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Panna National Park
Contents
- Star Attraction
- Overview
- History
- [+] Quick Facts
- [+] Ecosystem
- [+] Planning Your Trip
- Did You Know?
- [+] Getting There
- Nearby Destinations
- Park Rules & Regulations
- In the News
[ Edit ] Star Attraction
Big Cats (although Tigers are few), Crocodiles, and other wildlife with convenient access to Khajuraho Temples.
[ Edit ] Overview
Panna National Park, in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the more frequented National Parks in India - made popular by its close proximity to the famous Khajuraho Temples. The Ken River, which flows through the length of the Park acting as the lifeline supporting a rich variety of wildlife and flora in one of the best managed parks in the country.
Panna National Park is however a series of contradictions. On the one hand, it received an Award of Excellence in 2007 as the "Best maintained tourist friendly National Park of the country" by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and as part of the Project Tiger initiative, has received significant support with conservation efforts.
On the flip side, however, the Tiger population at the park has been reported to be completely destroyed due to poaching. Efforts to re-populate the park with tigers from Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park are currently underway. It is therefore unlikey that visitors will be able to glimpse Tigers anytime soon at this park.
Nevertheless, Panna National Park is a great destination for other significant variety of other wildlife. If one is in the area, particularly visiting Khajuraho, it is definitely worth the time to visit this park.
[ Edit ] History
The area of park was the private hunting region of the royal family of Panna. Following India's Independence, the park was declared a wildlife sanctuary. In 1981, the Panna Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a National Park. In 1994, Kanha was inducted into the Project Tiger program - one of the charter members.
Legends link Panna National Park to the the Mahabharata epic. It is believed that the Pandavas spent a significant part of their exile in the forests of Panna.
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
Madhya Pradesh, India
[ Edit ] Location
Panna National Park is located in Chattarpur District, Madhya Pradesh.
[ Edit ] Best Time to Visit
December through March are the most comfortable months to visit Panna National Park.
However, if you are comfortable with the heat, the summer months - through June - are the best for spotting animals as they tend to congregate near water holes.
[ Edit ] STD Code
07732
Ecosystem
[ Edit ] Geography
The terrain of Panna National Park is characterised by rocky and uneven landscape and is covered by scrubby vegetation and grass.
Area: 543 sq kms
Altitude: Ranges from 212 meters to 538 meters
[ Edit ] Wildlife
While the reputation of Panna National Park was built based on Tigers and its inclusion in the Project Tiger program, it is highly unlikely that visitors will see the animal at Panna given the sparse population. While efforts are being made to re-populate the park with Tigers, Panna still offers significant other wildlife attractions including: Leopards and other wild cats, Wild Dogs, Indian Wolves, Hyaena, Sloth Bears and a variety of Indian deers including Chital, Chowsingha, Nilgai, and Chinkara.
The Ken River, which flows through Panna National Park, is home to two major species of crocodiles in India - the Mugger and Long Snouted Gharial. In addition, a variety of snakes, including the python and other reptiles are found at the park.
There are more than 200 species of birds reported at Panna National Park and the park is home to a number of migratory birds during the winter season. Some of the notable species of birds at Panna include: King Vulture, Paradise flycatcher, White-necked Stork, Honey Buzzard, Slaty-headed Scimitar, Bare-headed Goose, Blossom-headed Parakeet, and Babbler among others.
[ Edit ] Flora
Due to the hot climate conditions, vegetation at Panna National Park is mostly dry and consists of forests, meadows and grasslands. Common trees found in the forest are teak, tendu, mahua and other species.
[ Edit ] Climate
The climate of this region of Madhya Pradesh range from cool and comfortable in the winters (and the temperature generally remains under 25°C) to unbearably hot in the summers (up to a high of 45°C).
Monsoon reach Panna National Park in July and continues till about mid-September.
Planning Your Trip
[ Edit ] Operating Hours & Season
Panna National Park is open throughout the year.
Operating hours of the Park:
October to January
- 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
February to March
- 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
April to June
- 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM
- 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM
[ Edit ] Fees
Fees for Panna National Park are as follows:
- Indians: Rs 40
- Foreigners: Rs 500
- Camera: Rs. 40
- Video Camera: Rs. 200
- Elephant Safari: Rs. 100 per person (Rs. 600 for foreigners)
- Van / Jeep Safari: Rs ___ per person
- Night Safari: Rs. 1,800 / jeep Guide: Rs. 100 / vehicle
- Jeep rental: Rs. 1,500 / half day
- Private vehicle entry : Rs. 150
[ Edit ] Activities in Park
Safaris (Elephant and Jeep); Boat rides on the Ken River, Bird Watching and Night Safaris conducted out of the Ken River Lodge.
Panna National Park has become a hot-bed for ecotourism and one of the emerging popular activities at the Park are Nature Walks organized by the Forest Department in collaboration with some private organizations. These walks are certainly the best way to gain a feel for the nature and wildlife of the Park.
[ Edit ] Visiting the Park
Most safaris at Panna National Park start from the Madla village on the western side of the park and with easy access to the town of Panna. On the eastern side, there is an entrance at Hindouta, approachable from the Panna diamond mines.
The best way to see the Panna National Park and experience the wildlife is on an Elephant Safari.
There are no jeeps provided for rent by the Park's authorities. Private cars or rented jeeps are the only option for venturing in a vehicle into Panna National Park. Another option is to partake in the night safari that conducted by the Ken River Lodge.
The Park authorities do offer an hour long boat ride - a good option to catch a glimpse of predators and other animals around the lake.
[ Edit ] Lodging inside Park
[ Edit ] Did You Know?
Interesting facts about Panna National Park include:
- Even with the focus and resources committed by government and the Project Tiger program, along with Sariska National Park, Panna National Park has been a disappointment and failure till date as it relates to Tiger conservation.
- With the tiger population at Panna threatened, two female tigers from Bandhavgarh Nationa Park and Kanha National Park were were relocated here in March 2009. However, the last known remaining male tiger has since gone missing.
- India's only operating diamond mine is located at the town of Majhgaon - 55 kms from Panna National Park.
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
The nearest airport to Panna National Park is the Khajuraho Airport.
[ Edit ] Rail
The nearest railway station to Panna is at Jhansi 200 km away.
[ Edit ] Road
Driving distances to Panna from:
- Bhopal: 727 kms
- Delhi: 888 kms
- Gwalior__ kms
- Jhansi: 200 kms
- Khajuraho Temples: 46 kms
- Mandla: 24 kms
- Satna: 70 kms
By Car from Delhi, take the NH2 to Agra. Then turn onto the NH3 to Gwalior and then the NH75 to Panna via Jhansi and Madla
[ Edit ] Nearby Destinations
The town of Panna and the Khajuraho Temples are nearby attractions at Panna National Park.
[ Edit ] Park Rules & Regulations
[ Edit ] In the News
Recent News
Panna National Park Welcomes 3 New Born Tiger Cubs
Fire at Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Hope and Optimism for a Tiger at Panna National Park
Animal Skeletal Remains Found at Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Tiger Restoration at Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh
[ARCHIVES ]
