Major wildlife sanctuaries and reserves of Madhya Pradesh

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary: Madhya Pradesh

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1975 under Wildlife Protection Act of. The area of the sanctuary is 551.55 sq.km. Mainly hilly state. Altitude ranges from 200-1000m. Leopard, Gaur, Chital, Wild Bear, Tiger, Leopard, Striped Hyaena, Jackal Sloth Bear, Indian Wild Dog, Chital Axis, Sambar, Nilgai, Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara (mountain gazelle) Gazella, Blackbuck, Wild Boar And Others.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Set amongst the Vindhyas, in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh is a small national park, but with the highest known density of tiger population in India. This is also known as White Tiger territory. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many years. The other species found in abundance in Bandhavgarh are The Gaur or Indian Bison, The Sambar, The Barking Deer and The Nilgai.

The terrain is made of rocky hills, Sal forests and grazing areas, formerly agricultural land. The finest of these hills is the Bandhavgarh hill, and on its highest point stands Bandhavgarh Fort. Though no records remain to show when the fort was constructed, it is believed to be about 2000years old. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forest range around the region had been maintained as a Shikargarh, or game preserve, of the Maharajahs of Rewa. It was only in 1968, that the area was declared as a National Park. Since then, stringent steps have been taken to retain it as an unspoilt natural habitat.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary: Madhya Pradesh

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1976 Under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Sanctuary is spread in area about 244.66 sq km. Mainly flat and hilly terrain. Tiger Jungle Cat, Striped Hyaena, Jackal, Indian Wild Dog, Sloth Bear Chital Axis, Sambar, Nilgai, Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara (Mountain Gazelle) Gazelles, Wild Boar, Gaur and others.

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary: Hoshangabad District - Madhya Pradesh

It was established in year 1977 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Sanctuary is located on Southern slopes of the Satpura range, Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, Moreover the area of Sanctuary is 518sq.km(approx). The fauna of the sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Indian Wild Dog, Striped Hyaena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Indian Fox, Chital Axis, Sambar, Nilgai, and Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara (Mountain Gazelle) Gazella And Others

Kanha: Madhya Pradesh

The Kanha National Park, in Madhya Pradesh, forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974, under Project Tiger. Stretching over 940sq km, the vegetation, chiefly made of Sal and bamboo forests, grasslands and streams, this park is the sole habitat of the rare hard ground barasingha.

The forests of the Banjar valley and Halon valley, respectively forming Kanha's western and eastern halves, had even, at the turn of the century, been famous for their deer and tiger population. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a string of stringent conservation programmes have been launched, for the overall protection of the park's fauna and flora. It is one of the most well maintained National Parks in Asia, and a major attraction for avid wildlife buffs all over the world.

Fauna: Kanha boasts of about 22 species of mammals. Some of the inhabitants of this park are the gaur, the largest of the world's cattle; The Sambar, The Largest Indian Deer; and The Chausingha, The Only Four-Horned Antelope in the world. Other frequent visitors include the Nilgai Antelope, The Sloth Bear, The Dhole, Or Indian Wild Dog, and an occasional Panther. Some 200 species of birds inhabit the park that includes the Cattle Egret, Black Ibis, Hawk Eagle and The Red-Wattled Lapwing. Shravantal is an old, earthen bound tank in the central Kanha meadows, which happens to be an important watering hole, for a large number of waterfowl in winter. Bamni Dadar, known as Sunset Point, is the most beautiful section of the park, and the view of the sunset from this spot is absolutely mesmerising. Quite a few animals can be sighted around this area, which include The Sambar, Gaur, The Four-Horned Antelope and The Barking Deer.

The Barasingha is undoubtedly, the jewel of Kanha, and drastic steps have been taken to rescue it from complete extinction. The enlargement of the grasslands, through village reallocation, has been responsible for this impressive achievement. Barasinghas exist almost totally on grass, and tall grass meadows are essential for their security. At the height of winter, between December and January, falls the rutting season of these animals, and huge groups can be easily spotted in the Kanha and Sonph meadows. A small, but significant number of Blackbucks also inhabit the central Kanha meado

But for all the astonishing diversity in its wildlife population, Kanha is best known as the habitat of the Tiger. Sighting and photographing this magnificent animal from Elephant back, is an unforgettable experience

Madhav (Shivpuri) National Park: Madhya Pradesh

Madhav (Shivpuri) National Park 156 sq km in area, the park is open throughout the year. The park enforces the conservation, which the area enjoyed when it was the private shooting reserve of the Maharaja of Gwalior. It was established as the Shivpuri National Park in 1958 simultaneously with the creation of the State of Madhya Pradesh. It now enjoys further protection under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Fauna: The predominant species that inhabits the park is the deer, of which the most easily sighted are the graceful little Chinkara, the Indian gazelle, and the Chital. Other species that have their habitat in the park are Nilgai, Sambar, Chausingha or four-horned Antelope, Blackbuck, Sloth Bear, Leopard and the ubiquitous common Langur. Tiger (occasional), Striped Hyaena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Chital Axis, Sambar, Nilgai, four-horned antelope (chowsingha), Wild Boar, Chinkara (mountain gazelle) Gazella, Crocodile and others.

The National park is equally rich in the artificial lake, Chandpata, is winter home of Geese, Pochard, Pintail, Teal, Mallard and Gadwall. A good site for bird watching is where the forest track crosses the wide rocky stream that flows from the Waste Weir. Species that frequently this spot are Red-Wattled Lapwing, Large Pied Wagtail, Pond Heron And White - Breasted Kingfisher. The avifauna also includes Cormorant, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Laggar Falcon, Purple Sunbird, Paradise Flycatcher And Golden Oriole.

Panna National Park: Madhya Pradesh

Panna National Park is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the best in the region. The river Ken passes through the park, adding to its scenic beauty. You can view wildlife in jeeps, boats or on foot. It is close to Khajuraho and forms an ideal halt for people going to Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks.

Fauna: The predominant species that inhabits the park is the deer, of which the most easily sighted are the graceful little Chinkara, the Indian gazelle and the Chital. Other species that have their habitat in the park are Nilgai, Sambar, Chausingha Or Four-Horned Antelope, Blackbuck, Sloth Bear, Leopard and the ubiquitous Common Langur. Tiger, Leopard, Striped Hyaena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Four-Horned Antelope (Chowsingha), Wild Boar, Chinkara (Mountain Gazelle) Gazella, Crocodile and others. Bird life of lake includes Bareheaded Geese, Duck and Spoonbills and on the shores flocks of Demoiselle Cranes. The National Park is equally rich in avifauna.

Sanjay-Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary

Sanjay / Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary it established in 1975 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It is spread in an area of 364.59sq.km. The sanctuary physical features are plain and undulating country and altitude ranges from 200-500m. It consists of Tiger, Leopard, Indian Wild Dog, Striped Hyaena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Chital Axis, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara (mountain gazelle) Gazella, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar and Others.

Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary - Madhya Pradesh

Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1974 Under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The Sanctuary is spread in area about 553 sq km. mainly undulating and hilly terrain. Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Indian Wild Dog, Chital Axis, Sambar, Nilgai, Bos, Wild Boar and others.