MADHYA PRADESH: The heart of India and the country’s largest state. With the largest area still under forest and the largest number of protected areas. In fact, a third of India’s forest is in Madhya Pradesh. It also has the country’s largest national park (Sanjay). The state includes many geographical regions. To the north is the Indo- Gangetic plain. The central plateau with hill ranges interspersed with river valleys creates an attractive landscape. Communications across the state are difficult and it is often easier to begin a journey in Delhi or Bombay than say the state capital, Bhopal. Most parks in Madhya Pradesh are closed from the beginning of the monsoon till early November.
Achanakmar Sanctuary
Established in 1975 on 212 sq miles (55
1 sq km) of sal and bamboo forest, a few miles to the northwest of Bilaspur. Mouse deer, gaur and tiger are among the animals reported. Best time to visit: Mar. — June Accommodation: 5 resthouses Permission: DFO, Achankmar Sanctuary, PO Kargi Road, Kota, Bilaspur Dist., MP Nearest town: Bilaspur (35 miles/56 km) Rail: Kargi Road (16 miles/26 km) Air: Raipur (107 miles/172 km)
Bagdara Sanctuary
Established in 1978 to protect a 184-sq mile (478 -sq km) area of dry mixed scrub and deciduous forest near thenortheastern border with Uttar Pradesh. Blackbuck, chinkara, wolf and the occasional leopard are seen. Extremely hot summers up to 120°F (48°C). Best time to visit: Dec. — Feb. Permission: Superintendent, Bagdara Sanctuary, East Sidhi Division, Sidhi, MP Nearest town: Mirzapur (53 miles/85 km) Air: Varanasi (88 miles/142 km)
Barnawapara Sanctuary
Established in 1976 on 94 sq miles (244 sq km) of mixed deciduous forest near the border with Orissa. It is still possible to drive for long distances through forest along the state border. This sanctuary is only a small part of this forest area. Leopard, sambar and chital are seen. Best time to visit: Jan. — June Accommodation: forest resthouses Permission: Superintendent, Barnawapara Sanctuary, PO Pithora, Dist: Raipur, MP Nearest town & Air: Raipur (62 mile) Rail: Mahasamund (35 miles/57 km)
Bandhavgarh N.P
Originally the private forest and preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa who encouraged the establishment of a national park in 1968. Recently extended to over 175 sq miles (450 sq km). Undulating terrain with 22 hills of which the main one, rises 1300 feet (400 meters) above its surro
undings. Sal and mixed forest with bamboo brakes. Open grassland to the south where village land has been reclaimed. Excellent game viewing and birdlife. Tiger, leopard, gaur, chital sambar, dhole, nilgai, wild boar, sloth bear and chinkara are seen. Elephant riding available. Best time to visit: Feb. — Jun (the park is open from Nov. 1 each year and closes for the monsoon early in July). Accommodation: Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp—a deluxe camp opposite the park entrance with excellent food, bar, trained naturalists and vehicles. Book through any travel agent or Tiger Tops India Pvt. Ltd., 1/ 1 Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi 55 (Tel: 771075, 731075, 521932, 523057, 7777483; TIx: 031-63016 TREK IN); White Tiger Lodge (MP state Tourism Development Corpn.)-8 double rooms. Book through Bhopal head office (see below). Permission: Director, Bandhavgarh N.P., P.O. Umaria, Dist: Shandol, MP 484661 Nearest town & Rail: Umaria (22 miles) Rail: Also to Satna (70 miles/112 km) Air: Khajuraho (131 miles/210 km); Jabalpur (121 miles/195 km)
Bhairamgarh Sanctuary
Established in 1984 to protect one of three small groups of wild buffalo in peninsular India. Acts as buffer to Indravati National
Park. Tiger, leopard, chital and sambar are seen. Mixed deciduous forest with a high percentage of teak. Permission to visit Bastar district must be sought, contact M.P. Tourism in Delhi or Bombay for advice. Best time to visit: Feb. — May Accommodation: none Permission: Superintendent, Wild Buffalo Sanctuary, Bhairamgarh, PO Bijapur, Dist: Bastar, MP Nearest town & Rail: Jagdalpur (96 mile) Air: Raipur (302 miles/486 km)
Bori Sanctuary
Established in 1977 with 222 sq miles of mixed deciduous and bamboo forest. Part of the Mahadeo range which cuts across southwestern MP. Good viewing but poor infrastructure at present. Best time to visit: Oct. — June Accommodation: 4 resthouses Permission: Superintendent, Bori Sanctuary, 79 Surajganj, Itarsi, MP Nearest town: Pachmarhi (22 miles/32 km) Rail: tarsi (47 miles/75 km) Air: Bhopal (78 miles/I25 25 km)
Indravati N.P. & Tiger Reserve
Established in 1978 on a core area of 485 sq miles (1258 sq km) with a buffer sanctuary of 594 sq mile (1541 sq km) which includes the Bhairarngarh Sanctuary (see above). Came under Project Tiger in 1983. The park is part of the vast forest belt that stretches across southern Maharashtra, northern Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. 
Them . Indravati river flows through the park. The importance of this park cannot be underestimated. It holds perhaps the only viable population of wild buffalo in central India and is a possible alternative home for the swamp deer of Kanha. Most of the forest is mixed deciduous with teak and large areas of bamboo. Also open grassland with large groups of chital etc. Other animals seen include sambar, nilgai, chousingha, chinkara, hlackbuck, gaur, sloth bear, wild boar, leopard, wolf, hyena and jackal. Very hot summers of up to 48°C. Best time to visit: late Jan. — Apr. Accommodation: none Permission: Director, Indravati N.P., PO Bijapur, Dist: Bastar, MP 49444. Nearest town & Rail: Jagdalpur (124 miles) Air: Raipur (322 miles/486 km)
Kanger Ghati N.P
Established in 1982 on 77 sq miles of moist deciduous forest with chousingha, leopard and wolf. Best time to visit: Feb. — June Accommodation: none Permission: Director, Kanger Ghati N.P., Jagdalpur, Dist: Bastar, MP Nearest town: Jagdalpur (18.5 miles/32 km) Air: Raipur (205 miles/332 km)
Kanha National Park
Considered by some to be India’s greatest national park, the area is certainly an excellent place to see many species in their natural habitat. First declared as a small sanctuary in 1933 and then a national park from 1955, the area under Project Tiger is now 252 sq miles (1945 sq km) of which 362 sq miles
(942 sq km) is the core area. One of India’s great conservation sucess stories is from Kanha where the barasingha (swamp deer) population has increased from about 66 in the late 1962s to over 452 by 1985. Attractive forest with bamboo brakes. Grassy plateaus and meadows in the valleys. Elephant riding and Forest Department jeeps available. Best time to visit: Feb. — June (closed July — Nov.)Accommodation: forest resthouses at Kisli, Mukki, Supkhar and Garhi; M P Tourism Log Huts at Kisli; bungalow at Mukki; Kanha Safari Lodge (ITDC), Mukki (with AC rooms). Kipling Camp—a deluxe camp and lodge with attached bedrooms. Near the Kisli entrance to the park. Good food and bar. Advance booking to Kipling Camp, c/o Tollygunge Club Ltd., 122 D.P. Sasmal Road, Calcutta 722 223 (Tel: 4691922, 467826). Permission: Field Director, Project Tiger, PO Mandla, MP Nearest town: Mandla (42 miles/65 km) Rail & Air: Jabalpur (124 miles/162 km); Nagpur (153 mils/247 km).
Karela Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
Established in 1981. Much of the 78 sq miles (222 sq km) is still used by villagers for seasonal grazing. Jheel with excellent water birds including flamingo. Bustard best seen in April-June. Mammals include wolf, fox, blackbuck and chinkara. Best time to visit: throughout the year. Accommodation: resthouse at Karera Permission: Superintendent, Bustard Sanctuary, Karera, Dist: Shivpuri, MP Nearest town: Karera (7.5 miles/12 km) Rail: Jhansi (34 miles/55 km) Air: Gwalior (93 miles/152 km)
National Chambal Sanctuary
Established in 1978 across three states (Rajasthan, UP and MP) to total 1523 sq miles (3922 sq km). Formed to protect the gharial and other freshwater reptiles. The Chambal river
