Satpura National Park is the Jewel of central highlands still little unknown and has hence it has been less visited by the foreign visitors. Satpura National Park is located in the Narmadapuram District of Madhya Pradesh in India, it's name is derived from the Satpura Range. Satpura is a Sanskrit word, that means seven mountains (sapta – seven and pura – mountain).
It was first explored by Captain James Forsyth of Bengal Lancers in 1862 while he was searching for Indian Freedom Fighter Tantya Tope. The national park is made up of 3 areas: the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve and Satpura. It became a Tiger Reserve in the year 2000 and therefore it is also called Satpura Tiger Reserve. Satpura Tiger Reserve is connected to other reserves by forest corridors. It represents the largest block of tiger-inhabited forest left in the world, it provides 1427 km² of unique Central Indian Highland ecosystem.
The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines, dense forests and 10% of the area which is classified as grasslands including natural blanks on Pachmarhi plateau. The park also has a river ecosystem with Denwa river in the north and Tawa River in the west. Other than vehicle safaris, the national park also offers walking safaris, canoeing on the river and boat safaris.
The fauna of Satpura National Park is a stunning jungle treat for wildlife enthusiasts. There are more than 45 species of mammals, 250 species of birds found in the park. Beautiful birds species including Malabar whistling Thrush, Paradise Fly-catcher, Indian Skimmer, Green Munia, Honey Buzzard, Malabar pied Hornbill etc. are present in large numbers, along with birds and butterflies its fauna comprises Spotted Deer, Indian Bison (Gaur), Tigers, Leopards, Wild boar, Wild dog (locally called Dholes), Sloth bear, Black buck (unique attraction), Porcupine, Sambhar, Barasingha, four Horned antelopes (Chausingha), Pangolin, Marsh crocodile, Languars etc.
Mammals: Black Buck, Indian Wild Dogs (Dholes), Gaur (Indian Bison), Sloth Bear, Leopard, Indian Wild Boar, Spotted Deer (Cheetal), Barking Deer (Munjtac), Chausingha (Four-horned Antelope), Sambar Deer, Tiger, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Three Stripped Palm Squirrel, Common Mongoose, Striped-necked Mongoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Flying Fox, Rehesus Macaque, Langurs, Golden Jackal, Stripped Hyena, Asiatic Wildcat, Jungle Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Blue Bull (Nilgai), Indian Procupine etc.
Birds: Malabar whistling Thrush, Paradise Fly-catcher, Indian Skimmer, Green Munia, Honey Buzzard, Malabar pied Hornbill, Osprey, River Tern, Golden-fronted leaf Bird, Scarlet Minivet, Oriental Darter, Curlew Sandpiper, Pintail Snipe, Common Greenshank, Indian Courser, Common Barn Owl etc. to name a few.
Forest Type
Open Thorny Forest, mainly scrub along with Mixed Dry Deciduous Forest (Sal vegetation)
Yearly and weekly off
Holi, Diwali and Every Wednesday afternoon Safari in core zone
Area
1457 square kilometer
