India Bandhavgarh Project

Overview 

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is situated between the hill ranges of Vindhyan and Satpura in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.  A one time hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa, it was declared a Tiger Reserve 1968 and, partly due to its inaccessibility and its reliable watercourses, is home to one of the last few viable concentrations of tigers on Earth. 

However it is not immune to the twin threats of poaching and encroachment by the many villages that surround the park. Exodus believes by providing assistance to both the park directly and the surrounding villages, the local population see real practical benefits that simply would not be there without the close presence of the tigers and the visitors who come to see these magnificent of all big cats.

Those of you who have been following our progress in Bandhavgarh National Park will know that we had a very successful 2015 after partnering with The Corbett Foundation (TCF), an Indian not for profit charitable trust dedicated to conservation-oriented research.

Biggest achievement to date

This has to be the contribution to the school at Tala, a village just outside the park boundary, where Exodus have been funding various building and improvement works carried out at the school since 2005.  Significant funds have been raised by Exodus guide and award-winning photographer Paul Goldstein through his Worth More Alive Campaign.  So far this campaign has raised over £100,000, please see our latest report above.

Achievements Since 2005

•    Toilet block with complete plumbing / flush system. 
•    Water Tank with plumbing for water supply for toilet block and 6 outlet taps for drinking water. 
•    Two new Class Rooms. 
•    Deep Wellwith concrete construction inside / outside fitted with sewerage for un-interrupted water supply to the tank. 
•    Boundary wall covering the whole premises of the school with proper Iron Gate for safety of the children.  
•    Complete renovation of class room no. 1 with concrete roof, wall repairs, new window panes, iron grill, doors etc.
•    Reconstruction of the administration block with attached toilet. 
•    Stools and desks for 150 students.
•    Tiger Foundation Society, M.P. purchased a Jeep for Bhandavgarh National Park with monies contributed by Exodus and interdealer broker ICAP Plc.  
•    60 Helmets fitted with Solar Head Lamps supplied to forest guards for search operation. 
•    10 Multi-purpose solar battery chargers. 
•    6 Deep search metal detectors. 
•    100 sets of LPG connections with single cylinder (+) 1 Double burner hot plates (+) 1 Pressure cooker for 100 families
•    Payment of wages for 2 English teachers for two annual sessions, July’ 2012 – April’ 203 and July’ 2013 – April’ 2014 and supply of funds for books and stationery. 

How You Can Help

Visit – join on the ‘India Tiger Safari‘ holiday and you should get an opportunity to see our work in action.
Donate – you can donate by going directly to Friends of Conservation.
Speak to a Supporter
Paul Goldstein, our resident and award-winning photographer, holds regular wildlife talks in the UK  which include the tigers of Bandhavgarh National Park. You can contact Paul direct on pgoldstein@exodus.co.uk.