Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh List and their Key Features

Context: Recently, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved a scheme for developing buffer zones in the State’s nine tiger reserves.

Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh’s significant tiger population has earned it the title of “Tiger State” of India. There are 9 tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh as of April 2025:

1. Kanha Tiger Reserve
2. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
3. Pench Tiger Reserve
4. Satpura Tiger Reserve
5. Panna Tiger Reserve
6. Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve
7. Ratapani Tiger Reserve
8. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
9. Madhav Tiger Reserve

Key Features of the Scheme for Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh

• Chain-Link Fencing: Installation in ecologically sensitive buffer areas to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.
• Habitat Development: Creation of grasslands and water resources to support wildlife.
• Wildlife Protection Measures: Implementation of fire safety protocols and health monitoring for wild animals.
• Community Engagement: Skill development training programs for local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods and involvement in conservation efforts.
• Madhya Pradesh is the “Tiger State of India“. It has witnessed a significant increase in its tiger population within buffer zones:​
  • 2019: 526 tigers
  • 2023: 785 tiger

List of Tiger Reserves in India

Details about Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh

Kanha Tiger Reserve

• Location: Mandla & Balaghat districts

• Established: 1973

• Famous For: Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book

• Flora & Fauna: Sal forests, barasingha (swamp deer), leopards, wild dogs, and tigers.

• Best Time to Visit: October to June

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

• Location: Umaria district

• Established: 1993 (originally a national park since 1968)

• Famous For: Highest tiger density in India

• Special Attraction: Bandhavgarh Fort ruins, rich history

• Best Time to Visit: October to June

Pench Tiger Reserve

• Location: Seoni & Chhindwara districts

• Established: 1992

• Famous For: Another inspiration for The Jungle Book; picturesque landscapes

• Key Wildlife: Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and numerous bird species

Satpura Tiger Reserve

• Location: Hoshangabad district

• Established: 2000

• Unique For: Canoe safaris, walking safaris—more immersive wildlife experiences

• Biodiversity: Tigers, Indian bison, leopards, and a rich mix of flora

Panna Tiger Reserve

• Location: Panna & Chhatarpur districts

• Established: 1994

• Notable Events: Tiger population revival after local extinction in 2009

• Tourist Highlight: Proximity to Khajuraho temples

Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve

• Location: Sidhi & Singrauli districts

• Established: 2008

• Special Features: Relatively less touristy, great for offbeat exploration

• Biodiversity: Tigers, leopards, hyenas, and dense forests

Ratapani Tiger Reserve

• Location: Raisen and Sehore districts, near Bhopal

• Declared: As a tiger reserve in principle (awaiting full notification)

• Area: ~824 sq km (core)

• Highlights:

  • Close to the state capital, making it easily accessible

  • Rich biodiversity: leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, and a small population of tigers

  • Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies within the reserve

  • Dense teak forests and scenic reservoirs like Barna and Ratapani

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

• Location: Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, and Damoh districts

• Declared: 2023 (India’s 54th tiger reserve)

• Area: Combines Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Veerangana Durgavati Sanctuary (~1,414 sq km)

• Named After: Rani Durgavati, the warrior queen of Gondwana

• Flora & Fauna: Dry deciduous forests, rich with herbivores, leopards, and a small tiger population

• Importance: Acts as a corridor between Panna and Satpura Tiger Reserves

• Eco-Tourism: Still developing, with growing interest in heritage and wildlife circuits

Madhav Tiger Reserve

• Location: Shivpuri district (Gwalior region)

• Originally: Madhav National Park

• Area: ~375 sq km

• Status: Proposed/upgraded for Tiger Reserve status

• Unique For:

  • Scenic lakes: Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, great for birdwatching

  • Palaces and hunting lodges from the Scindia royal era

  • Wildlife: Leopards, jackals, hyenas, chinkaras, and migratory birds

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