The old Tiger census procedure
This is how the Tiger census was carried out till sometime back. Video taken by our guest Mr John M Uscian in Kanha National Park while he was doing his safaris. This system has now been replaced by the more accurate Camera traps. The photos taken by the cameras show the stripes of the Tigers. It is considered accurate because just like no two humans have the same fingerprints, no two Tigers have the same stripe patterns. Interesting, isn’t it? The stripe patterns differs on both sides of the Tiger body. Also, the Tiger not only has stripes on it’s fur, but has it on its skin as well.
Special Safari offer for Senior Citizens at Chitvan Jungle Lodge, Kanha National Park
He that plants trees loves others beside himself.” — Thomas Fuller. In our quest to leave behind a clean and a green legacy, we at Chitvan, are committed to forestation. In this photo Mrs Urmila Rai (a senior citizen) planted a sapling at Chitvan, Kanha in June 2009. Today that sapling is 5 feet tall.
A very special offer for senior citizens only, travel anytime before 30th June 2012 and avail of 50% discount on room and all meals, subject to availabiltiy.
Kanha National Park one of the richest parks with flora and fauna
- Chitvankanha, Kanha National Park
By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a series of stringent conservation program for the protection of the park’s flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of the finest and best administered National Parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction for all wildlife lovers and a true haven for its animal and avian population.. Photo by our guest Mr Manu Bahuguna
Tiger Safari in Kanha, India
Tiger Safari in Kanha, India
The chilly winters of Kanha demotivates most of the robust hearts to not to leave the comforts of a quilt at Chitvan and move out for the morning safari. The priceless sensation of holding the hot cup of tea was bringing back the lack of consciousness in one’s hands. Sun god had still not blessed us by his presence when we boarded the Jeep at the Lodge.
Waiting at the Mukki gate one gets to wonder if it is sane to be out so early. But that feeling gets overpowered by the mighty anxiety about what is in store for us in today’s safari. Our Jeep entered the Mukki gate at 7:00 o’clock sharp. Today, with me was Peter from UK. His expectation was clear, to photograph a Tiger walking on the road in front of him. After doing innumerable safaris in various Tiger reserves of India, he was still bereft of the blissful occurrence of a Tiger sighting.
Our experienced driver Babloo Bhai-jan was expertly driving with his eyes on the dirt track in front in search of any pug marks or signs of the predator movement, his ears raptly focused on listening for any alarm calls, his hands energetically maneuverings the vehicle with minimum fuss. I asked him to turn towards Saundhar Tank. Just short of reaching there, one Jeep coming from the opposite direction exhilaratingly told us of spotting a Tigress sometime back. I noticed a drop in spur on Peter’s face, but, Babloo Bhai-jan and I did not relinquish our hope and reached the spot where we expected her to make an appearance. And, lo and behold, the princess of the Kingdom was at hand. She came out from the bushes and crossed towards Mahavir road. I looked again at Peter, who looked mesmerized, a stunning contrast to the emotion witnessed 2 minutes back.
We knew there was more in store for us in the next few minutes. Babloo very deftly, and without much ado, parked our Jeep on the bridge. We anticipated the Tigress to come out on the dry river bed. When a predator like a Tiger moves, the prey sets off alerts in a high pitch call, which are called “alarm calls”. These are infact distress calls of the unsuspecting prey and they alert rest of their brothers in the neighborhood.
Listening to these calls 4 more Jeeps gathered and lined up besides us. Monkeys were calling about 30 metres off, and my prudence judged that this was getting close by the second, and any moment we will spot the Tigress again. The sheer intelligence of this magnificent creature has befooled all Tiger experts in the past, and I
consider myself only a rookie. There was silence for 10 minutes, the Tigress had conceivably sensed our presence and had sat down. Suddenly the calls started with greater intensity and frequency. Only thing one heard was monkeys calling, and our hearts pounding, while the 2000 sq km jungle was silent, everything, was, pin drop silent. Abruptly, we heard the rustling of dry leaves, and something moving towards us from the bush. And like a bolt from the blue, the Tigress materialized. The radiating face, the intense look in the eye, a no nonsensical look, telling us, “I have come out because you behaved and kept silent, and now, you stay put and watch me go, dare not follow me”. The monkeys had stopped calling, as she was out in the open, no danger to them, only thing we heard now was cameras clicking, the paparazzi was here to shoot the celebrity of the kingdom.
Sharad Vats
Chitvan Jungle Lodge, Kanha, India: Gets OUTSTANDING PRACTICE recognition by TOFT UK
We at Chitvan Jungle Lodge, Kanha National Park, M.P. are delighted to announce that the PUG Audit team, on behalf of TOFT had audited our footprints, and has subsequently awarded Chitvan operations with a PUG rating of “Outstanding Practice”, in accommodation provider section.
This accreditation makes us even more vigilant to further graph, and enhance every process, leading towards improving the well-being of local community, environment, and guest delight. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your support and confidence in Chitvan.
Hope this New Year brings more triumphs and tranquility to everyone.
With Warm Regards
Sharad Vats
Drive through Kanha to Chitvan
It was that time of the year when my soul desired for some peace, some solitude. I packed my camera equipment and set out to Kanha National Park. My overnight train reached Jabalpur in the morning, I couldn’t wait to get off the train and set out on road to Kanha. Had breakfast en route, about 50kms short of Kanha and entered the Jungles which Kipling immortalized.
The tall Sal trees on both sides of the meandering road, every bend of the road saying slow down, do not be in a hurry to reach the destination, enjoy the journey. I listened, and asked the driver to change gears. Stopped the a/c of the car, rolled down the window panes, and I was hit on my face by this intoxicating daft of fresh air. I felt I was breathing, as if my lungs had come alive, my heart was rejoicing, my mind focused only on the present, past did not exist, future did not matter. This moment had to be lived to eternity. The ground was full of leaves shed recently by the Saja trees. Sal stood tall and green, Teak completely barren, and Gulmohur interspersed occasionally and adding soothing red somehow completed the painting. Looked up to the smiling clear blue sky, which was welcoming me, just like an aging father welcoming his son back home. Some rays of sun piercing through the trees, falling on some leaves, making its presence felt, and telling the denizens of the forest you are blessed to be living this day.
Some old Bollywood songs came to mind, began humming, but was cut short by the wonderful sound of Indian Koel, moved on, and the Indian Cuckoo was on song, Coppersmith Barbet did not want to be left behind, and behold the orchestra of Kanha had come alive. My Bollywood tunes took a back seat, and I merged in this evergreen melody of nature.
Einstein’s relativity came to fore. How and when did that hour pass, did the time fly? Did it freeze, as I do not recall when my driver said, Sir, we have reached Chitvan.
A spellbinding drive through the forest came to an end, but I knew this was not the end, but the end of a beginning…
Sharad Vats
Tiger tourism
A huge relief for the Tiger fans, and the biggest relief to the Tiger itself, the proposed ban on Tiger tourism by some conservationists is not being implemented. Only some more regulations and some more restrictions will come into effect, which in a way is much desired. The current scenario in few national parks is a bit disappointing with loads of Jeeps waiting to get into the park, and few times competing with each other to get a closer and a better look of the Tiger.
Some quarters felt this disturbed the Tiger and its habitat, to some extent the same is true but if one views the impact of tourism on the habitat, which is negligible and to the community which is priceless. The surrounding villages are mostly dependent on the tourism coming into the area. With lot of staff getting employed in the lodges, as drivers and as guides, the economy of the area has changed. Imagine if there was no tourism tomorrow in the area, what wuold the locals do in such remote area. MOre dependence on the forest for daily livlihood, would mean more depletion of the forest, it would also mean more man-animal conflict.
Today a Tiger is used to tourists, tomorrow with no humans going in, once the Tiger sees humans chances of such conflicts will be very high. Today for about 8-9 hours tourists are inside the core area, which means there is unofficial patrolling happenning of the area. This implies that poachers do not get inside the parks when the tourists are there. Poaching mistly happens during the monsoon times and also after sunset or before sunrise when the tourists are not present in the parks. Imagine a situation if the parks are opened 24X7, would poachers have easy access, i doubt very much.
But a humble request to all tourists to conduct themsselves better inside the park. Tiger is such a joy to watch, let us do it silently, patiently, and besides Tiger the forest is full of such wonderful moments watch them as well simultaneously.
Hope to see you soon sometime.
Sharad
Chopper landing in Chitvan, Kanha
With great delight we announce that Chitvan became the first Lodge in Kanha to have its own helipad within the Lodge, and the first landing of a chopper took place on 29th Jan 2010. The Captain of the chopper rated our helipad to be one of the best he has landed on. Please see some attached shots
