The
park is 195 kilometers away from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh and is one of the
important tourist attractions of Madhya Pradesh. In terms of its size, Bandhavgarh
National Park is comparatively smaller than other National Parks in India, but
still has a high game density. The park has a rich bio-diversity and one can find
a variety of carnivorous and herbivorous animals in the park.
This compact
reserve is filled with grasslands, Sal trees, and bamboo trees, etc. that extend
to the north. The park has over 22 species of wildlife that includes the regal
'gaur', deer, and striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species
of bird, including Kingfishers, Egrets, and vultures that nestle in the trees
and thickets. The main wildlife viewing is still done in the core of the park
with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.
Initially just 105.40-sq-kms
in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high-density tiger
population. Today, the Park is hemmed in by Vindhya mountains range and covers
an additional area of about 448sq km. Until very recent times, the area was a
hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa. Bandhavgarh was declared a park in
1968. This is also the site where the famous White Tigers of Rewa were discovered.
What one can see at Bandhavgarh
- Bandhavgarh Fort : Overlooking the park, Bandhavgarh Fort gives a panaromic
view of the surroundings. Rising 800 m high in the sky, this majestic fort was
built by Maharajas of Rewa.
- Temples : On the way to Bandhavgarh Fort,
there are numerous temples. Rock-cut statue in one of the temples is really marvellous.
- Jabalpur Business Center :
- Khajuraho Temples :
Approach
to Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh is nearly equidistance from Jabalpur
and Khajuraho. One can take any of the land routes to reach Bandhavgarh. There
is no direct rail connection to Bandhavgarh. The nearest railhead is Katni, 120
kilometers away from Bandhavgarh. The nearest airports are at Khajuraho and Jabalpur.
