FOREST IN MADHYA PRADESH - मध्य प्रदेश में वन

Forests are regarded as invaluable natural heritage of a state. Forests not only maintain ecological balance, protect the tribal habitats, protect wild life and also provide economic & ecological balance to the residents of the area.

 Forest may not be backbone of MP  but they support economy of the state.

M.P. has country's largest area under forest . ((Followed by Arunachal Pradesh,Chattisgarh,Orissa)

It constitutes25.14 %  of the  geographical area of the state.

 The State tree   of state is- Banyan.

The State animal of M.P. is- Barasinga Anteller declared in 1981 .

The state bird of M.P. is …………Paradise fly catcher or Dudhraj.

It was declared in 1981 as state bird.

The state of Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country at 77,700 square km followed by Aruncachal Pradesh at 67, 410 square km.

 In terms of percentage of forest cover in relation to total geographical area, Mizoram tops with 90.68% amongs union territories Lakshadweedwith 90% of forests .

Classification of forests in M.P.

(a) As per administrative management they are of 3 types

1) Reserved forest:-

They are in 65% area of state. The government protects these forests & local inhabitants can not use it for their personal purpose.

2) Protected forest:-

In 33% area of state M.P. government protects them but local inhabitants can use it for their personal purpose.

3) Unclassified forest:-

In 2 % area of state Currently, they are neither reserved nor protected. That's why these forests are at stage of extreme danger.

(b) As per Vegetation :- 3 types of forests

1) Teak forest:-

 They are in western portion. These are found in areas with rainfall 75 to 125 cm .

The teak of Bori, Hoshangabad is famous. They are around 20% of the total area of the state.

2) Sal forest:-

They are found in areas with rainfall 123 cm. They are found in eastern area .In M.P., Sal of Mandla distt is famous . They are around  5 % of the total area of the state.

3)Mixed forest:-

They are found in central part of M.P. Among these forest Bamboo is most important.

They are around 60% of the total area of the state.

c) As per Rainfall &Temp. :- 3 type

1) Tropical dry decidious:-

Found in western areas where rainfall is 25 to 75 cm. Here we find Babul, Palash etc. They can be seen in shivpuri, shyopur, Mandsour etc.

2) Tropical Decidiousforests:-

They are found in area with rainfall 50 to 100 cm. They are found in sagar, Jabalpur, Chhindwara etc. The main is sagoun (Teak).

3)Tropical semi-decidiousforest:-

They are found in areas with rainfall 100 to 150 cm. Teak, sal, Bamboo are famous. They are found in…shahdol, mandla, Balaghat etc.

Area Covered by Forest in MP(Percentage wise)

Balaghat- 53.34%,     

-Ujjain (0.6% Lowest )

Sheopur – 52.14%

Umaria – 49%                       

Area Covered by Forest in MP (Area wise)

Balaghat

Chindwara

Betul

MP 1^st Forest Policy – 1952

India’s 1^st Forest Policy – 1854

New National Forest Policy – 2018

Importance of forest in economy of state

 The contribution of forest in state GDP  is 1.9 % There are following advantages

1) Direct advantages :-

(a) Grazing yards

(b) fuel wood

(c) wood for furniture

(d) Herbs

(e) flesh & skin of animal  

(f) important for wild life  

(g) Eco-Tourism   

(h) Advantages of minor forest products like Tendu leaves, catechew, bamboo etc.

2) Indirect advantages-

(a) Helps to reduce soil erosion

(b) control on flood

(c) makes moderate climate

(d) Reduction of global warming  

(e) helps in raining-more forest, more condensation   

(f) Helps in maintaining fertility of soil

(g) Help to stop the expansion of desert.

Problems of forest in the state

1) The rainfall in state is for only few months in state & rest is dry weather which bears negative effect on climate

2) Illegal Shedding:- Local inhabitants ,forest contractors, forest officer.

3) Destruction of forest because of forest disease-e.g. in Mandla there was salborerdisease .

4) lack of proper forest management 

5) Illegal grazing

6) Exploitation of forest by inhabitants

7) Forest fire :- During summer time.

8) Encroachment in forest:- By local inhabitant

9) Lack of qualitative Participation of inhabitants in the samyukta Van prabandh policy

State forest policy-2005

1) To enhance forest belt to  1/3.

2) To enhance..forest based employment.

3) To rationalize the use of …fuel wood, furniture wood, bamboo, grazing yards, minor forest products

4) To enhance used of …forest based medicine & herbs.

5) To promote the. community based on forest.

6) To promote the bio-diversity in state.

7) To promote eco-tourism, herbal health tourism in state Herbal.

9) to keep a control on …encroachment in forest.

10) to control the non-forestry uses in forest like mining, construction

11) To develop the…. technology to control forest Five.

12) To control the …uncontrolled grazing& to promote rotational grazing.

13) As perpanch-Ja to enhance people participation with the forest.

14) To enhance the joint forest management.

15) To make committees of local inhabitants within 5 km. areas of forest.

National Parks in M.P.

In M.P, total 12 National Park in M.P. These forests are maintained as per the law  of the union govt.-

1) The Kanha National Park.:-

Distt-Mandla,Blaaghat ,became Abhay –van in 1933.In 1952, became wild life sanctuary In 1955 became national park.

First national park of state. In 1974, got status of…project tiger.

First project tiger of state.

Among animals it is famous for tiger ,Braderyanteller.

The tourist friendly time to visit here is Jan-June.It is proud recipient of ….best tourist national park .Its total area is 940 sq km .

2)Bandhavgarh National Park .:-

At disttUmariya. Derived name as Bandhavagarh,because it’s covered by 32 hills from Vinndhya chal ranges It became N.P. in 1960.Became project tiger in 1993.All types of wild life are found here .It is famous for tiger .It has maximum  tiger density (1 tiger /8km²) in the country.It’s a project tiger.

3) Fossil/ Ghughwa Fossil National Park:-

Distt Dindori..It is smallest national park .Area is 0.27 sq. km.

It is famous for palio-botanical fossils.

4) Madhav National Park:-

At disttShivpuri.It is famous for castle of George Castle &migratory Birds of Russia ,i.e., pooch, tern, crane .

priyadarshani National park /Pench:- National Park -( Chhindwara/Seoni)

Its new name is ……... Roodyard Kipling saw the ….Tarjen-boyMogli in the forest of seoni&chindwara& he write the book …..Jungle-book .

That’s why Mogli land is constructed here .Tourist from all over the world visit here. It has got the status of Project tiger.

6) Satpura National Park:-

In disttHoshangabad .Famous for  …Teak apart form wild life. It’s a project tiger.

7) Sanjay National Park :-

At …Sidhi .It is given the status of …project tiger.

8)Van Vihar National Park:-

At dist….. Bhopal.

9)Panna National Park:-

At Panna & Chhatarpur  --Famous for …..Alligator .

10)Onkareshwer National Park -Khandva

11) Kuno National Park –

Kuno National Park is a national park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, India. It derives its name from Kuno River.

It was established in 1981 as a wildlife sanctuary in the Sheopur and Morena districts. It is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion

Thanks to the successful Cheetah relocation program of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Cheetas were brought in Kuno National Park from Namibia.

12) Dinosaur National park-Dhar

Located 4 km before Mandu, it is a unique destination that offers visitors an opportunity to step back in time and explore the world of dinosaurs.

 The park is home to a wide range of fossils, including dinosaur eggs, and wood fossils.

 Visitors can see life-size replicas of various species of dinosaurs and even take a guided tour to learn about the history of the fossils found in the park.

Wild Life sanctuaries of M.P.

Total 25 wild life are found in M.P. famous are as  follows-

a) Borie Wild life Sanctuary:- at  Hoshangabad –The sanctuary covers an area of 646 km²  located in the northern foothills of the Satpura Range.

 It is bounded by the Satpura National Park to the north and east, and by the Tawa River to the west.

The sanctuary, together with Satpura National Park and the Pachmarhi Sanctuary, forms the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

 b) Ghategaon Wild life Sanctuary:-Gwalior -Son bird .

c) Karera Wild life Sanctuary:- Shivpuri -son bird

d) Ken Sanctuary:-Panna & Chhatarpur-      Ken Gharial Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Panna and Chhatarpur Districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. It was established for the conservation of gharial and mugger crocodile populations.

e) Chambal  Sanctuary:-Murena-Alligator, river dolphin, smooth-coated otter and a number of turtle species.

f) Pachhmarhi Wild life Sanctuary:- At pachhmarhi town

g) Pal kuno Wild life Sanctuary:-Murena-Peacocks-there is a scheme to ……bring lion from Gir, Gujarat to pal kuno.

h) Sardarpur Wild life Sanctuary:-at Dhar -Kharmour bird(Florokin bird)

i) Nouradehi Wild life Sanctuary:-Sagar -Biggest wild life

j) Sailana Wild life Sanctuary:-Ratlam-Wild life-famous for florokin  bird 

k) Rata pani Wild life Sancyuary-Raisen,Sehore- Cradled in a portion of Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges,

The sanctuary runs parallel on the northern side of Narmada River .

Kolar River forms the western boundary of the Sanctuary. 

The Sanctuary has Bhimbetika "a group of rock shelters and rock paintings" which is one of the '' World Heritage Site '' declared by UNESCO .

Dahod reservoir is another significant water body inside the sanctuary.

l)The Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary- is established in the year 1989. The Sanctuary is spread over a total area of 5 sq km in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. Smallest Wildlife Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh.

m)Bagdara Sanctuary (Sidhi) 478.90 km² (184.90 sq mi)

• Phen Sanctuary (Mandla) 110.74 km² (42.76 sq mi)
• Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (Mandsaur) 368.62 km² (142.32 sq mi)
• Kheoni Sanctuary (Dewas, Sehore) 122.70 km² (47.37 sq mi)
• Narsingharh Sanctuary (Rajgarh) 57.19 km² (22.08 sq mi)
• Panpatha Sanctuary (Shahdol) 245.84 km² (94.92 sq mi)
• Sanjay-Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary (Sidhi) 364.69 km² (140.81 sq mi)
• Singhori Sanctuary (Raisen) 287.91 km² (111.16 sq mi)
• Son Ghariyal Sanctuary (Sidhi) 41.80 km² (16.14 sq mi)
• Ralamandal wildlife Sanctuary (Indore) 5 km² (1.9 sq mi)
• Orchha Sanctuary (Tikamgarh) 46 km² (18 sq mi)
• Gangau Sanctuary, (Panna and Chhatarpur) 69 km² (27 sq mi)
• VeerangnaDurgawati Sanctuary (Damoh)24 km² (9.3 sq mi)

Forest related institute in MP-

I) M.P. Rajya Van-Vikas Nigam--

Established 1975, head quarter-Bhopal.

Functions:-To protect plan & conserve …….major forest products –e.g.-fuel wood, building wood.

II) M.P. LaghuVanopaj Sangh,

 Est-1984, head quarter-Bhopal

 Functions:- -Controls …….minor forest products e.g. Kher, catshew, tendu-leaves etc. -To provide maximum benefits to collecters of minor forest products.To cover the collectors of minor forest products under social security & insurance .-Aadivasi development.

III) IIFM- Established  1978 at Bhopal.-Top most institute for forest training, education .

IV) Institute of deciduous forest:--at Jabalpur

V) Van-RajikSansthan--at 1979, at Betul&Balaghat--Training to …….forest Rangers

Project tigers of M.P.

Total 7 as already discussed.

1-The Kanha National Park                  

2-Pench                                     

3- Sanjay National park

4- Satpura                                             

5-Bandhavgarh                         

6-Panna national park

7- Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve –

have been notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with a view to ensuring the conservation of wild animals in 2023.

- Ratapani wild life(Raisen)---As of March 2013, in principle approval by the….National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has been granted for upgrading it to a status of Tiger Reserve.

 It will become a Tiger Reserve by the notification of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh .

Biosphere reserves in MP(UNESCO -MAB)

 -Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve in Satpura Range, 

-Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve and

-Panna national park are three of the ……..18 biosphere reserves in India.

Bhoorsingh the Barasingha

Kanhahas become the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot — Bhoorsingh the Barasingha — to present the hard ground swamp deer as the spirit of the reserve and spread awareness to save it from possible extinction. Barasingha, or swamp deer, is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh. The Kanha tiger reserve, spread over Mandla and Balaghat districts, is the only place in the world where the species exists.

 India is the world's third-biggest emissions generator, and the recent drive is a great move on our country's part. In 2016, India planted more than five crore trees in a single day at more than 6,000 locations across the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Now on 2 ndjuly 2017, people of India planted 6.6 crore trees in just 12 hours. The trees were planted in the state of Madhya Pradesh with the help of 15 lakh volunteers.

World’s maiden ‘White Tiger Safari’

World’s maiden ‘White Tiger Safari’is  at Mukundpur in Satna district in the state’sVindhya region where the feline was first discovered more than 100 years ago.

Madhya Pradesh's first butterfly park comes up in Raisen district

MP”s first butterfly park, which houses 65 species of the colourful insect, has come up in Raisen district.

There are 65 species of butterflies in the park located at Gopalpur in Raisen district, around 80km from

Apart from providing a congenial atmosphere for breeding of butterflies, nearly 137 plant varieties are also part of the park spread over three hectares.

Highest number of vultures in the country

The vulture count has found …7906 vultures in Madhya Pradesh, an increase of 864 vultures from the count done in 2016, bringing cheer to the forest department official who carried out the count on January 12. In percentage terms it has increased by a shade over 12 per cent.

Madhya Pradesh that accounts for the highest number of vultures in the country. However there has been a decline in four of the seven tiger reserves and also in Kuno Lion project.

 Vultures are on the verge of extinction in India because a banned drug(diclofenac,) is still being used illegally to treat suffering cattle .

THE LEOPARD STATE

The Tiger State Madhya Pradesh has achieved another milestone in wildlife conservation by nearly doubling the leopard population to retain its number one position in the country.

The Status of Leopards in India 2018 report  has  reported 3,421 spotted big cats in MP .

 Madhya Pradesh, therefore, is home to more than one-fourth (26 per cent) of all the 12,852 leopards estimated in the country .

MP has the highest number of tigers in the country at 526, according to the tiger estimate released by the ministry in July 2023.

The  Karnataka with 1,783 leopards is at a distant second spot while Maharashtra with 1,690 of the species has the third-highest count in the country.

This position is due to “big steps taken in MP for wildlife conservation.