Madhav National Park

News: Recently, the Centre officially declared Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as India’s 58th tiger reserve. It became the ninth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Madhav National Park

About Madhav National Park 

• It is located in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, in the northern part of the state.
• It lies on the northern fringe of the Central Highlands, forming part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills with a mix of plateaus, valleys, and gentle slopes.
• It was declared a National Park in 1958.
• Historical Significance: Madhav National Park was once a hunting ground for the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. It is named after Madho Rao Scindia, a member of the royal family.
  • George Castle, built by the Scindias for King George V, is a key historical site in the park.
  • The Madhav Vilas Palace adds to the area’s charm with its grand architecture.
• Vegetation: The forests of the park fall within the category of Northern tropical dry deciduous mixed forests as well as Dry Thorn Forests typical of North – Western Madhya Pradesh.
• Flora: The park features key species like Kardhai, Salai, Dhaora, and Khair.
• Fauna: It is home to antelopes like Nilgai, Chinkara and Chowsinga and Deer including Chital, Sambar and Barking Deer. Animals like the Leopard, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Pig, Porcupine, Python etc are also sighted in the park.
  
• Water bodies– The park has lakes, meadows, and forests. Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, two lakes in the south, support aquatic life and sustain land animals.
• Madhav National Park is part of Project Tiger, which aims to protect and increase the tiger population in India.