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In the Vindhyachal mountain range, Bandhavgarh National Park
is situated. The Park offers a variety of wildlife including
the famous tiger, leopard, sambar, wild pig, blue bull, spotted
deer etc. The flora attracts woodland birds which include
green pigeon, crested serpent eagle and variable hawk eagle.
There are also interesting cave shrines scattered around the
park, some of them dating back to 1st century BC.
A wildlife retreat, where history and nature meet,
Bandhavgarh National Park is not far from Kanha. Set amidst
the Vindhyan ranges, the park has a series of ridges running
through it. Initially just 105.40 sq km in area, Bandhavgarh
with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high density tiger
population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437
sq km. About half the park is covered with fine stands of
sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of
the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the
north. The main viewing area is still in the core of the park
with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.
An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 metres high, dominates
the Park. Bandhavgarh's history goes back 2000 years in time
and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the caves
excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi
inscriptions here, date back to the 1st century BC. A hunting
reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more recent times,
Bandhavgarh was declared a Park in 1968. This is where the
famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered.
Wandering through the Park on elephant back, the chances of
seeing a tiger are quite good. Also to be seen here are nilgai,
chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar and sometimes a fox
or jackal. Other habitants of the Park include the muntjac,
jungle cat, ratel, hyena, porcupine, the rhesus macaque and
the black-faced langur. About 150 species of bird are also
found here and include the migratory birds that arrive in
winter like the steppe eagle and various water-birds.
It is possible to climb up to the Bandhavgarh fort for a breathtaking
bird's eye view of the Park and there is also small population
of black buck that lives here, protected from the predators
below.
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By Road: Bandhavgarh is approx. 280 kms from Khajuraho,
210 kms from Jabalpur and 240 kms from Kanha.
By Air: The nearest airport for Bandhavgarh is Khajuraho
(280 kms) served by both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways with
daily flights from Delhi.
By Rail: The nearest rail head for Bandhavgarh is Umaria
(32 kms), served by a direct daily train from New Delhi via
Agra, Gwalior and Jhansi.
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