Indravati National Park
| Indravati National Park | |
|---|---|
| Indravati Tiger Reserve | |
|
IUCN category II (national park) | |
  | |
| Location | Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh, India |
| Nearest city | Jagdalpur |
| Coordinates | 19°12′18″N 81°1′53″E / 19.20500°N 81.03139°ECoordinates: 19°12′18″N 81°1′53″E / 19.20500°N 81.03139°E |
| Area | 2799.08 sq.km. |
| Established | 1981 |
| Governing body | Conservator of Forest (Field Director) |
| Official website | |
Indravati National Park is a national park located in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh state of India.[1] It derives its name from the nearby Indravati River. It is home to one of the last populations of rare wild buffalo.
Indravati National Park is the finest and most famous wildlife parks of Chhattisgarh. Also the only Tiger Reserve in the state, Indravati National Park is located in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. The Park derives its name from the Indravati River, which flows from east to west and forms the northern boundary of the reserve with the Indian state of Maharashtra. With a total area of approximately 2799.08 km2, Indravati attained the status of a National Park in 1981 and a Tiger Reserve in 1983 under the famous Project Tiger of India, to become one of the most famous tiger reserves of India.
Topography
The topography of the Park mainly comprises undulating hilly terrain with altitude ranging between 177 to 599 m above the sea level. The Park is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife and bird species including some of the most endangered species such as Wild Buffalos and Hill Mynas. A series of beautiful hill ranges with lush green vegetation and unique and varied wildlife make Indravati National Park a must visit for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Flora
The flora in the Indravati National Park is mainly comprises tropical moist and dry deciduous type with predominance of the Sal, Teak and Bamboo trees. There are also rich patches of excellent grasslands providing much required food to Wild buffalos, Chital, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Gaurs and other herbivores of the park. The most commonly found trees in the park are Teak, Lendia, Salai, Mahua, Tendu, Semal, Haldu, Ber and Jamun.
Wildlife
Indravati National Park has one of the last populations of the endangered Wild Asian buffalo. The National park is also home to a variety of other ungulate species. Reported from the area are Gaur (Indian Bison), Nilgai, Black Buck, Chausingha (Four-horned Antelope), Sambar, Chital, Indian Muntjac, Indian Spotted Chevrotain and Wild Boar. Large predators are represented by Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Dholes (Wild Dog) and Striped Hyenas. Smaller mammals include Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Pangolins, Rhesus Monkeys and Langurs among many others.[2] The commonly found reptiles in the park are Freshwater Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Indian Chameleon, Common Krait, Indian Rock Python, Cobra and Russell's Viper to name a few. The Park also gives shelter to the large variety of birds of which Hill Maina is the most important species here.
Transport
Indravati National Park is easily approachable from Jagdalpur, the district head quarter of Bastar. The village Kutrue, the main entry point of the park, is situated at the distance of 22.4 km north of Jagdalpur-Bhopalpattanam road. The Kutrue link road is at the distance of 145.6 km from Jagdalpur. Raipur (486 km) is the nearest airport and Jagdalpur (168 km) is the nearest railhead from the Indravati National Park.
See also
- National parks of India
- Kanger Ghati National Park
- Tourism in Chhattisgarh
- Jagdalpur
References
- ↑ "Chhattisgarh Forest Department Welcomes You". forest.cg.gov.in. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- ↑ D. K. Harshey & Kailash Chandra (2001). Mammals of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Zoos´ Print Journal 16(12): 659-668 online
