About Panna
Panna is the 22nd Tiger reserve of India and fifth in the state of Madhya
Pradesh. The Reserve is situated in the Vindhyan Ranges and spreads over
Panna and Chattarpur districts in the north of the state.
Panna
National Park was created in 1981 and was declared a Project Tiger Reserve
by Government of India in 1994. The National Park consists of areas from the
former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary comprised
of territorial forests of the present North and South Panna Forest Division
to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur forest division was added
later. The reserved forests of the Park in Panna district and some protected
forests on Chhatarpur side were the hunting preserves of the former rulers
of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states in the past. The reserve is
located on either sides of Ken river which flows from south to north through
the Lower Vindhyan Formations within the park.
Wildlife Attractions of Panna National Park
The predominant species that inhabits the park is the deer, of which the
most easily sighted are the graceful little Chinkara, the Indian gazelle,
and the Chital. Other species that have their habitat in the park are
Nilgai, Sambar, Chausingha or four-horned Antelope, Blackbuck, Sloth Bear,
Leopard and the ubiquitous common Langur, Tiger, Leopard, striped Hyaena,
Jackal, Jungle Cat, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, four-horned Antelope or
Chowsingha, Wild Boar, Chinkara or mountain Gazelle, Gazella, crocodile and
others.
Panna National Park is equally rich in avifauna. The artificial lake,
Chandpata, is the winter home of migratory Geese, Pochard, Pintail, Teal,
Mallard Gadwall, Red Wattled Lapwing, Large Pied Wagtail, Pond Heron, White
- Breasted Kingfisher, Cormorant, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Laggar Falcon,
Purple Sun bird, Paradise Flycatcher and Golden Oriole.
