From Guest Blogger Jessica: Notes on Ecotourism
Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, is balanced with a broad assortment of the tourist destinations and gifted with magnificent ecotourism, pilgrimage, wildlife tourism and leisure tourism. The wildlife tours of Madhya Pradesh are highly popular among all the age groups of tourists. These expeditions take the visitors to the interiors of the forests, where flora and fauna are blossoming in their natural form. This kind of tour also offers fascinating views of the wild animals roaming freely amidst the backdrop of rivers, forests and mountains. There are four pillars of Madhya Pradesh wildlife tourism, which are as follows:
Kanha National Park: Kanha National Park, has the credit of providing the perfect setting for Rudyard Kipling’s classic work of fiction – The Jungle Book. The national park is rich in verdant saal and bamboo forests, streams, lakes and open grasslands. This large park is well known for its research and conservation programs, and numerous rare species have been saved here. Other than the tigers, the park also abounds with swamp deer and an extensive diversity of other animals and birds.
How to Reach the Park
- By Road: The park is well linked from the major destinations of Madhya Pradesh.
- By Train: The nearest railway stations for reaching the Kanha National Park are Jabalpur and Gondia.
- By Air: The nearest airports are Jabalpur (160 Kms), Raipur (250 Kms) and Nagpur (300 Kms).
Panna National Park: Panna National Park provides the visitors a wonderful opportunity to experience the incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Panna National Park is situated along the banks of the Ken River, and is renowned as one of the most exhilarating locations in the country for wildlife watching. Tourists to the park are presented with an affluent assortment of avifauna as well. There are over 200 species of birds that habitat in the park.
How to Reach the Park
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Khajuraho.
- By Bus: Tourist and state-owned buses connect Panna to all the major cities.
- By Air: The nearest airport is at Khajuraho (26 km).
Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh National Park is best known for its magnificent setting. The park features lush green valleys and rocky hill topography, with a pristine fort built on the high cliffs. The park offers the best opportunity of seeing the majestic tigers in their natural habitats. For tiger tracking and safari, elephants are also available in the park.
How to Reach the Park
- By Road : The park is well linked from the nearby town and cities like Jabalpur, Umaria, Satna, Khajuraho, etc.
- By Train: The nearest railway stations are Umaria (35 kms) and Katni (100 kms).
- By Air : The nearest airports are Jabalpur and Khajuraho.
Pench National Park: The Pench National Park or Pench Tiger Reserve is situated on the southern grades of the Satpuda Hills and river Pench divides the park. Supposed to be the original background for the Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, the uneven topography is crisscrossed by the pristine streams. One can come across deciduous forests, sheltered valleys, shrubs as well as the wild grass here. The reserve is an abode to more than 1200 varieties of flora and varied fauna, which is a treat for any nature lover. The park deserves its place as one of the top national parks in the state even today.
How to Reach the Park
- By Air: Sonegaon and Nagpur (92 kms) are the nearest airports.
- By Rail: Nagpur (92 kms) is the nearest railway station.
- By Road: A national highway joins the park to Nagpur (92 kms) and Jabalpur (192 kms).
These four pillars of wildlife tourism in Madhya Pradesh are truly an ecstasy for the wildlife lovers. Visiting here leaves the trail of memories that are never to be forgotten throughout one’s life!
