|
| | 
MADHYA PRADESH
NATURE AND COUNTRYSIDE
INDIA'S MOST FORESTED STATE
Dear web visitor, let me briefly introduce myself on this
page. My name is Daan Vreugdenhil, director of WICE.
In the beginning of this year, the Minister of Tourism and rural dev., Mr.
Ajay Singh of Madhya Pradesh and the World
Bank, invited WICE to advise on the management of the National Parks and
Reserves in his state. I had the great honour to be hosted by the
Government and make some of the most exciting trips in my life. This
coming from me should not be taken lightly; I have been in more than 70
countries of the world, often visiting and advising on national parks.
This visit was very different from many others. As a student some 30 years
ago, I had studied the literature on conservation in India. It was
hopeless! The Indian Rhino down to just over a hundred animals, the tiger
on decline, just everything was being wiped out. And guess what? The
Rhino is now over 400 animals and increasing. Similar numbers for the Asian
Lion. The tigers are holding their own at some 3000 animals. Elephants are
managed at a population of 2000. The country has a great number of
national parks and even far greater numbers of wildlife reserves and national
forests, all of them holding a mix of different hoofed animals and great predators,
which include wolves and leopards. Madhya Pradesh plays a crucial role in
conserving nature in India: It has the country's largest national park and many
other parks and reserves. Together, its parks, reserves and national
forests, make up 22% of India's forested area. Now, is nature in India out of
the woods? No of course not. But India is making progress. I
am sure they will lose some important nature and poaching will pose a major
threat for many years to come. But the situation is NOT hopeless, on the
contrary, India does make progress, and YOU can go there and actually see it.
YOU WILL LOVE IT!
But it was not only the wildlife that exited me so much. I
was very impressed by the Indians. What a hospitable people, and what a
determination to overcome its poverty, its deeply rooted social differences and
its still lingering analphabetism. And what a great history and
culture. On the next page, you will see some of my impressions. I
will be going back in November to take my vacation in India and Madhya Pradesh.
This time I will take several members of my family with me. With all my
professional travel, I can assure you I only go on vacation to the best
places. Go and see India and make sure that Madhya Pradesh is a good part
of your itinerary!
Fabulous birding
Great aquatic wildlife |
Madhya Pradesh has 22 percent of all the forests in India and the
largest tiger population. |
|
Few people are aware that India is all about Safari and
Ecotourism. In a way, it is like going to Africa, but in a
completely different cultural setting. I personally am happiest,
when I can alternate my wilderness experience with gorgeous historical
architectonical monuments. With so many great parks, great numbers
of tigers and wild hoofed animals, Madhya Pradesh has it all!
|
There are four fabulous ways to see nature: on foot,
from the water, from a camel back and from an Elephant. In India you
can do it all, but I think nothing comes close to sneeking up to a tiger,
safely protected on an elephant's back. Several national parks in
Madhya Pradesh offer such opportunity! |
|
During the rainy season India's most magnificant Raneh
waterfalls in Madhya Pradesh roar down a deep red-and black canyon in the
Ken Gharial Wildlife Reserve. The reserve has also outstanding populations
of crocodile and muggers. |
|
|
|
Great ancestral traditions like this maharaja country palace of
Maharaja Singh, in heartland Madhya Pradesh peacefully coexist in a
democracy with some of the world's modern legislation on people's
equality. India is a giant that paves its own way to becoming a
modern democracy with equal opportunity for all of its one billion
inhabitants. |
Ancient history in beautiful natural settings: |
|
Some impressions that catch the attention: India is highly
self-reliant. After independence, India continued to work at building some
of the densest rail-road nets in the world. One can visit almost any
place by train. First class trains travel up to 100 km/hr, and from
the bigger stations, there are many departures per day. It is a great way
to travel: take the night train in a reasonably comfortable reserved-bed
coach and wake up the next morning at your destination.
At present, India works at expanding its road net. But it uses
local labour as much as possible. Not because it does not have the
technology to build otherwise, but because it likes to create employment
to its rural population. Many rural road are first prepared by hand
labour and later finished with road construction equipment.
|
Dramatic river landscapes, rivers full of aquatic birds and other
animals. During dry season, the low flow of the rivers stirs up
little sediments. Crocodiles and fish can be clearly seen from the crystal
clear waters. |
|
Lovely village scenes and warm hospitality in rural Madhya Pradesh.
It is all a matter of taste, but to me, the Indian women are among the
most beautifully dressed people in the world. Colourful saris are
warn everywhere.
A rural wedding party in Northern MP: A family brings the newly
weds to their new house. The bride's jewels, as well as the bride
herself are carried to their new home. |
|
|
