Tiger Reserves in India

Panna Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Conservation

Management

Census

Archeology

Forests

» Introduction

Panna is situated in the Vindhyan Range and spreads over Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern part of the Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) State of India.

One of the most significant ecological aspects of the Reserve is that the district Panna makes the northern most boundary of natural distribution of teak and the eastern limits of teak-kardhai mixed forests.

The Ken river, which flows through the Reserve from south to north, is the home for long snouted crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (maggar) and other aquatic fauna. It is one of the sixteen perennial rivers of M.P. and is truly the life-line of the Reserve. It offers some of the most spectacular scenery while it meanders for about 55 km. through the Reserve.

The terrain of the Reserve is characterised by extensive plateaus and gorges. The topography in the Panna district part of the Reserve can broadly be divided into three distinct tablelands - the upper Talgaon Plateau, the middle Hinouta Plateau and the Ken valley while there are series of undulating hills and plateaus on the other side of Ken river in the Chhatarpur district.

The Reserve's most undisturbed habitat of about 70-80 sq. km. lies on the Hinouta plateau. This is due to relocation of three villages from this area in 1980s. Dry and short grass habitat with open woodland is quite extensive. It supports Blue Bull (nilgai) and chinkara. The areas with tall grasses associated with woodland, support good densities of sambar and chital. Mesic areas are distributed along the major seasonal streams and in the Ken river valley. Steep slopes of plateaus are drier and are dominated by Acacia catachu. Distribution of these habitats creates a heterogeneous landscape, where ecological conditions vary seasonally.

Panna Tiger Reserve is most important PA in the north-central highlands of India, as it links the eastern and western populations of wild animals through the NE-SW running Vindhyan ranges.


» Conservation History

Panna National Reserve was created in 1981. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1994, 22nd in the country and fifth in the state. The National Reserve consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary comprised of territorial forests of the present North Panna Forest Division to which a portion of the adjoining Chhatarpur Forest Division was added later. The reserved forests of the Reserve in Panna district and some protected forests on Chhatarpur district were the hunting preserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chhatarpur and Bijawar princely states.


» Census

CENSUS
Species	1993	1995	1996	1997	1998
Tiger	23	22-27	23-28	22-24	21
Leopard	13	25-27	28-30	31	32
Nilgai	985	1314	1507	1925	1961
Chinkara	650	400	661	831	751
Chousinga	106	101	139	144	147
Chital	467	410	522	842	669
Sambhar	544	892	962	892	1084
Rhesus Macaque	-	-	-	-	418
Langur	-	-	-	-	3408
Wild Boar	-	-	-	-	70

» Archeology

The Reserve is dotted with ancient rock paintings, which are believed to be around two thousand years old. Old relics of Gondwana period (rule of the tribal people of Central India) are scattered all over the Reserve.


» Forest Types

Southern tropical dry deciduous dry teak ,Northern tropical dry deciduous mixed forest ,Dry deciduous scrub forest ,Boswellia forest ,Dry bamboo brakes , Anogeissus pendula forest .

Major Flora

Main Species :

Tree : Tectona grandis, Diospyrous melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, Buchanania tanzan, Anogeissus latifolia, Anogeissus pendula, Lannea coromandalica, Boswellia serrata, Acacia catechu, Zizyphus spp., Aegle marmelos, Butea monosperma and Gardenia spp.

Major Fauna

Main Species :

Mammlas : Tiger, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wolf, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chausinga, Porcupine, Jungle Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Hare, Ratel and Tree Shrew .

Reptile : Long snouted crocodile (gharial) and Marsh Crocodile (mugger) are found in the Ken river.


» Managements

Practices, Achievements and Shortfalls

1. The Reserve has a wireless network for about ten years now. It has proved useful in taking quick action in case of forest offences.
2. Two veterinary dispensaries have been built during the past two years in two peripheral villages and a third one is under construction in another outside village. Cattle immunisation is done every year in enclaved and border villages through the local Veterinary Department.
3. Survey and demarcation of the Reserve boundary and construction of cattle proof trench (CPT) and cattle proof wall (CPW) has been done over major areas to control grazing and encroachments.
4. Overgrazing results in invasion of weeds. Weed removal programme is carried subjected to availability of funds and as per ground requirements.
5. Development of water sources is being done through the construction of check dams and contour trenching so that water is available in the lean period. Creation and deepening of water holes is also done in suitable areas on year to year basis.
6. Fire protection works like controlled burning, fire line maintenance are carried out every year.
7. Protection of fauna and flora of the Reserve.

Achievements
Density of vegetation has improved over the years. Grasses have become more and more palatable. Fruit bearing trees and shrubs have also grown adequately. Herbivores are sighted easily both in the interior as also on the periphery of the Reserve.

Water regime is also showing signs of improvement as water stays longer in waterholes.

In spite of very dry climatic conditions and high temperatures during summers, the average annual fire affected area is not more than 10-12 per cent of the total area.




Panna Tiger Reserve Reservation Form

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