Tiger Show re-started in Tala Safari Zone Bandhavgarh

In latest development, Bandhavgarh National Park management has again allowed tiger-show in Tala safari zone. Earlier due to some reason, since parks has been opened (16/Oct/2010), Tiger-shows in Tala zone has been suspended for un-definite time. But now visitors can enjoy elephant ride in Tala Zone also.

Thanks
Sunil & Akash

Vulture counting in Panna National Park

Vulture counting program is likely to begin in Panna National Park, from 21st Jan to 23rd Jan 2011. Counting will be done by wild lifers. Here park management has invited application for interested participants in this counting program. Last date for such application was 17/Jan/2011. It is a unique experience for participants in such counting program. About 06 rare species of vultures found in Panna National Park. Collected data will be used for analytical study purpose and to know the current situation of vulture population in this region.

Thanks
Sunil Kumar Dubey

Jabalpur Tourism : Places To See

Download Free Wallpaper of Jabalpur Tourist Places.
Note : Commercial Use of these images are strictly prohibited.
Pictures taken by Akash Pachbudhe.

Tigress killed human being close to Resort in Bandhavgarh

On 26/Dec/2010, Langadi Tigress of Bandhavgarh killed a human being close to Maharaja Royal Retreat Resort in Tala Village, Bandhavgarh. Till 27/Dec/2010 evening, tigress with her cubs remain inside resort boundary. Resort is a heritage resort on main Tala-Umaria road. All safari jeeps pass through that resort to reach Tala park entrance gate.Forest department was trying to push them away from site, using elephants. As it is a peak tourism season in Bandhavgarh, tourists and villagers gathering at the spot to enjoy tiger sighting. Their are many incidents occurred in Tala Village of killing cattle while they are inside village houses but it is a rare incident in which tigress killed a human close to any resort or human presence. Earlier tigress killed a cattle to provide food to her cubs but forest department removed the dead cattle from sight which made her furious and accidentally one villager came into her way and get killed. Forest Department immediately rushed to the spot and controlled the situation.

Thanks
Sunil & Akash

Fight with Fog

Fog in North India started showing its adverse effect on transfers. Flight & trains delay & cancellation are now on notice boards. It is not the first time that we have to face problems due to blanket of dense fog in North India. Tourists often face challenge in taking their connecting or returning flights due to unspecified long delays in trains & flights.

Direct flight between Mumbai & Jabalpur is a great relief for tourists in winters. Unlike North India, Western part of India, in which Mumbai Airport lies, remain unaffected from fog. As Mumbai is also an International Airport, tourists may opt Mumbai as their arrival & departure point to avoid fog-problem. So we can say, instead of Delhi, Mumbai is better option in winters. With direct flight connectivity from Mumbai, now tourists, visiting Central India Wildlife sector, can continue their journey with any fear of delays due to fog.

Thanks
Sunil Kumar Dubey

Jabalpur Mumbai Direct Flight

Good news had came from aviation ministry. Long awaited flight connectivity between Jabalpur and Mumbai will start from 24/Jan/2011. It was highly awaited demand of peoples of Jabalpur to get connected with Mumbai through flight. Kingfisher airlines is going to start this service.

Ticket Booking for Kingfisher Flight (IT-3133) has already been started from Christmas Day i.e. 25/Dec/2010. Flight tickets will range between INR.4000/- to 10000/-.

Flight will come directly from Mumbai where as on returning back to Mumbai flight will stop in Indore Airport.

Jabalpur Mumbai Flight timings:
Depart from Mumbai Airport: 12:10hrs
Reach Jabalpur Airport: 13:40hrs
Depart from Jabalpur: 14:10hrs
Reach Indore Airport: 15:30hrs.
Reach Mumbai Airport: 14:50hrs

Flight connectivity will have great impact on growing tourism activities in Central India. Earlier tourists have to reach Nagpur/Bhopal/Raipur airports to visit tourist destinations like Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks. It was as great problem for those who intend to visit Bandhavgarh and wish to travel through flight. Nagpur/Raipur/Bhopal airport are atleast 500kms from Bandhavgarh but now with arrival in Jabalpur Airport, they have to travel only 190kms for Bandhavgarh. Similarly tour itineraries beginning from Mumbai can cover Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks.

Tiger cubs born in Panna National Park

It is second time, Panna National Park is jubilating with joy due to presence of 02 tiger cubs in forest. T2 Tigress, shifted from Kanha Tiger Reserve, has given birth to 02 tiger cubs. Recently she has been seen by forest officials with 02 cubs. Cubs seem to be about 2-3 months old and are now seen in open. Forest official are now more vigilant has increase the patrolling duty in the region. It is indeed a good news for forest department and the team who has initiated the step to trans-locate tigers from nearby national parks.

In another move, two more orphan tigress are likely to be shifted to Panna forest in near future. Both the sibling tigresses are orphan and were grown up in an enclosure under supervision of Kanha National Park management. Trans-location is likely to be held very soon and will be shifted by road. In the mean time, forest officials are making them habitual to smells that they will find in Panna forest, when they will reach the forest. They are spreading the urine of Panna tigers in the Kanha park enclosure to familiarize the tigresses with the Panna forest atmosphere. It will help them to adjust and adopt Panna forest conditions easily after shift.

Bandhavgarh Tala gate watchdog

Hundreds of tourists visits Bandhavgarh National Park in search of wildlife and pass through Tala entrance gate. Many of them may have noticed this dog close to entrance gate. She is a blind dog that lives at Tala entrance gate of Bandhavgarh National Park. We have noticed this dog first in 5 years back and every year whenever we got the chance to visit Bandhavgarh, we go to see her. She is blind but still successfully manage to travel towards the source of sound.



Next time whenever you go to Bandhavgarh, notify this dog as important watchdog at Tala Entrance Gate. When first time I was informed that she is blind, it was very painful to see a helpless life deprive of vision, overcoming the obstacles of life. In Tala zone you may or may not see tiger by you must see this dog. Forest department employee also take care of her and often show their concern towards her health and sitting place.

Bandhavgarh Tiger B2 in his last days

After Sita & Charger, B2 is the tiger that represented tigers of Bandhavgarh. He ruled the Tala zone of Bandhavgarh and remain dominant male of park. Bandhavgarh Tiger B2 is remain in news for its cattle killing act. Now he is 14 years old. This age is considered as last days of a tiger. Now B2 is struggling hard to retain its territory but age factor comes in his way. New young tigers are encroaching its territory like Kallu, New Male, Bokha. In few days back he suffered many wounds on his neck in such territorial fight and was treated by forest officials. As nobody could defeat the old-age, we can say B2 is in his last days. It is time to visit the park and capture our beloved B2, may that will be our last sighting of tiger B2 in Bandhavgarh.

Tiger lives a typical life in which its last days are very painful. He may have to died of starving in a forest which was ruled by him. In last days, tiger loses its territory to young males, he was pushed out of his own territory. In such times, he was bound to arrange food through cattle killing in which he may be poisoned by villagers. He may get injured or even died in territorial fight. He may died due to starvation as due to old age he may not be able to kill its natural prey.

04 Poachers caught in West Bengal

In an undercover operation led by Asst. Field Director of Sunderban Tiger Reserve, 04 poachers were arrested with tiger skin and deer skin. They were trying to sell the tiger skin. Poachers were arrested from Bauripur in 24-paragana district at south of West Bengal state. Sources says the among 04 poachers, one member is a Government employee (from Railway Police). This gang was operating in Sunderban since many years and had deceived task force many time earlier. This time, in a week long operation, they were caught red-handed.

These recent arrests has revealed the fact that poachers are still active in Sunderban Tiger Reserve. So here, park management need to be more conscious to curb this problem.

Thanks
Sunil Kumar Dubey

First relocated Tiger found dead in Sariska Tiger Reserve

A male tiger of 06 years of age, airlifted from Ranthambore National Park to Sariska found dead in Kankwadi area of Sariska Tiger Reserve. Decomposed body was discovered on 14/Nov/2010. He was in Sariska since last 30months. It seems tiger ST-1 (Sariska Tiger-1) had territorial conflict with other tiger ST-4 (relocated from Ranthambore) and was badly injured during the fight. Tiger ST-4 is also going missing since last 15-days. Both the tigers were radio-collared and forest official had received signals from ST-1 but still they didn't reach the tiger in time. Caracas investigation revealed that ST-1 had received some deep wounds under his left ear. Park officials were not getting any signal from ST-4, since last 15 days and are still unable to locate him since last 15-days. It seem, to some extent park officials are also responsible to the death as they didn't sensed the problem in time.

Earlier in June-2008, 05 tigers and 03 tigresses were shifted from Ranthambore to revive tiger population in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Investigation is going on to find the cause and fix the responsibility for negligence on duty by park official. Known Wildlife specialists and experts are now gathering in Sariska to discover the reasons and measures to avoid such unfortunate incidence in future.

Thankyou
Sunil & Akash

Five tiger cubs born in Pench National Park.

After untimely demise of tigress in Pench tiger reserve, we have some good news to share with you all. 05 Tiger cubs born in Alicutta range of Pench park. It seems cubs are born somewhere next to Diwali festival day. Cubs were first sighted by elephant mahout during routine tiger tracking duty. Mother tigress is about 06 years old and has produced litters, second time. Earlier she has successfully grown up 04 cubs in her first delivery. In order to let the cubs grow away from human presence and tourism activity, park management likely to close the Alicutta range for 12 months. In yet another development, one male elephant was born in elephant camp in Pench National Park.

Thanks
Sunil & Akash

Tala Zone: NO Premium Safari Zone

Bandhavgarh Park Management has decided to withdraw the proposal of declaring Tala Zone as Premium Safari Zone under which they have planned to just double the entrance charges for doing Jungle Safari in this zone. Decision was taken yet we have to wait for formal order from Forest Department. This decision was taken after considering the request of local resort owners and travel agents in a meeting. It means Tala Zone is treated similar to any other safari zone of Bandhavgarh. It is indeed a good news for visitors. But decision of closing park on every Wednesday from 01/April/2011 with remain as it is.

Implementation and subsequent withdrawal of decision indicates that decision was taken in a haphazard way without analyzing the result. It seems timing of decision was incorrect. Taking decisions in this way creates confusion among travel agents, visitors and resort owners especially in case when they have booked the tour in advance and their is no scope to revise the quotation. It will be far better if such decisions should be taken in much advance so that travel agents and other parties should remain mentally prepared and adjust their moves accordingly.

Thanks
Sunil Kumar Dubey

Delhi-Jabalpur-Delhi Flights timing will change

Delhi-Jabalpur Flights timing change
From 01/Nov/2010, Kingfisher Airlines flight, traveling from Delhi - Jabalpur - Delhi, timing will change. From this date, flight will take-off from Delhi at 06:10AM and likely to reach Jabalpur Airport at 08:25AM and will again take-off from Jabalpur at 09:00 AM for Delhi. Similarly winter time schedule for Indian Flights will be announced very soon.

This is not the first time when flight timing is changed but it happens every year. Flight timing is decided by airlines authority on the basis of season, visitor load and other reasons. As if now National Parks are open for visitors so traveler's load has definitely been increased and at the same time we heading for winter season. Morning timing seems good for wildlife visitors of Kanha, Bandhavgarh & Pench as they may reach their park/resort in time to enjoy evening park safaris and matching to resort's check-in timing.

I hope the above information will be helpful to you all.

Thanks & regards
Sunil Kumar Dubey

Tigress found dead in Pench

Tigress found dead in Pench Tiger Reserve
One Tigress found dead in Murer Beat (Point No. 391) of Sub-Range Kurai in Pench Tiger Reserve. Body was laying in large grassland area and was first noticed by Monsoon Patrol Party. On 21/10/2010, postmortem was done. Postmortem done by Veterinary Doctor Akhilesh Mishra in presence of Range Officer, appointed representative of National Tiger Conservation Authority & other forest officials. Forensic data was sent to Sagar Laboratory for further investigation. In primary investigation, death cause seems to be tigers territorial conflict. After investigation, body was cremated. It is indeed a sad news but nature takes its own way.

Thanks & regards
Sunil Kumar Dubey

Anti-tourism policies for Kanha & Bandhavgarh

Their are number of declarations made by Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in which tourism in Bandhavgarh & Kanha National Parks has been specially targeted. Important declarations are as follows:

1: All National Parks of Madhya Pradesh will remain closed on Every WEDNESDAY of a week. This will be applicable from 01/April/2011.

2: Bandhavgarh: Most visited Tala Safari Zone of Bandhavgarh will come under Special Safari Zone from 16/Dec/2010. Special Safari Zone means visitors have to pay 200% (just double) entrance charge for jungle safari.

3: From 16/Dec/2010 to 05/Jan/2011: Park entrance fee will be charged in double at Kanha National Park (in Kanha & Mukki Zone) as this interval is considered as peak season.

4: From 01/May/2011 to 25/May/2011: Park entrance fee will be charged in double at Kanha Safari Zone of Kanha National Park (not in Mukki Zone) as this interval is considered as peak season for Kanha zone.

Tiger Translocations for Panna National Park

Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh is heading for more tiger translocations for Panna National Park. Tigers are likely to be arranged from Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks. As in recent days, it was noticed that only male tiger of Panna has shown unusually aggressive behavior towards his own cubs. Wildlife experts feels as his desire for mating partner is not fulfilled so he is charging on other two mother tigresses and their cubs. Tiger shifting to Panna will take place in coming one or two months. Sources says about 06 tigers will be shifted to Panna forest in which 02 Males & 04 Females will be shifted.

Few days back, in Kanha National Park a male tiger of approx. 10 years of age, found dead in Khapa range. On examining his body, it was revealed that he has multiple skull injuries due to tigers conflict for territory. In every years, many tigers dies in such conflicts. Such translocation may be one of the small temporary step to avoid scope of such conflicts. It is also a chance to introduce those tigers or tigresses who have lost their mothers in their early age and are grown up under supervision in man-made enclosures. Presence of few tigers in vast area of Panna National Park may offer chance for them to adapt in wilderness, smoothly and need not to struggle too hard for survival as in crowded forests.

Thank you for sparing your precious time in reading this article.

Sunil Kumar Dubey

Safari Booking Open for Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench & Panna National Parks

Online booking of Jungle Safari tickets is now open for public. Tickets are offers for Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench & Panna National Parks. This time visitors are also required to provide vehicle details also to be used for park safari. With this maximum vehicles permitted for each zone in each national park is also cleared. Vehicle limit for safari in each national park for season from 16/Oct.2010 to 30/June/2011 is as follows:
1. KANHA NATIONAL PARK
Kanha Zone = 63 vehicles
Mukki Zone = 45 vehicles
Sarhi Zone = 27 vehicles

2. BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Tala Zone = 32 vehicles
Magadhi Zone = 66 vehicles
Khitauli Zone = 35 vehicles
Panpatha Zone = 45 vehicles

3. PENCH NATIONAL PARK
Turia Zone = 45 vehicles
Karmajhiri Zone = 09 vehicles
Jhamtara Zone = 05 vehicles

4. PANNA NATIONAL PARK
Panna Zone = 63 vehicles

Visitors now can do online booking of safari tickets. It seems their will be no change in safari charges for Foreign nationals but Indian tourists may have to pay more for jungle safari.

Thanks for dedicating your precious time on this information.

Sunil Kumar Dubey

Problem & Solution for Panna Tiger Cubs

Since last 05 days, Panna Tiger Cubs are in news. First report came that 03 male cubs of Bandhavgarh tigress are missing. Mother tigress was seen with only female tigress cub. Search operations was launched by park authorities. Later 01 out of 03 missing cubs was located but 02 are still missing. When mother tigress was examined carefully, it was noticed that she had wound marks on her face which is clear indication that she has conflict with the only male tiger of Panna (shifted from Pench Park).

Location of male adult tiger was also close to tigress territory which confirms the chances of mother tigress conflict with adult tiger to protect her cubs. It is a unusual behavior shown male tiger as usually father do not attacks on his cubs. Wildlife experts are watching the situation carefully in Panna forest.

Panna's male tiger is posing danger to other two mother tigress cubs. Field Director of Panna Mr. R. Sriniwas Murthy says that "Tigers are known to exhibit such behavior when they have an urge to mate". Male Tiger's behavior is aggressive and has attacked cubs several times in last one month time. As both the available tigress are with cubs so they are not responding to it s sexual overtures. So possible solution to the problem is to introduce more tigress to Panna forest from nearby Tiger Reserves possible from Kanha & Bandhavgarh to avail more options to male tiger and so that mother tigress could feel safe in the park.

In near future, their is possibility of more tiger translocations possibly from Kanha National Park & Bandhavgarh National Park. Madhya Pradesh government has secured translocation permission of about 06 tigers (including 02 males & 04 females) in step-wise fashion. It is a part of tiger reintroduction programme.

Possible tiger translocation could take place next one to two months. Here is the opportunity for forest department to introduce such tigers & tigress who are grown up in semi-wild conditions due to mother loss in their early days.

Thanks
Sunil Kumar Dubey

Re-wilding Cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh, Central India

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh State in India has given permission to re-introduce African Cheetah in Central India. Areas selected for the project are: Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary & Noradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh State.

Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in North Madhya Pradesh in Sheopur District which is close to Shivpuri National Park and Gwalior city. While coming from Ranthambhor National Park towards Orchha/Khajuraho/Gwalior/Shivpuri it falls on the way. Kuno Palpur forest is in news since last 10years as it was declared most suitable for Project to re-introduce Asiatic Lion in Central India.

Noradehi Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Sagar District at Central Madhya Pradesh about 70kms North-West to Jabalpur city. On the basis of results from Kuno Palpur Sanctuary, Cheetah will be replenish in Noradehi forest area.

As per State Environment Minister, we can expect first installment of 08 Cheetah (02 Male & 06 Females) in winters of Year 2011 transferred through ship by way of sea. They were first introduced to Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 300sq. km. Here many villages have been rehabilitated to other places to avoid any conflicting situation. As per wildlife experts at least 20 Cheetah can be accommodated in this wildlife sanctuary in present situation. Their is also plan to fence the park area to avoid cheetah's to move out of park area. In second phase, lions will be trans-located from Gir National Park to Kuno Palpur Sanctuary.

Cheetahs were known to exist in India, long time back but are now extinct. Out Environment Minister said that "Cheetah is the only animal that has been described extinct in last 100 years. It is said that last 03 Asiatic Cheetahs of India was shot by Maharaja of Sarguja in Sarguja District of Chattisgarh State in the year 1947, where as last lion of Central India was shot in around 1853. At present Asiatic Cheetahs in Asia are present in Iran and are close to extinct.

Although announcements have been made by ministers, but it will be interesting to see how implementation work will be done in laid time-frame as delay due to malfunctioning of government machinery is closely associated with such projects. Still it is a welcome move by Environment Ministry of India & State Government.

Lets hope things will go as per declarations. All the very best!

Thanks
Sunil Kumar Dubey