and serenity away from the mad tiger rush. It is more for the niche traveler interested in birding and safaris in unexplored quarters. It is also for those in quest of peaceful hang about in a village living in old times. A ride to Tala Gate from here offers exciting wildlife watching at many places with little disturbance. A part of the drive is through villages while most of it is through the buffer zone.  

The Kothi is a unique experience and unlike the luxury hotels in Bandhavgarh the lodge is not crowded. The accommodation is more of a farm resort in picturesque surroundings. In winters as you sit under the camp fire the starry night sky enlivens your spirit and augurs hope. The food is classic with lot of local touch, enhanced by the enchanting little dining room with mahogany table and chairs. Candles flicker wild in expectation as you dine in cozy ambiance created by the candlelight.     

The Khitauli Zone offers the best in wildlife safaris and birding. Apart from Marzad Garh other interesting places are: Chakri Dongri, Kumbhi Kacchhar, Garhpuri Dam, Tedka Munara and Nigahi Nala. The extensive forest cover, perennial streams and grasslands offer ideal habitat to the herbivores, tigers and leopards. Nilgai and Sloth bear are often seen in this zone in BTR.