Come weekend, country’s first tiger safari on water unveils in MP

It is one thing to see a tiger in water while you are on land during a routine tiger safari. But just imagine how amazingly novel an experience it would be if you were in the water while the big cat was on land!

It is one thing to see a tiger in water while you are on land during a routine tiger safari. But just imagine how amazingly novel an experience it would be if you were in the water while the big cat was on land!

Come May 14, and this possibility would be alive on probably the country’s first-of-its-kind tiger safari by a boat to be launched on the Satpura Tiger Reserve, about 120 km southeast from here.

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MP State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) and MP Ecotourism Development Board (MPEDB) have jointly launched a 10-seater mini-cruise boat to be operated on charter basis between Madhai and Tawa dams. It would take tourists on a water tiger safari between the two destinations right through the heart of the famous Satpura Tiger Reserve.

The inaugural sortie has already been booked. Mr and Mrs Desai, an avid wildlife enthusiast and conservationist couple from Kolkata, have chartered the entire cruise boat for about Rs 8000 for a one-way trip from Madhai to Tawa on May 14.
The mini-cruise would start from the Denwa river in Madhai and, passing through a water channel, join the Tawa reservoir (on River Tawa) that would take tourists up to the MPSTDC resort at the Tawa dam and vice versa.

The boat would cover the distance of approximately 45-50 kilometres in about three hours. Nonetheless, tourists hiring the boat would definitely have the option of getting the boat anchored en route for some time to have a look at the dense forests and picturesque surroundings lining the way and click photographs.

They would, however, not be allowed to alight the boat during that period.

“This is the first tiger safari by water in the country and is going to be one of the best park safaris,” said MPSTDC

Adventure and Ecotourism Advisor Commander Rajendra Nigam, who has been the main person behind the project.
“Tourists will get to see rich avian life, wild life and natural beauty during the cruise,” Nigam maintained.

He said the boat is totally pollution free. A canopy would cover the deck, which would have tables, chairs, and other facilities for tourists.

“The entire area is a critical tiger habitat, so we are taking all necessary precautions to preserve it,” he averred, adding, “it will also go a long way in wild life and nature conservation efforts.”
He informed that the approximate tariff per head would be about Rs 1500-2000. The package would include free entry into the Satpura national park and refreshments.

“We have recently completed the final survey of the cruise and it will be launched for public very soon,” said MPSTDC GM (Ecotourism and Adventure) Mukesh Kapoor.