Madhya Pradesh has a varied topography but almost one third is forested. The
forest types include dry thorn forests; tropical moist deciduous forests and
tropical evergreen forests. The area of reserve [reserved for eventual
logging] forest is 58,733 km; protected forest constitutes an area of about
35,586 sq km and unclassified forest area is around 900 sq km. There is no
doubt that the natural splendour of Madhya Pradesh includes a wide spectrum
of wildlife inhabiting this land ranging from tigers and leopards to
antelopes and gazelles, other mammals and reptiles and an abundance of bird
life.
Of the two bio-geographic zones, the semi arid zone has two
subdivisions - Malwa plateau and fragmented wetlands. Madhav National Park
and about 9 of the total of 25 wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh are
located in this zone. The second zone, the Deccan Peninsula includes both
the Vindhya and the Satpura hill ranges. Popular tiger reserves like Kanha,
Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, Panna, the three National Parks and a score of
wildlife sanctuaries are located in this zone. Madhya Pradesh has an
effective protected area network of about 10,860 sq km and boasts of one
national park and 25 sanctuaries. These reserves continue to harbour their
original resident and migrant species.
The mission of national
parks and sanctuaries is to establish a network of protected areas
representative of the country`s important and unique features and to
conserve and manage them in such a manner that they will be preserved for
all time in their natural state. The wild life conservation initiatives
launched by the state have received a major impetus by the inclusion of
forest dwellers to ensure the survival of forests and wildlife embodied in
the launch of the Project Tiger in the early seventies. The application of
the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), formation of the Madhya Pradesh Tiger
Foundation to secure help and support from NGO`s and general public` at
large, conservation of critically endangered species besides the tiger [like
Barasingha (swamp deer) and Gharial (mugger crocodile)] are some of the
major landmarks in the state of Madhya Pradesh`s success in wildlife
conservation.
Project Tiger The
forests were nurtured carefully by the royal families to preserve the
Tiger`s habitats for hunting. Old wildlife classics estimate a population of
around 40,000 tigers in the 1940`s. By the year 1970, the population of
tigers in India perilously declined to about 2000 individuals as the result
of the loss of hunting preserves and widespread habitat destruction. The
tiger was close to being annihilated. Project Tiger was launched in 1973
because of the threat to the tiger. The objective was to ensure the
maintenance of a viable population of the tiger in India and to preserve for
all times, such areas as part of our national heritage for the benefit,
education and enjoyment of future generations, which had the added bonus opf
preserving many areas for other wildlife too. The Project Tiger Directorate
provides assistance for scientific management, protection, communication,
habitat improvement, water and soil conservation, research, infrastructure
etc. Kanha in Mandhya Pradesh was among the first nine reserves designated.
Panna, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Pachmarhi are later inclusions. 1999 estimates
are of a population of 709 tigers (235 in tiger reserves, 143 in protected
areas and 331 tigers in general forest areas) in Madhya Pradesh (19% of
India`s and 17% of World`s tiger population). The state, therefore, is
rightly called the Tiger State .
Flora
and Fauna The state of Madhya Pradesh encompasses a breathtaking
wilderness along with extensive flora and fauna and rich biodiversity. There
are countless variety of plants and animals in a state of interdependence.
There are more than 1000 species of flowering plants, ferns, orchids,
aromatic and medicinal plants. More than half of the forests of the state
lie in the eastern region and are tropical. Teak and Sal are the two chief
species of trees found in the state and constitute about 20% of the total
forest area. Tendu leaf tree found in abundance in Madhya Pradesh is also a
good source of income for villagers. The grasslands along the plateaux and
the streams in the valleys are good during the monsoon season but fade away
during the hot months of summer.
The faunal wealth of the Madhya
Pradesh is equally rich and diverse. Inhabitants include species of cat,
antelopes, gazelles and dog family, many other species of mammals and
reptiles as well as birds. Crocodiles and gharyal inhabit the rivers and
lakes. The heavily forested regions and marshes and wetlands create a
natural habitat for birds and support a wide variety of birdlife.
This Tour Includes1. Five star stay in Delhi
on B&B
2. Kanha & Bandhvagrah on full board jungle plan which
includes, safari, all park entrane fees, guide charges & full day meals.
3. Rail Journeys by AC Sleeper class.
4. All road transfers by AC
Car
Day 1 Arrive Delhi & Check
into your Hotel. You are then free till 1 P.M. next day, to enable you to
sample some of Delhi 's avian and historical sights, or to just relax and
recover after your flight. Our Tour escort will help you & accompany
you.
Target Species: Typical birds of the city include
Black Kite, Laughing and Spotted Doves, Ring-necked Parakeet, Little Swifts,
Little Green Bee-eater, Black Drongo, and a variety of shrikes, mynas,
bulbuls and babblers. The pretty little Five-striped Palm Squirrel may be
seen everywhere
Overnight: The Park Hotel
Day 2 We leave Delhi for Umariya by Super Fast in 2nd AC Train
Overnight: Sleeper Train
Day 3 Bandhavgarh
National Park You will reach Umaryia early in the morning [c.
6.00am] and then drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (34km) – a
30-minute drive - & then check in to our Lodge. Our tour guide will give
an orientation on Birds before you leave for your first excursion. Once the
hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharajas of Rewa BTR came into limelight
with the chance discovery of the white tiger nearby. This dry Sal forest and
the steep mountainous tract is an amazing conglomeration of rocky hills
interspersed with valleys of several huge grassy meadows and rivers, dense
patches of evergreen forest, a number of small lakes, marshes and pools. The
resident bird population is high, thanks to the year round flowering and
fruiting of trees. Migratory birds, ranging from Warblers to Steppe Eagles
visit the park in winter. The main rivers are Charanganga, Umrar and Johilla
the lifeline of this fragile ecosystem. The forests are Mixed, Sal, and
Bamboo dominates the slopes. Avi-Fauna abounds here and approximately 250
species of birds have been recorded so far.
We intend to have an
evening Excursion along the main water bodies by jeep and on foot wherever
possible - Bhadrashilla Lake , Gadpuri Tank - a large reservoir close to
Gadpuri village in the park.
Target Species: White-necked
Stork, Comb Duck, flocks of Lesser Whistling Teals, Cotton Teal, Red-crested
Pochard, Common Teal and Oriental Darter. Riparian vegetation along streams
and marshes are rich in bird life and Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black Ibis,
White Ibis, Painted Storks can be seen, In the small areas of marshland, the
banks of rivers and streams one expects to see Wagtails, Sandpipers, Grey
Francolin, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Eurasian Thick-knee,
the huge Stork-billed Kingfisher, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Blyth's Reed
Warbler etc.
Overnight: Nature Heritage Jungle Lodge
Day 4 Bandhavgarh Fort Today we will take a full day trip to
Bandhavgarh Fort by Jeep and by foot wherever allowed. This is a 2000 year
old fort and is an amazing birding destination. Kabir Chaura on the way to
the fort almost invariably has Vultures, Blue Rock Thrushes and Crag
Martins. We will eventually climb up to the Bandhavgarh Fort where the rocky
escarpments are home to Jungle Bush Quail, wintering Sulphur-bellied
Warblers and Peregrine Falcons (Shaheen) of the resident race.
The
forest around the fort is the breeding ground for the Malabar Pied Hornbill
and the Common Grey Hornbill in summer. In and around one can be rewarded by
the sight of now rare King Vulture, White-backed Vulture and the Long-billed
Vulture - the steep rocky cliffs provide excellent breeding sites for these
scavengers.
Target Species: King Vulture, White-backed
Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Blue Rock Thrushe, Crag Martins, Jungle Bush
Quail, Sulphur-bellied Warblers, Peregrine, Alexandrine Parakeets, Barred
Jungle Owlet & Spotted Owlets. The supporting cast includes Sunbirds,
Chestnut-shouldered Petronia the forest-dwelling Blue-bearded Bee-eater,
Tickell's Thrush and Common Rosefinch.
Overnight: Nature Heritage
Jungle Lodge
Day 5 Bandhavgarh National Park
This morning we will be exploring of the forest by Jeep for the
amazing variety of avifauna that thrive here. The Sal forest harbours some
great birds. Where there are patches of evergreen forest, such as along the
perennial streams or at the base of the fort, we should get superb views of
the attractive Orange-headed Thrush, as well as the impressive Malabar Pied
Hornbill (here at the northern limits of its range). The drier areas support
Sandgrouse, & buntings. The large, grassy meadows hold Lapwings &
Pipits. We should also encounter one or two of the less common or more
difficult to find birds of the area.
Target Species:
Paradise Flycatcher, Verditer Flycatcher, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher,
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Great Tit, [very different from the European
equivalent] White-naped Woodpecker, Red and Painted Spurfowl, Sirkeer
Malkoha, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Indian Scimitar Babbler,
Golden-fronted Leafbird, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Orange-headed Thrush,
Malabar Pied Hornbill, Grey Hornbill, Painted Sandgrouse, Crested Bunting,
Plain-backed Thrushes, Ultramarine and Grey-headed Flycatchers,
Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Paddyfield & Blyth's Pipits, Painted Francolin,
Mottled Wood Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Small Minivet (Little Minivet),
White-bellied Minivet, Long-tailed Minivet, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested
Hawk Eagle, Striated (or Little) Heron, Purple Heron, Grey-headed Fish
Eagle, Sarus Crane, Emerald Dove, Rufous Woodpecker, Puff-throated Babbler,
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta and Pale-billed Flowerpecker.
In the
evening we will be taking a trip around the park in a jeep. The dry Sal
forest and clumps of bamboo that dominate the park hold a wide variety of
interesting species.
Target
Species: Oriental (or Crested) Honey Buzzard, Shikra, White-eyed
Buzzard, Bonelli's Eagle, Common Kestrel, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Indian
Scops Owl, Brown-headed & Coppersmith Barbets, Brown-capped Pygmy &
Yellow-crowned Woodpeckers, White-naped Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback,
Blue-winged Leafbird, Common Woodshrike, Large Cuckooshrike, Grey-breasted
Prinia, Greenish Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Tawny-bellied Babbler,
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Ashy & White-bellied Drongos, Oriental
White-eye, Thick-billed Flowerpecker & etc.
Overnight: Nature
Heritage Jungle Lodge
Day 6 Bandhavgarh
National Park to Kanha National Park We leave Bandhavgarh National
Park after breakfast for Kanha National Park , which we should reach by
midday , and check into the resort, freshen up then lunch in our
Multi-cuisine restaurant. After Lunch we will make our first visit into
Kanha NP. Kanha's reputation as a prime tiger habitat overshadows all other
aspects of this magnificent paradise. Keen bird watchers know how rich Kanha
is as a bird habitat. Varied vegetation of Sal and Mixed forests, Bamboo,
grasslands, altitude variation and numerous rivers and water bodies make
this 1945 sq. km reserve a diverse habitat immensely suitable to avifauna
and offers immense scope to study the forest birds apart from a rich variety
of water birds that thrive on numerous lakes and rivers of this magnificent
ecosystem. The main river systems are Halon, Banzar, and Sulkum tributaries
of Narmada River . Nestled in Maikal hill of the Satpura Range this Central
Indian Highland has approximately 260 bird species. Most of the bird species
at Kanha Tiger Reserve are resident and local migratory, but substantial
numbers of migratory birds make Kanha their home in winters. There will also
be an evening excursion to water bodies by Jeep - Sravan Taal ( Lake ),
followed by visit to Saundhar Tank and Bisanpura.
Target
Species: One can expect to Cotton Teal, Garganey, Blue-winged Teal,
Lesser Whistling Teal and Spotbill Duck. Among other common sightings are
Stints, Egrets, Cormorants and Jacanas with Purple Heron, White-necked
storks, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black Ibis and Black-winged Stilts to be seen
near water bodies or streams near Kanha, Kisli and Mukki.
Overnight:
The Krishna Jungle Resort
Day 7 Kanha National
Park Forest Birds – We will take Morning and Evening
excursions by Jeep in the reserve to see the amazing eco-niches - a result
of a very varied topography.
Target Species: In the
grasslands one expects to see Collared and Pied Bushchats, Larks, Black
Francolin, Grey Francolin, Painted Sandgrouse and Red Munia (Avadavat). In
the densely forested zones the numbers multiply. Kanha's major attractions
are Indian Pitta, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Crested Serpent Eagle,
Crested Hawk Eagle, Golden Oriole and Black-headed Oriole, Ashy and
White-bellied Drongos, Indian Cuckoo, Sirkeer Cuckoo. More patience is
required to sight a White-tailed Shama [an amazing songster], Lesser
Golden-backed Woodpecker and its cousins, Raptors - some of which are
migrants and Paradise Flycatcher and Hair-crested Drongo.
Overnight:
The Krishna Jungle Resort
Day 8 Kanha National
Park We will take a morning excursion by Jeep and see Warblers,
Leafbirds, Babblers, Shrikes, the vocal Large Green Barbet the list is
endless. A trip to the steep Bamni Dadar (Hill) holds few more surprises.
Many species of Minivet can be seen on the groove at Parsa Tola and
elsewhere. Vultures can be seen on the remains of carnivore kills. Hornbills
nest in old-growth trees. Our evening will be spent on a trek on foot around
the periphery of the reserve. It helps to have a different perspective from
the ground to see forest birds, mostly birds that favour being nearer to
human habitation too. The canopy here is more mixed and large Ficus (Banyan,
Peepal) trees are more commonly seen. This is an excellent habitat for an
amazingly large number of birds of different species are common. Along the
Nullahs (rivulets) and water bodies Kingfishers can be seen with ease. The
resident raptors can be sighted hunting and nesting in magnificent, tall
trees. Nocturnal birds including nightjars and several owl species.
Target
Species: Green Barbet, Green-footed Pigeon, Pygmy Woodpecker, Tickell's
Blue Flycatcher, Little Minivet, Scarlet Minivet & Long-tailed Minivet,
White-backed, Long-billed, King & Egyptian vultures, Malabar Pied
Hornbills & Grey Hornbills. Among the more difficult targets are Brown
Fish Owl, Orange-headed Ground Thrush, & Bronze-winged Dove. In the
evening we hope to see Large Cuckoo-shrike, Grey-breasted Prinia, Greenish
Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatchers, Tawny-bellied Babbler, Chestnut-bellied
Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Oriental White-eye, Thick-billed
Flowerpecker, Purple Sunbird, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Chloropsis
[leafbird], Drongos, Orioles & Shrikes, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested
Hawk Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard, Shikra and Common Kestrel, Collared Scops
Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Indian Eagle Owl and Brown Fish Owl as well as
nightjars.
Day 10 Departure You will
reach Delhi early in the morning & transfer to airport or to your hotel
if you have booked extra nights to see the sights of the vibrant city if you
do, be sure to take a trip to the barrage to see a wide variety of birds.
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