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

Another human negligence & another tiger loss

After killing of Jhurjhura Tigress, and subsequent mystery over the driver of culprit vehicle it was expected from Bandhavgarh National Park authority to act more cautiously and responsibly in future. Current incident has revealed the fact that we have not learned any lesson from our past mistakes. When declared protected area was not fenced then what else can be expected? For how long luck will favor the cubs? Cubs were left carelessly to become victim of other wild animals. It is said that forest department allotted the task of fencing the area to a firm and the fencing work was delayed. It is a human error that can be called directly or indirectly responsible for killing of cub. We have left room for such unfortunate incidences. Here question also arises that why forest department didn't act timely on such delay in fencing work as they have will be blamed & held responsible in any such case.

After the death of Jhurjhura tigress, it is expected from park authority to act more cautiously and responsibly. Park authority has been facing severe criticism on the way tigress killing was handled. Till now no one was declared as actual culprit despite of the fact that accident occurred inside park core-area, vehicle identification has been established but driver & co-passengers are still unidentified. It shows how high profile persons are shielded in our system against clutches of law. It also gives inspiration & provocation to others to do unlawful activities.

One more unusual behavior often shown by park authorities is to blame tourists for poor management of park. After killing of tigress, first officials try to blame tourist vehicle for incident. Officials put conditions on normal safari, cordoned of the area in the name of cubs protection, reduced the maximum limit of safari vehicles entry. But this time they have no reason to blame tourists. Tourists never visit park with an intention to hurt any animal. On the contrary to this, tourism act as watch-dog for wildlife. It is the tourist vehicle during routine safari that has first sighted injured jhurjhura tigress first and reported the matter to officials. This time park was closed, nobody was aware of cub's death till many days and remaining cubs are also missing. We should not blame tourism as hurdle in wildlife conservation but a helping hand that has raised awareness in public to promote wildlife conservation and get them close to nature.

Jhurjhura Tigress cub found dead in Bandhavgarh

One of the Jhurjhura Tigress cub found dead in Bandhavgarh National Park. Its age was about 8 months. Remaining two cubs are still missing. First hand information says that cub was killed by some neighboring tiger. As per park authorities, cubs were kept in a protected area of about 42 hectares of forest area.

It is hard to believe that how a 8 months old cubs were left so irresponsibly in forest full of mature tigers despite of knowing the seriousness of matter. Area was declared as "Protected Area" and given incident revealed the fact "how much protected was the area, in reality".

New Properties in Bandhavgarh

In coming safari season of Bandhavgarh National Park we will find some new luxury properties.

1. Monsoon Forest Tented Camps Bandhavgarh : It comprises 06 luxury tents and is spread over a large area of 10 Acres of re-forestation land. It is the same management who had Anant Van Resort in Bandhavgarh earlier. It is about 2.5kms from Tala entrance gate.

2. Samode Safari Lodge: Samode resort is developed on the site of unique Anant Van Resort. It is a collection of 12 stylish suited reflecting the touch of local housing style, art & culture of local community with modern comfort. Samode Resort are spread over 21 Acres of land and lies near the rarely-used Gohri Gate of the park, least used by safari vehicles. It is close to Magdhi & Khitauli entrance gates but distant from Tala entrance gate.

Second Tigress of Panna National Park have delivered cubs

Panna National Park is now booming with tiger cubs. Earlier on 09/May/2010, cubs news came from Panna Park and similar kind of news is coming again from park. Their are signs that tigress trans-located from Kanha National Park has delivered baby cubs. Her territory is under Bador Beat of Panna Tiger Reserve and since last 7 days she remains inside a cave and not seen roaming in her area. As per forest officials, signs are very positive that tigress is with her cubs and within next few days, she may be seen out with cubs. It is welcome news for all the wildlife lovers and conservationists. I hope Panna National Park with regain its lost popularity and be visited by tourists from all over the world.

As Panna National Park is close (45kms/01:00hrs) to Khajuraho Temples so it is a good combination of Historical Temples with wildlife including water-falls and Gharial reserve. I hope such good news will promote tourism in this region as Tourism is main source of livelihood for local peoples.

Thanks,
Sunil Kumar Dubey
Indus Excursion

Value of National Animal in India

Tiger is a National Animal of India. It is a important figure in Wildlife Tourism of India. It is shameful to learn that in Bandhavgarh, postmortem of deceased tigress was done in open using axe. If we can't even provide basic facilities to our National Animal then we have no right to call him a National Animal. We earn millions of money in the name of Wildlife Tourism and not even willing to provide postmortem room and proper medical equipments to doctor/s doing postmortem then we have no right to pose a s people in favor of wildlife conservation. We don't provide the justice tigress when she was alive and even after her death we did the insult of her body.

Do we deserve to call ourselves human by doing inhuman act?

Why should I stop reporting?

Few days back, one of my friend called me and said "you people are small travel agents and reporting is not your job. Do travel related works only." As he is our respectable friend so we didn't argued with him. He was talking regarding tigress killing in Bandhavgarh Park. I still don't understand what is wrong in raising voice against injustice (Tigress killed in Bandhavgarh on 19/May/2010) done with innocent tigress and her orphan cubs. We are not against any person or organization but we are against the system due to which such unfortunate incidents had taken place and will take place in future also. Do we have any answer to the those eyes (cubs) who looks here & there with expectation of mother tigress, light of fake hope still present in their heart. Their is no answer to their eyes questioning, why they are suffering, what is their mistake. They were at their home peacefully, it is we human beings who went their and make their life hell.

When tigress translocated from Kanha & Bandhavgarh, all the local people associated with tourism which includes resort owners, local travel agents etc raised voice against such translocation and even go on protest. When one tigress killed brutally inside park and 3 cubs become orphan, why these resort owners, safari agents, so called conversationalists & travel agents who earned money-name-fame on the name of these tigers & wildlife tourism are quiet, acting like ignorant & keeping their eyes-ears closed. They should must come together and raise voice against this incidence to ensure fair investigation in interest of justice.

Thanks
Sunil

Culprits accusing Innocents in Bandhavgarh National Park

Under the storm of criticism by wildlife lovers & media, after the death of tigress by jeep hit inside Bandhavgarh National Park, Park management in has decided to reduce the maximum limit of safari jeeps allowed to do the safari at a single safari-time. Earlier, maximum number of safari jeeps allowed to do Tala Zone Safari was 45, but now it is reduced to 18 only. Tala safari zone (Gate No.1) is the most demanded safari zone among tourists due to high tiger's density & more probability to tiger sighting. Magdhi & Khitauli are other two zones of safari in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Due to number of water sources, natural caves and availability of natural prey in Tala zone forest area, it is considered the best forest area of Bandhavgarh National Park to see tigers, especially during summers. Reduction in limit of safari jeeps for Tala zone means visitors have to struggle more to do jungle safari in Tala zone of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Advance online booking is the only option to ensure Tala zone for Safari. It may encourage black-marketing and creating artificial scarcity of tickets for Tala zone safari. Somebody said, the decision was taken for sake of orphan cubs who are still present in the area and was a temporary decision. Once cubs will be transferred to enclosure in Magdhi zone, reduction in jeep limit will be withdrawn. But he didn't revealed the time-period. To some extent I am agree with my friend but this can be done by declaring that particular area as no-tourist zone and closing the road, more than 50% reduction in Safari Jeep suddenly will definitely create chaos. Those who have finalized their plan may face problem. At present, maximum number of tickets for Tala Zone is 18 for advance booking.

Thanks
Sunil

Saviour becomes killer

Outcome of investigation on Tigress death in Bandhavgarh has revealed some surprising facts. It was found that Tigress was hit by SDO Jeep. Our local sources says that tigress was first hit by departmental jeep. About 06 employees were now suspended. Earlier different stories were created and rumors were spread but fact has now come out. Those who were given responsibility of save wildlife in Bandhavgarh turned into killers. Their negligence has made 3 cubs orphan and untimely death of mother tigress. It is shocking and unfortunate incidence and spoil the image of Forest department.

Thanks
Sunil