Satpura National Park
Spread over 524 Sq Km of Satpura ranges in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh in Central India is Satpura National Park and Tiger Reserve established in the year 1981. Including the adjoining Bori and Panchmarhi sanctuaries the total wooded area is 1427 Sq Km. Terrain of Satpura tiger reserve is unique with ravines, gorges and extremely dense forest. With level plains of Churna and highest peak of Dhoopgarh the altitude ranges from 980 ft to 4436 ft. It is in these forests lie the hill station of Pachmarhi also known as ‘Queen of Satpura’.
A well-known biosphere reserve, the biodiversity here is varied. The flora consists of mainly sal, teak, tendu, mahua, bel, bamboo, and grasses and hundreds of medicinal plants and herbs with over 1300 known species of plants. Satpura forests are home to Tiger, Leopard, Spotted deer, Sambhar, nilgai, four-horned antelope, chinkara, Gaur , wild boar, wild dog, sloth bear, black buck, fox, porcupine, flying squirrel, mouse deer and Indian giant squirrel amongst others. It is said that once Lions, Elephants, Wild buffalo and Barasinghas were also found here.
It is a heaven for bird watchers and butterfly spotting and is known to have highest number of butterfly species in Central India. Satpura is certainly the best destination for tourists who are not on the lookout of striped cat only but want to enjoy the biodiversity and peaceful forests of Central India.