Top 5 National Parks In Madhya Pradesh

The central state of India is eminent for its flora and fauna globally. The pride of “Incredible India” is brimmed with Rajput Mahals, forts, palaces, the scrumptious food cuisines (for example, Afghani, Rajputana et cetera) and intricate designs on saris. Madhya Pradesh has 9 national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries. It is also known as the heart of India. In tune with the national consciousness, several steps are taken by the concerned authorities of the national park to conserve the wildlife and vegetation. It comprises of 19% of the state’s tiger population and 10% of the world’s tiger population. So, it’s time that we mull over Madhya Pradesh’s sheer ecstasy in terms of flora and fauna!

1. Kanha National Park

The extravagant “Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling was written under the inspiration of Kanha National Park which is the largest in the state. It has got lush green meadows, tiny hamlets and ravines. Bamni Dadar or the sunset point is the chief attraction over here.

Sprawling tigers can be spotted very easily in their natural habitat as they roam around freely unlike in zoos. The Banjar and the Halon valley that constitute the Kanha National park have unscarred beauty maintained over the years. Black buck, swamp deer, sambhar and chital are common animals over here. Bison, Gaur, Barasingha, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Finches, Cuckoos, Rock Pigeons, Papihas, Bee-Eater, Spur Fowl, Partridges, Quails, Pythons, Fly Catchers, Sloth Bear, Hyenas, Jungle Cats, Mongoose, Leopard and Nilgai are the effortless sightings of this place.

2. Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park can prove to be a magnificent trip down the grassy meadows on elephant safaris or jeep safaris. It has the highest tiger population in India. Steep ridges and forested undulating valleys provide a majestic glance of the species living in the region.
The name of the park is derived from a hillock in this place. Leopards and sloth bears can be easily spotted over here. The lanky sal trees offer a thick canopy in the park. It is located in the Umrai district of Madhya Pradesh. It is closed from July 1 to October 15 and the temperatures range from 2 to 42 degrees Celsius.

3. Panna National Park

Panna National Park is located in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. Best time to visit this place is from January to May. During monsoon, the rain gods drench the forest with lush greenery. Myriad mammals, avifauna, reptiles and fauna offer a praiseworthy glimpse of the nature and the wilderness. A host of migratory birds also visit the park. Nilgai, leopards, Chinkara can be spotted easily in the Vindhyan soils. Teak woods are also extremely prominent over here. Jeep safaris are exotic too.

4. Pench National Park

Pench National Park of Madhya Pradesh is nestled in the Satpurahill, which is the southern boundary of the state. The topography supports a mosaic of vegetation. It has a rich canopy of mixed forests. Chital and Sambar are the highly populated animals of the region. It has a high density of herbivores in India. 1200 species of plants have been found in the region which is rich in deciduous forests.

Temperatures range from 3.1 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit and the park remains closed throughout October.

5. Madhav National Park

It is located in the Shivpuri districts of Gwalior. Sakhya and Madhav Sagar are the two lakes which form the support system of this national park which is located in the upper Vindhyan hills. The “Crocodile safari” is a major attraction in this place. Nilgai, Chital,Sambar, leopard, wolf, jackal, porcupine, python, wild pig and marsh crocodile offer a pleasant glare in their own natural habitat. Flat central grasslands and mixed deciduous forests offer a way to rejuvenate oneself.

During the Mughal era, Emperor Akbar had marked this land as a royal shooting reserve. However, the last resident of the wild tigers were seen in 1970 in this national park.

I’m sure that the list must have made you stand up on your feet with a backpack to travel the picturesque national parks in Madhya Pradesh. But while traveling, keep in mind the basic rules of visiting the national parks and kindly, behave as a civilized citizen. For example, do not try and feed the animals. Do not wear flashy colors. Do not litter and check out on the timings of different parks before you visit.