Tiger Conservation in Madhya Pradesh :

Madhya Pradesh is the heritage heartland of India. The Central province of India, Madhya Pradesh is blessed by nature, encountered by wild animals, stepped in history and alive by wildlife. For those who live it up to the edge and go beyond the ordinary to explore the best of the jungles, holidays in Madhya Pradesh is a treat for them. From deer to wild boar to tigers, Madhya Pradesh is a world of the wild animals. 

Madhya Pradesh, the land of diversity is one of the most exciting wildlife destinations in India. For avid nature lovers, there are 9 National Parks, 6 Tiger Reserves and 25 Wildlife Sanctuaries to quench the adventure thirst. The heart of India, Madhya Pradesh is a kaleidoscope of nature. Madhya Pradesh, the erstwhile tiger state of the country with maximum numbers of striped felines, has reclaimed its coveted title that it had lost to Karnataka about a decade ago. According to a fresh tiger census report, the central Indian state has reported the presence of 526 tigers.

The 2018 report has put the total number of striped cats in the country at 2,967 with MP’s tally going up to 526 from 308 recorded in 2014. Karnataka that has been topping the list since 2010 slipped to the second place though by a very close margin with 524 tigers. In the last four years, MP has been able to add 218 tigers to its forests which seems no less than a feat given the poor record the state holds in terms of tiger safety. According to a report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), India lost 657 tigers between 2012 and 2017 with MP being hit the hardest (141).

According to a report from the wildlife group CLAW (Conservation Lenses and Wildlife), MP lost 12, 9, 14, 11 and 30 tigers in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, owing to a variety of reasons, including natural deaths, poisoning, electrocution, territorial fight and others. Since the establishment of tiger reserves in the Eighties, MP continued to be home to the largest number of big cats. However, with the rise in poaching, the ill-equipped state struggled to fight the menace and tiger population started to decline since the beginning of this century. In 2010, it reported 257 tigers as against Karnataka’s 300. The efforts to safeguard big cats had intensified in the state, especially after a wipeout in the Panna Tiger Reserve that was once home to about 22 tigers. The reserve had lost all its tigers mostly to poaching by 2009. However, with a globally famed conservation effort, the reserve re-introduced tigers in the wilderness and now boasts of hosting over three dozen tigers.

With the growing tiger count in the state, the majestic animal’s territory has evolved to new habitats, including Shahdol and Katni, close to the famed Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve on the outskirts of Bhopal, at Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and Hoshangabad near Bhopal, Dewas and Barwah close to Indore. MP has six tiger reserves — Panna, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Kanha, Pench and Sanjay Dubri. However, even as poaching ebbed, electrocution of tigers both by locals who crave for big cat organs for tantric rituals and for purposes of sale and farmers has proved to be a major menace.

Conservation Reserves in Madhya Pradesh :

National Parks in Madhya Pradesh : Madhya Pradesh is one of those promising states in India where the chances of spotting a tiger are tremendous. Whether it's Bandhavgarh or Kanha or Pench, each and every national park is far from the civilization and has a rustic charm of its own. Remarkable flora and fauna of these nine National Parks is matched by scenic landscapes along with the incredible diversity. Some of the national parks, including Bandhavgarh were once the hunting ground of the Royals.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh : There is no better way to introduce one to wildlife and to share its incredible beauty than to go for safari to the wildlife haunts of the Madhya Pradesh. The wildlife sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh have lured millions of nature and wildlife lovers from across the world. To observe the rich wildlife culture of Madhya Pradesh, there are 35 wildlife sanctuaries to explore. All these wildlife sanctuaries are ideal places to witness the imposing beauty of the forest and the wilderness of the national park.

Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh : Madhya Pradesh alias the tiger state is undoubtedly the best places to spot tigers. Yes, it right. Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest density of tigers in India. Entirely there are six tiger reserves in India. In fact, two of its tiger reserves are known to spot the wild cat- Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park. In all these reserves, the tigers can be seen meandering around freely. Other than tigers, here one can see deer, leopards, etc. In all these tiger reserves, the animals are preserved under the conservation initiative, Project Tiger.

Fossil Reserves in Madhya Pradesh : Madhya Pradesh has everything that a nature lover can ask for in their desirable destination. There are national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and fossil parks as well. The fossil park that has spread over the Mandla district has fossils that are as old as 40-150 million years old. Sprawling over an area of 274,100 square metres, here one can see the petrified trunks of ancient trees and rocks. Plant, leaf, shell and fruit seed fossil that are seen here as old as 65 million years. All these fossils look ordinary in the form of rock. Palm fossil is the attraction of the park. Fossils of the park have been overlooked and damaged by the tourist and agriculturist.