Panna National Park

Geography

The Panna National Park is located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and is a part of the Chattarpur district. The park is well connected with the other parts of the region by a good network of roads. Distances of some important places in India from the Panna National Park are Bhopal 727 km, Delhi 889 km, Chennai 1761, and Calcutta 1040 km.
One of the most significant ecological aspects of the Reserve is that the district Panna makes the northern most boundary of natural distribution of teak and the eastern limits of teak-kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) mixed forests.The Ken river, which flows through the Reserve form south to north, is the home for Long Snouted crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (mugger) and other aquatic fauna. Ken is one of the sixteen perennial rivers of M.P. and is truly the life-line of the Reserve. It offers some of the most spectacular scenery while it meanders for about 55 km. through the Reserve

History

The sanctuary created in 1981 was eventually declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1994, the 22nd in the country and 5th in the State. The good population of the tigers enabled to achieve the feat. It proved to be a great habitat for the big cats with conducive ecosystem. The National park was built with areas from the adjoining Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. presently the park consists of areas from North Panna Forest Division, reserve forest in Panna district and some protected forests on Chhatarpur district.
District Panna makes the boundary in north of the natural distribution of teak and the eastern limits of teak-kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) mixed forests. It is one of the most significant ecological aspect of the forests. Situated on the hilly ranges of Vindhyanchal, Panna valley is spread over Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern corner of Indian state Madhya Pradesh.
River Ken which flows through the forest acts as the lifeline to the forest. incidentally it is home to the furious Long Snouted Crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (mugger). The other flora and fauna reserve of the forest makes it a ideal spot for eco and adventure tourism of the country. The river covers an extensive length of 55 km of the forest.
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Flora & Fauna

The Panna Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by extensive plateaus and gorges. The geography of the forest can be broadly classified into three types: -the upper Talgaon Plateau, the middle Hinouta Plateau and the Ken valley. Moreover there the national park is dotted with undulating hills on the sides of the Ken river valley.
The sanctuary is set among the Vidhyan hill ranges and is located on the northern part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The dry and hot climate of the place determines the type of vegetation of the forest. The miscellaneous dry deciduous forest is the common form of vegetation in the sanctuary along with patches of inter spread grasslands.
Other major vegetation type found in the park are Southern tropical dry deciduous dry teak ,Northern tropical dry deciduous mixed forest, Dry deciduous scrub forest, Boswellia forest, Dry bamboo brakes, Anogeissus pendula forest.
other than these open grasslands, open woodlands with tall grasses and thorny woodlands too are common. The types of trees that cover the forests are Dhawda, Tendu, Saja, Achar, Seja, Salai, Kullu, Aonla, Mahua, Bel and many more.
Moreover, the Panna Wildlife Sanctuary forms one of the important ecological section of the region. It forms the northern borderline of the natural distribution of teak and the eastern limits of teak-kardhai mixed forests. Truly, a green surprise in a wonderful sanctuary !

Panna National Park Climate

The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are too hot and very uncomfortable, though this is the time when one has the maximum chances of encountering the exclusive wildlife of this park. Winters are cold and comfortable and the temperature generally remains under 25°C. Monsoon touches this region in July and continues till mid-September.

Park Visiting Time

1. 15 November to 15 February - Sunrise to 12.00 noon and 3.00 pm to Sunset.
2. 16 February to 30 April - Sunrise to 1200 noon and 4.00 pm to Sunset.
3. 1 May to 30 June - Sunrise to 11.00 am and 5.00 pm to Sunset .

How To Reach Panna National Park

Flight : The nearest airport is at Khajuraho at a distance of around 57 km from the Panna National Park.

Train : Satna, at a distance of around 90 km, is the nearest railway station..

Road : The nearest bus stand is Panna connected to Khajuraho and many other places in Madhya Pradesh by a good road network. Madla, at a distance of around 24 km southwest of Khajuraho, is a good transport centre.