Panna Tiger Reserve is the 12th Biodiversity Reserve to be included in UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme in 2020. Panna Tiger Reserve is located in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh in the lap of the Vindhyan Mountains. Ken River runs through the natural teak forests of Panna. Following are the details of the reserve, booking, timings, etc. Hope, you will find it useful.
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Panna Tiger Reserve
It is in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh. Panna Biosphere Reserve contains the last remaining tiger habitat of North Madhya Pradesh.
The forest is of dry deciduous type with extensive plateaus and gorges. The Panna National Park is situated at a point where the continuity of the dry broadleaf forests belt (which starts from Cape Comorin) is broken. Beyond this point, moist deciduous forests of the Indo-Gangetic Plains begin.
The northernmost boundary is of natural distribution to teak (Tectona grandis) while the eastern limit is of teak-kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) mixed forests.
The Panna Biosphere Reserve links the eastern and western populations of wild animals through the Northeast-Southwest running Vindhyan ranges. Therefore it forms the most important protected area in the north-central highlands of India.
Panna National Park
Panna National Park was formed in 1981 by a Government declaration. It comprises some parts of the protected forests that were originally the hunting preserves of the former kingdoms of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states.
In 1994, this park was included as India’s 22nd tiger reserve under Project Tiger which was started in 1973.
Ken River and Waterfalls
There are a number of mesmerising waterfalls, especially on the Ken River. The meandering Ken River presents a picturesque landscape. It flows from the south to the north through the reserve. It runs for 72 km in the northeast direction.
The dry deciduous forests along with Ken Gharial Sanctuary form a significant part of the catchment area of Ken river. The catchment area is about 406 km. Ken River is one of the sixteen perennial rivers of Madhya Pradesh. It is truly called the lifeline of the Panna Biosphere Reserve. The Ken river is also the least polluted tributary of the Yamuna River.
Historical Archaeology
The Panna Tiger Reserve has remains of two-thousand-year-old rock paintings.
Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO
The area of the Panna tiger reserve is 542.67 km2. It is also a biosphere reserve. The Panna Biosphere Reserve was designated in 2020 by UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere Programme.
The Biosphere Reserve encompasses Panna National Park, three sections of the Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary (I, III and IV) and the reserved and protected forests of the North Panna Forest Division.
The biosphere reserve includes over 300 villages. The villagers practice agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. They collect kattha, gum, resins, and medicinal plants from the deciduous forests.
The Panna Biosphere Reserve has a total area of 299,898 ha. The core area is 79,253 ha, the buffer zone is 98,720 ha and the transition zone is of 121,925 ha.
The reserve includes various kinds of natural landscapes such as forests, woodlands, wetlands, farms, as well as wastelands.
Extinction of Tigers from Panna Tiger Reserve
Although Panna was given the Award of Excellence in 2007 as the best-maintained national park of India by the Union Ministry of Tourism of India; by 2009, the entire tiger population had been eliminated. The main reason that came forward was poaching. The lack of responsibility from forest officials led to such a grave situation.
With the help of WWF-India support, the Madhya Pradesh state government and the forest department translocated two female tigers to the tiger reserve in March 2009. One female was from Bandhavgarh National Park, Umaria (coded T1) and the other was from Kanha National Park (coded T2). A tiger male, coded T3, was later brought from Pench Tiger Reserve.
Flora and Fauna
There are dry and short grass habitats with extensive open woodlands. Lush green vegetation can be seen along the Ken drainage basin.
The deciduous tree species found here are Acacia catachu. They dominate the dry steep slopes of the plateaus. These habitats give a heterogeneous landscape.
Also, more than 300 species of birds can be found here.
Ken-Betwa River Linking Project
The Government of India along with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh constructed Daudhan Dam to link the Ken River with the Betwa River which passes through Panna Tiger Resrve.
Ken-Betwa interlinking of rivers project is approved with a total cost of Rs 44,605 crore. The project is expected to get completed in eight years.
The water from the Ken River to the Betwa River will be transferred by the construction of the Daudhan dam and a canal linking the two rivers, the Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage and the Bina Complex Multipurpose Project.
This project is part of the Yamuna River System.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be set up to implement the project.
Beneficiaries Of The Interlinking Project :
This project will benefit the districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen of Madhya Pradesh and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi & Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh.
The project will be of immense benefit to the water-starved Bundelkhand region. Since the Bundelkhand region faces water shortage and long dry spells, the project will bring relief.
It will also help in improving the socio-economic prosperity in the backward Bundelkhand region. It will boost agricultural activities and employment generation. It is expected to arrest distress migration from this region.
The project is envisaged to provide annual irrigation of 10.62 lakh ha. Also expected to provide drinking water supply to a population of about 62 lakhs. The project will generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power which will help tackle the energy crisis.
A comprehensive landscape management plan is under finalization by the Wildlife Institute of India which will provide environmental management and safeguards.
However, the project raises some issues as well. The project will partly submerge the Panna Tiger Reserve affecting the habitats of vultures and jackals the most.
Also, the water disputes between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh will rise, particularly in non-monsoonal months over the sharing of waters.
The environmental clearance given in 2016 is challenged in the National Green Tribunal. This presents uncertainty over the project. According to the report of a sub-committee of the Forest Advisory Committee, at least 23 lakh trees will be needed to be cut down for the implementation of the Ken-Betwa Link Project.
Panna Tiger Reserve Map
The Panna Biosphere reserve has three demarcated areas. The core, the buffer and the transition area. The core area is a protected region, like a National Park or Sanctuary. No human interference is allowed in this region. This region has endemic plants and animals.
The buffer zone surrounds the core area. The activities in this region are managed inways to protect the core zone. Activities that are allowed here are restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc. Research and educational activities are also encouraged.
The transition zone is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is also called the zone of cooperation. Here human ventures and conservation are done in harmony. Activities include settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.
Panna Tiger Reserve Booking Safari/Park and Timings
In CORE Zone :
- Winter Season from October to February
- Morning Round : Sunrise to 11:00 A.M.
- Afternoon Round : 3:00 P.M. to Sunset
- Summer Season from March to June
- Morning Round : Sunrise to 11:00 A.M.
- Afternoon Round : 4:00 P.M. to Sunset
In BUFFER Zone :
- Winter Season from October to February
- Morning Round : Sunrise to 11:00 A.M.
- Afternoon Round : 3:00 P.M. to Sunset
- Summer Season from March to June
- Morning Round : Sunrise to 11:00 A.M.
- Afternoon Round : 4:00 P.M. to Sunset
- Night Safari : 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Night Safri in the Panna Tiger Reserve is only allowed in the Buffer Region. The entry for Night Safari is from the Akola, Harsa and Khajurikudar gates only.
Entry Gates To Panna Tiger Reserve
There are 4 entry gates to Panna Tiger Reserve :
Core : Madla and Hinauta
Buffer : Akola, Harsa and Khajurikudar
* Night Safari is only available in the Buffer Areas.
Entry Fees To Panna Tiger Reserve (2021 Rates)
- Single Seat Permit in the Core Zone
- Indian: Rs. 400 (General rate) and Rs. 500 (Premium Rate)
- Foreigner: Rs. 800 (General Rate) and Rs. 1000(Premium Rate)
- Single Seat Permit in the Buffer Zone
- Rs. 200 for all.
- Full Vehicle Permit (maximum six persons)
- Indian: Rs. 2400 (General rate) and Rs. 3000 (Premium Rate)
- Foreigner: Rs. 4800 (General Rate) and Rs. 6000(Premium Rate)
- Full Vehicle Permit in a mini-bus (maximum twenty persons) only in Buffer Zone
- Rs. 4800 for all.
You should check the availability of Jeeps beforehand on the site https://forest.mponline.gov.in/Search
Guide fees are not included in these rates. It is mandatory to take a guide.
Online as well as offline tickets can be purchased but to be on the safer side online booking is preferred. Sometimes when you buy from the ticket counter, there is no slot availability.
It is no guarantee that you will see the Tiger for sure. Many times tiger is not seen. Guides demand higher money and guarantees that they will show the tiger. Often they say that “Paisa wapas le lena nahi dikha to…” but do not fall for these traps. It depends upon your luck that you see a tiger somewhere. Tiger is a wild and roaming animal. It is not like it has a fixed place to stay. It is just pure luck when you encounter them.
However, the Safari travel is in itself a great experience. Night Safari can be enjoyed by Adventure lovers.
The Jeep also covers nearby areas like Raneh Falls, Pandav Falls and Ken Gharial Sanctuary.
How To Reach Panna Tiger Reserve
By Road :
- From Khajuraho:
- Panna is just 25 km away from Khajuraho connected with well linked all-weather road.
- It takes about 30 minutes to reach the reserve from Khajuraho.
- From Chhatarpur:
- Panna is 70 kms from Chhatarpur. One can take bus.
- From Satna
- You can also take vehicle from Satna to Panna directly.
By Rail:
- Khajuraho, Satna and Chhatarpur are well connected with the rail links.
- Nearest railway station is Chhatarpur station – it is called as Maharaja Chhatrasal Station and one can reach Panna easily.
- From Veerangna Lakshmibai Jhansi Railway Station, you can take a cab directly to Panna.
- Jhansi has more connectivity.
By Air:
- Panna is not well connected via regular flights.
- The nearest airport is Khajuraho Airport at 40kms.
Best Time To Visit Panna Tiger Reserve
- Best time to visit is winter.
- Months from December to March.
Panna Tiger Reserve Resorts (Accommodation)
- Jungle Cottages are available in Hinouta. The huts and tents are double-seaters. The huts cost Rs. 2500 + 12% GST and the tents cost Rs. 2000 + 12% GST.
- Dormitory beds are available at Hinouta and Madla. Hinouta dormitory cost Rs 300 and at Madla Rs. 500.
- Huts are also available at Raneh Waterfalls at a cost of Rs. 1500 + 12% GST.
(These are the rates for 2021)
For more details visit https://www.pannatigerreserve.in
Nearby Places To Visit
Orchha
- Orchha is 198 km from Panna.
- It will lie near Jhansi. Orchha has Ram Raja Temple. It is the only temple in the world where Lord Rama is seated as king.
- Here you can enjoy water sports.
- There are many historical remains of the Bundela Dynasty in Orchha.
Shiv Yogini Temple
- It is a 12 century A.D. Temple built in the Mau-Sahania Dhubela complex.
- It lies when you go to Panna from Jhansi.
- You have to take a left cut for Barat village.
- Barat is 88.4 km from Panna.
Raneh Falls
- It is about 44 km from Panna.
- They are natural waterfalls on the river Ken.
- Raneh Falls is known as the Grand Canyon of India.
- But unfortunately, not many people know about the place.
Pandav Falls
- They are about 14 km from Panna.
- It is a perennial fall fed by a tributary of the river Ken
- It cascades down from a height of about 30 meters into a heart-shaped pool.
- At the foot of the falls, there are some ancient caves.
- The Pandavas of the Mahabharata are believed to have spent a part of their exile here. Hence the name, Pandav falls.
Khajuraho
- It is about 100 km from Panna.
- Khajuraho Group of Monuments of Hindu and Jainism are found in the Chhatarpur District.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage.
- Most of the temples were built by the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD.
- It is established in Nagara-style temple architecture.
- Most of the idols are of erotic art (idols are established in a naked state).
