PANNA NATIONAL PARK
Located in Madhya Pradesh's Panna and Chattarpur districts, Panna National Park is officially recognized
as the 22nd tiger reserve in India and the fifth in Madhya Pradesh. Panna Reserve, which spans 542.67
square kilometers, is located next to the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh, India's central state. It is 57
kilometers away from Khajuraho, a World Heritage Site. According to the Indian Ministry of Tourism,
Panna Tiger Reserve is one of the country's best-managed and maintained national parks. As a result, the
park was recognized with the 2007 Award of Excellence. We appreciate the hard work of Mr. R.
Shreenivasa Murthy, a local forest officer, who worked with his staff to make Panna Park the best
constructed and maintained park in the area.
The reserve area's environment in the tropical Panna region can be both comfortable and sweltering at times throughout the summer, but after significant rainfall, the area becomes lush and verdant again, adding to the area's allure.
On its journey to the valley, the Ken River flows through this reserve and produces stunning waterfalls. Numerous historically significant locations in the park feature Neolithic-era stone paintings. Panna is made up of deciduous forests that support rusty-spotted cats, sloth bear pangolins, Indian wolves, fourhorned antelope, leopards, carcals, and gharials. It is the perfect habitat for Indian tigers.
The reserve area's environment in the tropical Panna region can be both comfortable and sweltering at times throughout the summer, but after significant rainfall, the area becomes lush and verdant again, adding to the area's allure.
On its journey to the valley, the Ken River flows through this reserve and produces stunning waterfalls. Numerous historically significant locations in the park feature Neolithic-era stone paintings. Panna is made up of deciduous forests that support rusty-spotted cats, sloth bear pangolins, Indian wolves, fourhorned antelope, leopards, carcals, and gharials. It is the perfect habitat for Indian tigers.
History
The Indian government established the Panna National Reserve in 1981. In 1994, this 22nd tiger reserve
in India became a Project Tiger Reserve after being recognized under the Project Tiger initiative. The
Panna region also contained some of the main areas of the Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary, which was
established in 1975. Former Panna, Chhatarpur, and Bijawar princely state rulers used the reserved
forests in Panna district and a few protected forests in Chhatarpur district as hunting preserves. The
Ganagu Sanctuary area is currently a part of the North Panna Forest division's territorial forests, to which
a piece of the Chattrapur Forest division was later added.
The true tragedy began in 2008 when poaching destroyed all the tigers in the Panna reserve area, leaving only two to four remaining. The Panna Tiger Reserve's field director, Mr. R. Shreenivasa Murthy, IFS, started the process of restoring tigers into the park in 2009 after it gradually demoralized the Panna Jungle Authority's employees. Murthy brought two tigers to Panna with complex scientific inputs, one from Bandhavgarh and the other from Panna Tiger Reserve, in partnership with WWF and PATA.
As part of this study, Mr. Murthy and his team relocated a tigress from Kanha and a male from Pench. With careful observation and care, they were able to successfully breed and raised four litters. To keep the tigers in Panna at their previous numbers, officials have since concentrated on the reproduction of an increasing number of cubs in the region.
The true tragedy began in 2008 when poaching destroyed all the tigers in the Panna reserve area, leaving only two to four remaining. The Panna Tiger Reserve's field director, Mr. R. Shreenivasa Murthy, IFS, started the process of restoring tigers into the park in 2009 after it gradually demoralized the Panna Jungle Authority's employees. Murthy brought two tigers to Panna with complex scientific inputs, one from Bandhavgarh and the other from Panna Tiger Reserve, in partnership with WWF and PATA.
As part of this study, Mr. Murthy and his team relocated a tigress from Kanha and a male from Pench. With careful observation and care, they were able to successfully breed and raised four litters. To keep the tigers in Panna at their previous numbers, officials have since concentrated on the reproduction of an increasing number of cubs in the region.
Wildlife in Panna
Mammals
For all of India's various animal species, Panna is now the most exceptional and well-maintained
environment. A wide range of plants and animals, such as sloth bears, vultures, cheetals, chinkaras, and
sambhars, may be found in the national park. The regal tigers (Panthera tigris), the king of the jungles, as
well as his companion creatures the leopard (Panthera pardus), wolf (Canis lupus), hyaena (Hyaena
hyaena), caracal (Felus caracal), and numerous smaller cats, all call Panna home.
Chital, chowsingha, and sambar, the largest of Indian deer, are scattered across the forested areas. In most open grassland areas, particularly on the outskirts, nilgai and chinkara are plainly visible.
Chital, chowsingha, and sambar, the largest of Indian deer, are scattered across the forested areas. In most open grassland areas, particularly on the outskirts, nilgai and chinkara are plainly visible.
Avifauna
Including migratory counts, Panna is home to 200 different species of birds. For the most chirping and
wildering effects, Panna is home to species like the white-necked stork, bareheaded geese, honey
buzzard, king vulture, blossom-headed parakeet, paradise flycatcher, and slaty-headed scimitar babbler.
Reptiles
Along with other local reptiles, Panna is home to a variety of snakes, including pythons.
Flora of Panna Tiger Reserve
The Panna Tiger Reserve's regions experience hot, dry weather. As a result of this environment, shallow
Vindhyan soils combine with dry teak and dry mixed forests. The predominant vegetation type is a
variety of dry deciduous forests that are interspersed with grasslands. In addition, there are riverine
forests with tall grasses, thorny woodlands, and open grasslands. Bosswelia serrata, Buchnania latifolia,
Anogeissus latifolia, Anogeissus pendula, Tectona grandis, Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, and
Lannea coromandelica are some of the distinctive floral species found in this region.
Places of Interest
Raneh Falls : One of the most notable waterfalls in the Panna Reserve region is Raneh Falls, which is
formed by the meeting of the Ken and Khuddar rivers. King Rane Pratap, the former king of the area, is
honored by the name of this waterfall. Raneh Falls creates the 5 km long, 30 m deep gorge that descends
into the Ken Gharial Sanctuary. Crystalline granite, which comes in a variety of hues including pink, red,
and grey, adorns the area around the falls. In addition to the big and minor falls that emerge at the
confluence, there are several seasonal falls that are worth seeing during the monsoon season.
Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary : The goal of the establishment of one of the most notable sanctuaries on the outskirts of Panna is to preserve the endangered Indian Gharial species. In Panna, Chattrapur district, the confluence of the Khuddar and Ken rivers is the location of the Ken Gharial Sanctuary. The sanctuary was created in 1985 and occupies 13.5 square kilometers of land.
The 6 m long fish-eating gharial is one of the many different reptile species that call the sanctuary home. It is open to visitors from sunrise to dusk. The sanctuary is surrounded by thick forests and has a 45- kilometer river stretch with sand banks. It provides refuge to chitals, blue bulls, peacocks, chinkaras, and wild boar.
Mahamati Prannathji Temple : A popular destination for Pranamis, Mahamati Prannathji Temple draws large crowds of worshippers on Sharada Purnima. According to the tale, Mahamati Prannathji took samadhi inside one of the temple's domes after living here for eleven years. The temple was constructed in 1692 and features distinctive lotus and Muslim and Hindu architectural designs in its domes. Shri Gummatji, Shri Bangalaji, Shri Sadguru Mandir, Shri Baijurajji Mandir, Shri Chopada Mandir, and Shri Khijada Mandir are the six sections that make up the temple.
Shri Gummatji, a circular structure with nine marble domes, is the main draw of this pilgrimage site. The central dome features a divine golden Kalasha, while the other eight domes symbolize the eight directions. In addition, Kaman Darwaza is a well-known temple gate made of silver metal.
Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary : The goal of the establishment of one of the most notable sanctuaries on the outskirts of Panna is to preserve the endangered Indian Gharial species. In Panna, Chattrapur district, the confluence of the Khuddar and Ken rivers is the location of the Ken Gharial Sanctuary. The sanctuary was created in 1985 and occupies 13.5 square kilometers of land.
The 6 m long fish-eating gharial is one of the many different reptile species that call the sanctuary home. It is open to visitors from sunrise to dusk. The sanctuary is surrounded by thick forests and has a 45- kilometer river stretch with sand banks. It provides refuge to chitals, blue bulls, peacocks, chinkaras, and wild boar.
Mahamati Prannathji Temple : A popular destination for Pranamis, Mahamati Prannathji Temple draws large crowds of worshippers on Sharada Purnima. According to the tale, Mahamati Prannathji took samadhi inside one of the temple's domes after living here for eleven years. The temple was constructed in 1692 and features distinctive lotus and Muslim and Hindu architectural designs in its domes. Shri Gummatji, Shri Bangalaji, Shri Sadguru Mandir, Shri Baijurajji Mandir, Shri Chopada Mandir, and Shri Khijada Mandir are the six sections that make up the temple.
Shri Gummatji, a circular structure with nine marble domes, is the main draw of this pilgrimage site. The central dome features a divine golden Kalasha, while the other eight domes symbolize the eight directions. In addition, Kaman Darwaza is a well-known temple gate made of silver metal.
Safaris
Madla and Hinouta are the two primary entry points into the Panna Tiger Reserve, and they are always
open to visitors from October 16 to June 30. The jungle authorities provide jeep facilities for the most
satisfying safari tour in Panna National Park, allowing visitors to experience the most untamed ranges of
Panna people and enter the reserve's dense atmosphere. The organizers also provide an hour-long boat
excursion for those who want to see the lake's aquatic life and other wildlife. An elephant safari is among
the greatest viewing options for seeing Panna animals in their natural, high-definition state, despite all of
these other options. The reserve's main draw is the night safari, which is the most daring and difficult
activity in the Panna and is available in the Gangau districts.
The Safari Timings are:
In Winters
Morning 06:30 / 09:30
Afternoon 14:30 / 17:30
In Summers
Morning 05:30 / 09:00
Afternoon 16:00 / 19:00
Morning 06:30 / 09:30
Afternoon 14:30 / 17:30
In Summers
Morning 05:30 / 09:00
Afternoon 16:00 / 19:00
How to reach Panna
By Air: Khajuraho, the closest airport, is 25 km away and has good connections to both Delhi, the
nation's capital, and Agra, the site of the Taj Mahal.
By Bus: For those who enjoy wildlife viewing and exploring the area, four-wheel drive gasoline-powered vehicles can be ideal. Unpaved roads, rough terrain, and steep inclines make it challenging for other cars to travel. You can rent a private car in Khajuraho or Panna.
By Train: Satna (90 km) for passengers from Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi; Katni (150 km) for passengers from Mumbai, Chennai, and Nagpur; Jhansi (180 km) for passengers from Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai.
By Bus: For those who enjoy wildlife viewing and exploring the area, four-wheel drive gasoline-powered vehicles can be ideal. Unpaved roads, rough terrain, and steep inclines make it challenging for other cars to travel. You can rent a private car in Khajuraho or Panna.
By Train: Satna (90 km) for passengers from Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi; Katni (150 km) for passengers from Mumbai, Chennai, and Nagpur; Jhansi (180 km) for passengers from Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai.