Tag: National Park

PANNA

Panna, the erstwhile capital of the Bundela Kingdom in Madhya Pradesh is famous for the Panna National Park. Panna Town, the administrative headquaters of Panna District, is the hub of many religious monuments, which showcases the architectural Marvel’s of Hindu and Islamic styles. Adorned with greenish meadows dotted with evergreen trees, undulating forests, hills and rocks, Panna serves as a perfect place for holiday tours.
Panna National Park was created in 1981. It was declared as a Project Tiger Reserve in1994. The National Park consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. The sanctuary compromised of territorial forests of the present North and South Panna Forest Division to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur forest division was added later. The reserved forests of the Park in Panna district and some protected forests bordering Chhatarpur were the hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states in the past. The location of the National Park is crucial as it is situated at a point where the continuity of the forest belt, which starts from Cape Comorin in the south is broken and from there beyond, the great Gangetic plains begin. This area is also the northern most tip of the natural teak forests and the eastern most tip of the natural Kardhani forests. The Ken river, which flows through the reserve from south to north, is home for Gharial and Mugger.
Tiger, the king of the jungle, roams freely in the secure habitat along with his fellow creatures like leopard, wild dog, wolf, hyena and caracal and smaller cats. Sloth bear has his most favorite home in the rock escarpments and undistributed vales. The wooded areas are dotted with sambar – the largest of Indian deers, chital and chowsingha. Other animals that can be found are nilgai, chinkara, snakes and reptiles.
There are more than 200 species of birds including migratory birds. One can see White Necked Stork, Bar-Headed Goose, Honey Buzzard, King vulture, Blossom Headed parakeet,etc.
Panna has dry and hot climate and has shallow Vindhyan soil which give rise to dry Teak and dry mixed forest. The dominating vegetation type is miscellaneous dry deciduous forest inter spread with grassland areas. The characteristic floral species of this area include tree species such as Tectona fransis, Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuva indica, Buchnania latifolia, etc.
OTHER PLACES TO EXPLORE 

Fort of Ajaygarh 
Built in 1765 AD by the nephew of the Maharaja of Jaitpur, the fort is situated at a height of 800 ft. However by 1809 the Britishers overpowered it.
Gatha Falls
The height of Gatha fall measures up to 91 meters.The Gatha falls are at their prime during the rainy season, when the river water swells to the maximum. River Ken is the water source of Gatha Falls.
Mahamati Prannathji Mandir 
It is one of the most revered pilgrim places for the Pranami sect followers the world over. The temple was completed in 1692. Other than this Padmavati temple, Jugal Kishore Temple and Kalinjir Fort are with a visit.
National Museum 
It was established in 1988. It has a remarkable collection of icons and coins. 

BANDHAVGARH: National Park With a Rich Historical Past

Bandhavgarh is a small National Park ; compact, yet teeming with wildlife. The density of the tiger population in Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. This is also White Tiger country. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many years. The last known was captured by Maharaja Martand Singh in 1951. This white tiger, Mohun, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the Maharajas of Rewa.
The terrain is of great Rocky hills rising sharply from the swampy and densely-forested valley bottoms. The finest of these hills in Bandhavgarh, sided with great cliffs and eroded rocks and on its highest point stands Bandhavgarh Fort, and particularly around the fort, are numerous caves containing shrines and ancient Sanskrit inscriptions.
Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandhavgrah had long been maintained by as a Shikargah, or game reserve, of the Maharajas of Rewa. Hunting was carried out by the Maharajas and their guests – otherwise the wildlife was relatively well-protected. 
In 1947 Rewa State was merged with Madhya Pradesh; Bandhavgarh came under the regulation of Madhya Pradesh. The Maharaja of Rewa still retained the hunting rights of Bandhavgarh and no special measures were taken until 1968, when the areas were constituted as a National Park, since then, numerous steps have been taken to retain Bandhavgarh Bational Park as an unspoilt natural habitat. 

What to see 

The Fort 
The Fort is estimated to be 2000 years old. Various dynasties have ruled the fort : the Maghas from the 1st century AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century AD, the Sengars from the 5th century AD, the Baghela took over, ruling from Badhavgarh until 1617, when Maharaja Vikramaditya Singh moved hi capital to Rewa. The last inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935.
Flora 
The vegetation is chiefly of Sal forest in the valleys and on the lower slopes, gradually changing to mixed deciduous forest on the hills and in the hotter, drier areas of the park in the south and west. Bamboo is found throughout.
Wildlife
There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic jackal, Bengal Fox, sloth bear, ratel, grey mongoose, striped Hynes, jungle cat, leopard and tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are wild pig, spotted dear, sambar, chausingha, nilgai and chinkara. Mammals such as dhole, the small Indian civet, palm squirrel and lesser bandicoot rat are seen occassionally. The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in birdlife. The common ones are little grebe, egret, lesser adjutant, saris crane, black kite, crested peafowl, red jungle fowl, dove, parakeet, kingfisher and Indian roller. Reptilian fauna include cobra, Krait, viper, ratsnake, etc.

Wildlife viewing 
The main way of getting about in the park is motor vehicle. Jeep safaris timing are from 10 am to 4 pm, as the animals are most active during these periods. A Forest Department guide must always accompany you. This guide will able to direct you and point out wildlife.