Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park is a small National ParK compact, yet full of game. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. This is also White Tiger country.
Bandhavgarh is densely populated with species: the great
gaur, or Indian bison, Sambar, Barking deer and Nilgai are to be seen in the more open areas of the park.
Covering 448 sq. km, Bandhavgarh is situated in Shahdol district among the outlying hills of Vindhya range. The terrain is of great rocky hills rising sharply from the swampy and densely-forested valley bottoms.
The finest of these hills is Bandhavgarh, sided with great cliffs and eroded rocks and on its highest point stands Bandhavgarh fort, thought to be some 2,000 years old.
Major Flora
Sal, Saja, Dhauda, Tendu, Arjun, Aonla, Pals, Salai, Bhirra, Khamer, Dhaman, Mango, Jamun, Bamboo, etc.
Major Fauna
Main Species
Mammals:
Spotted deer or Chital, Sambar, Barking deer or Muntjac, Chausinga or Four-horned antilope, Nilgai or Blue bull, Indian Gazel or chinkara and Tiger, Leopard, wild dog or Dhole, Wolf, Scavangers consists of Hyena, jackal, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Common Langur, Rhesus monkey etc.
Bird:
242 species of birds have been identified in the Reserve. Commonly seen are Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl, Grey Hornbill, Common Teals, Red Wattled Lapwing, Crested Serpent Eagle, White Breasted Kingfisher, Lesser Adjutant Stork, etc.
Reptile: Cobras, Kraits, Vipers and Python
Fauna listed in the Schedules of WPA, 1972
Tiger (Panthera tigris), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Wolf (Canis lupus), Jackal (Canis aureus), Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus), Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), Ratel (Mellivora capensis), Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), Chinkara (Gazella gazella) and Chowsingha (Tetraceros quadicornis). Amongst birds are Malabar Pied Hornbill and amongst reptiles Indian Varanus (Varanus bengalensis) and Python (Python morulus).
How to reach Bandhavgarh National Park
By Air :
The most convenient route to Bandhavgarh is by air to Khajuraho from where it is a five-hour drive( 237 km ).
By Rail :
The nearest railway stations near Bandhavgarh are Jabalpur(164 km), Katni(102 km)on the Central Railway and Umaria (35 km) on the South Eastern Railway.
By Road :
State/Private transport buses ply between Katni, Umaria Satna & Rewa. Taxis are available at satna, Jabalpur, Katni, Umaria, Bilaspur and Khajuraho.
