Exploring the Wild Heart of India: Top 11 National Parks in Madhya Pradesh

Imagine a location where the fresh air’s swing awakens you, where the neighbors’ morning chimes uplift your spirits, and where the early morning mist drowns out the summer’s scorching heat. Imagine a location tucked away among the verdant meadows. Consider Madhya Pradesh’s captivating national parks.

It may seem strange to travel to the center of India in the summer, but the breathtaking scenery and magnificent wildlife make you reconsider. Each of Madhya Pradesh’s eleven national parks has its own distinct character. We shall explore India’s untamed history and take you through its wilderness in this blog.

Kanha National Park

Kanha is one of the most iconic national parks in India and a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts. Spanning over 940 square kilometers, it is home to a dense population of Bengal tigers and the endangered Barasingha (swamp deer). With its rich Sal and bamboo forests, lush meadows, and tranquil lakes, the park provides a perfect habitat for numerous species.

Kanha is one of the few places where you can spot tigers in their natural habitat, and it is part of Project Tiger. The park’s serene landscapes, coupled with its rich biodiversity, make it a dream destination for nature lovers and photographers. With plateaus and flat-bottomed valley, assorted trees and grasslands, and the two principal rivers Banjar and Halon, it is also an ideal location for spotting herds of bison, packs of wild dogs (dhole), and uncountable groups of deer.

Kanha’s scenic beauty and rich biodiversity make it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. The park’s various zones, such as Kanha, Mukki, Kisli, and Sarhi, offer different wildlife viewing experiences. The Kanha Museum and the park’s dedicated research efforts provide valuable insights into the region’s ecology. Spotting wild animals is always a matter of luck but Kanha is so rich in wildlife that the odds are tilted in your favor. 

Bandhavgarh National Park

Known for having a high density of Bengal tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park was created in 1968 and is among the greatest locations in India to see these magnificent creatures. There are hills, valleys, and grasslands in the park, and the Bandhavgarh Fort is inside its borders.

The Tiger Reserve is divided into three safari zones – Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli, with Tala being the most popular and visited zone. During Tala safari, tourists come across the ancient fort ruins within the park (visible from the vehicle), explore the breathtaking landscapes, meet the wild residents, and visit the statue of reclining Vishnu (Shesh Shaiya). 

Mythologically, the name Bandhavgarh means “Bandhav” = brother and “Garh” = fort. This fort was built and given to Lakshman by Lord Ram to keep an eye on Sri Lanka. Hills, valleys, marshes, and meadows form a diverse topography in Bandhavgarh National Park.

Major species found.

The Density of Tigers in Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the highest in India. The park also has a high population of leopards. The tigress, Sita, which was once featured in the famous National Geographic magazine, is also found in the Bandhavgarh National Park. Bandhavgarh National Park has listed 34 species of mammals, 260 species of birds and 70 species of butterflies.

Kuno National Park

Kuno, which occupies 404 square kilometers, is a picturesque feature in Central India’s Vindhyan hills. Located in the Sheopur area, the Kuno River that runs through the national park is the source of its name. After 75 years, Madhya Pradesh is now the first place in India to have four cheetah cubs born, thanks to the government’s successful cheetah translocation program. A couple of other well-known sites in Kuno National Park are Palpur Fortress and Dobkund.

Kuno Park is known for its leopard, jackal and chinkara populations. The ecosystems Aim is to reestablish the park’s capacity to sustain all major feline species that had existed here earlier. The Kuno river and Chambal River systems traversing the park also enhance its rich biodiversity value for the Central Indian landscape

Panna National Park

Panna National Park is located in the districts of Panna and Chhatarpur. Covering 542.67 square kilometers, the park is home to seven vulture species that are endangered. Tigers at Panna National Park were previously in danger of going extinct, but they were successfully reintroduced to the area after a meticulous relocation process from other tiger reserves.

Flora and Fauna: The park’s varied vegetation, which includes dry deciduous forests and teak, provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Bengal tigers, sloth bears, wild dogs, leopards, and several types of deer are important species. Numerous bird species, such as several vultures and the white-necked stork, can be seen in the park.

Beautiful scenery and chances to see wildlife can be found in Panna National Park, especially in the area surrounding the Ken River. The park is a conservation model because of the success of its restoration efforts.

Pench National Park

Known across the world as the basis for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book, Pench National Park is a rolling landscape of verdant meadows located in the center of India. The park, which spans 758 square kilometers, is named for the Pench River that flows through it. The region contains a number of sites mentioned in the Jungle Book, such as the Wainganga River and the gorge where Sherkhan was murdered, the Seeonee Hills, and Kanhiwara Village.

Along with a sizable population of leopards, wild canines, and several species of deer, monkeys, and birds, it is also the location of the notorious black leopard. The late “Collarwali Tigress,” who rose to international renown for rearing her children in the wild while donning a radio collar for scientific study, also lived in Pench National Park. Because she gave birth to 29 cubs during her lifespan, she also gained the nickname “Supermom.”

Satpura National Park

Satpura National Park covers 524 square kilometers and is situated in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmadapuram district. Hills, valleys, gorges, and water bodies are all part of its diverse geography, which is well-known for its abundant biodiversity. A large population of tigers, Indian bears (Reech), and Malabar squirrels (Indian giant squirrels) may be found there, making it a major habitat. Fascinatingly, the majority of Indian gigantic squirrels can jump over an amazing height of roughly 6 meters and are found in Madhya Pradesh’s Satpura mountains.

A number of ecotourism activities are also available in Satpura National Park, such as jungle safaris, birdwatching, trekking, the Forsyth Trail (where you can walk in the footsteps of British Army Capt. James Forsyth, who is credited with discovering Pachmarhi and the surrounding Satpura landscape in 1857 with his troop), and camping.

Satpura’s varied landscapes and rich biodiversity offer a unique wildlife experience. The park’s remote location and lesser crowding compared to other reserves provide a more intimate wildlife viewing experience.

Van Vihar National Park

The Van Vihar National Park was established in 1979 across a 4.45 sq km area for wildlife protection and habitat conservation in central India. Van Vihar is Located in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.

One of the most revered National Parks of Central India, Van Vihar National Park is known for its efforts towards habitat and wildlife conservation. More popularly known as just ‘Van Vihar’, the park encompasses wetland areas, meadows, mixed bamboo vegetation, grass-covered plateau, and dry deciduous mixed forest. It is developed and managed by a modern zoological park, following the guidelines of the central zoo authority of India.

Van Vihar’s location in Bhopal makes it easily accessible, and its conservation efforts are a model for urban wildlife management. The park’s mixed vegetation and wetland areas offer unique viewing opportunities.

Fauna in Van Vihar National Park
Fauna includes gharial, star tortoise, tiger, leopard, hyena, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, blue bull, blackbucks, four-horned antelope, common langurs, porcupines, hare, migratory birds like pintail, spot bill, ducks, geese, spoonbill, painted stork and resident birds like purple heron.

Flora in Van Vihar National Park
Flora consists of trees like kusum, ber, karanj, tendu, mahua, bamboos, shisham, palash, amaltas, bahera, goolar and latkan.

Madhav National Park

Among the national parks in Madhya Pradesh, Madhav National Park is a popular attraction. It is situated close to Shivpuri town and covers an area of about 354 square kilometers. The existence of two lakes, Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, named after Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindi and Madho Rao Scindia, respectively, is one of Madhav National Park’s distinctive features. Boating, birdwatching, and crocodile sightings are all common activities at the lake.

In addition to the lake, the park is encircled by a number of historic sites that offer insight into the rich history and culture of the area, such as George Castle and Madhav Vilas Palace. Three tigers were recently moved to this national park from the Bhopal suburbs.

Major species found in Madhav National Park

Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Sambhar, chital, barking deer. Leopards, jackals, wild dogs, wild pigs, wolves, marsh crocodiles, turtles, etc. Tropical dry deciduous mixed forest and dry thorn forest. The Kardhai tree is the most abundant species found.

Sanjay-Dubri National Park

Sanjay Dubri National Park, a stunning wildlife reserve of 831 square kilometers, is situated in the Sidhi district. The park is home to a diverse range of plants and animals and is renowned for its high biodiversity. This national park is also home to white-rumped vultures, which are critically endangered. Following your exploration of this national park, you can always go to Parsili to have a barefoot stroll along the Banas River’s bank and enjoy stargazing under the clear stars.

Major species found in Sanjay National Park:

Tigers, along with hundreds of other species. Sal forest forms a corridor between Bandhavgarh and Palamu tiger reserve, and animals such as elephants use this corridor for their movement from one park to the other.

Ghughwa Fossil National Park

Among all the state’s national parks, Ghughwa National Park is the smallest. A priceless collection of plant fossils that date back between 40 million and 150 million years can be found in India. The Ghughwa Fossil National Park was established in 1983 and covers an area of roughly 75 acres.

Ghughua Fossil National Park in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh is a man-made park with 6.5 million-year-old plant fossils, believed to be from the Gondwana Supercontinent. The park was first discovered in 1970 and declared in 1983. Visitors can explore the park from sunrise to sunset, with ticket prices varying for Indian citizens and foreign tourists. The park showcases well-preserved fossils of woody plants, climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds, with dicotyledons and palm fossil woods being particularly abundant. The fossils represent a significant period in Earth’s history and are now visible in their modern form. The park is promoted by the M P Tourism department.

Dino Adventure Park 

It is a unique location that gives tourists the chance to travel back in time and see the world of dinosaurs. It is 4 km before Mandu. Numerous fossils, including wood and dinosaur eggs, can be found in the park. In addition to seeing life-size models of different dinosaur species, visitors can also take a guided tour to discover more about the park’s fossil collection’s history. For anyone searching for a gateway that combines comfort, enjoyment, and adventure all at once, the Dino and Fossil Park in Dhar is a great choice. curious about the planet’s past and the animals that used to live there.

These are a few of Madhya Pradesh’s (MP) breathtaking national parks. A visit to this wilderness offers the chance to relax in the midst of nature and take in the web of life. Thousands of wildlife and photography enthusiasts travel to Madhya Pradesh each year to take in the state’s breathtaking wildlife. We believe that a magnificent sighting of a wild animal in the middle of India will satisfy your desire for a fresh experience that will increase your heart rate.