Mar 23, 2001 01:32 AM
10504 Views
(Updated Aug 14, 2003 01:50 AM)
If you are the adventurous kind and can realise the difference between spotting a wild tiger in the woods and patting one in the zoo, this is the place for you.
Bandhavgarh has the highest wild tiger density in any forest area (natural or protected reserve) in the world, with the greatest chances of spotting one. If however, you do not see one, do not despair. The tracking of pug marks and listening for warning sounds of deer is fun enough.
To reach there from Mumbai, take the Calcutta mail until Jabalpur and a 3 hour taxi/bus ride takes you there. The staying arrangements of the madhya pradesh state tourism department are basic but quite adequate. The best season is winter (November to February) when the tigers are most active during the day.
A wonderful experience of the forest the way nature designed it without the interference and meddling of mankind. I was lucky to see a wild tiger from close quarters (less than 10 metres away), blood still dripping from it's mouth (probably returning from a kill-hence we were safe). The chital (spotted deer), sambhar, barahsingha and bears are great. To narrate a small experience, I threw peanuts at a couple of monkeys and they fled in fear to a distance, not picking even a single nut. It is baffling for a city resident who's seen monkeys taking nuts from the hand until one realises that that is the natural instinct the monkey grew up with and doesn't need humans for his food. He probably does not even recognise peanuts since they are not his natural food. If you value experiences such as these, don't miss this place.
