Bandhavgarh National Park: Important Facts & White Tiger for UPSC

Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the eastern part of the Vindhyachal ranges. It is a beautiful national park surrounded by hills. Further, in terms of the number of tigers in India, Bandhavgarh National Park has the “highest tiger density“, in which one tiger is found in every 8 km area.

It is a renowned wildlife reserve located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, the park offers visitors the opportunity to experience India’s rich natural heritage and witness some of its most magnificent wildlife in their natural habitat.

With its dense forests, rolling hills, and grassy meadows, National Park is a true haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Whether you’re interested in tigers, leopards, birds, or just the beauty of the Indian countryside, this is a destination not to be missed.

National Park	Bandhavgarh National Park
District	Umaria
Establishment years	1993 A.D.
Area	437 Sq.Km.
River	Charan Ganga River
Location	Eastern Vindhyanchal, MP
Famous for	White Tigers

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is a wildlife reserve located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It covers an area of approximately 437 square kilometers. The park is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna and is home to several threatened and endangered species.

The landscape is characterized by dense forests, rolling hills, and grassy meadows. The park’s vegetation consists of dry deciduous forests, with a mix of sal, bamboo, and other tree species. The park’s rivers and streams are home to several species of fish, including the mahseer.

Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for its large population of Bengal tigers and is considered to be one of the best places in India to see these magnificent animals. The park is also home to several other species of large mammals, including leopards, sloth bears, and wild boars. In addition to its large mammals, the park is also home to over 250 species of birds, including several species of vultures, eagles, and waterfowl.

Animals of Bandhavgarh National Park

Due to the highest tiger density, Bandhavgarh NP is compared to the “Ranthambore National Park” of Rajasthan. Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for the “White Tiger”. Apart from this, white lions, bears, leopards, chital, nilgai, dear, and other wild animals are found.

White Tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park

• Bandhavgarh National Park is known as the “Lands of White Tiger“.
• The white tiger was first seen in the Bandhavgarh National Park forest area in the year 1914-15. Which was caught by Venkataraman Singh, the king of Rewa.
  • Maharaja Venkataraman Singh was the ruler who hunted the maximum number of lions in the state of Rewa.
  • He killed 111 lions till the year 1914-15.
  • The hunting of 109 lions was considered auspicious by the rulers of the Rewa dynasty, due to which the forests of Bandhavgarh were reserved as Akhet Sthal (hunting ground) for the Maharajas of Rewa.
  • On May 28, 1951 AD, the then “Maharaja Martand Singh” of Rewa saw a white tiger named “Mohan” in the Bandhavgarh forests.
• The white male tiger Mohan died in the palace of Martand Singh on 28 December 1969, in whose honor the Government of India issued a postage stamp in the year 1975.
• White Tiger Safari:
  • The first white tiger safari in India and Madhya Pradesh was established in the year 2016 in Mukundpur (District-Satna).
  • Whose name has been kept as “Maharaja Martand Singh Judeo White Tiger Safari“.
  • The first female lion named “Vindhya” was rehabilitated in White Tiger Safari, Satna.

Also Read: Kanha National Park

Important Facts of Bandhavgarh National Park

• Apart from Mohan, Bandhavgarh forest has also been the abode of other white tigers named “Sita”, “Charger”, “Mohini”, and “Bittu”.
• In the name of the white male tiger Charger, “Charger Point” has been built.
• The picture of the Sita-female tiger has been displayed on the cover page of “National Geographic Magazine“.
• Sita the female tigress was brought from Bastar (Chhattisgarh) to Van Vihar, Bhopal on June 22, 1994, at the age of 9 months and later provided protection in Bandhavgarh National Park.
• Female tigress “Sita” holds the record for most photographs in India.
• “Gaur Rehabilitation Scheme” is being operated for the reserved habitat area of ​​elephants.
• In the year 2018, the “Sundari Tigress” has been rehabilitated from here to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha.
• Rivers & Lakes:
  • The “Charanganga River” flows through the middle of the National Park.
  • Umar River, Andhiyari Lake, and Bhadrashila Lake also flow.
• “Baghel Museum” is located in the Umaria district, where the skins of the white tiger “Mohan” and other tigers have been preserved.
• Bandhavgarh National Park has Bandhavgarh Fort, which is 2000 years old.
• In this fort, there is a huge idol of Lord Vishnu sitting on Sheshnag’s bed, which has been cut out of rocks.
• The source of origin of the Charanganga river is believed to be the feet of Lord Vishnu.
• Idols of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are also seen. Further, the description of the Bandhavgarh area is found in Ramayana.

“Bittu Sehgal” is the author of the book “Bandhavgarh Inheritance and Wild” based on Bandhavgarh National Park. This book was released on 12-13 January 2019 by the Union Tourism Minister Alkansh Kannan Thanam at Bharat Bhavan (Bhopal).

In conclusion, Bandhavgarh National Park is a beautiful and diverse wildlife reserve that offers visitors the opportunity to experience India’s rich natural heritage and see some of the country’s most magnificent wildlife up close. The park is especially famous for its Bengal tigers and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in wildlife and nature.

Thank You!

Related Links:

Bandhavgarh National Park	Panna National Park
Kanha National Park	Kaziranga National Park