Chhattisgarh - Tigers

The Indian  State of Chhattisgarh is one of the greenest state in the country with the forest cover of over 44 percent. The state has 3  National Parks and eleven WLS. As per recent report released by the Project Tiger population estimate up to year 2010 the state has a stable population of 26 to 30 tigers in an area of 3514 sq km.

As per the statement minister Vikram Usendi there are 6 to 8 tigers in Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and about 22 tigers in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve.The figure from Indravati National Park has not been added. The population survey could not be conducted at Indravati National Park for some reasons.

In Indravati Tiger Reserve the earlier estimate was about 30 plus tigers. Besides tigers the reserve is home to water buffaloes which are critically endangered here. In Chhattisgarh reserves and sanctuaries the prey base is rich in the wilderness areas and tigers can be repopulated here. On wildlife tour one can see leopard, bison, water buffalo, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild dogs, for horned deer, barking deer and so on.

The state is a sightseer's paradise with a very large number of natural phenomena in sightseeing destinations spread across. The horse shoe shaped Chitrakote Falls in Bastar is a mesmerizing phenomena. The large stretches of of green environs accord salubrity and peace to the tourists.

Tribal culture is best experienced here especially at Bastar District. The creative artifacts bell metal or dokra are must buy. The intrigue and mysticism of ritualistic tribal life is a matter to witness on your visit. There are many tribal communities in the state some major ones are:
    Gonds
    Abhuj Maria
    Muria    BisonHorn Maria   

    Halbaa
    Bhatra
    Dhurvaa 

The dominant population is that of the Gonds tribal popular for their "Ghotul" marriage system. Some of the tribal communities stick to ancient beliefs and primitive life with no proclivity towards the modern world. 

Maneater tigers in our reserves

It is a sad news that the incidence of man eating is recurring in our tiger parks. Earlier this malady surfaced frequently at and around Sunderkhal in Corbett Tiger Reserve, and sadly it is a regular feature of Sunderban Tiger Reserve. The incidence could surface in any tiger reserve especially in Achanakmar in Chhattisgarh where many villages are located amidst dense forests.

Two young male tigers have been caught and sent to permenant prison in Van Vihar at Bhopal. Although this is more of an open zoo and animals are less traumatized, the happening is not desired. Incarcerating man eating tigers in zoos is an urgent exercise that prevents further incidence and mitigates human fear. This is also a quick fire solution for appeasing the disturbed and often violent masses. But then two prolific breeding tigers have been silenced out of just 1400 or so.

The horrific news just appears as fact in newspapers and there is no contemplation on how this malady could be prevented. Editors must learn to shape up productive opinion. We must recollect that tigers survive in 1 or 2 percent of our geographical area, and in that too ingress by humans is common. Most of the man eating tendency arises out of accidental killing and not due to hunger in well stocked places like Bandhavgarh. The place were the man was killed has no dearth of prey base. The man in this case was a forestor hence his movement is essential, but than this does raise the issue of ingress by the locals in search of minor forest produce. Some of the portions of our tiger reserves are under dense canopy, areas that constitue buffer zone as in Sunderkhal in Corbett.

The first incidence occured whence the cubs were in the possesion of the tigress this must have given them the taste of human blood. This must have been accidental killing for sure or in sheer self defence. The tigress continued to kill its natural prey and perhaps still does. The cubs on separation did not hesitate to kill the man under stress since the fear had been removed. Young adults though well taught by the mother are still bit inexperienced hunters by all means. Hunger must have induced them to take this disastrous step.

Just by taking contingency measure as in Bandhavgarh National Park  the problem will not be solved. People will have to be distanced from immediate surroundings of our tiger parks. I know this sounds chauvinistic and relocation is a discomforting step for the locals. But as solution humans can move and tigers cannot. Humans can change their livelyhood tigers cannot step out of the food chain.

The system seems to be paralysed whence question of difficult options arise as in this case it is relocation. Since a long time funds have been made available for relocation in India but to no effect. Political and democratic urgency, inability to execute, sheer ignorance and lethargy are taking a big toll of our precious heritage.

Achanakmar - Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

Animals were difficult to sight in Achanakmar during a tiger safari ten years back. But nevertheless the superb biosphere with amazing floral diversity and density assured the existence of many interesting species of wild animals and birds.  

The forests are now known as Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. Amarkantak the origin of  River Narmada and Son lies partially in the state of Madhya Pradesh the rest is in Chhattisgarh. The biosphere reserve encompasses an area of more than three thousand sq.km. The Achanakmar sanctuary constitutes the core while the rest is the buffer zone.  

The region separates rivers that flow in to the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Another River Johilla also originates from the hills of Amarkantak. The range known as Maikal Hills is the confluence of Vindhya and Satpura Ranges.

Due to diverse topography the foral diversity is very impressive and includes bryophytes, pteridophytes, thallopyhtes, angiosperms and gymnosperms. The forest types are Northern Moist Dry Deciduous and Southern Dry Deciduous types.

The wild animals inhabit the whole preserve but greater concentration are found in the Achanakmar. Tigers, leopards, wild dog, sloth bear, bison, giant squirrel, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, langur, rhesus macaque, wild boar and many other animals are found here in good numbers. Bird life is also interesting albeit more study is required. Due to high altitude I was impressed with the sightings of migratory birds especially warblers.

Amarkantak is a pilgirmage destination for Hindus as thousand visit the Narmada Temple at the site of origin. The sacred rivers draws thousands of pilgrims from all over India.  Eco tourism is also taking roots as many holiday makers come here to enjoy the salubrious environs and healthy climate. There are many villages with the tiger reserve so constituted they are a great source of disturbance to wildlife.

Most interesting places are the Narmada Temple. Son Muda or origin of River Son, Dughdhara, Kabir Chabutra besides a few more. There are many ashrams and guest houses that offer accommodations. MPTDC and Chhattisgarh Tourism have built scenic resorts here. The latter is under construction on a Hill Top.  

For tiger safari the Achanakmar Rest House about 52 km from Amarkantak is ideal. Prior permission is required from the forest department at Bilaspur. Bilaspur is the nearest city with a rail head connecting Jabalpur Kolkutta. Not much accommodations are available in Achanakmar hence preferred place of stay is Amarkantak.  Another place is the Sal Valley Resort non outskirts of the biosphere reserve at Keonchhi Village.  

Untamed Chhattisgarh - Kanger Ghati National Park

The pristine land of this beautiful state lies embedded deep in the confines of ignorance. The tourism is much less than the potential particularly due to lack of propaganda and exposure. The newly carved state of Chhattisgarh from erstwhile Madhya Pradesh  is hidden in the shadow of its larger neighbor. Besides ample of mineral wealth  the enchanting state is a tourism hot spot.

The verdant greenery of the dense forests and rolling hills and meandering rivers make it the most beautiful state of India. Most of the natural wonders are preserved and offer exciting sightseeing, wildlife safari and holiday experience to the tourists. There are many protected areas in the state one of them is Kanger Ghati National Park. 

Kanger Ghati National Park 

The NP not only offers wildlife safari and birding it is an amazing conglomeration of water falls, natural caves, deep valleys and mountains. The most popularly visited caves are Danadak, Kailash and Kotumsar caves. The Kotamsar Cave is home to a species of blind fish that live among streams in the caves surrounded by stalagmites and stalactites. The Tirathgarh Falls is an awe inspiring spectacle and so is the wild stretch of Kolab River which gives rise to it. The National Park has many water falls, pristine pools and streams that criss cross the forest and provide enchanting spectacles to see while on wildlife safari.   It is home to some very rare animals like the mouse deer and striped Hyena.   

The park lies about twenty five km from Jagdalpur town in the district of Bastar. It is named after the Kanger River which intersects the biodiversity rich region. Many Central Indian wildlife species are found here.

Indian Bison or Gaur

Tiger

Wolf

Wild Dog

Samabar, 

Barking Deer

Spotted Deer

Sloth Bear,

Leopard

Mouse Deer 

Striped Hyena

Indian Fox

Jackal

Many nocturnal animals make Kanger Valley their home. You can see many reptiles like Cobra, Krait, Python, Rat Snake, grass snakes, Viper and more. The rivers support the marsh crocodile which is one of the prime attractions. The talking Myna or Bastar Hill Myna is occasionally seen here apart from many exciting bird species. 

Wild Water Buffalo in Indravati

Smaller than the bison wild water buffalo is severely endangered. Less the four thousand heads survive in South East Asia.  The animal is not related to Wild Cape Buffalo found in Africa. Smaller in size and weight to Gaur it is the second largest buffalo. 

It is an ancestor domestic buffalo in South East Asia. By nature it inhabits marshy grasslands as in Indravati National Park in the Chattisgarh State of India The animal lives in herds as it is gregarious by habit. Much more ferocious by nature it has lost ground due habitat loss and hunting. Besides Indravati it is found in Udanti Wild Buffalo Sanctuary in Chattisgarh. It is found in larger numbers in Assam and Bhutan. An isolated population lives in Nepal. These animals are also found in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.     

In some pockets interbreeding has taken place with domestic and feral stock. Its scientific name is Bubalus amee. The animal find place of pride in wildilfe on Chattisgarh in India.

Located in Dantewada District Indravati is a two thousand seven hundred plus sq km tiger reserve and home to this rare buffalo.  The reserve is named after Indravati River that flows through it.The reserve is home to Central Indian Mammalian species including the swamp deer or Barasingha. It was a biodiversity rich region spreading across 40, 000 sq km but is badly fragmented now.

The flora constitute teak as dominent species besides dhawa, saja, moyan, salai, char, mahua, tendu, harra, bija, kullu, bel, semal, baherra, kosum, lyndia, shisham, haldu, arjun.Though tourism is limited there is good scope for wildlife watching birding around the preserve.

Wildlife of Chhattisgarh - Achanakmar

Established as Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1975 Achanakmar boasts of impressive biodiversity. Subsequently the sanctuary along with Amarkantak Hills has been declared as biosphere reserve.

Achanakmar encompasses an area of 914 sq km and is now a part of the Project Tiger in India. It is one of the finest ecosystem in the State of Chhattisgarh and is home to diverse flora and fauna typical to Central India. The terrain is hilly interspersed with small grasslands in the plains. The canopy is dense at places which provides excellent cover to the denizens.

Achanakmar Wildlife

The sanctuary is a habitat of Bengal tiger, leopards, Indian bison or gaur, spotted deer, striped hyena, jackal, sloth bear, wild dog, sambar, blue Bull, four-horned antelope, chinkara, muntjac, langur, wild boar, flying squirrel, Malabar squirrel, rhesus macaque and many nocturnal animals like ratel, porcupine, civet and fox.

Once a contiguous belt that encompassed Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Achanakmar is primarily a Sal forest. It is still connected to Kanha by broken forest corridor. The fauna is similar to Kanha except the absence of Swamp Deer. Nevertheless Achanakmar along with Amarkantak Hills for m an impressive tract of Sal Forest. The biosphere reserve is situated in Maikal Hills where the Vindhya and Satpura Hill Range merge. The flora comprises of Sal, Bija, Ber, Lyndia, Saja, Haldu, Tendu, Palas, Tinsa, Dhawa, Lendia, Salai, Khamar and Bamboo.

Impressive herds of Gaur can be seen though there is a tourism infrastructure present the WLS has yet to gain popularity. Most of the visitors are from Bilaspur (55 km) the nearest town. I had visited the WLS long years back and stayed at the enchanting rest house built by the British. The rest house is situated at the Achanakmar Village about 55 km from Bilaspur.

Part of Amarkantak Hills within the WLS are the origin of River Narmada and Son. The life line of the forest is the Maniyari Reserve. Not yet a part of regular wildlife tourism circuit the sanctuary is worth a visit. A number of watch towers have been established for wildlife watching and birding. There is a network of well connected metal roads though which tiger safari is possible.

In spite of its protected area status a large number of villages are still within. This a a major cause of disturbance to wildlife. The tigers are shy and nocturnal so are the other species. The protected area status may have officially secured the ecosystem on paper but not in reality. Human infiltration poses threat to this magnificent tiger habitat. The surrounding villages with abundant live stock encroach the forest creating immense pressure on the food chain and natural resources.

Amarkantak, Achanakmar can be reached from Jabalpur by road. The nearest rail heads are Pendra and Bilaspur which is connected to Kolkata Jabalpur railway line.

Wildlife of Chhattisgarh - 1

An erstwhile part of Madhya Pradesh in India, Chhattisgarh is now a state. It is a large state with diverse topography and biodiversity. The state is heavily forested with forest cover at places categorizes as excellent.

The state's wildlife is Central India Fauna but it is home to some rare animals as well. The wild buffalo in Central India is found only in Chhattisgarh at Indravati National Park. The major protected areas of the state are Kanger Ghati National Park, Barnawapara Sanctuary, Sitanadi, Udanti, WLS and the Achanakmar WLS, Badalkhol,Pamed, Sanjay National Park and Bhairamgarh, Gomarda, Semarsot and Tamor Pingla WLS.

The large number of protected area makes the state a heaven for wildlife tourism. The infrastructure is well laid for wildlife safaris. The capital of the state Raipur is well connected followed by Bilaspur as the second largest city. The administrative HQ are in Raipur while Bilaspur is industrialized.

Besides Indravati National Park in the state Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a large protected area. The park is just sixty kilometers from Sidhi District of MP. It has an area of more than two thousand square km and hence is home to large number of herbivores and carnivores. The National Park is home to tigers and leopards besides the Central Indian mammals.

Achanakmar Sanctuary lies just 50 kn from Bilaspur and encompasses Amarkantak the source of Narmada River. It is home to tigers, leopards, bison, sloth bear, deer, wild dogs and lesser carnivores. Being close to Bislaspur railhead it is visit popularly for tiger safaris. Amarkantak is a pilgrimage center and source of Narmada and Son river systems.

Located in the Mahasamund District is Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary a unique ecosystem with enchanting wilderness. One can see Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Flying Squirrel, Muntjac, Jackals, Four-horned Antelope, Black Buck, Chhinkara, Jungle Cat, Porcupine, Langur, Bison, Spotted Deer, Striped Hyena, Wild Dogs, Sambar, Nilgai and Wild Boar. The floral elements in this tropical dry deciduous forest are Teak, Sal, Saaj, Mahua, Bamboo, Tendu, and Semal, and Ber.

The WLS has impressive avian species for bird watchers. The best time is winters for bird watching at Barnawapara. One can see large number of forests birds on a short trip.

Most of the protected areas in Chhattisgarh State have accommodations for ecotourism while at smaller sanctuaries forest or PWD bungalows are available.