Bandhavgarh safari zones name and number. Core & buffer zones of Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh

Introduction

If you are planning for Bandhavgarh safari tour then we must do some preparations like understand the terrain, topography, safari zones details, which safari zones are more popular and why, where they are located etc. In this section, we have tried to answer these important questions so that our guests will have good understanding of safari zones, locations, entry gate locations. As Bandhavgarh forest is a tiger reserve thus forest area is divided into core-buffer strategy. It means here we can find core forest and buffer layer of forests. Just for information, tiger reserve and national park are not the same thing. Tiger reserve is broader concept as it may include national park and adjoining wildlife sanctuaries where as national park is just part of a tiger reserve. This imaginary line of division ensures better wildlife management which in turn ensures better protection of wild animals. Part of core forest is divided into core safari zones and similarly part of buffer forest is divided into buffer safari zones. For tourism purpose, only 20% of total tiger reserve is allocated, rest of restricted for tourism thus only patrolled and undisturbed area. At Bandhavgarh national park, we can find 3 core zones and 3 buffer zones. Each zone have its own entry and exit gate. Here we have also shared zone numbers as sometimes local safari guides or agents used zone numbers instead of zone name to refer them. Thus to avoid any confusion among tourists, we have shared their numbers. Officially, zone names are used in documentation and number are not used.

Zone Category	Zones	Zone Numbers	Entry Gate (Full-safari)	Entry Gate (Sharing)	Adjoining Zones (Safari)
Core	Tala	Zone-1	Tala Gate	Tala Gate	Magadhi, Johila
Core	Magadhi	Zone-2	Magadhi Gate	Magadhi Gate	Tala, Dhamokhar, Johila
Core	Khitauli	Zone-3	Khitauli Gate	Khitauli Gate	Panpatha
Buffer	Dhamokhar	Zone-4	Parasi Gate	No sharing	Magadhi
Buffer	Panpatha	Zone-5	Pachpedi Gate	No sharing	Khitauli
Buffer	Johila	Zone-6	Chechpur / Gajwahi	No sharing	Tala, Magadhi

Core Zones

Bandhavgarh national park have both core forest and buffer forest area. Park have 03 popular core safari zones i.e. Tala zone, Magadhi zone and Khitauli zone. All these three safari zones are very popular among tourists and wildlife photographers. If we will check the above given tiger reserve map and try to see the locations of all these core zones, we will realize that they are very much secure as they are surrounded by layer of buffer zone forest which disconnects them from outer world. It is a deliberately made arrangement to ensure better security and least disturbance to wild animals and birds, at their natural habitat. Here we will not find any village and hotel, only forest department structures are allowed which assists in park management. In this map, we will also realize that famous Bandhavgarh fort is located in Tala core zone area thus it is not easily accessible to outsiders, without any permission from park management. At present, it is kept under non-tourism area thus normal visitors are not allowed.

Important Links

Best time to visit Bandhavgarh How to reach Bandhavgarh Naming of Bandhavgarh History of Bandhavgarh Why to visit Bandhavgarh Bandhavgarh Safari Timing Mammals in Bandhavgarh Birds Checklist of Bandhavgarh Tourism Activities Bandhavgarh vs Kanha National Park Clothing Advisory Geography at Bandhavgarh Tala Village Tala Zone Magadhi Zone Khitauli Zone

Buffer Zones

Layer of forest, surrounding to core zone forest is called buffer forest area. When this forest is divided into zones, we get core zones. Its inner boundary touches core zone and outer boundary touches to outer world. Many villages and hotels lies in buffer zone area. Due to human disturbance probability, here animals restricts there movement. Still territorial animals, when pushed out of its territory or sub-adults who are on the way to create there territory, spends part of there life in these buffer zone forest area. Many times, when tigress with 3 or 4 cubs shifts there area to these buffer zones to do cattle killings. Majority of poaching and man-animal conflicts occur in this forest area. Buffer forest given protection layer to core zone forest thus have important role in conservation efforts. Bandhavgarh buffer safari zones are Dhamokhar zone, Panpatha zone and Johila zone.