Van Vihar National Park

About Van Vihar National Park

Van Vihar National Park is located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, next to the city's Upper Lake, also known as the Bada Talab. That lake is a Ramsar Site and one of the two lakes of the Bhoj Wetland, so the park sits on the edge of a wetland of international importance.

Van Vihar has the unusual distinction of being four things at once: a national park, a zoo, a rescue centre for wild animals, and a conservation breeding centre for selected vital species. It is the only place in central India whose rescue centre harbours lions and tigers rescued from circuses, sloth bears rescued from madaris, and tigers, panthers and bears rescued from zones of human-wildlife conflict. It is also a designated co-ordinating zoo and Conservation Breeding Centre for the Hard Ground Barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh, and for two species of Gyps vultures.

Animals at Van Vihar

Carnivores

The park is a natural habitat for carnivores including tiger, white tiger, leopard, hyena and sloth bear. Several of the big cats and bears here are rescued animals rather than wild residents.

Herbivores

Herbivores at Van Vihar include chital, sambhar, blackbuck, blue bull and chousingha. The Hard Ground Barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh, is bred here under a dedicated programme.

Other residents

Smaller residents include common langur, rhesus monkey and porcupine. The park also works as a conservation breeding centre for two species of Gyps vultures.

Planning your visit

Van Vihar sits inside Bhopal next to Upper Lake, which makes it one of the easiest wildlife stops to reach in the state.

• Combine it with Upper Lake, since the two adjoin each other.
• Expect a managed park rather than a jungle safari; animals are in enclosures along a defined route.
• Allow time at the rescue centre enclosures, which are the park's distinguishing feature.
• Confirm opening times and entry charges before you set out.

Best time to visit

Early in the day is the most rewarding, when the animals are more active and the walk or drive through the park is cooler. Visiting outside the hottest afternoon hours makes a noticeable difference.