Tigers of South India & Western Ghats

[Pckts]

(08-07-2018, 11:37 AM)Rishi Wrote:

(08-07-2018, 02:43 AM)Pckts Wrote: I have read that Bandipur and Kabini are very poorly managed reserves, for one... The jeeps are enclosed so you're not able to take long lens shots from the roof which is a must, especially since those jeeps are small to begin with and for taller people like my self, standing was a nice reprieve. I have also read that the guides are late getting in, they don't go to the core area since it's far from the gate and they don't communicate well. 
This is a serious problem, they really need to fix these issues, S. India is such a treasure trove of Wildlife, it should be one of the most popular safari destinations in India but it's a long way from that.
Has anyone else heard these issues or other issues like this?

Both lack standardisation. With the renewed tourist boom many private tour operators companies want in & some resorts also manage their private safaris. Understandably a good portion of them are not very professional. System of on spot booking exists, which is often misused.

The Forest Department safaris contain a bus safari. Never seen anyone praise it.

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As far as i know, the jeep safari are mostly conducted by the jungle lodges (govt ones included). Mostly noisy older models, not Gypsy like Kanha.

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Although, now-a-days newer models like Bolero are being inducted. Much superior to Gypsys, quieter too.

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Still a long way to go. Might become oe of the tourist-friendly reserves like Kanha, or turn into a ripoff-heaven like Ranthambore. Only time can tell...

I was able to find the reports:

Sahasrangshu Choudhury
I travelled between 4th and 5th August 2018 to Bandipur. We were a group of naturalist and photographers. We stayed at Chital 1 and Chital 2 of the State government guest house. The booking was done online. They allowed only one jeep safari to book online. After doing the safari in so many parks around India and the world I was not sure why they are allowing only one safari booking online. We reached by late noon. The entire cottages were in jungle area open from all ends beautiful within nature with spotted deer around.. Now the shabby parts started the cottages were broken from the entrance, the door does not shut down properly, they kept water in the room which was at least 5 days old. Even safety net of the balcony and main balcony door opening towards the jungle was broken giving you enough reason to worry. Let's ignore that but still, you need a powerful man to be able to close the door of your room as all door hinges were misaligned. Geyser was non-functional at Chital 2. The canteen serves one of the most pathetic foods with zero taste and sometimes stale Gobi Manchurian. Breakfast was good.
Now Safari time: They charge INR 3000 for the jeep and INR 590/pp for lens above 200mm. Here starts the setback I was surprised to find that safari timing was just for 1:30 mins and the charge was nearly 80% as that of any other tiger reserve of India charges where at 4.2k and safari is for 3-4 hours. Re-booking was not allowed to increase the time, one has to stand in the queue again. The significant part the drivers: They were just giving us a joy ride of the forest until we requested him he was not even looking around for species but was just driving. This was not the problem of one driver but has happened in all 2 safaris we took in the jeep with 2 different drivers. Whereas in Tadoba or Kanha the drivers are proactive to show species etc and keep track of tiger sightings while they drive us around. At Bandipur intentionally they do not take you to the core because they can't come back in 1:30 mins hence they have some defined routes where soon you will find all Jeeps and buses going on like regular traffic. Unlike all Tiger reserve they jeeps have all covered tops they believe the leopard can jump from the top, the cover does not allow photographers to stand up and use the open space with 500mm+ lens to click good pictures, that 500mm for which they charge extra INR 590/pp. I hope this experience goes to the management of the Forest and they take quick corrective actions. Such a large forest cannot be enjoyed in 1:30 mins and that's well understood by the authorities who exploit it quite well.

Jitesh Mohanan It is a fact that Bandipur offers an experience which is nowhere near what can be experienced at jungles of central and northern India like Pench, Kanha and Tadoba. You can sense that right at the parking lot of the reserve forest entrance where they charge you a parking fee of Rs 50/- for one hour !!! (happened to me during last Diwali) and that too without issuing any receipt. Their safaris are a joke, considering the cost and time allowed for the safari. In fact every other person who has visited the jungles of central India come back disappointed after having been to Bandipur.

Jitesh Mohanan As far as JLR is concerned, they cater to the exclusive rich who can afford almost 10k per person per night, which comes to a whopping 20k per day for a couple!! No wonder they were not able to pay salaries on time to their staff, as per a recent news article. This rate is on par with what you are charged at Mara in Africa, where sighting is almost guaranteed.
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