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Bandhavgarh National ParkBandhavgarh National Park is located in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh state in India. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 with an area of 105 km². The park derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which is said to be given by Lord Rama to his brother Laxman to keep a watch on Lanka. Hence the name Bandhavgarh (Bandhav=Brother, Garh=Fort). This 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. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known in 1951. This white tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the Maharajas of Rewa.
TopographyBandhavgarh National Park lies on the extreme north- eastern border of the present state of Madhya Pradesh in India and the northern flanks of the eastern Satpuda Mountain range. Latitudes and longitudes are 23°30' to 23°46' North and 80°11' to 36'East. The altitude is between 410 m and 810 m. The geology is soft feldspathic sandstone with quartzite. The soil is generally sandy to sandy-loam. More than twenty streams rise or flow through the park. Of these Umrar (forming the western boundary) is the largest. The other important streams are Johilla (eastern boundary), Janadh, Charnganga, Damnar, Banbei, Ambanala and Andhyari Jhiria. All these streams eventually flow into the river Son, which is an important southern tributary to the Ganges. ClimateThe climate is north Indian monsoon, characterized by well-defined winters, summers and rains. The mercury has been recorded to drop to a low of 2°C (in January) and a high of 44°C (in may). Average rainfall is 1173 mm, most of which falls during the monsoons. Some rains result from the cyclones as well, between the months of November and February. The terrainThe 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; on its highest point stands Bandhavgarh Fort , thought to be some 2,000 years old. Scattered throughout the park, and particularly around the fort, are numerous caves containing shrines and ancient Sanskrit inscriptions. The caves that dot this land served as a recluse for tigers. Now, they serve as a nursery for the cubs of the most famous of its animals- the tiger. One big reason why the survival rate of the tiger cubs in Bandhavgarh is so high is the protection and shelter provided by the caves to the cubs during a time when they are at their most vulnerable. At the centre of the Park is the Bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level – surrounding it are a large number of smaller hills separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy meadows, locally known as 'bohera'. The lowest point in the park is at Tala (440 meters above sea level). Past HistoryBandhagarh National Park is a Park with a rich historical past. Prior to becoming a national park, the forests around Bandhavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharajas and their guests. In 1947 Rewa State was merged with Madhya Pradesh; Bandhavgarh came under the regulations of Madhya Pradesh. The Maharaja of Rewa still retained the hunting rights. No special conservation measures were taken until 1968, when the areas were constituted as a national park. Since then, numerous steps have been taken to retain Bandhavgarh National Park as an unspoilt natural habitat. The tourism zone of the park that is regarded by most people, as ‘Bandhavgarh’ is actually a small part of the reserve. This 105 km². Of Jungle, known as Tala range, is richest in terms of biodiversity and yes –tigers, but there are four more ranges in the reserve namely –Magdhi, Kallwah, Khitauli and Panpatha. Together, these five ranges comprise the 'Core' of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve – a total area of 694 km². There is then, the 'buffer' as well. The buffer is spread over the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals another 437 km². The legal status as a national park dates back to 1968, but was enjoyed by only the present Tala range for a considerable length of time. It was only in 1993 that the present scheme of things was put in place. The Invaluable HeritageBandhavgarh (the present Tala Range) enjoyed almost complete protection under the Maharajas of Rewa during the pre-independence era. The jungle though had a price to pay for the considerable protection afforded by the Maharajas, Bandhavgarh was a declared game reserve and the Royal family exclusive hunting privileges. The protection afforded to the Park by the Rajahs ensured that the forest would change hands to the next generation. And after state reorganization in 1956, it didn't take long for the State of Madhya Pradesh to realize the ecological importance Park in 1968. Making of a Tiger LandThe Maharajas of Rewa, as historians would call Baghels realized that a most marvelous jungle had sprung up around the deserted fort of Bandhavgarh and that large and fierce beasts of strength roamed within its folds. Chivalry was the most prized virtue of Rajput Kings, and what nobler proof could be furthered for its possession than staying of the most ferocious all the beasts – the Tiger! So, Bandhavgarh was declared a game reserve with only the royal family having rights of hunting the fierce animal. But, they put the fence rather high, So far as Chivalry. Birth of a Protected AreaThe year of 1972 was the year of the expression of the firm resolve of Indian People to save their wilderness and wildlife. Project tiger happened and then the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 came. It was realized that protection of just the 105 sq.km. of prime Bandhavgarh habitat was not enough, so in 1982, three more ranges namely, Khitauli, Magdhi and Kallawah were added to Tala range (the original Bandhavgarh National Park) to extend the area of Bandhavgarh to 448 sq.km. As Project tiger extended its activities and area of influence, Bandhavgarh was taken in its folds in 1993, and a core of 694 km². Including the previously named ranges and the Panpatha Sanctuary along with a buffer area of 437 km². Was declared as the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The Rich BiodiversityAccording to bio-geographic classification, the area lies in Zone 6A- Deccan Peninsula, Central Highlands (Rodgers, Panwar & Mathur, 2000). The classification of Champion & Seth lists the area under Northern India Moist Deciduous Forests. The vegetation is chiefly of Sal forest in the valleys and on the lower slopes, gradually changing to mixed deciduous forest on the hills and in the hotter drier areas of the park in the south and west. The wide valleys along the streams carry long linear grasslands flanked by Sal forests. Rich mixed forests consisting of Sal, Saja, Salai, and Dhobin etc. with dense bamboo occur in many places. These together provide Bandhavgarh its rich biodiversity. With the tiger at the apex of the food chain, it contains 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, about 70 species of butterflies, a number of reptiles and so on. The richness and tranquility of grasslands invites pairs of Sarus Cranes to breed in the rainy season. The biggest attraction of this fascinating land is the tiger and its sightings. Bandhavgarh has a very high density of tigers within the folds of its marvelous jungles. Probably, the highest in the world! The 105 km² of park area open for tourist was reported to have 22 Tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 km². (Population estimation exercise 2001). There is a saying about the Park that goes-"In any other Park, You are lucky if you see a tiger. In Bandhavgarh, you are unlucky if you don't see (at least) one." Bandhagarh is densely populated with other species: the great gaur, or Indian bison, can be seen with ease, as they come on to the meadows to graze at dusk; sambar and barking deer are a common sight, and nilgai are to be seen in the open areas of the park. References
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