Here is where India’s national animal roams like he deserves to. Placed at the apex of the Indian Forest Ecosytem, the Tiger’s presence reflects a viable and healthy ecosystem of creatures in an intricate chain of interdependencies. The forests of Madhya Prdaesh, thus, teem with natural life and thriving ecosystems blessed with rich biodiversity.

Madhya Pradesh has nine National Parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries. The forests here are a home to diverse flora and fauna and is a refuge for exotic animals tigers, leopards, jackals, wild dogs, wild boar, gaur, grey langur, spotted deer, sambhar, nilgai and the sloth bear.

The handsome Barasingha ( hard ground swamp deer ) is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh and is striking for it’s long antlers – mature stags may have 10 to 14 tines, or more.

Here is where India’s national animal roams like he deserves to. Suitably placed at the apex of the Indian forest ecosystem, the tiger’s presence reflects a viable and healthy ecosystem of creatures in an intricate chain of interdependencies. The forests of Madhya Pradesh, thus, team with natural life and thriving ecosystems blessed with rich biodiversities.

Amid dense forests of sal and teak trees, moist deciduous forests, across sprawling grass meadows and streams and rivulets dwells a magnificent world in one of the most naturally endowed states of India. Madhya Pradesh sprawls across 3, 08,252 sq. km., embracing drier areas to the north and west, and lush forests in its central, eastern and southern regions.

The state is home to more than 450 species of birds, comprising the impressive Asian Paradise Flycatcher, the state bird of Madhya Pradesh as well as Quails, Falcons, Fowls, Parakeets, Cuckoos, Owls, Woodpeckers as well as many migratory birds in habituating ecosystems from water bodies to trees.The presence of tigers in the forests of Madhya Pradesh is linked with the success of Project Tiger launched in 1973 to protect the diminishing tiger population in India. This mammoth nature conservation effort involves the working together of teams from the government of India, state governments and the world wildlife fund for nature among other agencies. Of the 47 tiger reserves under Project Tiger across the country, 6 are in Madhya Pradesh. These are at Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura and Sanjay Dubri. Set in a vast and scenic landscape, Kanha is home to the majestic royal bengal tigers and barasingha. Pench national park, named after the Pench river flowing through it, is also blessed with a diverse natural life. Sighting of tigers is near guaranteed in Bandhavgarh national park, which also has an old hill fort, interesting sculptures and caves with ancient carvings and inscriptions. Sanjay Dubri national park presents the beauty of Sal forests alive with diverse sights and sounds. While Satpura presents the quintessential Central Indian highlands landscape, Panna national park near Khajuraho displays the richness of plateau topography.

Up north, near Gwalior Madhav national park is particularly rewarding for birdwatchers with its large lake, forested hills and grasslands. A riverine sanctuary along the Chambal river, the national Chambal sanctuary encompasses parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and is home to the critically endangered Ghadial, Red Crowned Roof Turtle and the endangered Ganges River Dolphina apart from the resident and migrant birds. While the Sailana and Sardarpur wildlife sanctuaries are homes to the endangered lesser florican, The Ghatigaon sanctuary was established in 1981 to protect the Great Indian Bustard.

Also highly recommendable are the National Parks of Maharashtra.