13/06/2025
Subject: Deteriorating Guide Conduct and Professionalism in Bandhavgarh — A Concern from a Veteran Wildlife
I have been an avid wildlife enthusiast for the past 18 years, during which I have undertaken more than 150 safaris across Indian tiger reserves and national parks. I hold deep respect for the forest staff and guides who serve as the bridge between nature and tourists. However, my recent experience at Bandhavgarh National Park has left me both disappointed and concerned about the erosion of professionalism and passion among its guides.
While Bandhavgarh has always been close to my heart, my last four safaris here paint a very different picture. Unfortunately, based on these, I feel compelled to make a few points that reflect poorly not just on individual guides, but on the overall system that allows such behavior:
Key Observations:
- Misleading Wildlife Interpretation
One guide falsely identified a domesticated elephant (with shackles on its legs) as a wild elephant — raising questions about both knowledge and intent.
- Disengaged Behavior During Safari
The guide and driver spent a significant portion of the safari watching movies on the driver's phone, completely disengaging from their duties or guest interaction.
- Safari Cut Short Prematurely
Despite the scheduled timing of 5:30 AM to 11:30 AM, after 10:00 AM the guide actively discouraged continuing the safari, repeatedly stating that chances of spotting anything were "zero" — a stark contrast to other parks where guides try till the very last minute.
- Lack of Interpretation and Interaction
Across all four safaris, not a single guide shared trivia, explained behavior, or engaged with the tourists. Their silence was awkward, and their presence added no value.
- Reluctance to Explore Beyond Entry Zone
When requested to explore zones farther from the gate, most guides seemed reluctant or outright dismissive, preferring to stay near the exit.
- Questionable Wildlife Knowledge
One guide claimed that "the forest department names tigers immediately after birth," showing a lack of understanding about tiger monitoring, naming conventions, and wildlife biology.
Why This Matters:
Bandhavgarh is one of India’s most iconic tiger reserves. Such indifference and misinformation undermine the entire wildlife tourism experience and bring shame to an otherwise proud fraternity of naturalists and guides. Worse, it impacts India’s image in eco-tourism and the crucial role responsible tourism plays in conservation funding and awareness.
Wildlife tourism is not just about sightings — it’s about storytelling, knowledge-sharing, and igniting curiosity. I hope my feedback is seen in the spirit of improvement, not complaint.
