Established as Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1975 Achanakmar boasts of impressive biodiversity. Subsequently the sanctuary along with Amarkantak Hills has been declared as biosphere reserve.
Achanakmar encompasses an area of 914 sq km and is now a part of the Project Tiger in India. It is one of the finest ecosystem in the State of Chhattisgarh and is home to diverse flora and fauna typical to Central India. The terrain is hilly interspersed with small grasslands in the plains. The canopy is dense at places which provides excellent cover to the denizens.
Achanakmar Wildlife
The sanctuary is a habitat of Bengal tiger, leopards, Indian bison or gaur, spotted deer, striped hyena, jackal, sloth bear, wild dog, sambar, blue Bull, four-horned antelope, chinkara, muntjac, langur, wild boar, flying squirrel, Malabar squirrel, rhesus macaque and many nocturnal animals like ratel, porcupine, civet and fox.
Once a contiguous belt that encompassed Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Achanakmar is primarily a Sal forest. It is still connected to Kanha by broken forest corridor. The fauna is similar to Kanha except the absence of Swamp Deer. Nevertheless Achanakmar along with Amarkantak Hills for m an impressive tract of Sal Forest. The biosphere reserve is situated in Maikal Hills where the Vindhya and Satpura Hill Range merge. The flora comprises of Sal, Bija, Ber, Lyndia, Saja, Haldu, Tendu, Palas, Tinsa, Dhawa, Lendia, Salai, Khamar and Bamboo.
Impressive herds of Gaur can be seen though there is a tourism infrastructure present the WLS has yet to gain popularity. Most of the visitors are from Bilaspur (55 km) the nearest town. I had visited the WLS long years back and stayed at the enchanting rest house built by the British. The rest house is situated at the Achanakmar Village about 55 km from Bilaspur.
Part of Amarkantak Hills within the WLS are the origin of River Narmada and Son. The life line of the forest is the Maniyari Reserve. Not yet a part of regular wildlife tourism circuit the sanctuary is worth a visit. A number of watch towers have been established for wildlife watching and birding. There is a network of well connected metal roads though which tiger safari is possible.
In spite of its protected area status a large number of villages are still within. This a a major cause of disturbance to wildlife. The tigers are shy and nocturnal so are the other species. The protected area status may have officially secured the ecosystem on paper but not in reality. Human infiltration poses threat to this magnificent tiger habitat. The surrounding villages with abundant live stock encroach the forest creating immense pressure on the food chain and natural resources.
Amarkantak, Achanakmar can be reached from Jabalpur by road. The nearest rail heads are Pendra and Bilaspur which is connected to Kolkata Jabalpur railway line.
Achanakmar encompasses an area of 914 sq km and is now a part of the Project Tiger in India. It is one of the finest ecosystem in the State of Chhattisgarh and is home to diverse flora and fauna typical to Central India. The terrain is hilly interspersed with small grasslands in the plains. The canopy is dense at places which provides excellent cover to the denizens.
Achanakmar Wildlife
The sanctuary is a habitat of Bengal tiger, leopards, Indian bison or gaur, spotted deer, striped hyena, jackal, sloth bear, wild dog, sambar, blue Bull, four-horned antelope, chinkara, muntjac, langur, wild boar, flying squirrel, Malabar squirrel, rhesus macaque and many nocturnal animals like ratel, porcupine, civet and fox.
Once a contiguous belt that encompassed Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench, Achanakmar is primarily a Sal forest. It is still connected to Kanha by broken forest corridor. The fauna is similar to Kanha except the absence of Swamp Deer. Nevertheless Achanakmar along with Amarkantak Hills for m an impressive tract of Sal Forest. The biosphere reserve is situated in Maikal Hills where the Vindhya and Satpura Hill Range merge. The flora comprises of Sal, Bija, Ber, Lyndia, Saja, Haldu, Tendu, Palas, Tinsa, Dhawa, Lendia, Salai, Khamar and Bamboo.
Impressive herds of Gaur can be seen though there is a tourism infrastructure present the WLS has yet to gain popularity. Most of the visitors are from Bilaspur (55 km) the nearest town. I had visited the WLS long years back and stayed at the enchanting rest house built by the British. The rest house is situated at the Achanakmar Village about 55 km from Bilaspur.
Part of Amarkantak Hills within the WLS are the origin of River Narmada and Son. The life line of the forest is the Maniyari Reserve. Not yet a part of regular wildlife tourism circuit the sanctuary is worth a visit. A number of watch towers have been established for wildlife watching and birding. There is a network of well connected metal roads though which tiger safari is possible.
In spite of its protected area status a large number of villages are still within. This a a major cause of disturbance to wildlife. The tigers are shy and nocturnal so are the other species. The protected area status may have officially secured the ecosystem on paper but not in reality. Human infiltration poses threat to this magnificent tiger habitat. The surrounding villages with abundant live stock encroach the forest creating immense pressure on the food chain and natural resources.
Amarkantak, Achanakmar can be reached from Jabalpur by road. The nearest rail heads are Pendra and Bilaspur which is connected to Kolkata Jabalpur railway line.
