Bandhavgarh National Park spread across an area of 446 sq km, has been considered the most vegetative part of the Umaria district. The park mainly consists of dry deciduous types with rich and diverse flora uniquely supported by the region’s topography. Its captivating landscapes are also spread over 32 hills, cliffs, plateaus, and meadows.
Sal forests in the valleys and bamboo stretches on the area’s lower slopes make up an essential part of Bandhavgarh’s vegetation. Thus, The park boasts a wide variety of species surrounding the upper slopes, containing high grasslands, the Bandhavgarh jungle’s primary characteristic.
Being a dry, deciduous, and tropical region, Bandhavgarh National Park offers incredibly dense forest trails where numerous sparkling types of wild wildlife exist amidst the green surroundings. It’s interesting to note that the region is home to more than 22 species of mammals and 250 kinds of birds, with common langurs and rhesus macaques serving as representatives of the primate family.
Though the Bandhavgarh National Park has long been known for being the home of the white tiger, a wide variety of tiger species can also be easily spotted, given the park has one of the highest densities of tigers. The Bandhavgarh Reserve was formerly known as Shikargarh, and it was kept as a game preserve where hunting was popularly practiced and was considered auspicious.
Fauna of Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh’s varied mix of habitats supports an abundance of species. From small butterflies to giant tigers, its opulently diverse nature offers plenty to every type of tourist. According to bio-geographic classification, the park’s area lies in zone 6A, the Deccan peninsula, and the Central Highlands. Below are some of the major species of animals found in the park:
Tiger
Bandhavgarh is famous for tiger sightings, with over 60 tigers in the park. Some of the notorious tigers of Bandhavgarh are Bamera, Chandini, Dotty Krishna, Marchaini, Charger, etc.; these tigers are recognized through their regions and territory. Recently, the male tiger Charger became famous because of his penchant for occasionally mock-charging every Jeep and mahout. The vast grasslands and bamboo forests make it even easier for tourists to spot these iconic tigers.
Wild Boar
These wild boards mainly reside on hills but travel to the plain or downhill for water and food when they can be easily spotted. Many rough boards have recently been transferred from Kanha National Park to Bandhavgarh National Park. Boars live in herds with other adult males, females, and cubs. Female wild boars are smaller than males; a group can have up to 40. Winter is when their mating season begins. They eventually live alone with a small group of male wild boars.
Chital
The park also has a vast population of Chital, also referred to as Axis Deer, which is crucial to maintaining ecological harmony. These creatures are exceedingly productive by nature, significantly increasing the likelihood of the flora they eat surviving. When monsoon season hits, their antlers are primarily separated after mating. Female mammals typically give birth to one or two fawns during the winter.
Sloth Bears
Sloth bears of the wild are often “more feared than tigers” not because of their untidy black coat and raucous personalities but because of their abrupt emergence and unpredictable assaults. In fact, during nature walks in Chitwan, it’s likely to run into a sloth bear. In India, our visitors have sat in the comfort of the Jeep and safely observed them performing their duties. In the dense forest of Bandhavgarh, sloth bears can be followed on day safaris.
Sambar Deer
Sambar deers are another treat to watch for tourists. They can weigh up to 300 kg and stand between 135 and 150 cm tall at the shoulder. Sambar deer can be found practically everywhere but has the highest population in Central India. The Sambar deer eats leaves, plants, fruits, herbs, bamboo buds, and mushrooms. Sambars are only visible in the thick grasses and jungle canopy. The months of March and April are when these antlers grow again.
Nilgai
One of the giant Asian antelope species, Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent, is widely found in the Bandhavgarh National Park. The word “nilgai” means “blue cow” in English. Nilgai antelopes are among the most prominent Asian antelopes. The animal can be easily spotted with a column of coarse hair known as the “pendant,” which is about 13 centimeters long in males, may be seen. In Bandhavgarh National Park, you will have the golden opportunity to spot nilgai on your safari.
Leopard
These cats are known to have lean, elongated physiques with short ears and wide paws. Their coats are often faster and sleeker in tropical areas and more extended and thicker in more fantastic locations. The coloring ranges from straw to grayish to even chestnut in tone. Except for a site that is either central or close to the tips, the backs of the ears are entirely black. You can easily spot leopards in the Bandhavgarh National Park.
The Avi-fauna in the Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh National Park is also a haven for bird watchers despite being notorious for its four-legged residents. Watch for white-breasted fantails, steppe eagles, green pigeons, white-rumped shamas, gray Malabar hornbills, and black-and-white Malabar hornbills (quite an uncommon sighting), blossom-headed parakeets, parakeets, blue-bearded bee-eaters, green bee-eaters, white-bellied drongos, and owls.
Flora of Bandhavgarh National Park
With various soil types and landforms, Bandhavgarh is renowned for having a diverse range of vegetation and for remaining extremely damp. Southern tropical deciduous, moist peninsular sal, and tropical dry deciduous forests can all be found in Bandhavgarh. It features over 600 blooming plants, 50 aquatic plants, and 18 rare plant species. In the national park, you may find various kinds of trees, which include:
Sal Tree
The tiger reserve is filled with these timber (sal) trees. It is a widespread tree in the forest that grows slowly and moderately. Its anti-termite wood is frequently used to create furniture and sleepers for railroads. Its stem releases a thick paste used in maritime yards to make shoe polish. It resembles an almost evergreen tree.
Mahua (Indian butter) Tree
The Madhuca Indica, also known as the Mahua or Butter Tree, is one of India’s most beautiful trees and is the source of Mahua Kothi. The famed tented camp known initially as Churhat Kothi’s 40-acre grounds now has 12 freshly constructed suites or Kutiyas (jungle village cottages). In Central India, it has long been utilized in rural communities. Its seed oil is used as edible oil and is frequently employed in the soap business. In addition, its fleshy blossoms are a good source of sugar, calcium, and vitamins for animals and birds. Local tribes also use its blooms to make potent alcoholic beverages.
Solid Bamboo or Male Bamboo
Southeast Asian native Dendrocalamus strictus is a tropical and subtropical clumping plant sometimes known as Male Bamboo, Solid Bamboo, or Calcutta Bamboo. This bamboo is extensively used as a raw material in paper mills and has edible shoots. Medium-sized bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) has 2.5–8 cm in diameter and 8–20 m tall culms. The thick-walled internodes measure 30-45 cm in length. When growing in humid conditions, Culms are hollow, yet they are almost solid in dry conditions.
Saj Tree
The leaves are consumed by Antheraea paphia (silkworms), which are responsible for producing the commercially significant wild silk known as tussar silk (Tussah). Diarrhea is treated medicinally by using the bark. In addition, it can be used to extract oxalic acid. To color and tan leather, pyrogallol and catechol are produced from the fruit and bark, respectively. The Terminalia Linn contains 200 different species of trees and shrubs. It is a plentiful supply of non-wood goods like medicines, oil, and gums. It is known as the “crocodile bark tree” because of the distinctive patterns on its bark.
Palash Tree
An excellent medicinal plant with many uses is the Palash tree. The popular word for it is Palash. It is a member of the Fabaceae family and is infamously known as the Flame of the Forest. Other regional names for this plant, frequently encountered in Indian woodlands, include palas, Palash, Mathura, Bijasneha, dhak, khakhra, and chicha. The flower is well-known for its vibrant orange blooms, which bloom in February. The color of its flower, which is boiled, is used to create dyes and ink.
Stone Apple
Stone apple, sometimes called bael, bili, bhel, golden apple, Japanese bitter orange, stone apple, wood apple, or Bengal quince, is a rare tree species indigenous to Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. It is a naturalized species in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Hindus revere the tree as a sacred one. The fruit’s crust is substantial on the outside. It is referred to as the “stone apple” for this reason. Its juice is extracted to manufacture nutritious drinks to alleviate all stomach issues like constipation and diarrhea.
Banyan Tree
A banyan, frequently written “banian,” is a type of fig that grows auxiliary trunks from accidental prop roots, enabling the tree to grow endlessly. This sets banyans apart from other trees with a strange habit that emerges from their seed in a crack or fissure of a host tree or building as an epiphyte or a plant that grows on another plant. This tree expands into a vast tree that spans several hectares. For mammals and birds like Indian mynas, its figs are beneficial. Studies have shown that seeds that enter the digestive tract are known to germinate.
Bandhavgarh National Park is thus a hidden paradise for all the wildlife buffs, with many treasures in its fold! It is undoubtedly the best place to experience what mother nature has to offer. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your Bandhavgarh National Park trip with Indian Visit.