India is working hard to save Tigers. India is home to almost 3,000 tigers – that is nearly 70 percent of the population of tigers globally – and in India; Madhya Pradesh is the state that covers around 20% of the tiger’s population of India. In Madhya Pradesh, there are estimated 526 big cats, which is more than any other state. Here in this blog, we have mentioned six Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh and some untold secrets and facts. Read this blog to learn about the secrets of Tiger Reserves.
Untold Secrets and Facts about Madhya Pradesh Tiger Reserves:
1. Kanha Tiger Reserve
Madhya Pradesh is also called a Tiger state, as 20% of India’s tiger reserves are located in Madhya Pradesh. One of India’s most prominent and finest tiger habitats in MP is Kanha, situated in the state’s southeast. It is spread around 940 square kilometers of rolling grassland, dense forests. The tiger population in this tiger reserve is reduced to 100 from 130. Moreover, Kanha national park has many other wildlife animals, notably endangered Barasingha (swamp deer), Panther, Indian Bison (the world’s largest cattle species), Bengal Fox plus, and more than 300 other species of birds.
Facts about Kanha Tiger Reserve:
- In the year 1879, Kanha National Park was declared a reserve forest. But In 1933, it was said a wildlife sanctuary and named Kanha National Park.
- Famous cartoon series and book “THE JUNGLE BOOK” was inspired by Kanha Tiger Reserve, by Rudyard Kipling.
- It is said that the Baiga tribe has emerged from the forest of Kanha, and it is called the smallest tribal community of India.
- One of the most interesting facts about Kanha Tiger Reserve is that there is a ghost tree. People have seen it glowing in the pale moonlight at night.
2. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
In 1993 Bandhavgarh was declared as a tiger reserve in . It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. This forest was handed over to the state government in 1968 by the Maharaja of Rewa for its formation. It was then declared as a National park. The majestic white tiger, Mohan, was also found in this tiger reserve.
Facts about Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
- Khajuraho is a heritage site that is listed in the top seven wonders of India by UNESCO.
- This forest is also mentioned in the Hindu mythological book The Ramayana. And it is written that Lord Rama has gifted this forest of Vindhya ranges to his brother Lakshmana.
- This place was ruled by many dynasties that include the Maurya dynasty, Vakataka, and among them famous was Maharaja Vikramaditya.
3. Pench Tiger Reserve
This Tiger Reserve is known as Pench, and it got this name from the River Pench, which flows from the same forest. This Tiger Reserve spreads around 758 sq. km. It has many animals, beautiful plants, insects, and other wildlife creatures. Pench is the first park that shares boundary with two states; one is Madhya Pradesh and another one is Maharashtra.
Facts about Pench Tiger Reserve:
- The character of the famous story -The Jungle Book was taken from this tiger reserve– Akela, Baloo, and Sher Khan (Royal Bengal Tiger) are all found here.
- In 2008 BBC found Pench National Park to be the most appropriate location for documenting tigers’ behavior, released with the title “Spy in the Jungle”.
5. Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna Tiger Reserve is spread over the Panna and Chattarpur districts. It was formed as National Park in 1981 by India’s Government but later turned into Tiger Reserve in 1994. Earlier, the rulers of Panna, Chattarpur, and Bijwar used this sanctuary as their hunting ground. The Kern River flows through this reserve, and it is called the home of crocodiles and muggers. Many different kinds of aquatic species add immense beauty to this Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh Wildlife sanctuary.
Facts about Panna Tiger Reserve:
- In Panna, there are two entry zones Madla and Hinata. The best time to visit this tiger reserve is between 16th October and 30th June; every year, you can book your bus ticket from your place to the Panna bus stop from online bus ticketing platform like RedBus and apply RedBus Coupons to get discount and offers. To make the tour experience memorable, the jungle authorities provide jeep facilities for touring around and catching Panna denizens’ glimpses.
- There was a time when Panna was left with zero tigers, then they started a reintroduction program for tigers, and now there are many tigers in reserve.
6. Satpura Tiger Reserve
This famous Tiger Reserve was established in 1981, and it is located in the Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. It is spread across 2133.307 sq. km;. This Tiger Reserve is a combination of two different wildlife sanctuaries: Bori and Pachmarhi. For visitors, the reserve offers various ways to explore the forest. They can enjoy jeep safari, elephant safari, walking safari, and some more. It is one of the most silent and calms national parks in India.
Facts about Satpura Tiger Reserve:
- Satpura Tiger reserve was awarded for the Most Visitor Friendly wildlife destination in 2010.
- Captain James Forsyth was the person who explored Satpura forest while he was searching Indian Freedom Fighter Tanya Tope. Satpura was first declared as a Reserved Forest Area of India due to its ecological and commercial importance.
7. Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve
Sanjay Dubri is the smallest Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh; it is spread across 831 sq. km. It is also called one of the lesser-explored tiger reserves. Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and the Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary together form a park. The reserve is home to Indian Leopard, Nilgai, and more than 150+ species of mammals, birds, and aquatic animals.
Fact about Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve:
- The central part of the reserve with extensive patches of bamboo and Sal plantation and some of the essential plants is in this sanctuary-like Palas, Salai, Dharwad, and Gurajan Mahua, Semal, Harra, Ber, and Tendu.
- This tiger reserve is the smallest one in Madhya Pradesh, and it is also one of the unexplored Reserves.
Conclusion:
Madhya Pradesh is called India’s heart because of its location and heritage. Also, it is known as home to tigers. Whether it’s Bandhavgarh, Kanha or Pench, every national park has its charm. Each park has different stories that are known to many. In this blog we have covered all the 6 tiger reserves in MP and facts related to them.