The wilderness of the Satpura National Park is remarkably alluring. In the mid-1800s Captain James Forsyth, an officer in the Bengal Lancers, shared a complete anthology of this area in his book titled ‘The Highlands of Central India’ as he navigated this magnificently biodiverse landscape via horseback. Sprawling over montane mixed deciduous forests, with countless intertwining streams, Satpura is by far the largest Tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh, covering a staggering area of 2100 sq km. It is this geological amalgamation that makes it one of the best regions in Central India to exhibit a plethora of avian diversity with the likes of Malabar Pied Hornbills, Eurasian Wryneck, Sirkeer Malkoha, Scarlet Minivet, Indian Eagle Owl, Black Crowned Night Herons, Bar Headed Geese, Painted Snipe, Crested Hawk Eagle and more. Wildlife such as the Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Indian Giant Squirrel and the Bengal Tiger are the major attraction for visitors of this park.
Along with regular jeep safaris, one can also engage in boat safaris and canoe safaris. It is also one of the few parks in India that allows walking safaris within the Core zone of a Tiger Reserve. Camping along the Denwa river in the buffer area is also encouraged (an experience which lasts for 2 nights, 3 days) The boat safaris here can be done until March as the water levels of the river starts to recede post that period.
Should you wish to stay inside the national park, you can spend a night in Churna Camp and get a feel of experiencing the heart of a forest. With such opportunities at one’s disposal, Satpura offers a myriad of activities which is the biggest attraction of this place when compared to other parks. It encapsulates the complete wilderness experience unlike any other. The highest point of the Highlands known as Dhoopgarh, is just about 2-hour drive from the national park in Pachmarhi Sanctuary, which falls under military jurisdiction. The Bison Lodge constructed under Captain Forsyth has now been converted into an interpretation Centre here.
Pachmarhi also includes as zone known as Panaarpaani (a recently opened gate) which has much to offer. Nestled within the Mahadeo Hills of the Pachmarhi Biosphere, verdant and dense as it is packed with an abundance of fruiting trees and medicinal plants, attracting a broad range of birds, butterflies, and even Giant Squirrels and Sloth Bears.
Apart from Panarpani, the park has Madhai as the pivotal core zone of the Reserve, which encompasses a highly diverse landscape. Navigating this park via jeep, walks or by canoe instils a sense of tranquility as you experience undulating basalt and sandstone dotted hills, meadows teeming with herds of deer, wild pigs, peafowl, and langurs and mixed forests with Giant squirrels who depend on the seasonal fruits. With plenty of waterholes and the river Sonbadra flowing through the park, Satpura is home to some extraordinary reptile life with species such as the Saw Scaled Viper, Russel’s Viper, Common Krait, Common Wolf Snake, Flapshell Turtle, Marsh Crocodiles and more.
Featured Photo by Blake Meyer on Unsplash
