National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Chattisgarh

Chhattisgarh located in central India is among the states which has the maximum land under forest area, encompassing an area of nearly 1,35,133 sq. kms. 44 per cent of the total area of Chhattisgarh comes under forests, which contributes to the 12 per cent of the of India’s total forests.

The state has immense possibility for wildlife and eco-tourism because of its rich bio-diversity. Chhattisgarh is blessed with some of the most endangered and rare wildlife species are found here. For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers Chhattisgarh is a perfect destination.

The newly formed Indian state of Chhattisgarh is famous for its enchantingly beautiful natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and unique tribal populations. With over 44 per cent of its total area under forests, Chhattisgarh is also amongst the greenest states of India. The Chhattisgarh region is known as a great repository of biological diversity. The unique combination of rich cultural heritage and biological diversity makes Chhattisgarh an ideal eco-tourism destination. Chhattisgarh has some identified regions with a very high possibility for eco-tourism.

The green state has launched an eco-tourism project covering three potential tourist tracks –

RaipurTurtiria-Sirpur,

Bilaspur-Achanakmar and

Jagdalpur-Kanger Valley National Park.

In addition, a number of herbal gardens and natural health resorts have been created with increased local participation. The use of ethnomedicine, which has been practiced by aboriginal tribes since centuries is also being promoted in Chhattisgarh. The major eco-tourism attractions, which are getting prime attention in Chhattisgarh, includes the protection and development of the wildlife areas, camping grounds and trekking facilities.

With so many initiatives, Chhattisgarh is destined to become the most favourite eco-tourism destination in India and few among best in the world. Endowed with 22 varieties of forests, the main trees found here are teak, sal, sirsa, mahua, amla and tamarind. The forests of Chhattisgarh are home to wild buffalo, crocodile, civet, gaur, leopard, macaque, otter and many species of birds.

Major steps are being taken by the Government of Chhattisgarh to preserve the unique biodiversity of the region. Also being promoted as the ‘herbal state’ over 500 species of plants is found here such as mahua, kusum, imli and kalmegh. Some of them are used for medicinal purpose. From migraines to malaria, cures for all ailments are possible. Bhuineem (Andropgraphis paniculata) soaked in water cures malaria. For snake bites one can take anantmool (Hemidesmus indicus). The largest market for medicinal herbs and plants is Dhamtari. About 7,000 Joint Forest Managing (JFM) Committees and 913 Primary Committees are involved in the herbal medicine trade. Herbal Medicine Board has also been set up. Chhattisgarh is slowly and steadily emerging as a major centre for herbal medicine.

Kanger Valley National Park

Located amidst the 34 kms long and scenic Kanger Valley, a Biosphere Reserve, Kanger Valley National Park is one of the most beautiful and picturesque national parks of India. Known for its scenic beauty and the unique and rich biodiversity, Kanger Valley attained the status of a National Park in 1982. Besides wildlife and plants, there are many tourist attractions inside the park such as the Kutamsar Caves, Kailash Caves, Dandak Caves and Tiratgarh Waterfalls.

The flora in the park chiefly comprises mixed moist deciduous type of forests with predominance of Sal, Teak and Bamboo trees. In fact, the Kanger Valley is the only region in the Peninsular India where one of the last pockets of virgin and untouched forests still left. Major Wildlife of the Kanger Valley National Park are the Leopards, Mouse Deer, Wild Cat, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Jackals, Langurs, Rhesus Macaque, Sloth Bear, Flying Squirrel, Wild Boar, Striped Hyena, Rabbits, Pythons, Cobra, Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards and Snakes to name a few. The avian fauna at the Park includes Hill Myna, Spotted Owlet, Red Jungle Fowls, Racket-tailed Drongos, Peacocks, Parrots, Steppe Eagles, Red Spur Fall, Phakta, Bhura Teeter, Tree Pie and Heron among many others.

National parks & wildlife sanctuaries of chattisgarh

Indravati National Park

Indravati National Park is the finest and most famous wildlife parks of Chhattisgarh. Also the only Tiger Reserve in the state, Indravati National Park is located in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. The Park derives its name from the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and forms the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra. With a total area of approximately 2799.08 sq kms, Indravati attained the status of a National Park in 1981 and a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under the famous Project Tiger of India to become one of the most famous tiger reserves of India.

The flora in the Indravati National Park mainly comprises tropical moist and dry deciduous type with predominance of the Sal, Teak and Bamboo trees. The most commonly found trees in the park are Teak, Lendia, Salai, Mahua, Tendu, Semal, Haldu, Ber and Jamun. The major wildlife in Indravati National Park include the endangered Wild Buffalos, Barasinghas, Leopards, Gaurs (Indian Bison), Nilgai, Sambar, Chausingha (fourhorned Antelope), Sloth Bear, Dhole (Wild Dog), Striped Hyena, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Pangolins, Monkeys and Langurs among many others. The commonly found reptiles in the park are Freshwater Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python, Cobra and Russells Viper to name a few. The Park also gives shelter to the large variety of birds of which Hill Maina is the most important species here.

Barnawapara Sanctuary

Located in the northern part of Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the finest and important wildlife sanctuaries in the region. Established in 1976 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the sanctuary is relatively a small one covering an area of only 245 sq kms. The topography of the region comprises flat and hilly terrain with altitudes ranging between 265-400 mts. The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its lush green vegetations and unique wildlife

The flora of Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary chiefly comprises of tropical dry deciduous forest with Teak, Sal, Bamboo and Terminalia being the prominent trees. Other major plants found in the sanctuary include Semal, Mahua, Ber and Tendu. The rich and lush vegetation cover supports a wide variety of wildlife in the sanctuary. The major wildlife of the Barnawapara Sanctuary include Sloth Bear, Flying Squirrels, Jackals, Fourhorned Antelopes, Leopards, Chinkara, Black Buck, Jungle Cat, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Monkey, Bison, Striped Hyena, Wild Dogs, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Cobra, Python to name a few. The sanctuary also has a sizable bird population with prominent being the Parrots, Bulbul, White-rumped Vultures, Green Avadavat, Lesser Kestrels, Peafowl, Wood Peckers, Racket-tailed Drongos, Egrets, and Herons to name few.

Its open forest serves as habitat of a number of wild animals such as Leopard, Hyena, Fox, Bear, Cheetal, Wild Buffalo, Nilgai etc. Bhoramdeo wildlife sanctuary encompasses mixed vegetation comprising normally of sal, saja, teinsa, kara, haldu species.

Sitanadi Sanctuary

Located in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous and important wildlife sanctuaries in central India. Established in 1974 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the sanctuary covers an area of approximately 556 sq kms, comprising of highly undulating and hilly terrain with altitudes ranging between 327-736 mts. The beautiful sanctuary derives its name from the Sitanadi river that originates in the middle of sanctuary and joins Mahanadi river near Deokhut. Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its lush green flora and rich and unique and diverse fauna and has great potential to emerge as one of the finest wildlife destinations in central India.

The flora in Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary chiefly comprises moist peninsular Sal, Teak and Bamboo forests. Other major plants in the sanctuary include Semal, Mahua, Harra, Ber and Tendu. The major wildlife found in Sitanadi Sanctuary include Leopards, Flying Squirrels, Jackals, Four-horned Antelopes, Chinkara, Black Buck, Jungle Cat, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Monkey, Bison, Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Wild Dogs, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Cobra, Python among many others. The sanctuary also has a sizable bird population with prominent being the Parrots, Bulbul, Peafowl, Pheasant, Crimson Breasted Barbet, Teetar, Tree Pie, Racket-tailed Drongos, Egrets, and Herons to name few.

Udanti Sanctuary

Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary is a small but an important wildlife sanctuary in the region. Established in 1983 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the sanctuary covers an area of approximately 232 sq km. the topography of the sanctuary comprises broken mass of land traversed by innumerable hill ranges intercepted by stripes of plains. The beautiful sanctuary derives its name from the Udanti river flowing from the west to east covering major part of the sanctuary. Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its population of the endangered Wild Buffalos.

The flora in Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary chiefly comprises of Tropical Dry Peninsular Sal forests and Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forests. Major flora in the sanctuary comprises of Teak, Sal, Salai, Bamboo, Mahul, Semal, Mahua, Aonwla, Tendu, Harra and Ber among others. The wildlife found in Udanti Sanctuary include Wild Buffalos, Panthers, Tigers, Chital, Four-horned Antelopes, Chinkara, Black Buck, Sambar, Nilgai, Jungle cat, Barking Deer, Sloth bear, Gaur, Wild dog, Porcupine, Monkey, Jackals, Bison, Striped Hyena, Fox, Cobras, Pythons etc. The sanctuary also has a sizable population of birds with prominent being the Parrots, Bulbul, Peafowl, Racket-tailed Drongos, Egrets, Heron, Magpie robin, lesser whistling Teal, Pintail, Rollers and Herons to name few.

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted in the year 1975 it comprises of 557.55 sq kms. North west forest block of Bilaspur forest division. Forest vegetation mainly comprises of sal, saja, tinsa, bija , bamboo. The sanctuary is close to Amarkantak which is the origin of river Narmada. This is only sanctuary where Tigers are spotted.

Bhoramdeo Sanctuary

Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the eleven wild life sanctuaries of Chhattisgarh state. It is located at Kabirdham district. It is named after famous Bhoramdeo temples. Drained by river Sakari which also serves as source of drinking water to wild animals.

State Animal & bird of chattisgarh

The wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis arnee) population of central India is one such example whose local existence is gravely threatened. Once found in abundance across northeast India extending to northern and central India, the species now has its last bastions in some pockets in northeast India and Chhattisgarh state. A Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) survey estimated not more than 50 individuals in three sub-populations in Indravati National Park, Pamed and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh. A thorough count was conducted only in Udanti, as the other two protected areas faced political disturbances. The survey established that only few wild buffaloes remained in Udanti in mid-2010.

State animal of Chhattisgarh : Wild Buffalo

The state bird, the Bastar Myna, is a type of the Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa Linnacus), and an accomplished mimic and talker, adapt in imitating the human voice. For this reason, it has been traditionally prized as a cage-bird, resulting in it being hunted to the point of becoming an endangered species. The Bastar Myna is a colourful bird, glossy pitch black with yellow legs, orange and yellow beak, bright yellow wattles on the head and a dash of white on the side wings. It is seen in pairs or noisy flocks in preferred locations in the forests and villages.

State bird of Chhattisgarh : Hill Myna