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Panna National Park

Panna is situated in the Vindhyan hill range and spreads over Panna and Chhtarpur districts in the northern part of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.).

One of the most significant ecological aspects of the Reserve is that the district Panna makes the northern most boundary of natural distribution of teak and the eastern limits of teak-kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) mixed forests.

The Ken river, which flows through the Reserve form south to north, is the home for Long Snouted crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (mugger) and other aquatic fauna. Ken is one of the sixteen perennial rivers of M.P. and is truly the life-line of the Reserve. It offers some of the most spectacular scenery while it meanders for about 55 km. through the Reserve.

The terrain of the Reserve is characterized by extensive plateaus and gorges. The topography in the Panna district part of the Reserve can broadly be divided into three distinct tablelands - the upper Talgaon Plateau, the middle Hinouta Plateau and the Ken valley. There are also a series of undulating hills and plateaus on the other side of Ken river in the Chhatarpur district.

The Reserve's most undisturbed habitat of about 70-80 sq. km. lies on the Hinouta plateau. This is due to relocation of three villages from this area in 1980s. Dry and short grass habitat with and chinkara. The areas with tall grasses associated with woodland, support good densities of sambar and chital. Mesic areas are distributed along the major seasonal streams and in the Ken river valley. Steep slopes of plateaus are driver and are dominated by Acacia catechu. Distribution of these habitats creates a heterogeneous landscape, where ecological conditions vary seasonally.

Panna Tiger Reserve is the most important protected area in the north-central highlands of India, as it links the eastern and western populations of wild animals through the NE-SW running Vindhyan ranges.

Archaeological Richness
The Reserve is dotted with ancient rock paintings, which are believed to be around two thousand years old. Old relics of Gondwana period (rule of the tribal people of Central India) are scattered all over the Reserve.

Forest Types
Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Dry Teak Forest
Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest
Dry Deciduous Scrub Forest
Boswellia Forest
Dry Bamboo Brakes
Anogeissus pendula Forest

General Information :
Location : Encompassing the forest divided by the Ken river flowing north to join the Yamuna.
Size : 209 sq miles ( 543 sq km ).
Best time to Visit : January to May.

Panna Wildlife Park Flora

Tectona grandis
Diospyros melanoxylon
Madhuca indica
Buchanania tanzan
Anogeissus latifolia
Anogeissus pendula
Lannea coromandalica
Boswellia serrata
Acacia catechu
Zizyphus spp.
Aegle marmelos
Butea monosperma
Gardenia spp.



Panna Wildlife Park Fauna

Mammals :
Tiger
Jungle Cat
Leopard
Hyena
Wild Dog
Wolf, Sloth Bear
Sambar
Spotted Deer or Chital
Blue Bull or Nilgai
Chinkara
Fourhorned Antelope or Chausinga
Porcupine
Jungle Cat
Rusty Spotted Cat
Hare
Ratel and Tree shrew.

Avifauna : Over 200 species have been identified, which include a host of winter migratory birds.

Reptiles : Long Snouted Crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (mugger) are found in the Ken river.



Wildlife Conservation in Panna

Panna National Reserve was created in 1981. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1994, the 22nd in the country and 5th in the State. The National Reserve consists of areas form the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary comprised of territorial forests of the present North Panna Forest Division to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur Forest Division was added later. The reserved forests of the Reserve in Panna district and some protected forests on Chhatarpur district were the hunting preserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states.



Suggested Tours : Indian Wildlife Tour : Wildlife Tour of India and Nepal : Special Birding Tour with Bird Guide : Tiger Safari Packages in India India : Extensive Tiger Tour of North India : Tiger Safari Packages in India with Taj

Panna National Park : Fact File : Flora of Panna : Fauna of Panna : Map of Panna : Wildlife Conservation in Panna