Madhya Pradesh is home to some of India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries that are abodes for the majestic tiger. The state features an assortment of landscapes ranging from dense jungles to hilly terrains and harbours many wildlife sanctuaries ideal for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.
Here are six renowned tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh:
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Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve
Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve is located in the Sidhi district. It covers an area of 812.58 square kilometres. This enchanting reserve is famous for its evergreen sal forests. It is home to over 150 species of birds, 32 mammals, and many reptiles and amphibians. The park derived its name from the famous white tiger “Mohan” found here in 1951. It is best visited between October and June when chances of tiger sightings are high. Some other vital inhabitants include sloth bear, chital, sambhar, and leopard. The sal forests and bamboo thickets provide an ideal habitat for these wilderness dwellers.
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Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna Tiger Reserve is spread over 1,598 square kilometres in the Chhatarpur and Panna districts. It boasts of dry teak and mixed deciduous forests. It is home to tiger, leopard, wolf, and four-horned antelope and is famed for over 200 bird species like the crested serpent eagle. The Ken River flowing through enhances the scenic beauty. Between October and June, you must visit for safari outings and chances to spot the elusive tiger and other wildlife. Walk trails lead you through natural environs populated by wild denizens like sambhar and blue bull.
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Satpura Tiger Reserve
Satpura Tiger Reserve is a 2,133 square kilometre sanctuary in the Hoshangabad district and lies in the Satpura mountain ranges. The area is covered by sal and teak trees and has more than 300 bird species, including the paradise flycatcher, the state bird. The sanctuary is home to giant squirrels and leaping predators such as tigers and leopards. It is a biodiversity hotspot with 52 mammals and 31 reptile species. You must visit from October to June when nature blooms with activities like cycling, boating and wildlife viewing.
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Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha Tiger Reserve covers an area of 2,051 square kilometres over the Mandla and Balaghat districts. It is famous as the habitat of the endangered Barasingha or hard-ground deer. Its lush sal forests sustain rich wildlife, including over 300 birds and 43 mammals. It is home to the state animal tiger and other inhabitants like sloth bear, dhole or wild dog. From October to June, you can best explore this reserve on jungle safaris and guided nature walks. The dense jungles make it an ideal place to encounter wild elephants, panthers and sambhars in their natural environment.
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Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
This 1,536 square kilometre sanctuary spans the Umaria and Katni districts and is named after the ancient Bandhavgarh fort. It is known for its healthy tiger population and diverse terrain. It houses over 240 bird species and giant herbivores like sambhar, chital and black buck. You must visit between October and June for opportunities to spot the reigning tiger and other carnivores like leopards and wild dogs on safaris. Explore the varied attractions of hills, valleys, rivers and forests.
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Pench Tiger Reserve
Pench Tiger Reserve is spread over 1,179 square kilometres in the Chhindwara and Seoni districts. You would be amazed to know that this was where Rudyard Kipling set his famous story “The Jungle Book”. Its tropical forests comprise several vegetation types, home to over 300 bird species and tigers, leopards and sambhars. Did you know Pench is India’s third tiger reserve? It provides overnight accommodations in resorts positioned on the periphery of the mainland’s location. The best time to visit is from October to June, when you can see the common spotted deer or mongoose and a few flagship big cats on jungle safaris and treks.
All these magnificent tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh offer invaluable opportunities to observe India’s wilderness treasures, such as majestic tigers, hardground deer, and myriad avian life, up close in their natural surroundings. They make for exciting wildlife retreats for nature lovers and those wishing to experience the rustic beauty of the Indian forests and hills.
