These are two wonderful tiger heavens which naturally have become world famous. The popularity comes from tourism and successful tiger conservation programs. The density of tiger population is highest in these National Parks or tiger reserves.
Kanha and Bandhavgarh have shown what a tenacious and sincerely executed conservation measure can do for conservation of a species. The benefit from Project Tiger to these preserves in India is obvious to add to it dedicated research carried out by wildlife biologists as Schaller et.al. Some of the park directors and managers have done yeoman service in field of research and management excellence. Hence Mr.Panwar, Mr.Parihar and Mr. Rajesh Gopalan are names associated with Kanha not forgetting old hand Nagpure.
Similarly Mr. H.S.Pabla and Mr Rajesh Gopalan did lot for Bandhavgarh National Park in Central India. Inspite of the dismal scenario of shrinking tiger population elsewhere. On the contrary Bandhavgarh and Kanha tiger forests in India have shown a reverse trend where in the tiger populations in these tiger havens is consistently on increase.
It is heartening to see tigers breeding so successfully here and rearing families and cubs which augurs best for this species. The species conservation programs have given succor to endangered swamp deer among many other species making a come back thanks to sincere protection and excellent management practices adopted in these parks.
I have been visiting these tiger havens when all that there was in name of hotels in Kanha and Bandhavgarh was a rest house at Kisli and one in Kanha core zone. Similary Bandhavgarh had one rest house for accommodation which any way was vacant most of the time as tourism had not picked up then.
Jabalpur is the best route by road to these havens. Flights now operate from Ahemedabad, Delhi and connectivity with some other towns.
