National Parks & Wildlife
MP GK · राष्ट्रीय उद्यान और वन्यजीव · 18 facts
Kanha National Park (Mandla-Balaghat): Famous for Bengal tigers and hard-ground barasingha (State animal of MP)
Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book was inspired by the forests of Kanha; Mowgli's jungle is set here
Bandhavgarh National Park (Umaria): Has the highest tiger density in the world; also has ancient fort ruins
Pench National Park (Seoni-Chhindwara): Set across MP and Maharashtra; another Mowgli-inspired landscape
Panna Tiger Reserve (Panna-Chhatarpur): On the Ken River; recovered from zero tigers in 2009 to 50+ now
Satpura National Park (Hoshangabad): India's first national park offering walking and cycling safaris
Madhav National Park (Shivpuri): Historically used by Mughal emperors for hunting; migratory birds in winter
Van Vihar National Park (Bhopal): Located on the banks of Upper Lake; urban national park with tigers
Bori-Pachmarhi-Satpura Biosphere Reserve: One of India's 18 UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves
MP has 6 Tiger Reserves: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, and Sanjay-Dubri
MP has the highest tiger population in India: 526 tigers as per 2022 census (Status of Tigers report)
Kuno National Park (Sheopur): India's first cheetah reintroduction site; 20 African cheetahs brought in 2022-23
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Sagar): Largest wildlife sanctuary in MP; being developed as new tiger reserve
Gharial Sanctuary (National Chambal Sanctuary): One of last surviving habitats of Gharial, Dolphin, Red-crowned Turtle
MP has 9 national parks, 25 wildlife sanctuaries, and 6 tiger reserves — highest wildlife diversity in India
Hard-ground Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi): Critically endangered, found only in Kanha; State animal of MP
Indian Wolf, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog (Dhole) and Indian Leopard are key predators in MP forests
Ratapani Tiger Reserve (Raisen): Newest tiger reserve near Bhopal, rich in tribal heritage and rock art