Tiger Land Exotic
From zero to hero! Once teeming with big cats Panna National Park lost all its tigers due to organized poaching in the year 2009. One by one the big cats were being picked up, and the dispensation was sleeping or complicit in the crime. Post disaster, the only recourse left was to translocate the striped predator from other reserves. Thankfully the exercise was a great success, and there are around fifty tigers in the wild.
Panna ecosystem is distinct because of its broad leaf forests and undulating steep mountains and escarpments with interweaving ravines and rivulets in their folds. The park in Northern Madhya Pradesh is an expression of surreal charismatic grandeur, a tiger landscape that is distinct from the other reserves in the State. Numerous water bodies dot the tiger landscape, and river Ken that intersects the preserve creates numerous enchanting falls and lends incredulous beauty and grace to the whole region.
The reserve is making a resilient come back thanks to active tiger conservation initiatives by the Project Tiger teams, and the sentinels that ensure that poachers do not overwhelm. There are now said to be more than fifty big cats including a vibrant population of tigers. For birding enthusiasts, the presence of Himalayan Vultures in winters is among the exciting finds.
Fact File
- Total Area 1645.08 sq. km.
- Core – 542.66 sq. km.
- Buffer – 1002.42 sq. km.
- Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary – 78.53 sq. km.
- Panna (Gangau) Sanctuary-45.20 sq. km.
Interesting Destinations
The reserve is loosely interconnected with Nauradehi WLS and RDWLS near Jabalpur, and occasionally tigers migrate to these destinations. The district is well known for productive diamond mining near the park, and a heritage fort belonging to the Maharajahs of Panna. There are numerous ancient structures within the forest as well. Part of the reserve encompasses Gangau WLS and lies in the neighboring district of Chattarpur.
The National Park and tiger reserve is well connected to Khajuraho Temple Complex. The world-famous township comprising Hindu Temples is at a distance of 25 km from the park. The 9th/10th architectural marvels were rediscovered in the 19th Century and are designated as a UNESCO heritage site.
The flora is dry deciduous type with domination of broad leaf forests comprising or Teak and associates. It is situated in the lap of Vindhya Range in Northern Madhya Pradesh. Mixed forest ecosystem flourishes well in the ravines, open grasslands, thorny forests and open woods creating a web of diverse habitats that support and incredible wilderness in India.
Among the Central Indian mammals found here caracal a predator belonging to the Ethiopian Zoo Geographical Region is often seen here. Tiger, leopard, spotted and barking deer, sambar, sloth bear, wild dogs are seen on a jeep safari.
Antelopes like the four horned antelope, Indian gazelle and Nilgai besides the deer species form an abundant prey base for tiger and leopards. Small predators and scavengers like wolf, jackal, hyena and fox can be often seen on an open jeep safari.
Tourism at Panna
Game rides are exciting recreation for the amateur holiday makers and the wildlife lovers as well. A permit is required for excursions in the park.
The Core Tourism Zones are:
- Hinouta
- Madla
The Buffer Zones are:
- Akola
- Jhinna
The permits are booked online at MP Online a Madhya Pradesh Government Portal. You can also book safari using the help of the hotel resort you have booked for a stay.
You can enjoy a boat ride at Ken River or visit the Ken Gharial Sanctuary while on tour. These outings can be arranged with help of the accommodation provider.
Accommodation at Panna
Most of the hotels and resorts pertaining to luxury accommodation are established at Madla Township one of the entry points. Since the Khajuraho Township is at a motorable distance you can drive early from the accommodation there to the park for safari. There are great number of hotels in Khajuraho including a couple of five-star properties.
Reaching Panna
- Delhi/Varanasi to Khajuraho Airport at 25 km
- From Jhansi Railhead – 176 km Road Trip
- From Satna – Panna – 76 km approx.
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to Panna – 190 km
- Jabalpur Airport to Panna – 215 km
The park is open from 1st October and closes end of June. However, Khajuraho Township can be visited for its amazing ancient temples during the monsoon.