BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE

Declared as a National Park in 1968 and a Tiger Reserve in 1993, Bandhavgarh is one of the most visited Tiger Reserves in central India. Known for its tiger density Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is spread over 1162 Sq.km, with more than 60 tigers. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured the first white tiger in this region in 1951. This white tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the Maharajas of Rewa.

Once served as a Shikargah or Game Preserve for Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh now has one of the highest known densities of tigers in the world. Tigers Sita, Charger and B2, are well known tigers from Bandhavgarh. In fact Sita is one of the most photographed tigresses in the world, which was featured in 1997, National Geographic Magazines cover page. Named after and famous for his habit of charging vehicles, Charger dominated Bandhavgarh for more than a decade, after handing over the legacy to the tiger B2. Regarded as one of the biggest and most photographed Royal Bengal Tiger, B2 dominated Bandhavgarh Tourism zone for more than a decade. He fathered many cubs with many tigresses and most of the tigers in Bandhavgarh are descendants of Sita and B2.

Bandhavgarh is mainly covered with Sal and Bamboo vegetation, with a mix of grasslands. Bandhavgarh also has good density of Cheetals, Sambhars, Nilgai, and Gaurs that were recently reintroduced.
Bandhavgarh is also a home for many species of resident and migratory birds.

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

Corbett National Park has captured the imagination of many with its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was recognised long ago and so in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction as the first national park to be established in mainland Asia.

Corbett National Park lies in two districts – Nainital and Pauri – in the hill state of Uttaranchal in northern India. It covers an area of 521 sq. km and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve over 1288 sq. km.

Its geographical location between the Himalayas and the terai, and the streams, rivers and ridges crisscrossing the terrain, present Corbett with a remarkable variety of landscapes. This vivid mosaic of habitats – wet and dry, plain and mountainous, gentle and rugged, forests and grasslands – supports numerous plant and animal species, representing Himalayan as well as plains kinds. The most famous of Corbett’s wild residents are the Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic Elephant, but with about 600 species of avifauna Corbett is one of the richest bird regions of India.

YOUR SHERPA

Guri went to school at Sherwood College, Nainital, so rambling up and down mountains comes naturally to him. At home from school, holidays were spent accompanying his dad to the jungles for a shoot. It is an established fact that old, reformed hunters make the most committed environmentalists and have a formidable and impressive knowledge of the jungle and its ways. The major part of his later years have been spent visiting the jungles in and around the Kumaon region, with his family and friends. A great 'spotter' and identifier of jungle calls, he is the person you want to be with if you are in the unfamiliar wilds of the jungle anywhere in the world. He now lives in the Corbett area, surrounded by the forest
and working out of an enviable environment.