Bandhavgarh National Park [UPSC Notes]

Bandhavgarh National Park is spread at Vindhya hills of the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh. It was declared a national park in the year 1968. Given below are a few factual details about this park:

The geographical, historical and environmental background of the Bandhavgarh National Park is an important part of the UPSC Syllabus, especially from the prelims perspective. 

IAS aspirants can also acquaint themselves with the List of National Parks in India that constitute an integral part of biodiversity conservation in the country. 

Bandhavgarh National Park [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

History of Bandhavgarh

• Bandhavgarh is a legendary place that has many historical importances. In literal terms, Bandhavgarh is a combination of two words Bandhav (Brother) and Garh (Fort)
• The name Bandhavgarh given to the reserve is due to the presence of an ancient fort which is believed to be gifted by Lord Rama, to his younger brother Lakshmana
• The Bandhavgarh region also unveils the history to find the major dynasties that ruled the Bandhavgarh regions including Sengars, the Kalchuris and the Baghels
• Until 1968, the Bandhavgarh region was the hunting spot of the Maharajas of Rewa. After which, the royal family handed over the area to the state government which converted it into a National Park
• The Bandhavgarh National Park was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1993 under the Project Tiger

Geographical Features of Bandhavgarh National Park

• Bandhavgarh National Park resides on the extreme north-eastern border of Madhya Pradesh and the northern edges of the Satpura mountain ranges
• Due to the tropical monsoon climatic zone, the park has been characterized by well-defined winters summers and rains
• It is flourished with 32 hills with a large natural fort in the centre of the park
• The park has been divided into three major zones, namely 
  • Tala (zone rich in biodiversity for tiger spotting)
  • Magdi (Elephant shows are organized in this region)
  • Bamera 
• The core zone of the national park is composed of four other zones:
  • Magdhi 
  • Kallwah
  • Khitauli
  • Panpatha

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Flora & Fauna at Bandhavgarh National Park

The diverse mix of habitats in Bandhavgarh supports a corresponding plentitude of flora and fauna. Starting from tiny butterflies to majestic tigers, the park is extremely rich in biodiversity. 

• There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds
• Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard and Tiger
• The artiodactyls include Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur
• Mammals such as Dhole, the small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel and Lesser Bandicoot Rat can also be sighted
• The lesser predators that can be found are fox, jungle cat, ratel, palm civet, and mongoose
• This National Park is a famous natural habitat for White Tigers. 
• The important prey species consists of chital, sambhar, barking deer, nilgai, chinkara, wild pig, langur and rhesus macaque

About Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

• Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve is located in the eastern Satpura hill range of Umaria and Katni districts
• The area of Tiger Reserve holds a mythological significance as found in the Narad Panch Ratna and Shiva Sanhita Puran
• The Tiger Reserve is known for the healthy population of tigers and a variety of herbivores

Also, read Importance of Tiger Conservation: RSTV- Big Picture

Bandhavgarh National Park [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here

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