Forest birding in Madhya Pradesh

Though MP is known as the tiger state it is a good birding destination as well. The tiger reserves are hitherto popular for tiger safaris as ideal birding spots for those interested in forest species. Most of the tiger reserves in the state are home to wetland species as well but the habitats are not extensive like in Bharatpur. Nevertheless one can see them in impressive numbers.    

Among the forest species, the most sought after are the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Shama, Racket Tailed Drongo, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Painted Francolin, Black Naped Flycatcher, Iora, Gold Mantled Chloropsis, Jerdon's Leaf Bird, Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Verditor Flycatcher, Brown Fish Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Malabar whistling Thrush (Pachmarhi), Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, White Eyed Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, and many more. 

The best places for birding in the state are Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Pachmarhi, Nauradehi, Amarkantak, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Bori, and many other wildlife sanctuaries. The habitat type differs depending upon the degree of humidity and food factor. The state has tropical dry deciduous, dry deciduous moist, mixed forests, broadleaved Teak forests, Sal Forests, and Bamboo Zones which are excellent habitats for diverse species. Similarly, grassland in the preserve and places like Karera Bustard Sanctuary are home to many grass-dwelling species.    

Pachmarhi, Nauradehi, Amarkantak are lesser-known destinations in MP hence tourism is not popular. While accommodation is available in Pachmarhi and Amakantak subject to advance booking, Nauradehi can be visited from Jabalpur where there is no shortage of accommodations. All three are reachable from Jabalpur City in Madhya Pradesh.  

Wildlife safari in MP

The state of Madhya Pradesh has many wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. But for wildlife safaris most visited places are Kanha, Bandhavgarh. and Pench. Besides these Panna and Satpura National Park receive many visitors.   

These preserve are also very good birding destinations in Central India. More than 250 avian species make the places there home the numbers include winter migrants. These are also places where tiger sightings are more frequent as compared to other tiger reserves in India  

Lesser known places like Pachmarhi, Amarkantak and Nauradehi are also upcoming birding destinations. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is slated for Cheetah relocation in MP, India. All the tree places are accessible from Jabalpur City in Madhya Pradesh. The city is well connected by air with New Delhi and Mumbai. another sanctuary near Bhopal is Ratapani which is home to many wildlife and tigers as well. This is were Bhimbetika caves with prehistoric paintings are situated.        

Bhimebetika is said to date back more than 100000 years and is situated in Raisen District. But it is very near to Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh,. The paintings depict ritualistic lifestyle of inhabitants and several animals including those which are not found in the state anymore.    

There are more than 700 rock shelters with 243 in Bhimbetka Rock Shelter Group and about 178 in Lakha Juar Group. 

Tiger Safaris in October

In the early days of tourism at Central Indian tiger reserves the park opened up in November for tiger safaris this offered much-needed rest and peace to wildlife and the park authorities had the time to re-establish road infrastructure etc.

All that has changed now. Tiger tourism is at its peak and the tourist rush is considerable. So the park now opens in October a month earlier than before. Why?

Well! Tourism. Yes!

And the hotels at National Parks wish to capitalize on tourist inflow to the optimum best. They managed to convince the park management that since the breeding season o most of the wildlife gets over by this time it is okay to commence tiger safaris earlier.

Since Kanha is the largest and most popular National Park the owners of wildlife resorts at Kanha are the most active in matters relating to park safaris and tourism.

In October the monsoon rains have come to an end and with their departure humidity and wetness have been replaced by sunny weather and a bit of comforting cold. Inside the park, the flora is at its optimum density, and visibility is limited to a few paces. Hence tiger trekking is difficult but nevertheless, tigers are seen albeit at higher odds. So a minimum three-night stay is advised to the tourists.

During October and early November, the parks are at their picturesque best attired in green all over. This is the time when the weather too is at its best. So it is a happy time for tourists on tiger safari at Kanha National Park, Pench, and Bandhavgarh National Parks.

In anticipation, booking is done months in advance and especially during the Diwali holidays. This is the time when the rush is at its greatest.

End of the season

With the start of the monsoon, the park closes to tourists. Every year the park closes down on 3oth June and re-opens on 16th October this year. This gives much rest and privacy to the wild animals of the park.

But one negative aspect of the absence of tourists is that the park becomes more susceptible to poaching another reason for this is the turbulent rains which make traversing many areas of the park difficult even for the elephant patrol. The whole staff including the guides are involved in safeguarding the park and protecting the animals from marauding poachers. It is hard work for the park staff to look after the wild animals and forests. This is a true conservation effort and the staff should be rewarded by tourists and all for this if nothing more.

The activities in hotels in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, and other Indian tiger reserves comes to an end. It is time for rest for the hotel staff and the managers much needed. Servicing the guests is a difficult task what with most of the resources being fetched from major towns.

The timings for the staff are very tough during the season. They have to get up as early as 3.3 am in the bitter cold after having gone to sleep around 11pm. The immediate task is to prepare breakfast and tea which is offered as a packed brunch too. The visitors are woken up for the park safari after this so that they leave for the gate in time. The whole day is spent doing numerous chores and serving the guests. Most of the staff goes to sleep late and gets up very early with limited rest.

It is very disappointing when some ungrateful guests do not tip them.

Eco-tourism is not only fun and excitement watching rare and endangered species like the tiger. It is responsible tourism as well so all activities that encourage the locals and those involved will go long way in saving our precious natural inheritance.