Chhattisgarh is known for its heavy forested regions and local culture which is intrinsically connected to the trees and forests of the state. Located in Central India, Chhattisgarh is home to tigers and leopards as well as many birds that pass through the state during the winter season. Let us look at the top five National Parks (or Wildlife sanctuaries) of Chhattisgarh.
1. Pameda Wildlife Sanctuary
The Pameda Wildlife Sanctuary was established in the year 1983. It was created to protect the wild buffalo found here in the state of Chhattisgarh. Located in Dantewada district, the sanctuary is covered in dense forests, lakes and streams. Spanning over 262 square kilometres, the sanctuary is home to hyenas, wild dogs, wolves, jackals, deer, buffalos and a variety of birds. The sanctuary is very well known for its diversity when it comes to birds and animals. Open throughout the year, the best time to visit is between November and May.
2. Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary
The Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary is in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh and has historical importance for being one of the areas under the Raj Gond dynasty. The sanctuary was established in 1972 in the hopes of protecting the bio-diversity of the area. Two rivers, Lath and Manai flow through the park and attract animals to its shore such as foxes, leopards, jackals etc. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between November to May.
3. Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kabirdham district of the state. It was under the rule of Kalachuri kings in the 10th century. It is named after the Bhoramdeo temple which is located near the region. The sanctuary spans over 163 square kilometres and is home to a variety of animals like hyenas, leopards, cheetal, wild buffalo and nilgai. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between November and March.
4. Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, the Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a number of different trees and animals. The trees here include bamboo, teak, sal and tendu. The wildlife here ranges from antelopes, chinkara, black bucks, tigers and leopards. Open throughout the year, the best time to visit the sanctuary is between November to June. Established in the year 1974, the sanctuary was built in order to make a tiger sanctuary for the state. The terrain is hilly and fertile, encouraging diverse flora and fauna to prosper in the region.
5. Guru Ghasidas National Park
Located in Koriya district, the Guru Ghasidas National Park was established in the year 2000. It is a part of the Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve that is located within both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The tropical climate of the park allows it to be the perfect home for tigers. Other than tigers, the park is also home to deers, leopards, neelgai and chinkaras. The dense forests have sal trees and many rivulets passing through the sanctuary. Best time to visit the park is between the months of November and May when the migratory birds are passing through the sanctuary. The National Park is filled with birds during the winters when the migratory birds are visiting. During this time, the park is filled with tourists who come from all over the world to bird-watch!
Chhattisgarh has a mix terrain of hilly areas as well as fertile plains. The deciduous forests cover 44% of the area and the state animal is the wild water buffalo. The state is very rich in bio-diversity as well as topographical conditions. Due to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, the weather is humid but during the winters, the climate becomes pleasant. Chhattisgarh is the place to go for nature enthusiasts as well as tourists who want to experience the local tribal way of living!
Guru ghasidas national park (sanjay park)located in ambikapur, sarguja district not koriya district….