Wildlife of central India
Given the abundance and diversity of its natural resources, Central India’s wildlife is a must-see area in the country that includes Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and a portion of Maharashtra.
Other than the Royal Bengal Tiger, the wildlife of central India includes some rare, endangered, and intriguing mammals like Gaur, Wild Dog, Bara Singha, Sloth Bear, and Leopard.
The wildlife in Central India attracts a lot of tourists who enjoy the opportunity to explore the wilderness and the natural world. Different regions of Central India are renowned for their abundance of water creatures, birds, and other wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and elephants. One must see the wildlife of Central India if you are a die-hard wildlife enthusiast or a professional wildlife photographer.
Popular parks to see the wildlife of central India
1. Bandhavgarh National Park
First on our list of the best national park to see the wildlife of Central India is Bandhavgarh National Park. It is one of the well-known national parks known for the Royal Bengal Tiger and is situated in Madhya Pradesh state’s Umaria district. It is home to a variety of birds and animals and is made up of tall grasslands and Sal forest. Aside from other creatures, one can catch a glimpse of White Tigers, Leopards, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Gaur, Chausingha, and Chinkara, Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, and Sloth Bear. Sarus Crane, Black Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Common Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, and others are just a handful of the birds that birdwatchers might see.
Tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park
2. Kanha National Park
Second on our list of best parks to see the wildlife of Central India is Kanha. Kanha National Park sometimes referred to as Kanha Tiger Reserve, is situated in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district. One must visit this park, which is among India’s largest national parks, to experience the incredible wildlife of Central India. The main creatures that are seen here, among many other natural beauties, are the Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Barasingha, and Indian Wild Dogs.
Tiger cubs at Kanha National Park
3. Satpura National Park
Satpura National Park is quietly situated in Madhya Pradesh’s Hoshangabad district, is home to a great variety of species, including leopards, wild dogs (dhole), sloth bears, sambars, wild boars, chitals, and langurs. The Malabar Giant Squirrel, which can only be found in this park and nowhere else in Madhya Pradesh, is one of the park’s most notable attractions. The Malabar pied Hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush, Indian Skimmer, and many more lovely and migratory birds may be seen here in abundance, making it a perfect birding destination.
4. Pench National Park
The Jungle Book, the most well-known work by renowned author Rudyard Kipling, was originally set in Pench National Park, which is located in the Seoni and Chinndwara area of Madhya Pradesh in India. The forest is owned by the tiger, and in addition to 1200 different species of plants and animals, there are 210 different species of birds, both migratory and resident. In this area, it’s common to see Chital, Sambar Deer, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Jackal, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Porcupine, and Jungle Cat. If you enjoy watching birds, you might also observe Wagtails, Munias, Mynas, Waterfowl, Green Pigeons, Blue Kingfishers, Peafowl, Jungle Fowl, and Racket-tailed Drongo among many other species.
5. Tadoba Andhari National Park
Tadoba National Park is one of the biggest National Parks and is situated in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. Additionally, it falls under Project Tiger – India’s tiger reserves. The park is a popular tourist destination all year long. Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Wild Dog, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Sambar Deer, Cheetal, Nilgai, and Barking Deer are just a few of the animals that have been spotted in Tadoba. A wide variety of resident and migrating bird life may be found here, making it a full birder’s paradise.
The Wildlife of Central India
1. Royal Bengal Tiger
Top on our list of the wildlife of Central India and at the top of the food chain is King of the Jungle – The Big Cat of India. Under every bush and around every turn, one can hope to spot a tiger in the deep woods of Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, and Panna. The best place in the world to see tigers is Bandhavgarh. Many people’s wishes have been granted by the park’s excellent terrain and compact size. Additionally, the tigers have been brought back to Panna National Park after going extinct there a few years ago. They are now commonly seen there, even with cubs on the banks of the Ken River.
2. Indian Leopard
The second famous specie on our list of wildlife of Central India is the Indian Leopard. Given that they are both members of the same family and favor similar types of prey, it competes with the Tiger for space and food. A leopard is renowned for its speed and strength, but its secretive habitat is what makes it most famous. They steal sheep, goats, or dogs covertly from neighboring communities. In places with obvious tiger activity, leopard sightings are rare. Nevertheless, leopards are more frequently and frequently spotted in the Satpura National Park’s woods, which are teeming with prey but lacking in tigers.
3. Bara Singha
A deer species that is unique to Kanha National Park is the hard ground swamp deer, which is extremely endangered. The Swamp Deer subspecies is a living illustration of evolution. Thanks to effective conservation measures, the deer is no longer in danger of going extinct. Numerous attempts were made to keep them from going extinct as the population decreased to 60, which could still be counted. They are now prospering and appropriately referred to as “the pearl of Kanha.” Throughout the mating season in November and December, they came from all male herds of up to 70 males. The deer’s fur is shimmering golden in the summer and thick chestnut brown in the winter. Formal initiatives are being made with the goal of Satpura becoming Barasingha’s secondary residence.
4. Sloth Bear
Until the Wildlife Law of 1972, sloth bears were trained to perform in circuses and zoos as dancing bears. However, in Madhya Pradesh, you have a good possibility of seeing them dancing while intoxicated from eating a lot of Mahua fruit. Although sloth bears prefer the dark, they are frequently observed during the daytime gnawing on termite colonies and peeling bark off trees in search of insects. Seeing a woman with infants on her back is the greatest joy! The sloth bear sightings at Satpura National Park are the park’s main draw. They can also be found in Bandhavgarh, Pench, and Kanha.
5. Wild Dog
Wild Dogs, sometimes known as “Indian Dhole,” are expert predators in the Canidae family. Wild dogs hunt strategically and scope out a vast region before settling on their quarry. It’s a spine-tingling experience to witness the pack of wild dogs’ deft planning and hunting; the dholes outrun their target and viciously begin eating it alive. In spite of this, the dogs have a reputation for being great hunters and keeping the peace in their packs. Compared to Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura, Pench, and Kanha give better opportunities to see Dholes. The dogs resemble domestic dogs in many aspects and are brown in color with a bushy tail.
6. Gaur
The IUCN has listed the Gaur, the largest species of cattle found in Asia, as “Vulnerable.” A big mammal belonging to the bovine family, the gaur resembles the bison found in North America and can weigh up to one tonne. They went extinct in Bandhavgarh as a region in 1995 but were successfully reintroduced to the park from Kanha in 2012. The Tigers also give these animals a wide berth because of their immense size, power, and deadly horns. Gaurs are entirely herbivorous animals that live in herds.
The finest viewing occurs in the summer when they travel to meadows in search of water and new grass. Gaur may be recognized by its distinctive dorsal ridge on the back. Due to the white tint below the knees, they are frequently described as “wearing white socks.” It can be seen in all of Central India’s well-known National Parks.
