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Racquet-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer ©Laurence Poh http://www.laurencepoh.com/

Madhya Pradesh has a varied topography but almost one third is forested. The forest types include dry thorn forests; tropical moist deciduous forests and tropical evergreen forests. The area of reserve [reserved for eventual logging] forest is 58,733 km; protected forest constitutes an area of about 35,586 sq km and unclassified forest area is around 900 sq km. There is no doubt that the natural splendour of Madhya Pradesh includes a wide spectrum of wildlife inhabiting this land ranging from tigers and leopards to antelopes and gazelles, other mammals and reptiles and an abundance of bird life.

Of the two bio-geographic zones, the semi arid zone has two subdivisions - Malwa plateau and fragmented wetlands. Madhav National Park and about 9 of the total of 25 wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh are located in this zone. The second zone, the Deccan Peninsula includes both the Vindhya and the Satpura hill ranges. Popular tiger reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, Panna, the three National Parks and a score of wildlife sanctuaries are located in this zone. Madhya Pradesh has an effective protected area network of about 10,860 sq km and boasts of one national park and 25 sanctuaries. These reserves continue to harbour their original resident and migrant species.

The mission of national parks and sanctuaries is to establish a network of protected areas representative of the country`s important and unique features and to conserve and manage them in such a manner that they will be preserved for all time in their natural state. The wild life conservation initiatives launched by the state have received a major impetus by the inclusion of forest dwellers to ensure the survival of forests and wildlife embodied in the launch of the Project Tiger in the early seventies. The application of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), formation of the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation to secure help and support from NGO`s and general public` at large, conservation of critically endangered species besides the tiger [like Barasingha (swamp deer) and Gharial (mugger crocodile)] are some of the major landmarks in the state of Madhya Pradesh`s success in wildlife conservation.

Project Tiger

The forests were nurtured carefully by the royal families to preserve the Tiger`s habitats for hunting. Old wildlife classics estimate a population of around 40,000 tigers in the 1940`s. By the year 1970, the population of tigers in India perilously declined to about 2000 individuals as the result of the loss of hunting preserves and widespread habitat destruction. The tiger was close to being annihilated. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 because of the threat to the tiger. The objective was to ensure the maintenance of a viable population of the tiger in India and to preserve for all times, such areas as part of our national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of future generations, which had the added bonus opf preserving many areas for other wildlife too. The Project Tiger Directorate provides assistance for scientific management, protection, communication, habitat improvement, water and soil conservation, research, infrastructure etc. Kanha in Mandhya Pradesh was among the first nine reserves designated. Panna, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Pachmarhi are later inclusions. 1999 estimates are of a population of 709 tigers (235 in tiger reserves, 143 in protected areas and 331 tigers in general forest areas) in Madhya Pradesh (19% of India`s and 17% of World`s tiger population). The state, therefore, is rightly called the Tiger State.

Flora and Fauna

The state of Madhya Pradesh encompasses a breathtaking wilderness along with extensive flora and fauna and rich biodiversity. There are countless variety of plants and animals in a state of interdependence. There are more than 1000 species of flowering plants, ferns, orchids, aromatic and medicinal plants. More than half of the forests of the state lie in the eastern region and are tropical. Teak and Sal are the two chief species of trees found in the state and constitute about 20% of the total forest area. Tendu leaf tree found in abundance in Madhya Pradesh is also a good source of income for villagers. The grasslands along the plateaux and the streams in the valleys are good during the monsoon season but fade away during the hot months of summer.

The faunal wealth of the Madhya Pradesh is equally rich and diverse. Inhabitants include species of cat, antelopes, gazelles and dog family, many other species of mammals and reptiles as well as birds. Crocodiles and gharyal inhabit the rivers and lakes. The heavily forested regions and marshes and wetlands create a natural habitat for birds and support a wide variety of birdlife.

Some of the best parks and reserves are described below.