Almost all the tigers reserves in Madhya Pradesh are gifted with some natural rivers which ensures natural irrigation to forest areas and offers water supply to wildlife. Pench tiger reserve have Pench river which bisects the tiger reserve area. Similarly Kanha tiger reserve have Banjar and Hallon river valley, Panna tiger reserve have Ken river, Bandhavgarh have Johilla and Son river etc. These rivers and land topography are the main reason behind development of these natural forests. Rivers provided sufficient water for survival of animals and trees where as topography made them not so useful for agricultural purpose thus left abandoned by human society thus forests survived. We do safaris in these forest areas, mainly through jeeps and at some spots, walking safaris are also allowed. Chances for safari on river water was difficult because these rivers are not carrying that quantity of water which enables surfing through boats in tourism season thus not considered. But development of dams, on some important rivers, carrying healthy natural water supply has made it possible.
Ground condition decides the feasibility of boat safari at any safari destination. Although Madhya Pradesh have many dams with huge backwater catchment area but still boat safari is at very limited locations. Reason is very simple i.e. mis-match of conditions which will contribute into the success of this unique mode of safari. Let's see the ground conditions and challenges:
At present, we can safari by boat ride is possible at Satpura tiger reserve and Panna tiger reserve. Some limited boating is also offered at Totladoh dam of Pench tiger reserve but it can't be termed as boat safari because here boat ride doesn't offer good opportunity to have wild animals sighting. Panna and Satpura tiger reserves are genuine boat safari destinations as here we do boat ride in core zone forest thus have good probability to actually see the wild animals, birds and forests.
It is a dense forest cover on Satpura hills of Madhya Pradesh, about 150 km from Bhopal city. Here 3 main rivers are found i.e. Denwa river, Sonbhadra river and Tawa river. At Madhai gate, we have a confluence point of Denwa and Sonbhadra rivers thus here water presence will good and due to this reason, native people settled down here. When we further moves towards west, we found a confluence point where Tawa river comes from Chhindwara-Betul district and meets Denwa river. Here dam has been constructed with the name of Tawa Dam. Thus this dam backwater ensures plenty of water in catchment area which ensures ideal boating conditions at Madhai gate. Here park management kept sufficient number of boats which are availed to visitors against payment payable at ticket counter. This backwater penetrates well the adjoining core zone forest thus boats get better access to critical tiger areas and at the same time many natural islands formed which offers best birdwatching and crocodile photography opportunities. These factors contributes to call it a best boat safari destination.
At Panna tiger reserve, boat safari is possible at Madla safari zone. Here check dam has been made on famous Ken or Karnavati river. This check dam ensures better water presence on part of Ken river which falls in Madla safari zone. With limited boats, they offers short duration boat rides to tourists but it is not a very planned or well organized activity like at Satpura tiger reserve thus many times we have seen that it suddenly get suspended which keeps it see as a not assured or doubtful activity. Here it can be booked on the spot basis. It offers good opportunity to spot tigers movement on river bank area, especially during summer season.
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