Panna
is situated in the Vindhyan hill range and spreads over Panna and Chhtarpur
districts in the northern part of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.).
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 (Anogeissus pendula) mixed
forests.
The Ken river, which flows through the Reserve form south
to north, is the home for Long Snouted crocodile (gharial) and Marsh
Crocodile (mugger) and other aquatic fauna. Ken 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
characterized 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. There are also a 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 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 driver and are dominated by Acacia
catechu. Distribution of these habitats creates a heterogeneous landscape,
where ecological conditions vary seasonally.
Panna Tiger Reserve
is the most important protected area 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.
General Information :
Location : Encompassing the forest
divided by the Ken river flowing north to join the Yamuna.
Size : 209
sq miles ( 543 sq km ).
Best time to Visit : January to May.