Madhya Pradesh is often referred to as the “Tiger State” due to its significant population of Bengal tigers. The state is home to several tiger reserves aimed at the conservation and protection of this majestic species. Here are the major tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh:
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1. Panna Tiger Reserve
- Panna Tiger Reserve is located in Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is situated in the Vindhya Hills and is spread along the banks of the Ken River.
- The tiger Reserve was once the hunting preserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states.
- In 981, Panna forest area declared a national park. The National Park consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In 1994, Panna National Park was declared a Tiger Reserve by Government of India. It is 22nd tiger reserve of India and the 5th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
- In the early 2000s, Panna Tiger Reserve faced a severe setback when its entire tiger population was wiped out due to poaching and other factors. By 2009, there were no tigers left in the reserve.
- In 2009, a major initiative was undertaken to reintroduce tigers into Panna Tiger Reserve. Tigers from other reserves, including Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha Tiger Reserve, were translocated to Panna in an effort to restore the tiger population.
- The tiger reintroduction program at Panna Tiger Reserve has been considered a success. Over the years, the tiger population has shown significant growth and stability.
- In 2007, Panna Tiger Reserve was awarded the “Best Maintained Tourist-Friendly National Park” by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
- In 2011, Panna Tiger Reserve core area declared a Biosphere Reserve by Government of India. It encompasses Panna National Park, three sections of the Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary and the reserved and protected forests of the North Panna Forest Division.
- In 2020, Panna Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO.
- Area: The Panna Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 576.13 square kilometers (222.67 square miles).
- Core/Crticial Tiger Habitat : 576.13 sq km
- Buffer : 1002.42 sq km
- Total : 1578.55 sq km
- Hills: The Panna Tiger Reserve is located in the Vindhya Hills of central India.
- Vindhya Hills
- River: Ken River flows through the reserve.
- Ken River
- Flora: Teak, Sal, Jamun, Mahua, Bamboo, Grasslands etc.
- Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian leopard, Sloth Bear, Rusty-spotted Cat, Asian Palm Civet, Chital (Spotted Deer), Chinkara, Sambar Deer, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Indian Vulture, Bar-headed Goose, Red-headed Vulture, Mugger Crocodile etc.
2. Pench Tiger Reserve
- The Pench Tiger Reserve is located in central India, spanning across two states: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- Pench Tiger Reserve is considered a major part of Madhya Pradesh since it lies in Seoni and Chhindwara district.
- The Pench Tiger Reserve is famous for its association with the renowned author Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel, “The Jungle Book.”
- In 1965, Pench was declared as a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1983, Pench wildlife sanctuary was declared a national park.
- In 1992, Pench National Park was declared a Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger initiative.
- Area: The tiger reserve core area is covered by Priyadarshini Pench National Park and Mowgli Pench Sanctuary.
- Core/critical tiger habitat : 411.330 sq.km.
- Buffer/peripheral area : 768.300 sq. km.
- Total : 1179.630 sq. km.
- Zones: There are 7 zones in the reserve:
- Khursapur
- Sillari
- Wolf Sanctuary
- Rukhad
- Jamatra
- Karmajhiri
- Touria
- Hills: The reserve lies in the southern lower reaches of the Satpura Range on the southern border of Madhya Pradesh.
- Satpura Range
- River: The Pench Tiger Reserve derives its name from the Pench River, which flows through the reserve.
- Pench River
- Lake: The tiger reserve is known for its diverse and abundant water bodies, including lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.
- Totladoh Reservoir (Meghdoot Dam)
- Kamthikhairy Dam or Pench Dam
- Kohka Lake
- Tribe: Some of the tribal communities found in the vicinity of the Pench Tiger Reserve include:
- Gond Tribe
- Baiga Tribe
- Korku Tribe
- Flora: Mahua, White, Kulu Salai, Saja, Bijiyasal, Dhaora, Amaltas etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Four-horned Antelope, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Crow Pheasant, Waterfowl, Python, Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards etc.
3. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
- The Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has been recognized for having one of the highest densities of tigers in India. One tiger is found in every 8 km area.
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is also famous for White Tigers. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured the first white tiger (Mohan) in Bandhavgarh region in 1951.
- In 1968, Bandhavgarh was declared a national park to protect tigers.
- In 1993, Bandhavgarh National Park became a tiger reserve.
- Area: It consists of three distinct areas: Bandhavgarh National Park (452.666 km2), Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary (264.235 km2) which make up the “Core Area” and the adjoining notified Buffer Area spread across the districts of Umaria, Shahdol and Katni.
- Core Area: 716.903 sq. km
- Buffer Area: 820.035 sq. km
- Total Area: 1536.938 sq. km
- Zones: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is divided into three major zones:
- Tala Zone
- Magdi Zone
- Bamera Zone
- Hills: It is situated in the eastern Satpura hills.
- River: Several rivers and streams passes through the tiger reserve. These streams merge into the Son river.
- Johilla
- Janadh
- Charanganga
- Damnar
- Banbei
- Ambanala
- Andhiyari Jhiria
- Lake: Mahaman Pond, also known as Mahaman Talab, located within the tiger reserve. It is a significant water source located in the Tala Zone of the reserve.
- Mahaman Pond
- Tribe: Some of the tribal communities found in the vicinity of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve include:
- Baiga
- Gond
- Kol
- Flora: Moist Peninsular Low-level Sal Forest (sal trees, bamboo, teak, tendu, mahua, and arjun), West Gangetic Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest (saalai, dhawada, saja, palas, and kardhai), Dry Deciduous Scrub Forest (babool, khair, kullu, and tendu) etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Dhole (Indian Wild Dog), Bengal or Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Smooth-coated Otter, Rusty Spotted Cat, Wild Elephant, Hyena, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Sarus Cranes, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Indian Rock Python, Bengal Monitor Lizard, Indian Softshell Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle etc.
4. Satpura Tiger Reserve
- The Satpura Tiger Reserve is located in the Hoshangabad district (newly named Narmadapuram) of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- In 1981, It was established as a national park.
- In 1999, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve was declared as the first Biosphere Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. It includes three wildlife conservation units:
- Bori Sanctuary
- Pachmarhi Sanctuary
- Satpura National Park
- In 2000, the Satpura National Park was declared a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger initiative. It was created by merging the Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Satpura National Park.
- In 2009, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Area: It covers an extensive area of approximately 2,200 square kilometers (850 square miles).
- Core/critical tiger habitat : 1339.26 sq.km.
- Buffer/ peripheral area : 794.04 sq.km.
- Total : 2133.30 sq.km.
- Hills: The Satpura Tiger Reserve is located within the Satpura Range. The reserve is named after the Satpura Range.
- River: Denwa river passes through Satpura Tiger Reserve
- Denwa River
- Lake: Some of the notable lakes within or near the Satpura Tiger Reserve include:
- Tawa Reservoir
- Madhai Reservoir
- Rock Shelters And Ancient Cave Paintings: There are more than 50 rock shelters within the Satpura Tiger Reserve, adorned with rock paintings depicting animals like elephants, tigers, deer, and porcupines. These paintings, estimated to be around 1,500 to 10,000 years old.
- Flora: Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest (sal, teak, mahua, tendu, and bamboo), Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest (teak, saaj, tendu, and bel), Tropical Riparian Fringing Forest (jamun, arjun, mahua, and bamboo), Southern Tropical Thorn Forest (babul, ber, khair, and tendu), Central Indian Subtropical Hill Forest (sal, bamboo, tendu, amla, and oak), Dry and Moist Grassland etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Indian Bison, Indian Giant Squirrel, Leaf Nosed Bats, Eurasian Otter, Sambar, Chital, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Paradise Flycatcher (Doodhraj), Indian Rock Python, Russell’s Viper, Common Monitor Lizard etc.
5. Kanha Tiger Reserve
- Kanha Tiger Reserve is located in the Mandla and Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- It is the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha”.
- In 1879, the Kanha Tiger Reserve was established as a reserve forest.
- In 1933, the reserve forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1955, Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary was was upgraded to the status of a National Park.
- In 1973, Kanha National Park was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
- Area: The reserve covers an area of approximately 940 square kilometers (363 square miles).
- Core: 940 Sq Km
- Buffer: 1134.361 Sq Km
- Total: 2051.791 Sq Km
- Hills: Kanha Tiger ReserveIt is situated in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Range.
- Maikal Hills
- River: The prominent rivers in Kanha Tiger Reserve include:
- Banjar River
- Sulkum and Lata Mendola Streams
- Tribe: The reserve itself is not primarily inhabited by any particular tribe. But there are tribal communities residing in the surrounding areas:
- Gond Tribe
- Baiga Tribe
- Flora: Sal Forests, Bamboo Groves, Mixed Forests (mahua, tendu, amla, jamun, and teak), Grasslands and Meadows, Flowering Plants (Mahua, Flame of the Forest, Indian Ghost Tree, Wild Jasmine, Indian Coral Tree) etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Barasingha (Swamp Deer), Leopard, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Black Ibis, Asian Green Bee-eater, Common Teal, Monitor Lizard, Indian Python etc.
- Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of the last remaining strongholds for the Barasingha (Hardground Swamp Deer). It is the State animal of Madhya Pradesh.
6. Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve
- Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve is located in Sidhi and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh in India.
- It is bordered by the Guru Ghasidas National Park on south, of which it was a part before formation of Chattisgarh in the year 2000.
- In 1975, the reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1981, the wildlife sanctuary was expanded and merged with the nearby Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary, resulting in the formation of Sanjay Dubri National Park.
- In 2008, Sanjay Dubri National Park was granted the status of a tiger reserve.
- Area: The Sanjay-Dubri tiger reserve is spread over an total area of 1674.511 sq. km. and consists of Sanjay National Park and Dubri Sanctuary along with buffer areas taken from Sidhi and Shahdol districts.
- Core/ critical tiger habitat : 812.581 sq.km.
- Buffer area : 861.930 sq.km.
- Total : 1674.511 sq.km.
- River: Some of the rivers that flow through the tiger reserve:
- Gopad River
- Banas River
- Mawai River
- Mahan River
- Kodmar River
- Umrari River
- Flora: Sal Forests, mahua, tendu, teak, bija, saja, various species of figs,bamboo etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Elephant, Sloth bear, Leopard, Panther, Chital, Spotted deer, Sambar, Barking Deer, Dhole (Wild Dog), Red-headed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Indian Python etc.
7. Ratapani Tiger Reserve
- Ratapani Tiger Reserve is located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- In 1976, Ratapani was initially declared as a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 2013, Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a tiger reserve. It is the 7th tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh.
- Area: Ratapani Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 824 square kilometers (318 square miles).
- Hills: The reserve is surrounded by the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges.
- Lake: Large water bodies inside the Ratapani Tiger Reserve are:
- Dahod Dam
- Ratapani Dam (Barrusot lake)
- Barna Dam
- Flora: Teak (55% of the tiger reserve area is covered by teak), Sal, Bamboo, Mahua, Terminalia, Indian Ghost Tree etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Dhole, Hyena, Chital, Sambar, Oriental White-backed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Red-headed Vulture etc.
8. Durgavati Tiger Reserve
- Durgavati Tiger Reserve is located in Narisinghpur, Damoh and Sagar districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.
- The Durgavati Tiger Reserve is named after Rani Durgavati, a queen of the Gondi people, and
- In 1996, it was initially notified as a sanctuary by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
- In 2022, Durgavati Tiger Reserve was approved by the Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Board as a new reserve for tigers from the Panna Tiger Reserve. This decision was made in response to the potential submergence of a quarter of the Panna Tiger Reserve due to the linking of the Ken and Betwa rivers.
- Area: Durgavati Tiger Reserve spans across 2,339 square kilometers.
- Core area: 1,414 square kilometers
- Buffer zone: 925 square kilometers
- Flora: Teak, Sal, Bamboo, Mahua, Indian Gooseberry etc.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Indian Gaur, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Jungle Fowl etc.