Situated in the Shivpuri District of Madhya Pradesh, Madhav National Park forms a part of the upper Vindhyan hills. This park, once the hunting ground of Mughal emperors and the Maharaja of Gwalior, was bestowed with the status of a National Park in 1959. Nestled in the heart of Central India, Madhav National Park is known for its diverse ecosystem comprising of lakes, dry deciduous and thorn forests and an array of wildlife.
The Ecosystem of Madhav National Park
The natural panorama of Madhav National Park is highly varied with expansive lakes and dry deciduous forests interspersed with dry thorn forests. The existence of these water bodies within the park has significantly abetted in maintaining the biodiversity of the region. Interestingly, the forest is not just home to one or two species but houses a variety of fauna including tigers, leopards, Nilgai, Chinkara (Gazella bennettii), Chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis) and different types of deers like Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer among others.
Tiger Corridor and Conservation Plan
Madhav National Park holds an extremely significant position when it comes to tiger conservation being one of the 32 major Tiger Corridors of the country. These corridors are operationalised through the Tiger Conservation Plan laid out under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The park forms part of Ranthambhore-Kuno-Madhav Tiger Corridor of Central India and Eastern Ghats landscape. There are four main tiger landscapes in India, namely Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, and North-East.
Conservation Challenges
The road to conservation is not without obstacles. Madhav National Park is facing issues related to displacement and rehabilitation as it serves as a home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) like Saharia. Over time, these groups, primarily homogeneous with a small population, have become physically isolated. They lack written language, rely on simple technology and exhibit a slower rate of change.
Other National Parks in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, known as the heartland of India is also home to several other renowned national parks. These include Bandhavgarh, Kanha National Park, Pench (Priyadarshini) National Park, Panna National Park, Mandla Plant Fossils National Park, Sanjay National Park, Satpura National Park, and Van Vihar National Park. Each of these parks has its unique characteristics, contributing to the rich biodiversity of the region.