Madhya Pradesh is considered to be one of the largest states in India and hence, it is full of a rich variety of wildlife species. The state has a large number of eco parks to preserve this vast variety of wildlife and also to conserve the natural resources. Among the many eco parks situated in the state, there are a few that have earned fame for being home to numerous animal and plant species. These eco parks include the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, the Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve, the Panna National Park, etc. All these Madhya Pradesh eco parks are also considered as popular tourist destinations and attract a large number of tourists from all over the world, every year.
The general objective of the Madhya Pradesh eco parks is to preserve the rich variety of wildlife in the state. However, some of the parks are concentrated on preserving certain particular species like the Tigers or the Birds etc. The parks like Panna National Park is working on preserving all kinds of wildlife species like the plants, reptiles, mammals or birds. On the other hand, the parks like Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve or the Kanha Tiger Reserve are primarily aimed at preserving the largest predator of Asia, Tigers. However, the Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve is serving both the purposes.
The initiatives to preserve wildlife in an organised manner and to establish eco parks in Madhya Pradesh started during the first half of the twentieth century. The Kanha Tiger Reserve and the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is counted among the oldest eco parks in Madhya Pradesh. The other Madhya Pradesh eco parks have also been working for quite long years, now. The eco parks house rich variety of fauna and it is said that, there is something magical in the woods of Madhya Pradesh. This magic beckons people here again and again.
The Madhya Pradesh eco parks have rich natural vegetation comprising the thick bamboo, climbers and bushes, which provide the ideal habitat for the large mammals like Tigers. The Madhya Pradesh eco parks are home to several numbers of mammal species, and many of them are considered as endangered, critically endangered, threatened or endemic. The most important and notable mammal species found in these parks include the Tiger, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), Leopard, Wild Dog (Dhole), Leopard-Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Gaur (Indian Bison), Sambar, Spotted Deer (Chital), Barking Deer, Chousingha (Four-horned Antelope), Nilgai (Blue Bull), Blackbuck, Indian Pangolin, Ratel, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Common Langur, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Indian Pangolin, etc.
The Madhya Pradesh eco parks provide habitat to a large number of reptile species including the Crocodiles, Tortoise, Turtles and Snakes. Apart from these, the parks also provide natural habitat to numerous numbers of bird species that are commonly found in Madhya Pradesh. The important bird species include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Painted Francolin, Grey Francolin, Painted Spurfowl, Streak-throated Woodpecker, White-Naped Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Indian Roller, Drongo Cuckoo, Indian Pitta, Large Cuckooshrike, Black-headed Cuckooshrike, Black-hooded Oriole, Tickell`s Blue Flycatcher, Blue Rock Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, etc.
The Madhya Pradesh eco parks are also contributing hugely to the entire tourism sector of the state, by being famous as tourist destinations. The eco parks attract a large number of tourists from all over the world, every year. The nature lovers like to come and visit these parks mainly because of the wonderful atmosphere they get here and also for spending a peaceful time on the lap of the nature. The visitors can enjoy elephant riding, horse riding, boating etc in these eco parks, as well.
