Subhasis Banerjee

NAGARJUNSAGAR – SRISAILAM TIGER RESERVE The rugged terrain of Mallamalai Hills embracing winding gorges, dry deciduous forests, shrubs and bamboo groves have created an unblemished natural wonderland which is a huge storehouse of a wide range of animals including Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat, Palm Civet, Deer, Macaque and Pangolin. The largest of India’s tiger reserves (3565 sq km), it lies adjourning the huge Nagarjunsagar Dam on the river Krishna. Avifauna of the Park includes Racket Tail Drongo, Paradise Flycatcher, Magpie Robin and Mynah. In the winter, the reservoir of the dam attracts huge number of migratory birds, which includes Pintail, Red Crested Pochard and Lesser Whistling Teal. Ancient remains of sculptures and architecture found inside the Park suggest the presence of powerful Hindu and Buddhist empires in the region between 2 nd century BC and 3 rd century AD. Accessibility : 230kms from Hyderabad, this National Park and Tiger Reserve lies on the...

SIMLIPAL NATIONAL PARK AND TIGER RESERVE One of the premier Tiger Reserves of the country, the Simlipal National Park with an extensive area of over 2,700 sq km spreads over hills, valleys and grasslands in the Keonjhar district of north-east Odisha. The thick deciduous forest is intervened by the Polpola and Buribalam rivers and doted by a number of waterfalls of which the Joranda and the Barehipani Falls require special mention. Meghasini, the highest peak in the Park and the grasslands of Dudhrichampa are awfully spectacular. The venomous King Cobra, Banded Krait, Viper and Indian Python roam freely inside the Park. The teeming birdlife of the Park includes Pea Fowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Rose Finch, Racket Tail Drongo, Hill Myena, Leaf Warbler, Alexandria Parakeet, Sikra, Grey Wagtail and Merlin. Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Indian Wolf, Sloth Bear, Elephant, Bison, Deer, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cat are the prominent members of the abounding wildlife population of the reserve. Accessibi...

BUXA TIGER RESERVE The Buxa Tiger Reserve is a vast expanse of dense natural forests along the Indo-Bhutan border with an altitude variation of 150 metres to 1,750 metres inhabiting over 67 species of mammals, of which 23 are rare and endangered, about 230 avian species and around 200 varieties of butterfly. A botanists’ delight and a nature lovers’ paradise, the huge variety of flora of this National Park consists of 150 species of trees, 32 species of climbers, 112 types of orchid, 36 varieties of grass, 7 types of bamboo and 6 varieties of cane. The major fauna includes Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Elephant, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Tahr, Goral and a large variety of reptiles. The major avifauna includes Butane, Merganser, Blue Rock Thrush and Black Bird. The Park also houses the historic Buxa Fort which doubled up as a jail during the Indian Independence Movement. One has to trek 7kms inside the forests to reach the crumbling remains of this Fort. The rivers...

MELGHAT TIGER RESERVE Spread over the Satpura Range of the Amaravati district of Maharashtra, this Tiger Reserve of 1,610 sq km of typical southern dry deciduous forests of Teak and mixed deciduous forests of Lendia, Dhawada, Myrobalan and Kusum trees is a unique ecosystem. The habitant population includes Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, Dhole (Wild Dog), Sloth Bear, Sambar, Guar, Chowsingha, Barking Deer, Chital, Wild Boar, Monkey, Rattle, Pangolin, Mouse Deer and a large variety of birds such as Cormorant, Stork, Hornbill, Kingfisher, Myena, Serpent Eagle and Paradise Flycatcher along with a large variety of butterflies. Accessibility : To reach the reserve, one has to take a 285kms drive from Nagpur which is 827kms northeast of Mumbai. Nagpur is very well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available inside the reserve. Season : November to June.