Epiconic Travel

Explore The National Parks Of Central India

India is home to an extensive natural reserve of flora and fauna across the length and breadth of the country. There are several zones of forests with a unique stock of natural animal life and ecological reserves in the country. 

Though civilization over the centuries has invaded much of it, there has been a sustained effort to conserve it as well. starting from pre-independent India and continuing through the years after Independence, there have been several national Parks and forest reserves created to ensure a safe habitat for animal and plant life. 

National Parks

The presence of National Parks in every part of India has been a conscious effort to preserve natural habitats of animal life and an ecological balance of a region. Presently there are approximately 106 National Parks in India. 

These have been created and designed with large tracts of natural reserves of forest land that include indigenous wildlife and flora of a region. 

When you are traveling through National Parks in India, there is nothing much within the forest areas that is man-made. The natural characteristics have been retained to give the feel of their home to wild animals and birds. 

Central India Forest Reserves

One of the most densely forested lands of India is found in the central parts of the country. This is also home to some of the most exotic wildlife and natural growth of forest land. 

To preserve these, there are several National Parks located in Central India, which are also some of the finest spots for watching wildlife from a close range. 

Here are some of the well-known national parks in Central India. 

• Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Kanger Ghati National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Indravati National Park, Chhattisgarh
• Guru Ghasidas National Park, Chhattisgarh

Bandhavgarh National Park

Area: 1536 Square Kilometer

Open & Close: 15th Oct Till 30th June

This is one of the most famous among all National Parks in Central India, owing to its large number of free-roaming Royal Bengal tigers. The park was first established in 1968, further, it was declared a Tiger reserve in 1993. From then onwards Tiger conservation has seen consistent improvement at this park. 

The best time to visit this park is the months between October through June. 

The other wildlife species commonly spotted here are leopards, panthers, deer, and birds. There are arrangements available for jungle safaris that can be booked in advance. The natural topography of the park is also a photographer’s delight. 

Pench National Park

Area: 292.8 Square Kilometer

Open & Close: 15th Oct Till End of June

The Pench National Park is located in the Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh and was established in 1975. There is a huge reserve of tigers here along with leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, wild dogs, Indian bison, and striped hyenas among others. Here is also a sanctuary of approximately 300 species of birds that have been often seen at the park.

There are arrangements to stay at the park within a restricted area; jungle safaris are also conducted regularly for visitors between November through June when the park is open for visitors. 

Kanha National Park 

Area: 940 Square Kilometer

Open & Close: 15th Oct Till 30th June

It is believed that Kanha National Park was one of the inspirations behind the famous work of Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book. Located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this National Park came into existence in 1955. Later in 1974, this was declared a tiger reserve. 

It is very close to Jabalpur and accessible by bus or taxi. It takes a journey of about 4 hours to reach the park from Jabalpur. 

Kanha National Park has a large population of tigers and the sambhar or the chital; also found here are leopards, the barasingha antelopes, gaur or the Indian bison, the spotted deer, nilgai, monkeys, wild dogs, and wild boars. 

There are almost as many as 200 species of birds that frequent this forest reserve and among them, are the Kingfisher birds, herons, partridges, quails, jungle fowl, egrets, flycatchers, teals, warblers, and woodpeckers to name a few. These birds among many others are spotted at the Kanha National Park making this a favorite among bird watchers. 

Satpura National Park

Area: 524 Square Kilometer

Open & Close: 15th Oct Till 30th June

The Satpura National Park is a beautiful destination for safari lovers and those who love to walk through jungle trails was established in 1981.

Among the wildlife that is spotted here are leopards, the Indian bison, wild dogs, the sloth bear, the black buck, and a large population of crocodiles. The crocodiles are in fact of the main attractions of the Satpura National Park. 

Here too, like other National Parks of Central India, there is a large species of rare and beautiful birds that are spotted frequently. 

The months between October through April are the best time for a visit here. Satpura National Park is easily accessible from Jabalpur and Bhopal, which is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. 

Panna National Park

Area: 542.7 Square Kilometer

Open & Close: 15th Oct Till 30th June

The Panna National Park was established in 1981 and was always a popular reserve among the royal families of the neighboring princely states. 

Visitors come here to see the wildlife reserves of the Park with its large numbers of tigers, leopards, and elephants. The chital and the chinkara are spotted here along with a large number of bird species as well. 

The Panna National Park remains open from November through June but the best time to visit would be between February and March. 

It is within 25 kilometers of Khajuraho, one of the famous tourist destinations in India, in Madhya Pradesh, where the nearest airport is also located. 

Kanger Ghati National Park 

Area: 200 Square Kilometer

Open & Close: 15th Oct Till 30th June; Closed During Rainy Season

Located in another part of central India, the Kanger Ghati National Park is located in the newly created Indian state of Chhattisgarh which was earlier a part of a bigger Madhya Pradesh. 

The Kanger Ghati National Park came into existence in 1982 and is located around the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh which is also very close to Jabalpur. This is also one of the densest forest growths of Central India and is home to tigers, leopards, wild cats, sloth bears, langurs, chital, sambhar, jackals, and deer. 

The forests are also an ecological reserve of some of the varied species of trees and plant life. Birds of different species are also spotted here regularly.  

There is a fascinating topography visible at the Kanger Ghati National Park with its deep gorges, mountains, and waterfalls. 

The best time to visit this National Park is between November through June. 

Summing up

Among several other National Parks located in the Central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, these are some of the most frequented and popular wildlife reserves. 

These parks have also become the breeding grounds for many species of wildlife and plant life that were on the verge of extinction. These parks have also become a secure habitat for animals that are protecting them from the hands of poachers and illegal animal hunters.