Introduction :
The
Bandhavgarh National Park is located within the district of
Umaria in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This forest nestled
among the Vindhya hills came into existence in 1968 when the Maharaja of
Rewa handed over the area to the government for it's formation. At the time
when it was handed over to the government, the fauna was not faring too well
due to the difficulty in the control of poaching. Once this became a
protected area, the animal population took a drastic turn and began to
flourish.
At
this time, the entire park covered an area of 106 square kilometers whereas
it presently consists of an area of 448 square kilometers. These much
required extensions, to the northern and southern areas, of the park were
done in 1982. These areas consisted primarily of Sal forests, which is the
main tree-cover found in the entire park along with Bamboo. It was finally
declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1993.
Bandhavgarh has a very deep-rooted importance of it's own in the history
and mythology of India. Looming high over the entire park and located in the
heart of it's core area, is a fort dating back to the mythological era of
Rama and Hanuman from the Hindu epic Ramayana.
It is said that the two monkeys who created the "setu", or
bridge, between India and Lanka to enable Rama to cross over and vanquish
the demon king, Rawana, were also the architects of the Bandhavgarh fort.
This fort was used by Rama and Hanuman on their journey back to their
kingdom from Lanka. This fort was later handed over by Rama to his brother
Lakshmana who came to be known as the "Bandhavdhish", lord of the
fort.
Prime Attractions of the Bandhavgarh National Park :
» Flora & Fauna - The flora of Bandhavgarh is
the typical moist, deciduous forest, which is common to Central India. Most
of the park area is covered with rich sal (Shorea robusta) forests, although
at higher altitudes you could also come across mixed forests comprising of
sali, saj, saja, etc. Large stretches of bamboo and grassland are also
distributed here.The park boasts of a wide variety of game. Its main wild
beasts are tiger, leopard, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital, muntjac,
nilgai, chinkara, mountain gazelle, and wild boar. The gaur is usually
spotted in March/April. The sambar and muntjac can be spotted in thick
vegetation.
» Major Wildlife Attractions - It is estimated that
there are around 60 tigers, over 4,500 sambars, and over 7,000 spotted deer
in this reserve. The tigers, however, remain very elusive. The park is alos
rich in avifauna and birds such as the green pigeon, crested serpent eagle,
and variable hawk eagle are seen here. One may also encounter rhesus
macaque, hyenas, porcupine, Steppe eagle, white-browed fantails,
white-bellied grongo, Jerdon’s leaf birds Malabar hornbills,
blue-bearded bee-eater, and blossom-headed parakeets. There are also several
cave shrines scattered around the park, with Brahmi inscriptions dating from
the first century B.C.
» Bandhavgarh Fort - The Bandhavgarh Fort is located
within the park and was built by the Maharajas of Rewa at a height of 800 m
above the surrounding countryside. It offers a panoramic view of the
wildlife preserve and is believed to be 2,000 years old. A stream called
Charganga flows beside the fort. Statues and temples and a 10th-century rock
statue of Lord Vishnu can be observed en route. A large number of Crag
martins and blackbucks can be found around the fort.
