Birding Prospects in Central India

Lesser Florican in Ratlam District at Khamore Sanctuary is a major attraction. Besides the Indian Skimmer, Great Indian Bustard, Sarus Crane, Bar Headed Geese, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Indian Pitta, Malabar, and Oriental Pied Horn Bills, Crested Hawk & Crested Serpent Eagles, Orange Headed Thrush, Peacock, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black Naped Monarch, Golden Oriole, Black Naped Oriole, Gray Lag Geese, Bar Headed Geese, Brahminy Duck, Red Crested Pochard, Greater Racket Tailed Drongo, Painted Stork, Green Avadavat and many more.

These are many sought-after birds in Central India. Some species like White Backed and Long-Billed Vultures along with Green Munia and Great Indian Bustard are now rare.  The status of many avian species in MP is endangered due to habitat loss and toxic chemical effluents.    

Working as a guide I have been birding in Central India for a long time albeit in a limited area. In the process, I have discovered areas that offer the tremendous possibility of bird-watching tourism. In this module, we will discuss some destinations which I believe hold lots of potential for this recreation.

Some of the destinations which are lesser-known from a tourism point of view and contain the immense potential for birding are: 

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

• Amarkantak Hill Resort
• Chambal River Sanctuary
• Madhav National Park
• Achanakmar Sanctuary
• Central Indian Tiger Reserve
• Karera Bustard Sanctuary
• Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary

Some of these destinations have a well-established tourism infrastructure in terms of accommodation, accessibility, and travel services. Many places do not have these attributes hence accommodation in the immediate vicinity is not possible.  For expeditions in such areas, one needs to seek it in nearby towns.  

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve constitutes Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Satpura Tiger Reserve, and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. This is an excellent bird habitat in Madhya Pradesh. No organized tours are being conducted here devoted to birding. Tourists on tigers safari at Satpura enjoy birding with the greatest pleasure since many exciting species are being discovered here. Dhoopgarh in Pachmarhi Hill Resort is the highest point in MP at 1350 MSL.

Amarkantak Hill Resort is situated at a height of 1048 MSL with an extremely cold climate in winters. Very little birding has been carried out here but the altitude variation between it and the nearby Achanakmar Tiger Reserve promises the possibility of exciting species to be discovered. I have seen many wintering warblers and pipits at heights.

Madhav National Park is situated in the District of Shivpuri and was the hunting reserve of the erstwhile Maharajahs of Gwalior.  The park is well known for wintering waterfowls at Chandpatha Lake besides hordes of forest species in the park. Along with Karera Bustard Sanctuary on the way from Jhansi, this forms an excellent birding corridor.    

Chambal River Sanctuary encompasses a long passage that runs through the States of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.  The river offers exciting bird discoveries and is frequented by birders from various countries who enjoy boating besides sighting freshwater crocodiles, gharials, and Gangetic river dolphins.  

Naurdehi & Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuaries are situated near Jabalpur in MP State. Both the places are close by and offer exciting avian finds in all seasons. One of the largest protected areas in India, habitat variation at Nauradehi is impressive hence fit for extended birding tours. The Nauradehi WLS is situated at a distance of 100 km from Jabalpur    

Popular Tiger Reserves in MP are Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, and Pench National Parks. These protected areas are tiger heavens but contain no less than two hundred fifty avian species each. The focus here is on the tiger but scores of exciting avian species can be seen in these reserves on tiger tours.    

Madhya Pradesh is well connected by flights and railway with Mumbai and New Delhi. The landing points in MP are Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Bhopal for reaching some of the destinations mentioned in the above modules. One can drive down from Agra and Bharatpur to Chambal River Sanctuary (Dholepur) and from there to Madhav National Park and Karera Bustard Sanctuary.

From these major towns, one can taxi down to the birding spots nearby.  The best time for bird watching is in winters and summers but not the monsoon period.  One also needs the services of birding guides which are available in the tiger reserves. One also needs reference books which are easily available in top stores in big cities.

Before arriving in India one should contact a tour operator in Central India for all the necessary bookings and arrangements.  Those specializing in wildlife packages should be of immense help. Many tour operators specialize in Indian birding tours all over. 

Advance reservations for transport and accommodation is a wise step to consider whence visiting India. Madhya Pradesh is relatively a safe place but one needs to take some precautions like traveling during the daytime and possibly in the company. 

Some services and amenities may not be available in interiors or remote locations hence arrange for them beforehand, this also applies to banking services.