The Forest Minister of Madhya Pradesh recently launched the first hot air balloon safari of India in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of India in MP. There are several hot air balloon rides in the country. However, this is the first hot air balloon safari.

About Hot Air Balloon Ride

The hot air balloon ride is to be restricted in the buffer area. The service is to be operated by a Jaipur based Sky Waltz company.

Tourists can watch tigers, Indian Sloth bear and leopards from a height during the ride. The service is to be introduced in other tiger reserves of the state such as Pench Tiger Reserve, Panna Tiger Reserve.

Working of a Hot Air Balloon

The hot air balloons work on the principle “Hot air rises”. When the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes lighter than the cooler air outside. This causes the balloon to float upwards. When the air is allowed to cool, the balloon begins to come down.

The hot air balloons do not have separate mechanism for steering or propulsion. The balloons use the speed of the wind to move.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

The tiger reserve is located in the eastern Satpura hill range. It is known for its Evergreen Sal forest.

Bandhav means Brother and Garh means Fort. The region is named after the fort. The fort is believed to have been given by Lakshman to his brother Lord Ram.

Reintroduction of Gaur in Bandhavgarh

The Bandhavgarh National Park had a small population of Gaur. However, due to a disease that passed on to the Gaurs from cattle, all of them died. Thus, the Gaurs were reintroduced from Kanha National Park. Around fifty Gaurs were shifted to Bandhavgarh National Park in 2012. The project was executed by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Taj Safaris and Wildlife Institute of India. Kanha Tiger Reserve is also located in Madhya Pradesh.