Call of the Wild - Panna National Park

Panna National Park

State : Madhya Pradesh Area : 542 sq. km Altitude: 80- 120 m Vegetation : Dry deciduous 

Panna National Park and Ken River Sanctuary are situated 40km from Khahuraho in the Vindhyan hill range. The forests of Panna National Park along with Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining territorial divisions form a significant part of the catchment area of the 406 km Ken River which runs northeast for about 72 km   through the park.

The undulating open savannah grass and woodlands of the park change their colors throughout the year, creating a rich tapestry of natural beauty. Driving through the park in an open top jeep is an exhilarating experience. A boat-ride on the beautiful Ken river, on the border of the park or nature walks along the park boundary enthrall all nature lovers.

Extraordinary Success of Translocation of tiger to Panna National Park

The park has gone through a turbulent history . It was a hot bed of poaching activity over the years and in  2009, almost the entire tiger population was lost to poaching.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) approved a proposal to translocate two tigers and two tigresses to the reserve.[12] One female each from Bandhavgarh National Park (coded T1) and Kanha National Park (T2) were translocated to Panna Tiger Reserve. A tiger male, coded T3, was brought from Pench Tiger Reserve but strayed out of the park shortly thereafter, in November 2009 The tiger started walking towards its home in Pench National Park, indicating homing instinct. It moved steadily through human dominated landscape without causing any conflict. Forest department staff tracked it continuously for over a month and finally brought it back to the Panna Tiger Reserve. It then settled well, established territory and started mating. The tigress, T1, translocated from Bandhavgarh National Park, gave birth to four cubs in April 2010 of which 2 survive till date. The second tigress, T2, translocated from Kanha National Park gave birth to four cubs several months later and all four survive till date. A third tigress, coded T4, an orphaned cub was reintroduced to Panna in March 2011. She learnt hunting skills with the help of the male and mated with him.   Her sister T5 was released in Panna in November 2011. Thus four tigers and around 10 cubs of up to 2 years are settled in Panna Tiger Reserve at present and their progress is being regularly monitored by the Forest Department.

There are currently over 80 tigers in Panna Tiger Reserve. This marks a massive conservation triumph, undergoing one of the world's most successful big cat reintroduction programs.

Fauna & Avifauna :  Among the animals found here are the tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, nilgai, sambhar and sloth bear. The park is home to more than 200 species of birds including the bar-headed goose, honey buzzard, king vulture, blossom-headed parakeet, changeable hawk-eagle and Indian vulture.