National Parks In India

Panna National Park

In the year 1994, the park was declared as the fifth TIGER reserve of Madhya Pradesh and as the twenty second in India. India’s Ministry of Tourism presented the Award of Excellence to Panna in the year 2007 and it was declared as the ‘Best maintained National Park’ in India. By the year 2009 report, it is noteworthy that the complete population of tiger had been vanished by the conspiring together of the officials of forest department.

Panna is famous all over the world for its wild cats with tigers, antelope and deer. Panna is acknowledged as an exhilarating stopping over point because of its familiarity to Khajuraho which is one among the wellknown Indian tourist attractions.

Panna National Park along with the encircling forest territories in the South and North, the division of  Panna forest is the only vast substantial area of the wildlife domain left in the North of Madhya Pradesh in the else disintegrated forest landscape of the state area.

Panna National Park is situated at a place where the link of the subtropical and Tropical desolate broadleaf belt of forests starting from South India’s Cape Comorin, is annihilated and above these is the beginning of the Great Indo-Genetic Plain’s  Upper Genetic Plains misty deciduous forests. The top most eastern tip of the natural 'Kardhai' Anogeissus pendula forests and top most northern tip of the natural teak forests cover the whole area.

form a The major part Ken River’s watershed about 252 mi or 406 km running for about 45 mi or 72 km northeast through the park is formed by Panna National Park, contiguous divisions of the territory and Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary. Panna National Park Terrain is covered with profound forests having a number of waterfalls and streams.

General Information

State	Madhya Pradesh
District(s)	Panna and Chattarpur District
Established	1981
Nearest city	Panna, Khajuraho
Time zone	IST  (UTC +05:30)
Area	542.67 sq kms
Elevation	540 m above sea level
Climate
Precipitation	1100 mm ( 41 in)
Temperature
Summer	41 °C (106 °F).
Winter	5 °C (41 °F)

 

History

Mentioned in the epics is that Panna National Park forests were spent as a secular place by the Pandavs of Mahabharata. This was long time back, but till today Panna park fascinates all kinds of visitors.There was a royal family named Panna, who owned this park as their private hunting place. This park was asserted as a wildlife sanctuary, post independence. Afterwards in 1981, Panna park was asserted as ‘The National Park’ that fascinates the notification of many wildlife admirers today.

Best Time To Visit

Public entry in Panna tiger reserve is from the month of October to June while the legitimate time is in March to May i.e. summers to gaze at the animals. Nevertheless during summer time the temperature of the place rises to about 45 degree. While the time from December to February i.e. Winters are quiet pleasing and cold.

Distance From National park

Khajuraho - 57 km

Delhi - 580 km

Jhansi - 176 km

Satna - 90 km

Majhgaon – 55 km

How To Get There

By Road: The Park is very nicely connected by roads to all the areas of the place through a well established network. Some eminent places with distances for the Panna Tiger Reserve from all over India are Bhopal (727 km), Delhi (889 km), Khajuraho (57 km), Kolkata (1,040 km) and Chennai (1,761 km).

By Rail: The closest railway station to this place is Satna which is about 90 km far from the park. This is the main hub of railways which is linked to a number of places in western and central India. Mumbai being the most eminent one is 1,540 km distance from the park.

By Air:  Khajuraho, the closest airport is about 57 km from the Panna National Park. Domestic flights are present from Mumbai, Varanasi, Delhi from Khajuraho on daily basis.

Location Map

Things To Do In National Park

Wildlife

1. Fauna

• Avifauna: Panna National Park is uniformally prosperous in avifauna. Chandpata, an artificial lake, is the winter domain of Pochard, Laggar Falcon,  Mallard, migrating Geese, Teal, Pintail, Large Pied Wagtail, Golden Oriole Cormorant, Pond Heron, White Ibis, Painted Stork, Purple Sun bird, White - Breasted Kingfisher,  Paradise Flycatcher and Red Wattled Lapwing.

• Mammals : Although it is a very small domain, the king of the jungle, Tiger or Panthera tigris tigris, ramble unrestrictedly accompanied with his fellow ones in this safe environment, wild dog or Cuon alpinus, wolf or Canis lupus, leopard or Panthera pardus, some smaller cats, caracal or Felus caracal and hyaena or Hyaena hyaena. Sloth bear’s  most adored habitat being the escarpments of rock and valleys that remain undisturbed. The most prominent of Indian deers, sambar, chowsingha and chital are largely spotted in the tree areas. Chinkara and nilgai are easily seen  in wide bounteous region in grasslands, specifically on the boundary areas.

• Reptiles: Diversity of snakes which includes python also and some more reptiles are also found in this park.

1. Flora: Hot and dry climate, in addition to the Vindhyan soils surface have raised  dry mixed and dry Teak forest. Dry deciduous forest distributed along with the grassland areas form the miscellaneous cheif vegetation. Some other main types of forest are open woodlands, open grasslands and riverines with thorny woodlands and long grasses. The distinctive floral species of this region comprise of tree species like Diospyros melanoxylon, Tectona grandis, Madhuca indica, Anogeissus latifolia, Buchnania latifolia,  Anogeissus pendula,  Bosswelia serrata, Lannea coromandelica etc.

Safaris: Authorities do not provide jeeps so one will have to hire ones own jeep for the expedition in the park. In order to see other animals and water predators, park authorities provide water boat ride which is for about one hour over the lake is a better option. Elephant expedition is one among ones best ventures to dot a beast who is striped coming close. Another main fascinating thing is the night expedition at Gangau provided by Ken River Lodge.

Timings: Timings are 6:30 to 10:30 AM & 2:30 to 5:30 PM.

Accommodation: From the month of October to May rooms are almost full. Rooms may be available on the budget basis starting from Rs 1,000 and offer accommodation which is reasonable and comfortable. Deluxe rooms are comparatively less as compared to budget rooms and charge about Rs 3,000 with internet access and air-conditioning. Luxury hotels are facilitated with bar, pool, health club, multi-cuisine restaurants and currency exchange. Fascinating tree houses and tourist lodges are also present for which advance bookings are made.

Important Information/Travel Tips

Entry Fee or Park charges: Rs. 500 for foreigners & Rs. 40 for Indians, including afternoon and morning safaris, Camera : Rs. 40 (still) & Rs. 200 (video), Jeep rental: Rs. 1500/half day, Boat Ride: Rs. 150 (Indians, 1-5 max) & Rs. 150/person (foreigners),  Private vehicle entry : Rs. 150,  Guide : Rs. 100/vehicle, , Elephant safari : Rs. 600 (foreigners) & Rs. 100 (Indians), Night Safari : Rs. 1800/jeep (including entry fees).

Avoid wearing flashy colors that could attract the wild animals and do not try to feed the animals.

Madla village starts most of the safaris into the park. The entry is on the east side from Hindouta, situated at easily reachable distance from diamond mines of Panna.

• If one can stand high temperature, it is suggested to stop over this park during the summer period as this is the genuine time to dot animals.
• One needs to check the timings and approach half an hour before park entrance opens in order to complete the formalities required.
• Timings of the Park are 6:30 to 10:30 AM & 2:30 to 5:30 PM.
• Do not roam in the restricted areas and follow the rules of the park.
• Littering is not allowed, one needs to carry outside the park all the garbage and dispose off in the allotted area.

Weather

The region has a tropical climate. Somewhat excoriating, Summers is the time when one has the maximum probability meeting the unique wildlife of Panna national park. Winters are comfortable and cool as the temperature remains under 25°C generally. Monsoon arrives this park in the month of July and extend till mid of September.

Photo Gallery