Sunderbans Quintessential Tiger Country

Divided between India and Bangladesh the estuary is called as Sunderbans on both sides. It is an amazing mix of land and aquatic habitats where the tides rule the roots. The emerging aerobic roots are the highlight of this ecosystem that gets full of slush in low and is completely submerged on high tide. 

In Hindi Sunderban means beautiful mangrove forests, beautiful yes but one of the most difficult terrains on Earth. Life here is a tough prospect, the delta that eventually merges into the Indian Ocean. Slush, poodles emerging aerobic roots like daggers and thick canopy always hamper movement but offers great camouflage to the predators be they the tiger or the deadly salt water crocodile.     

Bengal Tiger

The term Bengal tiger originated here. The mangrove forests belong to West Bengal State of India and hence their proliferation first noticed here named then after the State. This happened during the rule of British in undivided India. 

Today more than two hundred tigers survive in this delta a confluence of three rivers namely Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra. These are the lifeline of this ecosystem and eventually merge into the sea. 

Adapting to ever changing environment is a constant struggle and hardship especially for the tigers. Though the incidence of man eating is higher here not reason is attributed to the phenomenon. This could be due to the intrusion of humans in the thickets for homey collection and fishes which invites attack due to closer presence of the big cats while many attribute it to salt water. Well no exact reason has been found out but nevertheless intrusion is being prevented and steps are being taken to ameliorate. 

Sunderbans National Park is a protected area in Bengal and is also notified as tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve. Tourism is organized here in twenty percent of the area. Subject to rules and regulation the activity offers good chance of sighting big cats and large number of mammals and reptiles that live here. The reserve is home to a large of avian species and a paradise for birders. 

A miss-mesh aquatic system of rivers, creeks and wetlands the habitat is strikingly different from other tiger habitats in India. Four tourists the access point is Kolkutta the Capital of West Bengal from here two hours drive is required to reach the National Park. A cruise is an ideal way to explore this aquatic system. 

For wildlife enthusiasts the boat safari in Sunderbans is the only way to experience it.  There are many tour operators who organize the safari for visitors. The excursions can be booked online as well.        

Chambal River Tours

Bandits in the Hinterland

Stretching over a span of almost one thousand plus kilometers Chambal River is a tourist’s paradise. Once famous for killer bandits hiding unseen in the maze of the sandy dunes, this region was a frightening travel prospect in the past.  Horrifying tales of vengeance, vendetta, and loot emerged in Indian newspapers. The dreaded bandits killed many people every year. We read reports of over 400 people killed by just one bandit in cold blood purportedly carried out of vengeance.

Each criminal turned bandit had a sordid past of being victimized by higher caste landlords, family feuds, rape, loot, and plunder. Whether indulgence in cold-blooded murders of innocent had a backing of victimhood or was criminal indulgence out of instinct or bad company we could never find out as one tale after another emerged, of murders and dacoity unhindered. The news sent shivers in my spine albeit we were nowhere close to Chambal, but fear of ultras is always overpowering and frightening. Anyway, all that has been washed out, and the tourists can safely visit places of interest near the Chambal River.

Chambar River Tourism         

Pristine yet backward, this hinterland has been transformed miraculously thanks to the tourism and development that follows. The dacoits have receded into the annals of history, and no untoward incident with the tourists has taken place. Due credit is given to MPTDC or Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation for promoting tourism in remote confines of the state wherever a definite potential exists.  

A holiday at the confines of Chambal, a birding trip, or a boat ride is an enticing prospect for those who are fortunate enough to know about the destination. The destination is full of tourism potential and delivers a sound spiritual experience thanks to the time freeze, pristine splendor, and mysticism associated with the rivers like  Chambal.  

I have been to the river plenty of times on birding tours and the smells and the sounds of emptiness still linger in the convoluted labyrinths of my memory banks. The yonder blue sky, birds calling overhead, and ripples giving rise to tiny waves are what you will experience on a boat ride. Wait! There is much more to this riverine paradise untouched and unspoiled.  

For the readers, all I have to say is, do visit once!  

Boating at Chambal Quintessentially Romantic

Boating at Chambal is quintessentially romantic. The dull whirring of the motorboat engine surprisingly aligns with the aquatic ecosystem, the squeals of raptors and gulls skimming over the surface, and the turbid splash of Gangetic Dolphins sum up the moments you will encounter on a boat ride during the river tour.  The sounds are often missing but the prevailing silence is broken now and then creating an esoteric environment in the nowhere lands of remote India. The slow almost motionless ride on the placid waters is paradoxically an unforgotten adventure to be. But few tourists visit this region primarily for boat rides. The shores are frequented by ornithologists from overseas and their guides on long extended birding tours. The Chambal Lodge at Bah in UP specializes in bird-watching tours in the confines and organizes a boat ride at Chambal. The package is beyond the reach of most holidaymakers in India. The MPTDC facility at Dholepur attracts crowds interested in the boat rides. It is very economical but of short duration.

For the bird and wildlife enthusiasts, it is the land of the living for there is much happening in the space frozen back in time. For domestic tourists, the ride is a spiritual awakening after the long hardy days of a fast-paced life of material pursuits in the urban chaos.  

The river erupts every time a dolphin surfaces to breathe and dives back into the water in split seconds. A sudden surprising event the ornithologists await eagerly, they have come to watch the dolphins, gharials, muggers, and turtles besides wild animals at the shore and a plethora of birds in the sky. The targeted species are the Indian Skimmer, raptors, gulls, sand larks, cranes, and owls that reside in the cryptic crevices of the steep cliffs on the shores.   

From the shore, the river appears quite welcoming to visitors on a bright sunny day. In the winter, the fog creates an uninviting almost life-threatening environment, and only the brave alight the boat for a ride in zero visibility. The braves are birders like us, always etching to enhance their experience besides the checklist. But as time goes past, the river with its turbulent history and temples on its shores will be flooded with holidaymakers. In a heavily populated country, the river and the sand dunes in the hinterland offer the feel of a sparsely populated environment - a much-wanted escape.

Stay at Chambal Lodge at Bah in UP

Our stay at Chambal Lodge has been most pleasing the property is primarily visited by overseas birding enthusiasts. The rustic environment and local food invite them to stay longer.  The lodge has been created by converting an old Kothi or Indian noble house, the distinct architecture creates a unique experience during the day.  

Our stay has been usually overnight. I would drive my group from Agra post a visit to the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri a day earlier. The drive on the luxury bus halts at many places for local bird watch but even after these hiccups, we manage to reach Bah by lunchtime. The evenings are reserved for local birding in the company of the lodge naturalist which is then followed by dinner and sound sleep. 

The motorboat ride for the group is organized on the shore 22 km further. This is the best part of the tour and we spot all that is described above.  From here we move on towards Nainital in Uttarakhand further North.  

Chambal Factfile 

The waterbody cuts across three large states of India from its origin at Janapav in Mohw in MP to submergence in the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh after flowing through the State of Rajasthan.  The long river is one of the least polluted entities among the aquatic systems in India and yes the wildest. 

Chambal region is known for its faunal assemblage on the shores and in the sandbars in between, two crocodile species, Gharial and marsh crocodiles, Ganges Dolphin, number of turtles, fish, and reptiles. This is a tourist’s paradise for sure and yet few visit the remote confines of the river famous for boat tours and wildlife. 

Most of the visitors to this paradise which has been notified as a sanctuary are from foreign lands, they are keen birders. The assemblage of avian species is as impressive as the wild animals on the shores.

Unique Riverine Ecosystem

The dunes,  shores, and flowing waters all combine to form an impressive spectacle and are home to a vast number of avian species. The targeted bird is of course the Indian Skimmer which arrives to nest here but other species do not lack in charm. The sand lark, painted stork, Bonelli’s eagle, osprey, wooly necked stork, chestnut bellied sand grouse, Indian eagle owl, bar-headed geese, river tern, black-bellied tern, Brahminy Duck, sarus cranes, are few stars that enamor bird enthusiasts.      

You can see a lone hyena, sloth bear, otters, monitor lizard, jungle cat, wolf, occasional leopard, and jackal to name a few animals that inhabit the salient confines of this hinterland. The boat ride on Chambal is a unique experience in a country that comprises heavily populated regions and has entered the rat race. Nearing the confines of this pristine river is a transformation from the maddening crowd to serenity and peace. 

The hamlets and green fields create an amazing landscape that captivates tourists as they trudge towards the river confines. The assemblage of rocky mountains, sand dunes, and tall trees creates a tapestry that inspires and enhances the traveler's spiritual quest. The journey is a pure bundle of delights and a soul-stirring experience.  

The best way of observing the enchanting landscape of Chambal is on a motorboat tour. The looming sandy mountains, steep cliffs, small islets upon waters, green fields, quaint hamlets, and the surging waters of the river create a striking symmetry comprising of natural objects and painted by nature's brush using exotic colors from a robust palette. As the boat goes past, the small islets can be seen full of crocodiles and turtles. The clear water is like a mirage full of dainty aquatic creatures. The calm shores populated with rocks, sand, and the ubiquitous greenfields create a mesmerizing mosaic as the boat sails past.  

On the boat, you dwell in a surreal world an ethereal experience that is far removed from ours. Lost and stunned you wish the ride would continue forever. The boat is a motorboat and offers two and half hours of safari on the river. One of the best experiences in India is near Agra. From here the drive to the shore is 90 km. The enchanting Chambal river safari is organized by Chambal Lodge at Bah. Bah township is 70 km from Agra. Another option is at Dholepur in Rajasthan organized by MPSTDC this is less costly but a shorter ride and not so engrossing.  Dholepur is sixty kilometers from Agra. From New Delhi, the city of the Taj Mahal is two and half hours drive.           

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Uday is a blogger and writes on many topics. He blogs for many websites on wildlife/travel and hospitality. He also provides digital marketing with a focus on content and SEO. 

Travel to Bandhavgarh National Park in India

Bandhavgarh 

Situated in the Highlands of Central India Bandhavgarh is a paradise and tiger heaven. Wrongfully credited with sightings of the first and only white tiger in the World, the destination was contiguous with Sanjay National Park nearby in Sidhi District its rightful birthplace. 

This tiger reserve nevertheless is one of the most prolific breeding grounds for the big cats. It is a land of upheaval with a tortured terrain charismatic and densely forested. Bare-faced steep cliffs jut out of the earthen womb as a huge surprise. The lofty land mass creates deep glens and marshy plains where mountain rivulets invade...they are the lifeline of this diverse ecosystem that supports a myriad of lifeforms. The big cats prefer to hunt in the marshy grasslands which slows the movement of the herbivores. 

The National Park is ideal for animal and bird watching with a focus on the tigers. There are more than twenty-two mammals in the park beside a large number of reptilian species and birds. Ideal for wildlife holidays the destination also provides recreation and excitement on tour. Experiencing remote India has a calming effect with serenity and picture-perfect ambiance all around. The forests are home to peace and silence and the feeling is exhilarating.      

There is a little-known secret of this destination. An ancient civilization that thrived more than two thousand years back has left telltale marks in form of a fort, temples, pool, and numerous structures that confine themselves to the Tala Zone. Created by tribal and dynasties that came to rule now and then the architectural splendor is like a cynosure in the deep jungles devoid of modern urbanity. The fort is out of bounds for tourists but Sesh Shaiyya a reclining statue of Lord Vishnu is worth a visit. It is a small pool under a grove that contains the statue and numerous trickles emerge from the fern-infested slopes of the mountain that inundates. It is an esoteric experience in the place where the tigress often breeds. The River Charanganga emerges from this mountain and flows down to the plains creating a spectacular biodiversity hub. Time stands still in these confines as if frozen for eternity.            

                                                       Shesh Shhaiya

On the way to the park at Umaria about 32 km, you will also come across a 10th-century temple with the telltale architecture of ancient Central India. The access to reach Umaria and then Bandhavgarh is through Shahpura Township eighty km from Jabalpur Airport. The township is famous for plant fossils dating back 60 million years. The Fossil Park is situated on the way to Mandla and houses a museum or a collection of fossils along with a cafeteria. This is an ideal stop for freshening up and exploring the fossils. 

Jabalpur to Shahpura via Kundum drive is safe and pleasant along the scenic surrounds, teak forests, green fields, and quaint hamlets situated in between the mountains. The rows of dhabas or eateries provide hot snacks and meals to travelers. They are small and hygienic places some with toilet facilities to facilitate this long journey.      

Albeit there is not much need to make a stop nevertheless a cup of tea on the way is refreshing as you will encounter many little shops selling this wonderful brew. Most of the purchasing of essentials should be done at Jabalpur with flights connected to New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai. The railhead too is well connected.       

A short holiday of at least two nights should be organized, and permits should be booked in advance at MP Online Portal. Entry into the core zone is not permitted to those without a permit. There is a number of wildlife resorts for accommodation which you can book online. These accommodations provide you with good food as well which includes Intercontinental and Indian.

Safaris are conducted in the early morning period and then in the late evening. The excursions are conducted on open jeeps and canters. On-foot safari and off-roading are not possible at Bandhavgarh Reserve.  

For overseas visitors on tiger safari in Central India it is best to contact a tour operator. The packages available take care of all the bookings and journeys besides being economical. Group travel is the best means to travel on package tours organized for wildlife watching and birding.     

The package tours also include travel to Kanha National Park at a distance of five hours via Shahpura from Bandhavgarh. Kanha is a popular tiger reserve and much visited.  

Big Cat in Highlands of Central India

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh is situated in the Vindhya Range but its tail ends at the confluence of Vindhya and the Satpura Range. This region is called Maikal Hills where Achankmar in Amarkantak Hills and Kanha National Park near Mandla all tiger havens, converge here. 

Tribal Architecture

Bandhavgarh is one of the most picturesque tiger havens in India and is home to ancient tribal architecture. The zoomorphic idols of Lord Vishnu, Fort in ruins, Man-made caves, horse stables and shelter, courtrooms, Hindu temples, reservoirs, and dome-shaped shelters date back to more than two thousand years. The Fort finds are mentioned in ancient Hindu annals chiefly in Skand Purana.

The fort complex witnessed internecine battles that led to conquests and subsequent rules by many dynasties. The Baghels were the last rulers before they shifted their capital to the Rewa District. Tiger rules the fort complex now, and the grove at Shesh Shaiyya inundated by trickles from the looming Bandhavgarh Hill is an enchanting spectacle with the twenty feet statue of reclining Vishnu beside a fairy pool. 

The White Tiger Land

Mohun the world's first and only white tiger was found in Sanjay Dubri National Park. Barley over an hour's drive from Bandhavgarh the park is home to a number of big cats and the number is on the increase.

Tourism at Sanjay Dubri is at a nascent stage but the park holds promise as it is extended into the neighboring state of  Chhattisgarh. The jungles comprise a large area for breeding big cats. The white cubs grew up under the care of Maharajah of Rewa HH Martandsinghji at Govindgarh Palace in Rewa. The white predator multiplied in zoos all over the world and it survives in captivity.

The Protected Areas

This region constitutes one of the finest tiger landscapes in India. Untouched and unspoiled for centuries this large tract of forest stands fragmented today. Well-preserved isolated patches have been designated PAs or protected areas. Most of these PAs have been constituted lawfully as tiger reserves.   

The Maikal Hills at Amarkantak incidentally is where River Narmada originates besides Son. Son moves towards the Ganges basin and merges into the Ganges River. Narmada traverses almost seven hundred kilometers to merge into the Arabian Ocean at Bharuch in Gujarat.

Throughout its journey, Narmada flows between amazing geological formations the forest-clad hills and valleys, and between some magnificent gorges like Bhedaghat in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Once the lifeline of contiguous forests, Narmada and its tributaries now inundate fragmented forests in the Highlands of Central India. 

Pachmarhi & Satpura Tiger Reserve

The Hill Resort Pachmarhi and Satpura Tiger Reserve too are part of these magnificent hill ranges and are home to the big cats as well. The forest-clad hills make Madhya Pradesh the most forested in India as the Tiger State.  Amarkantak Bio Reserve and Satpura Bio Reserve constitute a large area covering sanctuaries and reserves that is accorded protection from commercial interests. These are an incredible hub of diversity and habitats of some of the unique flora and fauna in Central India.   

Highlands of Central India

These highlands' once-perfect ecosystems teeming with wildlife have been vividly described by Capt. Forsyth in his book named “Highlands Of Central India”. He was a pioneer in discovering many geological formations and wilderness that prevail during his time. His notes on the wild animals stand out as remarkable records of natural history. Much still remains fragmented but well preserved. Bandhavgarh, Achanakmar, Kanha, and Pench are the prime tiger reserves that have been turned into protected areas for tiger conservation. Pench and Kanha once contiguous were the settings for Kipling’s Jungle Book a story of Mowgli the wolf child. This is a wonderful tale woven by Kipling creating a classic using both facts and fiction.  

The majestic animals still roam in the reserves albeit in reduced numbers, and the panoramic features described by Forsyth can still be witnessed here albeit in bits and pieces. Much subjected to biotic and abiotic pressures the reserves are holding grounds thanks to the management and the conservative initiatives supported by Madhya Pradesh And Central Governments under the aegis of Project Tiger Program. 

The Big Cats Tours

Tigers are the prime attraction and the keystone species of these realms. Their numbers after years of depredation are thankfully increasing year on year. This is attracting a lot of wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and filmmakers to visit the reserves on safari and expeditions. Holidaymakers make a beeline for these destinations in Central India for safari holidays. The main attraction is the tiger but the biodiversity supports enchanting mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. The floral diversity is extravagant with amazing botanical evolution and the tall stands of Sal and Teak are the main hardwood. The mixed forest species and bamboo abound intermixed with the hardwood, shrubs, and herbs. 

The reserves support unique niche habitats and creatures that have lost ground in areas taken over by man for commercial forestry, settlement, and agriculture. One of the most important biodiversity hubs a part of Satpura Biosphere Reserve is Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary home to incredible species of herbs and shrubs that are classified as flora of medicinal importance.  Incidentally, Pachmarhi is a holiday destination due to its panoramic surroundings, amazing natural formations, and salubrious climate.

While Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench National Parks are most visited due to easier sightings of the tiger Satpura excels in biodiversity and pristine forests. Satpura Tiger Reserve encompasses Bori Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to the finest teak forests in Central India. The population of big cats is increasing in these wild havens thanks to the protection accorded and the conservative initiatives. 

Sanjay Dubri though at a nascent stage as far as tourism is concerned is an upcoming National Park bound to become popular due to its proximity to Bandhavgarh, Allahabad, and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Thus Central Indian Highlands are the focus of big cat tours in the State of Madhya Pradesh. The popular reserves are Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, and Satpura. These tours can be extended further to other reserves near and far.              

Kanha National Park A Tiger Photographer's Delight!

The majestic beast lay stretched on the jungle road, rather half of its massive frame was on the path under the direct sun, and the rear end was under the shadow of the bush. Excited, I made a near fatal error and persisted. 

We had inched a shade too close to the massive beast as I delivered sermon to unassuming but nevertheless excited guests. I have never seen a tiger in my life one of the guest had informed me as we crossed over into the park. I wish for lot of photographs he had informed me on our first meeting at Courtyard House in Kanha. As a naturalist I expect you to deliver.      

And here was one lying right in front, unassuming and not at all threatening. Extolling the virtue of this majestic beast that lives in the myths and dreams alike, I was immersed in the dialogue and failed to notice the  twitch. The next whence I looked at him straight I noticed the warning....it was too late. 

It was all over in seconds. How could a beast so huge lift himself effortlessly and strike with lightning speed simply defies the law of gravitation? All I could see was a massive flash of yellow passing in front of the jeep and a deafening roar which still rings. The trepidation was instant and I was wobbly all over. 

"Reverse!"  

Fear writ large on my countenance! The tiger could have with one swift strike aimed right taken slabs of meat from my body. "A few kilos..." was all I could hear from the guide as pandemonium struck and we backed off. Or he could have wrenched my head off...I began to surmise the worst, pacified by the increasing distance from the beast in the bush. 

Some lovely images my guest who had never seen a tiger in his life remarked. "I would like some more photos! Totally out my senses I could but just stare at him. Unbelievable. He sat calm and composed a camera with a huge lens on his lap. 

Mukul Yadav

"I am sorry the big cat is not used to humans and the jeep. We will stay away." After some time we tried to return on the guest's insistence but the following jeeps warned us to stay away. Rightly so.  

I was totally unnerved. Well it happens you learn from mistake, never venture close to big cats without gauging their temperament. Like a gentlemen the beast did not harm me and was satisfied with the warning. For some time the new entrant charged on number of jeeps till he got used to the introduction. He had arrived from a non tourist zone and had not seen the jeep before. 

There is another similar incident but for later...    

With right guidance a photographer has ample opportunity to film or capture images of this magnificent predator at Kanha National Park. There are more than hundred tigers in the park. Before you begin to consider this animal as commoner loitering on the wilderness infested pathways you must know these big cats are most elusive. This is the character of the beast and requires lot of logic to track them. They are a challenge to your sensory apparatus and understanding of behaviour and your patience.   

Safari Jeeps

In the torturous terrain of deep glens, tall grass, a cryptic maze of vegetation and dense forests the big cats find easy camouflage and space to hide. Tiger tracking could often be frustrating experience for the guests and the naturalist as well. That is the character of this animal.  

Rare and endangered, it is flourishing at Kanha. Year on year visitor numbers are increasing on quest for the magnificent beast. A large chunk of wildlife photographers arrive here at the tiger reserve to capture award winning images. 

Male Tiger (Paul Fear)

Kanha's tiger  landscape is a paradise with panoramic settings, frequent tiger sightings and exciting adventures. Amazing variations in light conditions are available to enhance effects in all seasons with equally striking backdrops. The destination is well suited for photography and film making in India. The efforts have to be made within rules and regulations set for safaris on open jeeps in the park. For going beyond the rules for photography/film making one needs to have permission from MOEF India and PCCF of Madhya Pradesh. 

Courtyard House Kanha

The park is well endowed with tourism infrastructure and accessibility and accommodation is good. For booking tiger safari at Kanha you need to plan in advance. There is a limit to entry in the core zone of the park hence book permits in advance.   For tiger photography long lenses are not required but it is a matter of choice, in my opinion 300mm critical focusing lens with bean bag is enough. An option of full day safari is also available which though costly suits the lensmen very well. 
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Uday works as freelance naturalist at Kanha. He also provides SEO Service and website contents in English. Uday is a blogger and loves to write on tiger conservation, environment and wildlife in general. Uday teaches Internet Marketing in Summer Holidays.

Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

Add A Healing Touch to Post Pandemic Resort Experience

Post-Covid Hospitality & Travel

Be it a tiger safari, sightseeing, or cultural experience the visitors expect a lot. Yes, a lot of warmth and care, and in post-covid-19 travel, a lot of hygiene and SOPs are in place. Whether it is a budget lodge or a high-end resort the new normal is to prevent coronavirus infection.    

This calls for intense hygiene most of the premium hospitality businesses would feel offended by this statement. But believe me, this is hygiene with a difference it includes paraphernalia like masks and gloves. The thermal scanner is here to stay. As the new normal lays stress on hygiene, personal care cannot be neglected. Frequent bathing and regular hand washing with soap or sanitizer have become not a practice but an imperative. How can you as a resort staff keep the property clean & disinfected, and not self-cleanse often?

The lodges have been burdened with a lot of extras as regards chemicals, clothing, cleaning, and washing paraphernalia. The new normal may be a fun spoiler a bit if you experience the social distancing it imposes, and thus prevents get-togethers and partying...the feeling of being safe is itself exhilarating with the chances of infection peeking in from unknown quarters completely negated. 

Courtyard House Kanha

Those willing to wager travel in this period would be brave souls willing to leave the sanctity of their homes and experience the World like they did before. This is sort of a community initiative or lending a helping hand these are the clients who should be treated with hand in gloves literary speaking. They would expect greater warmth and care while the SOPs post-pandemic would be an assurance. They are here to revive the hotel industry.

Hence true travel professionals and accommodation providers would pay heed to this. In the post, covid hospitality paradigm disposal and scant use have become the norm. Although this goes against the principles of economic use, prevention of infection from one guest to another is a practice that carries weight now. Greater.

Disposing of desk and bathroom accessories that cannot be cleaned or recycled has to be done without hesitation. This applies to all the paraphernalia that guests before departure may have come into contact.

The contact spaces with the reach of wandering guests, hosts, and staff need frequent sanitation using disinfectant. The luxury suite, or rooms, bathrooms, balconies, sit-outs, and passages all need to be disinfected frequently. Even the library books and reading tables need a dose of disinfectant. There are lots of chemicals that are going to be used. This use of chemicals is not a good or Eco-friendly new normal, but as long as the contingency prevails that practice remains.

Travelers not in groups will have to be kept at a distance at the coffee table and dining. Even during safari or excursion sharing cannot be possible. The guest distancing norms are set as post pandemic SOPs but the imperative lies with the guests themselves.

Organizing the best stay experience which is sound and safe is the way forward now. Offering the best thrills and frills during the heritage or nature experience is imperative for successful operations. Deliver the best to the guests not only for a perfect holiday but for their social media content and memories that will last a lifetime.
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Uday is a naturalist, and a writer, and loves to blog on travel and wildlife.
He provides SEO Services and Website Content in English.
He Teaches Internet Marketing in Jabalpur in Summer
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

Post Covid - 19 : Changing Dynamics of Travel

With the horrendous incidence of Covid 19 intrusion the whole travel paradigm has changed. With the widespread occurrence of this malicious virus we are changing all aspects of our lives. The impact is furious not only the deaths that have occurred but the damage it has caused to the economy by virtually bringing our movement, our enterprises and our profession to a screeching halt. 

All aspects of our lives have come to a standstill and Governments are in a frenzy to get activities rolling back without endangering the populations. Travel and tourism have been badly hit including in India. Few holiday destination have been spared from this widespread distress and they too are reeling under the pressure of transport ban, closures and lock downs all across the globe. 

Ecotourism in India is the biggest sufferer with all tiger reserves and National Parks closed for this season. The future seems bleak with hesitation to reopen destination amidst the raging corona virus is obvious.  

Cornovirus is here stay for long as most of the scientific fraternity perceives. This means we will have to learn to live and still continue with travel and tourism activities. As the lock down rolls downhill and the World opens up a paradigm shift has to be in picture. No longer can we move around in holiday places with absolute freedom.

The World can never remain locked down forever or the economy will come to a complete stand still and hunger and joblessness would be as vitiating as the virus itself. Hence a middle path will have to be found and it is already happening as the World begins to move. A new lifestyle will be in place and the behavioral code  would change as well. Face mask, distancing, keeping away from strangers, restaurant etiquette, transportation norms all will change.   

There would be no hugs no embraces no kissing only a silent nod or Namaste!  

For resort vacation there would definitely be changes in accommodation norms and guest conduct on a stay. These would be applicable to the places of interest as well. All this will increase visitation time due to cautious approach at the places of interest. 

Tiger reserves will conduct safari under stringent norms keeping social distancing in mind. Many reserves will conduct screening or testing as a regular practice. This would be cumbersome but a necessity.

The greatest fear in the reserves would be infection passing off to the big cats or other endangered animals. This of course would be a rare occurrence since jeeps do maintain a distance from the animals during the game ride in the park. 

Global airlines would be most restricted and perhaps they will not load to full capacity keeping social distancing in mind. The boarding time would increase with extensive screening and testing. The exit would also be tardy with new rules and regulations taking place. This would increase the cost travel and limit availability of seats.

Overseas visitors would prefer to travel by air than by rail in India as the services would be restricted with lots of cumbersome rules and regulation. The idea of being holed up in a coach with a hundred passengers on an overnight journey does not sound very appealing anyway.

Taxi rides would not be much of a bother as long as few people travel and the driver is tested regularly.

Well all these will last till a cure or a vaccine arrives but this is not going to happen very soon. Hence if you are a travel enthusiast then  embrace yourself for myriad of changes that will come into picture. All the rules and regulations would discourage many would be tourists, and the destinations would in want off business. 

Would the World of travel become better with less people participating?  Would ecosystems improve? Will wild be less stressed? All this will become clear as time proceeds but certainly Covid-19 is not welcome.   

Jabalpur to Kanha Via Mandla - Road To Tiger Heaven

The Journey on Road to Mandla

The jerks and bumps are unbearable and the ride long. These are the travails of a bus journey  to Kanha.  Who cares? I am going to the tiger heaven.

Mandla Fields

Jabalpur to Mandla Road is being built since ages, and I am used to the rough patches that arrive intermittently but with a stressful certainty. The sight of broken culverts, rocks and gravel and piles of sand alert you in advance as to what is about to come. The terrible jerks. OOf!

The crowd inside is bone crushing, and my lungs heave as bodies pile up on me whenever the bus vacillates on the rough patches. The beautiful landscape is a solace as the bus moves forward painstakingly on a non existing road. 

Banzar River

I sit tight on a badly designed seat that could challenge the best of the designers to rectify. You can see the cushion rotting, brittle, yellowed by age as it peers through the jagged edges.  

The whole picture is that of absurdity since the rattle is called a luxury bus. 

It stops every now and then to pick roadside passengers, some in small groups. The conductor pushes them all inside to the back where there is no space. They are duped easily, the rustic rural populace. 

"Go back there are empty seats behind" his standard speak every time he loads the bus. There are none, the travellers are mercilessly cramped up in the little suffocating passage between the rows of the seats - two on left and three rows on the right. 

Kanha Village

I am lucky for being on seat with kids beside who barely occupy much. In summers it gets worse with heat insulated between those on board and windows too small to let fresh air in. Anyway it gets too dusty hence people keep the windows closed most of the time. 

When I look outside, I see no work going on. The idle machinery - caterpillars and road rollers tell a sad story of indefinite delays in Government managed projects. This means more such horrible experience till the highway is eventually complete. The finished patches in between are like a breath of fresh air and future travel seems promising on the cement structure that will let ply the vehicles to and forth. Bus rolls smoothly as if on a rink...too difficult to believe.  Then the next patch awakens you out of the reviere. 

Mandla Village

The journey over unfinished patches is an absolute shock, and tests my body whence catapulted towards the roof and back onto the seat. Thanks to a long association with this road to Mandla, I have gained expertise in twisting and turning on time, and using these very acrobatic skills I always land back safely on the seat - me and my laptop and yes the baggage. But nobody is perfect many a times my goggles and hat are thrown astray and crushed under the unruly impending feet. They are all around. 

The bus stops for few minutes for refreshment at a market place called Narayanganj a small filthy town still living in the past. I go for tea and samosa from the roadside cart making sure they are hot. It is a hurried affair, the small shops well some of them selling eatables pass on adulterated stuff since there would be no fight back by unsatisfied customers due to lack of time. The toilet facilities are non existent, I hope they build some along with this new highway.     

After a hot cup of tea and samosas, I feel bit relaxed and this gives space to my cramped feet. In fact the stop is good to unwind my whole body ....crushed as it is.    

The bus journey ahead is as terrible and throws you into throes of convulsions. The twists and turns are more severe, and after frequent stoppages the bus is jam packed. The luxury bus I mean. There is no more halts worth their time only pick ups now and if you are feeling like it hold on tight.  The smell of edible lingers on for a long time in the cramped space of the rattle and an occasional burp  from the passenger smells like a bad fart! 

The journey is nevertheless amusing with wide variety of crowd that has mingled inside in perfect harmony. In India it is the crowded places that open up the region's culture. You learn how people carry on in adversity unbearable. I do not experience the World when I travel to Kanha National Park in a luxury SUV! All I experience is sleep and little shop talk with my clients...those which land at Jabalpur Airport. 

Mandla Township

After what seems an eternity full of bone breaking experience I land, lock, stock and barrel in one mutilated piece after three hours and run to the next bus. Sometimes the connecting bus to Kanha is late, and I get time to freshen up and for a cuppa chai!

Courtyard House Kanha

The journey to Kanha from Mandla onwards appears to be luxurious whence compared with the earlier one. Yet it is a painfully slow journey with innumerable halts. Eventually I reach Mocha township in the buffer from where I am picked up to take me to Courtyard House Kanha wildlife resort at Patpara Village. This is a high end property and I will get the much needed rest. I freelance here as a naturalist in the tiger heaven and love my work immensely. 

Bus ride anyone? 
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Uday is naturalist, a writer and loves to blog on travel and wildlife.
He provides SEO Service and Website Contents in English.
He Teaches Internet Marketing in Jabalpur in Summer
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323

Spending Interesting Time in Jabalpur

Jabalpur District 

Population: Approx 2 million 

The tropic of Capricorn transacts through Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the Centre of India the agglomeration boasts of a unique profile albeit being the 26th largest town.

Madan Mahal Fort

Picturesque, small and sleepy is how this town was described in the past. It has a history that did not make much impact on the annals nevertheless the seat of Gond Kings who wagered with the Mughals, and it was part of the 1857 rebellion as well as the freedom struggle initiated by Mahatma Gandhi.

The game of snooker originated here at Narmada Club and the tables are still there. Famous actor Premnath was born here. The famous actor brothers Kishor Kumar, Anup Kumar, and Ashok Kumar studied in Robertson College.   

Historic Empire Building

T

Old Hotel in Jabalpur

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Dumna Reservoir

The city is more of a conduit for tiger reserves nearby. Hence many continue onwards without a halt. And miss boating at the splendorous Marble Rocks, Dhuandhar Falls, and Chousath Yogini with ancient idols. They also miss safari at Dumna Nature Reserve, picnic at Pariyat Lake, and Madan Mahal fortress that takes you back in time.

Dhuandhar Falls

Marble Rocks 

Narmada River at Jabalpur 

Visitors who stay for a long time can spend birding in its forest confines or simply laze around the magnificent Bargi Dam. More adventurous would ride a speed boat or take a tour on the cruise.

Much cherished by erstwhile British rulers for its cool weather, natural landscapes, and dense forests with plenty of game. They established operas, bakeries, and small hotels during their heydays for much-needed entertainment. A well-laid infrastructure in terms of defense manufacturing, cantonment, roads, railways, hospitals, and schools was their departing gift.

The opera houses turned into cinemas and entertained the dwellers for a long time. They still do but as more sophisticated E cinemas in the malls. Much before the business hotels arrived with their own desi flavors and modern facilities. Eating out at restaurants became a fashion followed by diving into chunky morsels of fast food joints.

Jabalpur City has a unique flavor and a truly cosmopolitan character. You cannot miss this if you stay for some time. Mega Bazaars and Malls have struck the lifestyle here as at the metros. The desi chaat, samosa, and masala dosa stalls abound for the more traditional. For the emerging jet sets reputed fast food joints, plush bars, pubs, and fine dining restaurants are the places. For those midway Indian Coffee Houses, ideal meeting places are spread all over.

Spas, gymnasiums for quick workouts, clubs, and whatnot are available. Must-visit places are the business hotels with star facilities, Anantara Pub, and the Clock Tower Chinese restaurant the hallmark of the town.

The fast-expanding city still retains vestiges of the colonial era, and age-old structures paint the town with a sober brush. Nevertheless, Jabalpur grows at its own pace retaining flavors old and new. On your next visit spend a day here.

More About Jabalpur City