Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna Tiger Reserve
Panna is the twenty second Tiger Reserve of India and fifth in Madhya Pradesh . The Reserve is situated in the Vindhyan Ranges and spreads over Panna and Chattarpur districts in the north of the state.
Panna National Park was created in 1981. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve by Government of India in 1994. The National Park consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary comprised 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 on Chhatarpur side were the hunting preserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states in the past.
Highlights of the park
- The park along with the surrounding territorial forest area of North and South Panna divisions is the only large chunk of wildlife habitat remaining in North Madhya Pradesh in otherwise fragmented forest landscape of the area. Panna National Park represents one of the important Tiger habitats of Central Indian Highlands along with its associated species.
- Forests of Panna National Park along with Ken Gharial Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions form a significant part of the catchment area of the river Ken with a total length of 406 km runs for about 72 kms through this catchment.
- Apart from their conservation values, the forests of Panna have a variety of tourism resources capable of providing rich and diverse cultural, historical, religious wilderness and adventure experience. Panna offers tremendous tourism potential being situated very close to the ancient temple down of Khajuraho, which is already on the international map of tourist destinations.
- Best Time to Visit Panna National Park November to May is the best time to visit the park. If you are ready to tackle the hot tropical climate, visit between March and May. If you want to experience a mild climate and a lot of birds, visit between November and January.