Author: cadmin

Wild Elephants from Chhattisgarh and Orissa are migrating to Madhya Pradesh. In the beginning, they came to Sanjay Dugri Park, as Wild elephants are not used to Park, they became wilder, and damage to fields of farmers broke many houses and killed people. After this incident, the rescue team took action immediately and brought those wild elephants to Bandhavgarh. Within a year, another group of approximately 40 wild elephants came to Bandhavgarh via Sanjay Durgi Park. 

They became the perpetual residents of Bandhavgarh National Park, and now the count increased to 50 approx. There are no human losses by those wild elephants in Bandhavgarh. 

Same, Two wild elephants migrated to Kanha National Park from April 2020 approx. They are wandering here and there, and mating with domestic elephants. It looks like they are on the road to becoming residents of Kanha. 

The question arises, why are they migrating?

The reason may be:

1. Human Population – India’s population is rising at a rate of 1% every year since 2018. From a fiscal perspective, it is okay if more tourists tour, but it is not okay for wild animals.

2. Deforestation – As the population rises, new farm fields are required for grains and vegetables. While the deforestation rate is very low or in minus in India. In some places, forests are being extended, but deforestation is still going on in some places. Increment of

3. Human Activity in Forest – No animal aspires interruption, as wild animals are comfortable with people. However, some animals, especially wild elephants, are modest; they want to live in comfort; it may be the reason for migration.

Due to increment in the human population into Jungle. Many conflicts are increasing between humans and wild animals. It also shows that 300-400 years ago, Madhya Pradesh was the hub of wild elephants. Furthermore, they migrated from here to other places, and it looks like they are returning to their original home. 

Bandhavgarh local public, travel agencies, and travelers indicate that elephants are now part of Bandhavgarh and they never notice any torture on them by anyone. 

Because there may be many misconceptions in wild photographers and tourists’ minds that “wild elephants are being tortured at Bandhavgarh.” Few blogs are speaking about “wild elephant torture”; however, they do not belong to Tala, Bandhavgarh. A person cannot make any judgment by seeing a picture from one corner. 

One of elephant captured in near Sanjay Dubri National Park and kept in Bandhavgarh National Park trained him properly to reach the areas where jeeps can’t go patrolling, and jungle safety, where jeeps cannot run,  these domesticated elephants very useful for a treat the wild animals and to tranquilize for treating injuries.

Facts about wild elephants in India 

Numbers of wild elephants going down very fast day by day there are hardly 27000 elephants left In India. 

Advance Safari Booking

Are you planning to visit a National Parks In India or a tiger reserve in India?  Then here are a few tips that will make your trip a huge success.

First of all, book your safari in advance yes planning ahead will secure your entry in the park for excursions.  The visit is organized for tiger safaris on open jeeps, but there is a limit to the number of jeeps that can enter in a day either in the morning or in the evening ride all over the National Parks in India.

For every ride, a permit is issued that has to be obtained from the State Government Portals online or in direct communication with the Field Director of the reserve if the online facility is not there.  Hence at the time of planning, you should complete this formality as per the number of safaris which you have planned for. At a later stage, it is unlikely that you will get an entry vacant. 

At the time of booking all other details have to be filled online along with details of passport if you are from overseas. For Indians recognized photo ID will do. At the time of booking, you need to provide details and ID of all others that will be on the jeep with you.  

MPONLINE SAFARI BOOKING PORTAL

Hire Local Driver & Guides

At most of the park, local guides are provided by the park, and the jeeps are also registered with the department and so are the drivers.  If this is not the case then you should hire local guides and jeeps available so that those who have inherited the heritage wealth benefit the most. This creates goodwill and sympathy for the parks and aids conservation.  

Get to the Entrance Gate Well in Time

The entry for safari s organized with fixed timings pertaining to entry and exit. Before the entry ID is checked, guide fees have to be paid this takes time hence you should reach at least one hour earlier. This way you will go through the formalities in time and yet be ahead of others in order to enter the park gate.     

Always Keep Original ID Proof

This has to be shown at the gate and it can be checked inside the park anytime by the forest officials hence keep it with you all the time. Keep originals it is necessary for every National Parks in India .

Book Your Package Local Agent

The booking of permits can also be done by the hoteliers and tour operators. Hence in order to forward community benefit, the local agent or tour operator should be preferred.      

Natural Clothing & camouflage clothes

Keep khaki or olive green clothing with you. Wear them during the safari keeps the animals pacified because they feel at ease in green surroundings. Stark colors may antagonize them.

Choosing Season

Keep tab of season winters are severe in North, Central India, but summers can be very hot in the months of May and June hence avoids this period if you are sensitive to heat.

Wear Mask

Now wear masks for saving yourself from pandemic as well as to prevent dust entering your nostrils. Dry roads can be very dusty and will choke your throat as well but not life-threatening. Take care. 

A strong sun except on rainy or cloudy days can hurt your eyes. And now in the pandemic virus can enter your eyes so wear good quality sunglasses.

Sunscreen Cream or Lotion

Roll them over your body if you are sensitive to sunlight. The sun shines nearly throughout the year hence carry protective cream with you.

Park Drivers, Guide, and Naturalist

Few know English but they can converse in broken English. They are friendly and warm but some can be talkative. Do not encourage them to converse too much except whence they have to inform you about happenings and wildlife.   Too much chatter would lead to a loss in alertness and you will miss much. 

Keep Sensory Apparatus Alert

Not only the guides, drivers, and naturalist you should be alert to in order to experience the elusive wildlife. Senses play an important role in sightings and tracking animals.

Keep Ears Open & alertness

Sound-play an important role in wildlife sighting you can track animals like tigers from the sound they make.  Other animals whence they sense the tiger they emit an alarm cry out of fear and thus you can come to know its presence. Guides and naturalists rely often on alarm cries and animal sounds in order to enhance your experience and make it holistic. So, you should join them and be alert.

Tell Tale Signs

Not only your ears but your eyes should be alert as well. You can make out the presence of big cats by their pug marks on jungle roads, scratch marks on trees, and wet marks on barks. Some elusive animals are difficult to spot in dense canopy hence keep your eyes wide open.

Pay Attention

Listen carefully to what the team will have something valuable to disseminate or inform you about the safaris progress. By listening you will learn a lot and enjoy the game rides immensely National Parks in India totally different than the African Parks.   

Slow Drives

You miss out much by zooming past at full speed. There is no rare animal waiting for you at the end of the road. Hence encourage the team to drive slowly and pay attention to the surroundings. 

Stop and Check & recheck

During safaris stop and check if there is a doubt in your mind. Things happen very quickly and in the dense canopy, a glimpse of a sound cannot be neglected so ask the driver to stop or reverse for a recheck.

Post Safari Interact with the Guide and Naturalist

You will be better informed if you interact with guides and naturalists in the free time especially immediately after the safari. A sound discussion will lead to many eye-opening truths or facts. 

Binoculars’ and Spotting Scope

Carry them without fail for you will always need them to see big cats from far and birds everywhere. In the dense canopy, the first priority should be given to binoculars.

Checklist & Books on Birds & Mammals

Carry as much information as you can like hand guides on birds and mammals, checklists of birds. Since wildlife is diverse you need literature pertaining to that area. 

Food and Filter Water Emergency Medication

These are essentials which we need to carry everywhere especially during the safaris. Certain medications may not be available in remote areas buy them beforehand. 

Responsible Tourism

Do not use plastic packets and bottles, do not litter in the park or anywhere else. Keep to responsible tourism guidelines as a tourist.

Tipping & Synonyms

Tip guides, drivers, naturalists, and staff if you wish to impart with a gratuity as being generous. Although it is not mandatory encouraging people of the park is always good.

Discuss with the Naturalist

He or she will be your company back in the hotel as well hence interacting with him will be rewarding. Information gathering efforts will enrich your experience forever. 

Souvenirs Arts & Crafts

Buy souvenirs as gifts for people you love and as memorabilia. This will assist local people’s engagement in local crafts and industry. Always buy from the vicinity of the parks and not from towns where it will benefit the traders.    

Most Common Mistakes made by Tourists who Visits wilds of Madhya Pradesh for the first time. The state of Madhya Pradesh houses over 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 9 national parks stretched over 10,862 sq. km. You can explore various biogeographical zones in a huge network of protected zones. The state government has taken massive efforts to protect the endangered species.

Millions of people flock to the beautiful national parks in Madhya Pradesh, excited to see something they may have never seen before and something they may never see again. It might be your first time to witness the grandeur of Kanha National Park or the charm of Bandhavgarh National Park. If you want to make the most of your trip, you should learn to avoid a few mistakes.

If you want to do more, see more, and feel more on your first visit to the national park, we have listed a few common mistakes you should avoid. Visiting a national park is completely a different experience that you can’t resist and stop talking about for several years in life.

Mistake #1 – Not Booking Safari and Permit

I know many people book flights, hotels, taxi, and train tickets in advance. Well, it’s not your usual day trip to a new city. Many national parks have restrictions to allow only a limited number of vehicles per day to control crowds. So, it is highly recommended to book safari at least 120 days before. Your planning will go wasted if you don’t get the safari tickets when you need them the most. Ask your agent about the safari booking first. Once it is done, book your train or flight tickets, taxi, and hotels accordingly.

Mistake #2 – Throwing Garbage Here and There

I know it’s common sense. As tour operators, we have seen many tourists littering the jungles with empty water bottles and snacks packets. Keep in mind that these are wildlife heritages and us humans can’t do that here. It’s not just about animals, but also about our environment. So, it is advised to keep the garbage like metal foils, plastic bottles, cans and other non-biodegradable litter on your bag and throw it on the dustbin when leaving the park.

Mistake#3 – Being Disappointed

Many tourists visit national parks all the way from different parts of the world specially to witness the Royal Bengal Tigers. Well, there are several amazing creatures you may have missed just to see the tigers. Focus on collecting memories. Remember, it’s not a zoo. You cannot see wildlife roaming around in the park. See the breathtaking scenery also.

Mistake #4 – Feeding the wildlife

They are not your pets. They are wild animals who get more than enough to eat in the jungles. Consider the wilderness as their home and you are just visitors. So, they must have the first priority. Respect them and their privacy and keep a safe distance. You never know how these animals would react when a human gets closer to them. So, follow the rules of the national park.

Mistake #5 – Viewing the Park just from camera angles

Of course, pictures speak thousands of words. But you might be missing out on the true experience a national park can offer if you are too busy to capture each and every shot. You never know what you will miss on your peripheral vision while focusing your shot only on some beautiful flowers and a bird bathing on the pond. Of course, photos serve as memories for years. But don’t forget to use your own eyes to get the photogenic views.

Mistake #6 – Waking up late

Vacation is all about taking plenty of rest. After all, who doesn’t love some more zzz’s? I must tell you it’s not a good idea on a trip, especially if you are in a national park. Morning hours are very crucial to spot wildlife, visit the best zones without any crowd, and reach from one zone to another easily. Admit it – hundreds of people visit national parks every day. The crowd is even bigger in the summer months. The parks become very crowded. So, you should wake up early in the morning to start your day before anyone does to find some peace and great experiences.

Mistake #7 – Not disconnecting with Social Media

Social media is life, but only when you are at home. Take a few days off the technology and distract yourself from the selfish world to experience something new. You took a few days off from your office and spent a whole lot of money just for this experience. If you keep talking to others and being desperate for a few likes even at this time, you will be missing a lot in your life.

Of course, we all love our phones, but it’s not your regular trip. You can’t just connect to a milestone phase in your life if you experience the wilderness from behind your small screen. Everyone needs a bit of less worries, stress, and hustles. When was the last time you heard the chirping of birds, soaked in the mist, and witnessed the veins of the leaf? It’s the right time to enjoy every moment and slow down. Trust me, our Facebook friends don’t give a damn about our whereabouts. Take your time to turn off the distractions. You will feel proud that you did it.

Mistake #8 – Not Preparing in Advance

You must be prepared for every unwanted surprise you may get on your trip. So, you can enjoy the experience without worries and turn unexpected events into memories. Especially if you are visiting a national park, you must be ready for everything. You will be spending most of the time outside. You never know what is going to happen. Sometimes, the weather is not ideal. It may be blistering heat, thunderstorms, or even occasional rainfall in summer that may distract you.

You may wake up early morning to enjoy the whole day yourself but you have to start your day in the pouring rain. Of course, you have never wanted these things on your trip. But preparation is the key to having a nice trip. Always carry rain gear, water, snacks, sunscreen, first aid kit, and emergency blanket on your backpack.

Be prepared when things change suddenly. It also ensures peace of mind which will help you to get the most of your safari. Feel the unpredictable nature to add to a rewarding experience.

Bottom Line

Now that you know the common mistakes most tourists make for the first time; you must be fully prepared to have a great vacation in a national park. We wish you a great time, do more, see more and get some memories back to your home.