Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal – Facilities

Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal – Facilities

Bear Rescue Center:

There is a sloth bear rescue centre in this national park. It was established in 2006 to put an end to the cruel practice of dancing bears. It is home to 25 sloth bears.

Vulture Conservation Breeding Center:

There is a Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) run by Van Vihar National Park. It was established in 2014 for the breeding of two critically endangered gyps species of vultures namely white-backed, gyps bengalensis and long-billed, gyps indicus. It is located at the edge of a reserve forest area near Kerwa dam in Bhopal. It is situated at about 7 Kms from Van Vihar. This centre covers an area of about 5.5 acres. There are more than 60 Vultures at the centre, of which 41 are long billed and 20 are white backed.

Barasingha Breeding Center:

There is a barasingha (hardground swamp deer) breeding center in this national park. It was established in 2015 for the breeding of barasingha. Seven barasinghas from Kanha Tiger Reserve were translocated to this park. Currently, the center has 15 numbers of barasinghas.

Bird Interpretation Center

There is a bird interpretation center in this national park. It was established to spread awareness about the birds, their habitat, physical form, migration, structure, and types of their nests. It spread s over an area of about two hectares and has three different zones namely Swagat, Needam and Vihang. The Swagat zone is the reception area of the centre providing information about the Bird Interpretation Centre. The Needam zone is the area with tree cover that exhibits artificial models of different types of nests of Indian birds. The Vihang zone is a building that displays the modern exhibits of Indian Birds, their habitat, physical structure and information about their natural behaviour, migration pattern etc.

Snake Interpretation Center:

There is a snake interpretation center in this park. Snakes like cobras, Russel vipers and pythons can be seen in this center.

Butterfly Park:

The butterfly park covers an area of about 3600 sq metres. The park has nectar plants to attract butterflies.

Vihar Vithika:

Vihar Vithika is a Nature Interpretation Centre established to bring interest and awareness amongst the people towards wildlife conservation. It has photographs, models, animal trophies and other exhibits for the visitors. A small souvenir shop also functions in the same premises where Lapel Pins under “Close to my Heart Campaign” being run by MP Tiger Foundation Society can be purchased.

Refreshment Kiosks:

There are refreshment kiosks serving pre-cooked food, snacks, cold and hot beverages to the visitors. There are two refreshment kiosks located near the Tiger enclosure and Snake park during working hours.

Wild Café:

It is situated near the entrance gate of the national park. It serves sprouted food, fruit salad, fruit juice, smoothies and multigrain dosa for the visitors at a prescribed price.