The Bagh Resort, Bharatpur

The Bagh Resort, Bharatpur

The Bagh is a heritage hotel set in 12acres two hundred year-old garden in Bharatpur Rajasthan, itislocated just four hours away from major destinations such as Delhi, Jaipur and Gwalior. The Bagh offers visitors an opportunity to experience quiet luxury near Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world.

The hotel's fourteen rooms are located in three different residential complexes. A restaurant, banquet hall, coffee shop, library and a gym, all situated in a verdant orchard, allow guests to enjoy solitude and companionship in restful indoor and outdoor spaces.

The Bagh is a heritage hotel set in 12 acres two hundred year-old garden in Bharatpur Rajasthan, it is located just four hours away from major destinations such as Delhi, Jaipur and Gwalior. The Bagh offers visitors an opportunity to experience quiet luxury near Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the world. The hotel's fourteen rooms are located in three different residential complexes. A restaurant, banquet hall, coffee shop, library and a gym, all situated in a verdantorchard, allow guests to enjoy solitude and companionship in restful indoor and outdoor spaces.

Each of the Bagh's fourteen rooms is unique. Spacious bathrooms, luxurious fabrics, fine furnishings and the amenities of modern technology let the weary traveler retreat and recoup after a day of sightseeing and bird watching. Gulmohar, the main restaurant, specializes in the wonderful vegetarian cuisine of the Braj region. An ayurvedic massage or a lazy swim at the fully - equipped gym can further soothe and exhilarate the body and the mind (to be ready shortly).

Facilities at The Bagh are:

21 unique rooms with luxurious fabrics and designed for comfort and intimacy

Restaurant Gulmohar. (The Gulmohar Restaurant serving Braj cuisine

Swimming pool

Mahua: The outdoor bar serves an assortment of alcholic and non-alcoholic drinks with light snacks. Musician perform for the guests'pleasure.

Morchalli: The banquet hall hosts private events and dinners. 

Bharatpur is the home of the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, famous for its bird sanctuary. Although only 29 square kilometers in size, it houses more than 375 avian species of which more than a 132 breed inside the park. Nearly every year, new birds are added to the bird watcher's list. Distance :  4 km from the railway station / bus stand,  Agra (56 km, 1 hour),  Delhi (176 km, 4 hours) and Jaipur (176 km, 4 hours), Keoladeo Ghana National Park : 1 km..

Ranthambhore National Park ( For Tiger Land Safari, Luxury Nature Trip )

Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in the Rajasthan state of India, comprises distinct areas with varied conservation history and virtually separated geographically with mere narrow corridors linking them to the core, Ranthambhore National Park. These are mainly, the Ranthambhore National Park, Keladevi Sanctuary and Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.

Ranthambhore National Park
The Ranthambhore National Park at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a unique juxtaposition of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan,barely 14 kilometer from the town, Sawai Madhopur. It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes; from flat topped hills (Indala, Doodh-Bhat and Chiroli) of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis; from wide and flat valleys (Lahpur, Nalghati, Khachida, Anantpur etc.) to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature, the "Great Boundary fault' where the Vindhyas were brought against the much ancient Aravalis, passes from here.

Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary
The terrain is flat and rocky and some hills with gentle slopes. Devpura irrigation dam, in the Sanctuary is a useful source of water for wildlife and good habitat for aquatic flora and fauna.Keladevi Sanctuary

The Keladevi Sanctuary is northern extension of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Karauli and Sawai Madhopur districts. There are hills in the south, north and eastern parts. At many places, it has a curious feature of two separate ridges running parallel to each other. The forest between such ridges dense. The Sanctuary is bounded in the west by the river Banas and in the south by the river Chambal. The Banas finally flows into the Chambal.

Some gorges due to high moisture retention and cooler temperature are nature's treasure houses. They are locally known as "Khoh". The slopes of the Khohs are covered with dense forest. These Khohs are the most suitable habitat for wildlife. The main Khohs in Keladevi are Nibhera, Kudka, Chiarmul, Ghanteshwar, Jail and Chidi. The forest cover is fairly sparse and spread out in the other parts.

Location of Ranthambhore National Park :The Ranthambhore park and reserve lies in the desert state of Rajasthan on the main DelhiMumbai railway line and is readily accessible from Jaipur (145km; 90 miles). Sawai Madhopur, the nearest railhead and gateway to the park, lies 11 km (7 miles) away..

Climate of Ranthambhore National Park :Summer.(April-June) temperatures rise to 40°C (104°F). Winter nights are cold (8°C; 46°F).

When to go (Ranthambhore National Park) :The best time to go is in winter (December to February) and March/April. The park is closed during the monsoon period; it reopens on 1 October.

Getting to Ranthambhore National Park :The nearest town is Sawai Madhopur, which has a good bus service with many connections.

Facilities at Ranthambhore National Park : Madhopur has excellent resorts and eco-Iodges: Taj group-owned Sawai Madhopur Lodge (old hunting lodge of Maharaja of Jaipur); new Vanyavilas, super luxury tented resort owned by Oberoi Hotels. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) manages more basic and functional Hotel Kamadhenu and Castle Jhoomar Baori Forest Lodge.

Wildlife in Ranthambhore National Park : Interesting array of fauna includes Tiger, Panther (Leopard), Hyena, deer, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, and Jungle Cat. Prolific bird species. Ranger-led safaris in open-sided jeeps and Canters (20-seater, openroofed trucks); drives around picturesque reservoirs (good for photography).

Permits and Reservations for Ranthambhore National Park : For information and accommodation, contact: Field Director, Rantharnbhore National Park and Tiger Reserve, Sawai Madhopur, Raiasthan-322001.

Conservation History
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve was among the first nine Tiger Reserve declared in 1973 at the launch of Project Tiger in India. It comprised the former Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary of 392.5 sq. km. Reserved Forest (constituted in 1955).

Ranthambhore National Park with an area of 274.5 sq. km. was constituted within the Tiger Reserve in 1980. In the then Tiger Reserve, the National Park area was being managed as the core and the rest as buffer until in 1992, Keladevi Sanctuary having area of 674 sq. km. of Protected Forest (constituted in 1983), Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary with an area of 127 sq. km. (constituted in 1984). Kualji Close Area of 7.58 sq. km. and some other forest areas were added to the Reserve.

Archeology
Ranthambhore fort and temples of medieval period.

Forest Types  
Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

Main Species(Flora )
Dhok mixed with Khair, Raunj, Goya, Chhela, Pipal, Vad, Amaltas, Gurjan, Siris Saintha, Gular, Tendu

Main Species( Fauna)
Tiger, Leopard, Caracal, Ratel, Jungle Cat, Chital, Sambar, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Jackal, Hyena, Common Langur, Common fox

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IFAW releases rescued orphan elephants to the wild in India

31 January 2011
(Assam, India) - Today, five hand-raised, endangered elephant calves were moved from the IFAW Wildlife Rescue Center in Kaziranga to Manas National Park in the northeast Indian state of Assam.

Implemented by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW - www.ifaw.org ) and its partner organization the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the release is part of an ongoing effort to integrate orphaned elephants into wild herds in Manas. This critical work is carried out with the support of the Assam Forest Department and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

The calves, one females and four males between the age of three and six years, were rescued under various circumstances from different parts of Assam. All of these calves were separated from their natal herds - two were victims of conflicts with people, one displaced during floods while the remaining two were found in tea gardens. They were admitted to the center because they could not be reunited with their herds.

The elephants were hand-raised by IFAW-WTI veterinarians and animal keepers. The calves were bottle-fed, introduced to each other to facilitate social bonding and went for walks in the forest for opportunities to browse and graze in the wild. Prior to the move, the calves were loaded onto trucks on Sunday and then moved to Manas National Park for in situ acclimatization.
At Manas, the behavior of the elephants as individuals as well as their interactions with each other and other wild elephants will be carefully observed and recorded. Once the calves completely detach from their caretakers and return to the wild, they will be monitored through radio-collars.

“We're very pleased to see these elephants walking the forests of Manas National Park. This is a vital step towards their reintegration to the wild but there are still many hurdles to overcome. Our 'soft release' program will allow elephants to gradually become fully independent at their own pace,” said Ian Robinson, IFAW Emergency Relief Director.

This relocation is the third time elephant calves have been moved to Manas after undergoing rehabilitation. Previously, eight calves were successfully moved and to this day, four of these calves have established themselves in the wild with evidence of some calves being accepted by wild herds. The project is one of the various conservation initiatives being implemented by the authorities and IFAW-WTI as part of their efforts to bring Manas back to its former glory.

“Manas has always been an area of high conservation priority, as indicated by its status as a national park, a tiger reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surviving a rough phase during the civil unrest when among other losses, its entire population of rhinos was wiped out, and in the face of threats of losing its world heritage status, Manas is now regaining its fame with pro-active initiatives by the government and the people,” said Vivek Menon, WTI Executive Director.

In 2006, rhinoceros were brought back to Manas for the first time since the local population was exterminated. In addition to rhino reintroduction and rehabilitation of other key flagships like the tiger and the elephants, IFAW-WTI has also been assisting the Forest Department and BTC authorities in various community-based conservation activities, capacity-building of frontline staff and support to grassroots conservation organizations.

News source by : http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_international/media_center/press_releases/1_31_2011_69360.php

Was the wrong tiger killed in Kumaon?

LUCKNOW: A day after Uttarakhand forest officials shot a tiger claiming it had killed six people in and around Kumaon's Corbett Reserve, doubts are being raised if the big cat felled on Thursday was a man-eater.

The Corbett authorities who had earlier claimed that the man-eater was a tigress, on Friday said the feline shot by Ramnagar forest officials was a "rare specimen with female characterstics". With deformity in both its hind claws, the pug marks of the tiger made them look like that of a tigress. "Whatever doubts have arisen, could be because of this assumption of ours," said Corbett park warden U C Tiwari on Friday adding, "it was a tiger with female characteristics."

The contention was outrightly rejected by wildlife experts. "The pug mark impressions are very distinct and are impressions of paws and not claws," said former director of Dudhwa G C Mishra. He added that this leaves little chance of a goof up. "We are yet to come across a tiger with "female characteristics," he said.

"If they have killed a wrong tiger and a man-eater is still at large, killings (of men) will take place in some 15-20 days," he warned.

Former director, Project Tiger, R L Singh said: "I agree that pug marks are misleading evidence, but I have never ever come across a tiger with any of its claws like that of a female. Though the cubs can have their claws look like that of a female, the Corbett tiger was an old one."

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Was-the-wrong-tiger-killed-in-Kumaon/articleshow/7383171.cms

Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur) National Park ( For Exclusive Birding Trip )

Keoladeo National Park in Bharatput is a pilgrimage for the bird lovers and is a paradise for those interested in the avian world. During the British raj also it was renowned as the best duck shooting reserve. However, in 1956 it was declared a reserve for birds and later graded as the national park of India. It has been listed as the World Heritage site by UNESCO. It is located at an ideal geographical location on the main avian route of North-South India. This national park is quite is quite small in size spread across 29 km but it boasts of housing more than 375 species of gorgeous birds, out of which more than 132 of them breed inside the National Park adding new ones to the list each year.

This sanctuary attracts birds from all over the world including China, Siberia, Europe and Tibet along with those found in India. The resident bird activity starts before the monsoons on the Kadamb and Babool trees of the park. The Ajan Bandh water fills the ponds and lakes of the park for these birds to nest around it.

Keoladeo, Ghana National ParkVarious herons, hundreds of them in all sizes are assured of food and water. Little cormorant, grey heron, purple heron, different species of egret, open-billed, painted, black necked and white necked stork, spoonbill, white ibis, night heron and different birds are busy in mating and courting each other. The trees are laden with hundreds of nest and one can easily observe a tree full of nearly 50-60 nests belonging to various species of birds taking care of their loving young ones.these nests give an impression of pearl necklace on the tree. The tallest flight birds, Gracious Saras cranes have their nests in open and exposed areas. Hatching duty is equally shared by both the partners and incubates them together by raising shrill-trumpeted calls and raising their necks. They also fan their feathers jointly while giving the calls.

The newborn are only 10cm in size but grow up to 1 metre tall within a year’s time. Birds from all over the country start flocking down to the sanctuary with the arrival of the monsoons. Migratory birds or the Keoladeo Siberian cranes form an integral part of the park along with other migratory waterfowls. These waterfowls visit the park in October and rosy starlings mark the arrival of these migratory birds. The Grey leg geese and bar headed are the most noticeable waterfowls coming to the park.

Shoveled, mallard, common teal, Gadwall, pintail, red crested pochard, ruddy shelduck, and widgeon, common shell duck are some of the commonly spotted ducks here. Tawny eagee, imperial eagle, steppe, spotted eagle, laggar falcon, marsh terrier are some of the common predatory birds found in the park that complete the avian food chain of the eco-system. Lesser spotted eagle, short-toed eagle and shikra are some of the permanent residents of the park.

Out of 29 sq. km area, 11 sq. km is covered with water and the rest is laden with rich variety of birds including white and red vented cheeked bulbuls, kingfisher, quails, babblers, sunbirds, partridges, sparrows, orioles and parakeets that dwell in burrows or bushes. The park is ornithologists delight and a pilgrimage for bird lovers with its year rounds activity of birds. Although birds are the predominant dwellers of the park, nevertheless, the animal populace also graces the beauty of the sanctuary. You can easily spot the antelopes, nilgais and the spotted deer here. You can even see pythons sometimes that bask in the sun.

In order to enjoy the beauty of the park, it is best to travel on foot or on bicycle. However, you can also engage Electra van of the forest department but the vehicles are permitted only up to Shanti Kutir. You can also hire cycle-rickshaws.

Location of keoladeo ghana National Park :Lies at an elevation of 360 370m (1180-1200ft) in the Bharatpur district of RajasttJan.

Climate of keoladeo ghana National Park : : Summer temperatures fluctuate between 26 and 38°C (79 and. 100°F); winter months (mid. November to February) pleasant.

When to go (keoladeo ghana National Park) : Best period for sighting migratory birds is November to February, while monsoon and autumn (mid.September to mid, November) months ideal for viewing breeding birds. Drier months of March through May are best for viewing faunal life.

Getting to keoladeo ghana National Park : Bharatpur lies 176km (110 miles) from Delhi and is 2km (t mile) from park; it is the nearest railhead. Nearest, airport is Agra, 54km (30 miles) due east of Bharatpur. Bus services link Bharatpur with major cities of Rajasthan and outside the state.

Facilities at keoladeo ghana National Park :Bharatpur has plenty of accommodation for different budget travellers: ITDC.run forest lodge; RTDC'run tourist bungalow; Laxmi Vilas Palace, 2km (1 mife) from park entrance; and Chandra Mahal Haveli 22km (14 mifes) away (latter two classified as Heritage Hotels).

Avian life of keoladeo ghana National Park : Impressive list of colourful breeding, migratory and resi. dent birds. Boats and bicycles for hire in wetlands. Rickshaws can be hired near the gate; drivers act as guides and are good in identifying birds (good for photography). Indian Rock Python can be seen at Python Point.


Permits and Reservations for keoladeo ghana National Park : Accommodation can be reserved with: The Wildlife Warden, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The for. est rest house operates a minibus; contact the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden, Forest Rest House, tel: (05644)22777.

Travel Angel Says: The National Park is roughly rectangular in shape. With a length of 23 kilometers (14miles) and a width of 8 kilometers (5 miles), its total area is 142 square kilometers (55 square miles). Dachigam was proclaimed a sanctuary in 1951, and it was upgraded to national park status in 1981.

The park consists of two sectors: Upper Dachigam, which lies in the higher reaches on the eastern side and makes up tow thirds of the entire area, and Lower Dachigam in the west. The beautiful Daghawna River flows across Lower Dachigam through a shrub-covered rocky ravine. Mulberry trees, willows and oaks are predominant in Dachigam's lower reaches, an area of thick undergrowth, while Blue Pine, juniper and birch and thinning undergrowth exists in the upper region. Several fire lines exist, and these are cleared every March, helping increase visibility of wildlife in the park.

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