Overview
The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve is an ideal destination for anyone who is a keen wildlife enthusiast. It is a great place to be one with nature, to just breathe jungle air and marvel at the sights and sounds. The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve lies in the Mahadeo Hills of the Satpura range in the southern parts of the Central Indian Highlands of Madhya Pradesh. The fascinating deep valleys, narrow gorges, cascading waterfalls and rich vegetation of the Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve represent nature at its very best. It is not surprising that the park has one of the largest wildlife densities in India.

History & Culture
The Satpura National Park was inaugurated by the famous ornithologist Dr. Sálim Ali in 1981. The Park was created out of the famous Bori Reserve, which was deemed a reserve forest in the year 1866!

The Bori-Satpura National Park was set up in 1981, comprising the Satpura National Park (524 sq. km.), Bori Sanctuary (486 sq. km.) and the Pachmarhi Sanctuary (417 sq. km.). Bori-Satpura was added to the Project Tiger network in 1999.

The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve would also fascinate those interested in archaeology and human history as there are more than a hundred different rock shelters in the region. These rock shelters are decorated with beautiful paintings, which are more than three thousand to ten thousand years old.

A wildlife museum was inaugurated in the area in 1986, in the Bison Lodge, which is the oldest Forest Department building in Pachmarhi town and in the state. The lodge was built by Captain J. Forsyth, who first visited Pachmarhi in 1857.

Terrain
The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve lies cradled in the Satpura range of Madhya Pradesh and boasts of a unique Indian Highland ecosystem. The area forms a part of the Deccan plateau and the terrain is mostly rugged, consisting of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines with waterfalls, perennial streams and dense forests. The altitude ranges from 300 m. to 1,352 m., the 1, 352 m. high Dhupgargh peak in the park being the highest. The steep slopes in the east gradually descend into the flat country to the west of the park. The park is bordered by the Pachmarhi Sanctuary to the north and the Bori Sanctuary to the south. To the west of the national park lies the Tawa reservoir, and the Chindwara forests form a natural buffer.

Vegetation

The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve is the one most biodiversity-rich parks in the country. It boasts of over 1,300 different species of plants. A combination of different climatic and edaphic factors at different altitude levels has given rise to rich and luxuriant tropical flora, including rare species of mosses and ferns, making it a perfect place for botanical excursions.

The prize botanical attraction in the Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve is Psilotam nudum, which can be seen on rock crevices and in deep gorges. Sal and teak form the two major plant species of the region. Sal forests predominate in the higher reaches of the Satpura hills. Dry sal extends till the high-altitude Gondwana sandstone region in the west.

On the lower plains of the basaltic deccan traps, teak forests are most prominent. Many plant species, including Malastoma malabathrium, Moraya paniculata, Holmskioldia sanguinea, Blumea lancilaria, Sophora interupta, Lobelia nicotianafolia and Flueggea leucopyrus that are not common elsewhere in Madhya Pradesh are seen in the Bori-Satpura National Park. Mixed deciduous forests also cover some area of the park. Various meadows and valleys are covered with the profuse growth of the Lantana weed.

Animals
The Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve is renowned as the home of the tiger and its main prey species, gaur and sambar. Chital, chausingha and chinkara also exist here. There is a fairly good chance that you may come across the shy and elusive barking deer while driving through the forest.

Though around 50 mammals and 30 reptile species are believed to inhabit the park, sightings are not plentiful here. Many of the species are nocturnal and may not be seen. And several other species are mostly seen in fleeting glimpses, as they are shy and wary and not used to human beings.

A visit may yield calls, sightings or telltale signs of the Rhesus macaque, langur, wild boar, nilgai, hyaena, smooth otter, pangolin, porcupine, marsh crocodile, ratel, palm civet, and the small Indian civet. Leopards and wolves also prowl the park and the sloth bear is known to inhabit these regions.

Two kinds of squirrels: the flying squirrel and the Indian giant squirrel occur here. The Indian giant squirrel is easier to spot. It is about a metre long, including the tail and is very well built. The flying squirrel doesn't really fly but can make giant leaps between trees!

Wild dogs may be seen in packs and can hunt prey twice their own size.

The palm civet and the small Indian civet are largely nocturnal, small, ground animals with long tails.

Numerous streams, dense foliage, wild flowers, woodland edges and damp patches attract hundreds of butterflies such as the Plain Tiger, Common Jezebel, Common Crow, Common Mormon, Common Emigrant, Common Sailer, Orange Oak Leaf, etc. Panarpani, close to Pachmarhi is a great place to study butterflies.

Birdlife

About 254 avian species have been recorded at the Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve, making it a destination of choice of birdwatchers. The species found include the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush and the Madhya Pradesh state bird - the Paradise Flycatcher. Beside these species, one may also spot the Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Honey Buzzard, pitta and the peafowl.

Trails and Excursions

The Dhupgargh peak, within the Satpura National Park, provides a fabulous view of the surroundings and is also a great place to catch the sunset.

Pachmarhi is a beautiful tourist place near the Bori-Satpura National Park.

Priyadarshini or Forsyth Point was where Pachmarhi was first discovered by the British Captain Forsyth in 1857 and converted into a hill resort.

Jamuna Prahat or Bee Fall is a marvelous waterfall that flows into a stream providing water to Pachmarhi.

Handi Khoh, with a 90 m. steep precipice is one of Pachmarhi's most impressive ravines.

Apsara Vihar or the Fairy Pool is a refreshing picnic spot and the waterfall at Rajat Pratap, which affords rock-climbing opportunities for the adventurous, is a merely ten minute trek from Apsara Vihar.

You may also visit Irene Pool, a stream that leads to a cave.

Jalawataram or the Duchess Falls affords a strenuous 4 km. trek to the base of the fall's first cascade. On crossing a stream below Duchess Falls, you reach Sunder Kund or Saunder's Pool, from where a 2.5 km walk in the southwesterly direction leads to a huge rocky pool in the Jambu Dwip stream, which is an excellent place for swimming.

There is a Mahadeo shrine in the hills, 4 km. from Chauragarh with an impressive shivlinga. Chotta Mahadeo is also well known as a sacred spot. Jata Shankar, a sacred cave, is said to represent the hair of Lord Shiva. The legendary Pandav caves and picnicking at Tridhara are other options worth exploring.

Best Season
December to June is the best time to visit the Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Accommodation
Accommodation is available for all budgets at Pachmarhi, including facilities by the M.P. Tourism Development Corporation, Pachmarhi Special Development Authority and several private hotels.

For bookings contact:
Regional Manager,
M.P.T.D.C., Amaltas Complex,
Pachmarhi - 461881,
Madhya Pradesh.
Tel no.: 07578-2100

Chief Executive Officer,
Special Development Authority,
Pachmarhi - 461881,
Madhya Pradesh.
Tel No.: 07578-2030

Inside the park, basic amenities and food is available at the Churna Tourism Bungalow. Bori and Dhain, deep inside the reserve, also have Forest Bungalows to stay in.

Transport
The nearest town to the Bori-Satpura National Park is Pachmarhi.

Pachmarhi is well-connected to Bhopal (210 km.), Jabalpur (240 km.) and Nagpur (250 km.).

By Air: One can reach Bhopal, Jabalpur or Nagpur by air from any of the major cities in India.

By Rail: From Bhopal, Jabalpur and Nagpur, one can reach Piparia or Itarsi by train on the Bombay-Howrah Route.

By Road: Pachmarhi is 52 km. away from Piparia by road. The nearest bus station to Pachmarhi is 5 km. away. The nearest bus station to Pachmarhi is 5 km. away. You can also drive up to Neemghan through the Panarpani gate, which is close to Pachmarhi.

For the 30 km. drive within the park, you can obtain permits at the Panarpani gate. This is a day trip with no accommodation available.

Within the park: One can hire a jeep to travel through the forest. The forest tracks are largely unused and it is a bumpy ride through tall vegetation that may be higher than the roof of your vehicle. One can also walk through stretches of the forest.

Tips
Littering within the Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve is strictly prohibited.

It is advisable to wear clothes in neutral colours such as khaki or olive-green, so as to be camouflaged in the surroundings and not startle the animals.

Carrying armed weapons into the park is prohibited.

One should be very quiet in the forest and the use of radios is not appropriate. Do not make sounds or imitate birdcalls as this irritates the birds.

Similarly, do not pluck leaves or flowers, so as to preserve the beauty of nature for all to see.

Useful Contacts
The Director,
Satpura National Park,
Pachmarhi - 461881
Madhya Pradesh.
Tel. no.: 07578-52130

© Jahnavi Kohli and Sanctuary Magazine

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