Madhya Pradesh is home to 11 national parks that showcase the rich biodiversity of the region.
Contents
1. Kanha National Park
- It is located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is situated in the Maikal Hills range of the Satpura Range.
- Kanha National Park is also known as Kanha-Kisli National Park.
- The park was initially set up to protect the endangered species of Barasingha (Swamp Deer).
- In 1879, the area was established as a reserve forest.
- In 1933, the reserve forest was officially declared a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1955, the wildlife sanctuary was granted the status of a National Park.
- In 1973, the park was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
- Area: The park covers an area of approximately 940 square kilometers (363 square miles).
- River: Banjar river is a major river that flow through the park.
- Tribe: The main tribes living in and around the park include the Gond and Baiga.
- Flora: Sal, mahua, amla, harra, tendu, palash, semal, bamboo etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Barasingha, Indian leopard, Dhole, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Black Ibis, Asian Green Bee-eater, Indian Grey Hornbill, Indian Rock Python, Russel’s Viper, Monitor Lizard etc.
- Kanha National Park is globally famous for Barasingha.
- Rudyard Kipling, who wrote “The Jungle Book” inspired by the region’s beauty and wildlife.
2. Madhav National Park
- Madhav National Park is located in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is also known as Shivpuri National Park.
- Once, Madhav National Park served as the hunting ground for Mughal emperors, Maharajas of Gwalior, and later for the British.
- In 1956, Shivpuri National Park was established.
- In 1958, to honor the contributions and legacy of Madho Rao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior from the Scindia dynasty of the Marathas, the park was renamed Madhav National Park.
- In 2022, Sakhya Sagar in Madhav National Park was designated as a Ramsar site.
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 354 square kilometers (137 square miles).
- Madhav National Park is located in the Vindhya Range of hills in central India.
- River: Manier and Sindh River flows through the park.
- Lake: Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar are the two lakes located in the southern part of the park. Both lakes are man-made and created on Manier River in 1918.
- Tribe: The park is home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)s like Saharia.
- Flora: Teak, Sal, Dhok, Khair, Salai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash, Ber, Jamun, Kadam, Amla etc.
- Fauna: Tigers, Leopards, Chinkara, Chousingha, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Indian Skimmer, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, White-bellied Drongo, Indian Python, Monitor Lizard etc.
3. Bandhavgarh National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
- It is situated in the Vindhya Hills region.
- The park derives its name from the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort located within its boundaries.
- The Bandhavgarh was a hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Rewa.
- In 1968, the Bandhavgarh Fort and its surrounding areas was declared as a national park.
- In 1993, Bandhavgarh National Park was given the status of a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger initiative.
- Area: The park covers an core area of about 105 square kilometers (40.5 square miles) and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km.
- The park has been divided into 3 major zones, namely-
- Tala
- Magdhi
- Khitauli
- River: The most important stream that flows through the park are:
- Johilla
- Janadh
- Charanganga
- Damnar
- Banbei
- Ambanala
- Andhiyari Jhiria
- Lake: Mahaman Pond is the most popular man-made lake in Bandhavgarh National Park.
- Tribe: Gond, Baiga, and Kol tribes are tribal communities that live in and around Bandhavgarh National Park.
- Flora: Sal, Tendu, Saja, Dhawada, Kadam, Arjun, Jamun, Mahua, Amla etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Indian Wild Dog, Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Smooth-coated Otter, Rusty Spotted Cat, Gaur, Wild Elephant, Striped Hyena, Chinkara, Common Myna, Indian Grey Hornbill, Rock Pigeon, Indian Rock Pyhton, Krait, Monitor Lizard, Fan Throated Lizard etc.
- Bandhavgarh National Park has the “highest tiger density“. One tiger is found in every 8 km area.
- Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for White Tigers. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured the first white tiger (Mohan) in Bandhavgarh region in 1951.
4. Pench National Park
- Pench National Park is located in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Some parts falling in the neighboring state, Maharashtra.
- In 1977, Pench was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1983, Pench Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to the status of a national park.
- The Pench National Park was later renamed as Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park.
- In 1992, Pench National Park was designated as a Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger initiative.
- Area: The park covers an area of approximately 758 square kilometers.
- Core : 292.85 sq. km.
- Buffer : 465.00 sq. km.
- Total : 757.85 sq. km.
- The park lies in the southern lower slopes of the Satpura Range.
- River: The Pench National Park is named after the Pench River, which runs through the park.
- Lake: The park is home to:
- Kamthikhairy Dam or the Pench Dam
- Kohka Lake
- Tribe: The park is is home to a number of indigenous tribes, including the Gonds, the Baigas, and the Kolams.
- Flora: Teak , Saja, Bijiayasal, Lendia, Haldu, Dhaora, Salai, Amla, Amaltas, Bamboo, White Kulu Trees (Ghost Trees), Mahua etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Beer, Wild Dog, Hyena, Indian Gaur (Bison), Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Porcupine, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Indian Pitta, Red Jungle Fowl, Whistling Teal, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, Crocodiles, Turtles etc.
5. Van Vihar National Park
- Van Vihar National Park is located in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- The park is situated adjacent to the Upper Lake, which is also known as Bada Talab.
- Van Vihar National Park was established in 1979.
- It is a combination of National Park, a Zoo, Rescue Centre for wild animals and Conservation Breeding Centre.
- Area: The park covers an area of about 4.45 km2 (1.72 square miles).
- Shymala Hills is located in the Van Vihar National Park.
- Flora: Teak, sal, bamboo, mahua, jamun, Indian gooseberry, Indian madder, neem etc.
- Captive Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Asiatic Wildcat, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Mugger Crocodile, Gharial, Chittal, Sambar, Blackbuck, Four-horned Antelope, White-rumped Vulture, Long Billed Vultures etc.
6. Panna National Park
- Panna National Park is located in Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh in India.
- The park is situated in the Vindhya mountain range.
- The reserved forests of the Panna National Park area were once hunting preserves for the former princely states of Panna, Chhatrapur, and Bijawar.
- In 1981, Panna National Park was established.
- In 1994, Panna National Park was designated as tiger reserve.
- In 2007, the park received the prestigious Award of Excellence as the best-maintained national park in India from the Ministry of Tourism of India.
- In 2011, the park was notified as a Biosphere Reserve by Government of India.
- In 2020, Panna was designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
- Area: It is spread over an area of approximately 542 square kilometers (209 square miles).
- River: The park is situated on the banks of the Ken River.
- Raneh Falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the Panna forest area. It emerges from the confluence of the Ken and Khuddar rivers.
- Lake: A man-made lake called Gangau Reservoir is located near the park’s entrance. It is located at the confluence of Ken and Simiri rivers.
- Flora: Teak, sal, jamun, mahua, tendu, flame of the forest, chrysanthemum, grass pea, Indian gooseberry, and Indian coral tree, amla, arjun,bel etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Chital, Chinkara, Sambar Deer, Sloth Bear, Rusty-spotted Cat, Asian Palm Civet, White Necked Stork, Bareheaded Goose, Paradise Flycatcher, Red-headed Vulture, Indian Vulture, Indian Rock Python, Mugger Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Indian Flapshell Turtle etc.
7. Satpura National Park
- Satpura National Park is located in the Narmadapuram District (Hoshangabad district) of Madhya Pradesh in India.
- It is part of the Satpura Range.
- In 1981, it was designated as a national park.
- In 2000, Satpura National Park was included in the Project Tiger initiative.
- Satpura Tiger Reserve comprises of 3 protected areas namely,
- Satpura National Park
- Bori Sanctuary
- Pachmarhi Sanctuary
- The park is a core part of the Satpura Tiger Reserve.
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 524 square kilometers (202 square miles).
- The highest point in the Satpura National Park is Dhoopgarh.
- This park is famous for its Rock Shelters. There are more than 50 Rock Shelters. They are known for their ancient rock paintings, which depict various scenes from the lives of ancient humans who inhabited the area.
- River: Denwa river passes through the park.
- Lake: Tawa Reservoir, which is a man-made lake formed by the Tawa Dam, is located in the Satpura National Park.
- Flora: Sal, teak, tendu, mahua, bamboo, dhawda, khair, bija, elephant grass, spear grass, arjun, jamun etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Indian Bison, Indian Giant Squirrel, Sambar, Chital, Chinkara, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Indian Rock Python, Monitor Lizard, Mugger Crocodile etc.
8. Kuno National Park
- Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is situated in the Vindhyan Hills.
- In 1981, Kuno National Park was established as a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 2018, Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary received official status as Kuno National Park.
- Area: It covers an approximate area of 344 square kilometers (133 square miles).
- River: The Kuno river flows through the park from South to north.
- Tribe: Kuno National Park and its surrounding areas are inhabited by various indigenous tribal communities like Sahariyas, Gujjars, Moghiya and Bhil.
- Flora: Teak, tendu, dhawada, salai, palash, babul, spear grass, elephant grass, ashwagandha, amla, guggul, safed musli, bamboo, kadam, jamun etc.
- Fauna: Cheetah, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Dhole, Indian Wolf, Striped Hyena, Bengal Fox, Chital, Sambar, Chousingha, Blackbuck, Ruddy Mongoose, Indian Crested Porcupine, Indian White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Spotted Owlet, Indian Nightjar, Mugger Crocodile, Gharial, Bengal Monitor, Indian Softshell etc.
- The park was identified as a potential reintroduction site for the Cheetah.
- Kuno National Park has been also selected as a potential reintroduction site for the Asiatic lion.
9. Sanjay-Dubri National Park
- Sanjay-Dubri National Park is located in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- This area was served as a hunting ground for the princely state of Rewa.
- In 1975, Sanjay Dubri was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1981, Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary was expanded and upgraded to the status of a national park.
- In 2008, Sanjay-Dubri National Park was declared a tiger reserve.
- The park serves as an important ecological corridor connecting the Kanha Tiger Reserve and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- Area: It an area of approximately 831 square kilometers (321 square miles).
- River: Various perennial rivers passes through the park viz.
- Gopad
- Banas
- Mawai
- Mahan
- Kodmar
- Umrari
- Flora: Sal, Teak, Mahua, Saja, Bija, Ashok, Bel, Semal, Bamboo etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Porcupine, Dhole, Hyena, Golden Hooded Oriole, Red-headed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Monitor Lizard, Indian Python etc.
10. Fossil National Park
- Fossil National Park is situated near Shahpura village in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is also known as Dindori Plant Fossils National Park or Ghughua Fossil Park.
- It contains plant fossils.
- It is the largest Fossil Park in Asia and second largest in world.
- In the 1970s, the Fossil National Park site was founded by Dr. Dharmendra Prasad.
- In 1983, recognizing the importance of the fossil site, it was officially declared as a National Park.
- Area: It is spread over an area of 75 acres of land (0.30 km2). It is spread over 7 villages of Dindori district namely-
- Ghuguwa
- Umaria
- Deorakhurd
- Barbaspur
- Chanti Hills
- Chargaon
- Deori Kohani
- So for, plant fossils belonging to 31 genera of 18 families have been identified in this park.
11. Dinosaur Fossils National Park
- This park is located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Approximately 6.5 crore-year-old rare dinosaur fossils are found in this park.
- In 2011, Dinosaur Fossils National Park was established.
- Area: It spread over an area of 89.740 hectares.
- Flora: The floral fossils found in the park include:
- Gymnosperm
- Araucaria
- Podocarpus
- Jack Fruit
- Palm Tree Species
- Blue Green Algae
- Fauna: The faunal fossils found in this park include:
- Dinosaur Bones
- Dinosaur Eggs
- Dinosaur Scat
- Echinodermata
- Mollusca
- Fish
- Porifera Species