Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park is located in the Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh, India, covering an area of 524 square kilometers. It’s situated in the Satpura mountain range to the south of the Narmada River, and it’s a rich and diverse forest area. In fact, it’s home to many endangered species and was declared Madhya Pradesh’s first Biosphere Reserve in 1999.
The park has dense forests on the Pachmarhi Plateau, with mixed sal and high-grade woods in the lower plains. Due to its location, it’s often referred to as the northern border of the Western Ghats.
This vast region plays a crucial role in conserving the Bengal tiger. It’s a habitat for nearly 14 endangered species, including the flying squirrel, Indian skimmer, black-bellied tern, leaf-nosed bat, and more. Over 300 species of birds call this area home, including the Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush, and the state bird of Madhya Pradesh, the paradise flycatcher.
Additionally, rare migratory birds such as the Baer’s pochard, pintail, spot-billed duck, spoonbill, and the sarus crane are often seen here in large groups during the winter season. The Eurasian otter has also been spotted here recently.
From an archaeological perspective, this region is incredibly significant, with over 50 rock paintings dating back 1,500 to 10,000 years.
The Satpura Tiger Reserve is an excellent example of the highland eco-system in central India. It encompasses the forested areas of Chhindwara, Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda, Khandwa, and Melghat, creating an extensive landscape covering nearly 10,000 square kilometers.
The Satpura-Melghat corridor includes the forest areas of Hoshangabad, Harda, North Betul, and West Betul forest divisions. Additionally, the Satpura-Pench corridor extends through the Western Chhindwara and Northern Betul forest divisions.
These corridors play a crucial role in wildlife conservation, facilitating the movement of animals between different forested areas and helping maintain the biodiversity of the region.
Way to reach Satpuda National Park:
By Air: The nearest airport to Satpura National Park is the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, From Bhopal, you can travel by bus or taxi which will take approx 4-5 Hrs.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Satpura National Park is the Pipariya Railway Station, After that you can hire bus or taxi which will take approx 2-3 Hrs.
By Road: Satpura National Park is well-connected by a good road network to other cities. you can take bus taxi from nearby city like Hoshangabad, Bhopal, or Pipariya.
So, whether you prefer to travel by air, train, or road, Satpura National Park is accessible from various parts of Madhya Pradesh and nearby cities. Enjoy your trip!