History of Satpura

Satpura is surrounded by hills so the weather is very pleasant here throughout the year. The temperature is never above 37 degrees during summers and below 7 degrees during winters. The best season to visit this place is between Januray to June. About Satpura National Park Lush green carpet, spread over 524 sq. kms of area in Stapura hill ranges (Mahadeo hills), Satpura National Park lies in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Adjoining to famous hill station Pachmarhi, Satpura Tiger Reserve, on encompassing, Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary (estd in 1977, area= 417 sq. kms.)and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary (estd in 1975, area= 646 sq. kms.)Makes 1427 sq. km. area, ideal place for some rare wildlife species and medicinal trees. In the year 1981, Satpura National Park was established with an area of 524 sq. km. recently in May, 2009 it became in news due to arrival of a new generation of tigers in cradle of Satpura hills. It is spread over different altitudes ranging from 300 meters to 1350 meters. It is still believed to be untouched and unspoiled wildlife sanctuary. Tiger reserve is offers panoramic view of nature at its best with rocky mountain peaks, gorges, gurgling waterfalls, sparkling stream, dense deep valleys, rivulets etc. This unexplored hill station was first explored by Captain James Forsyth of British Army in 1857. It became a sanatorium for British troops in the Central Provinces of India. During that time Captain James was leading a cavalry regiment that moved from Jabalpur army base towards Satpura hills in search of freedom fighters. Satpura National Park is the only Tiger Reserve in Central India that offers Nature Walk inside Tiger Reserve to feel the nature from close. Such nature walk is in group of 4 visitors accompanied by trained wildlife expert who can ensure comfort and safety of associates.

Satpura National Park is located in district Hoshangabad of Madhya Pradesh in India. It gets the name from Satpura hill ranges (Mahadeo hills). It is located near the capital city of Madhya Pradesh i.e. Bhopal. It covers an area of 524 km². Satpura National Park, and along with the adjoining Bori and Panchmarhi Sanctuaries, provides 1427 km² of unique Central Indian Highland ecosystem. It was set up in 1981 mainly for the conservation of Tigers, the national animal of India. The terrain of the national park is extremely rugged and consists of fascinating deep valleys, sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, rivulets, waterfalls, thickly dense green forest of Sal and other medicinal herbs and Tawa vast reservoir. Un-even altitude ranges from 290m. to 1352 m. Highest peak of national park is in Satpura National Park i.e. Dhoopgarh at an altitude of 4500 feets(1400 m.). As it is the highest peak of Madhya Pradesh, sunlight reaches this peak earlier than anyother landscape of Madhya Pradesh. Being a part of unique eco-system, Satpura National Park is very rich in bio-diversity. Its fauna comprises Spotted Dear, Indian Bison(Gaur), Tigers, Leopards, Wild boar, Wild dog (locally called Dholes), Sloth bear, Black buck (unique attraction), Porcupine, Sambhar, four Horned antelopes (Chowsingha), Smooth otter, Pangolin, Marsh crocodile, Languars etc. Indian Giant squirrel is the special feature of Satpura National Park as it is rare in India now. Sighting of Leopards, Gaurs, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear is good in compare to other national parks of Central India. Bird-watching in Satpura National Park is great. Here very frequently we can see variety of birds during stay and safari. Tiger sighting of this national park is not so impressive as compare to nearby Bandhavgarh, Kanha or Pench national parks. So it is required when we go for jungle safari in national park, we should no go with single mindset of tiger-sighting but enjoy sighting all members of national park as they are equally share the jungle with tigers and are extremely beautiful creatures of nature. Bio-diversity of national park is stunning with over 1300 species of plants. Flora of national park includes teak, sal, tendu, mahua (Indian butter-tree), bel (stone-apple), bamboos, grasses, bushes, unchecked grown lantanas and other many medicinal plants whose details are not available now. It is said that in majority of jungle we can judge that sal is the prominent flora of National Park.

What to See

Satpura & Bori abound in Central Province wildlife. The bio-diversity is stunning with over 1300 species of plants, which include numerous rare bryophytes and pteridophytes. While Sal & Teak forests are abundant, Central India mixed deciduous forests covers a major part of the area. An evident eyesore is the rampant and unchecked growth of Lantana. The meadows and valleys have been completely taken over by this invader. The terrain, which is covered by some of the oldest Sal & Teak forests in India, is home to 50 mammal species, 254 bird species & 30 species of reptiles. The Tiger, Gaur, Leopard, Indian Giant Squirrel, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Chital, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey, Langur, Nilgai, Hyena, Wild Dogs, Smooth Otter, Pangolin, Porcupine, Marsh Crocodile, Ratel, Four Horned Antelope and many other species of wildlife are seen. Birds are everywhere and Malabar Pied Hornbills, Crested Serpent Eagles, Crested Hawk Eagles, Honey Buzzards, Paradise Flycatchers, Pittas, Thrushes, Peafowl, Pheasants fill the air with their calls.