Chowki Garh Fort, Bari, Madhya Pradesh

Chowki Garh Fort, Bari, Madhya Pradesh

Chowki Garh Fort is an ancient fort located in the dense forests of Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary near Bari Town in Bari Taluk in in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. It is one of the least explored forts among the Gondwana Forts.

History

This fort is considered as one of the 52 forts conquered by King Sangram Shah, the most famous ruler of the Garha Kingdom of Gondwana. It is said that Gond king Alam Shah Uikey was the last king to rule from this fort.

The Fort

The fort is situated on the Vindhyan mountain range and is completely in ruins. The remains of the bastions, fortification walls and palaces can be seen in the fort complex. The fort can be reached after trekking through the forests of Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary.

Connectivity

The fort can be reached after a trekking from Barna reservoir. The Barna reservoir is located at about 4 Kms from Bari, 4 Kms from Bari Bus Stand, 24 Kms from Bareli, 64 Kms from Narmadapuram, 65 Kms from Narmadapuram Railway Station, 70 Kms from Raisen, 102 Kms from Bhopal and 114 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The Barna reservoir is situated at about 4 Kms to the north of Bari on the Bhopal to Bareli route.

Location

Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Bari Taluk in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The sanctuary was established on 2^nd July 1976 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary covers an area of about 288 sq kms. The topography of the sanctuary comprises of hills, plateaus, valleys, and plains. Most of the rivers flowing in this sanctuary are seasonal. There are two main rivers in the sanctuary namely Ghoghara River and Barna River. Bhadaria Kund in Ghoghara River is the permanent water source for wildlife. Forest Rest House at Bhandiv, Forest Rest House at Bumhori, P. W. D. Rest House at Bari are available for accommodation at the sanctuary.

Flora:

The sanctuary comprises of tropical dry deciduous forests. The trees found in the sanctuary are Daora (Anogeissus latifolia), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Khair (Acacia catechu), Saja (Terminalia alata), and Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon). There are a few patches of tropical mixed deciduous forests. The trees found here are predominantly Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) and Teak (Tectona grandis).

Fauna:

The mammals found in the sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Sambhar, Chital, Wild Boar, Indian Bison, Indian Wolf, Indian Fox, Indian Jackal, Langurs, Macaques, Indian Civet, Indian Hare, Indian Porcupine, and Indian Pangolin. The birds found in the sanctuary are Indian Peafowl, Indian Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Common Kestrel, Indian Roller, White-throated Kingfisher, Indian Pitta, Painted Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Sarus Crane, Junglefowl, Peacock Pheasant, and Indian Grey Hornbill. The reptiles found in the sanctuary are Indian Rock Python, Common Indian Monitor, Indian Chameleon, Fan-throated Lizard, Common Krait, Russell's Viper, Common Indian Krait, Common Rat Snake, and Indian Cobra.

Contact

Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary,

The D.F.O. Obedullaganj Division,

Raisen District,

Madhya Pradesh, India

Phone: +91 7480 224 062 / 224 063

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 12 Kms from Kundali, 35 Kms from Silwani, 36 Kms from Bareli, 39 Kms from Udaipura, 54 Kms from Raisen, 55 Kms from Bari, 75 Kms from Pipariya Railway Station, 108 Kms from Bhopal Airport, 113 Kms from Narmadapuram and 114 Kms from Sagar. The sanctuary is situated on the Sagar to Narmadapuram route.

Location

Son Gharial Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Son Gharial Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Son Gharial Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The sanctuary boundary starts from the Bansagar dam and ends at the Piparghar village where Son River enters the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary was established in 1981 under Project Crocodile for the conservation and population growth of the critically endangered Gharial and the vulnerable Marsh Crocodile.

The Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary has a length of about 210 Kms encompassing lengths of 161 kms of Son River, 23 kms of Banas River, and 26 kms of Gopad River. The sand banks and the riverine islands of the sanctuary are the major habitats of gharial, smooth-coated otters, Indian soft-shell turtle (Chitra Indica), Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis). It is also a breeding ground for the Indian Skimmer, a rare species of bird. This sanctuary is also home to over 101 species of birds. Visitors can observe these animals in their natural habitat by taking a boat ride on the Son River.

Connectivity

The sanctuary is located at about 39 Kms from Hanumana, 40 Kms from Sidhi, 62 Kms from Bargawan Railway Station, 87 Kms from Waidhan, 108 Kms from Rewa and 146 Kms from Prayagraj Airport. The sanctuary is situated on the Hanumana to Waidhan route.

Location

Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Van Vihar National Park is a national park located in Bhopal City in Huzur Taluk in Bhopal District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. Van Vihar is situated on the Shyamala hill on the fringe of upper lake and the lifeline of capital city of Madhya Pradesh.

History

The degraded hillock of Shyamla Hill along with private village land was initiated in 1980 and finally notified as a national park in 1983. The funding from the Central Zoo Authority started in 1993-94 and also granted Van Vihar as a medium sized Zoo on the same year.

The National Park

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/van-vihar-national-park-bhopal-national-park.html

Facilities

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/van-vihar-national-park-bhopal-facilities.html

Timings & Fees

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/07/van-vihar-national-park-bhopal-timings-and-fees.html

Contact

Van Vihar National Park and Zoo,

Bhadbhada Road,

Bhopal – 462003,

Madhya Pradesh, India

Phone: +91 755 267 4278

Email: fdvanvnp.bpl@mp.gov.in

Connectivity

The park is located at about 4 Kms from Bhadbhada Square Bus Stop, 9 Kms from Neelbad, 9 Kms from Bhopal Bus Stand, 9 Kms from Bhopal Junction Railway Station and 17 Kms from Bhopal Airport. The park is situated at about 4 Kms to the north west of Bhadbhada Square Bus Stop on the Bhopal to Neelbad route.

Location

Palpur Fort, Palpur, Madhya Pradesh

Palpur Fort, Palpur, Madhya Pradesh

Palpur Fort is an ancient fort located in Palpur Village in Vijaypur Taluk in Sheopur District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This fort is situated inside the Kuno National Park. This fort is situated on the left bank of the Kuno River.

History

Palpur, Sabalgarh, Sumawali, and Vijaypur forts were built by the rulers of Sabalgarh, who were Jadon Rajputs from Karauli. The Palpur fortress was probably rebuilt in the beginning of the 18^th century by Raja Gopal Singh of Karauli. Later, it was taken from Dhandheles, who were under Karauli Raja. The Jaghirdars of Palpur draw their line from Yaduvanshi (Jadon) Rajputs. They are descendants of Bali Bahadur, son of Raja Dwarka Das of Karauli (1569).  

As per historians, this fort served as a sanctuary to Chandravanshi Raja Bal Bahadur Singh, who assumed the throne in 1666. Later, Thakur Barjor Singh obtained Palpur Jagir from his father Rupnarayan Singh. Thakur Jawan Singh captured Palpur from Dhandheles in 1794 CE. Thakur Balabhadra Singh, Pratap Singh, Jaisingh, Shivratan Singh Madho Singh and Kishor Singh ruled Palpur as Jaghirdars consequently. Thakur Jagmohan Singh was the last ruler of Palpur Thikana who has since shifted to Gwalior.

The Fort

The fort is enclosed by a massive wall with imposing bastions at regular intervals. It was protected by the Kuno River as a natural defence. A temple and Kachahari still exist inside the fort. The fort has two entrance gates. The second gate has two storeys.

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 18 Kms from Agara, 39 Kms from Vijaypur, 39 Kms from Vijaypur Bus Stand, 67 Kms from Sabalgarh, 78 Kms from Padarkheda Railway Station, 110 Kms from Shivpuri, 157 Kms from Sheopur and 167 Kms from Gwalior Airport. The fort is situated about 39 Kms to the south west of Vijaypur on the Sabalgarh to Shivpuri route.

Location

Amet Fort, Amet, Madhya Pradesh

Amet Fort, Amet, Madhya Pradesh

Amet Fort is an ancient fort located in Amet Village in Karahal Taluk in Sheopur District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This fort is now almost engulfed in shrubs. This fort is believed to be built by Chandravanshi Raja Bal Bahadur Singh in 17^th century CE. This fort is situated inside the Kuno National Park.

Connectivity

The fort is located at about 17 Kms from Karahal, 17 Kms from Karahal Bus Stand, 22 Kms from Sesaipura, 58 Kms from Sheopur, 79 Kms from Shivpuri Railway Station, 83 Kms from Shivpuri and 183 Kms from Gwalior Airport. The fort is situated at about 17 Kms to the north east of Karahal on the Sheopur to Shivpuri route.

Location

Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kuno National Park is a national park and wildlife sanctuary located in Sheopur and Shivpuri Districts of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. It derives its name from Kuno River. It is also known as Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary. The Wildlife Institute of India chose Kuno wildlife sanctuary as the most suitable location for Cheetah reintroduction and Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Projects.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/kuno-national-park-history.html

The National Park

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/kuno-national-park-national-park.html

Contact

Divisional Forst Officer,

Kuno Wildlife Division,

Sheopur Kalan,

Sheopur District – 476 337

Madhya Pradesh, India

Phone: +91 7530 220 002 / 220 004

Mobile: +91 94247 91938 / 99072 16080

Email: dfokunowls@mp.gov.in

Connectivity

There are three gates through which tourists can enter the national park. The entry gates are Tiktoli Gate (Accessible from Sesaipura Village), Ahera Gate (Accessible from Pohari Village) and Peepal Bawadi Gate (Accessible from Agara Village). Tiktoli Gate is located at about 15 Kms from Sesaipura. Sesaipura is located at about 18 Kms from Karahal, 25 Kms from Pohari, 57 Kms from Shivpuri Railway Station, 60 Kms from Sheopur, 61 Kms from Shivpuri, 94 Kms from Agara and 161 Kms from Gwalior Airport. Sesaipura is situated on the Sheopur to Shivpuri route.

Location

Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Pench Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve located in Seoni and Chhindwara Districts of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This tiger reserve derives its name from the Pench River that flows through the park from north to south dividing the park into almost equal western and eastern halves. It is one of the premier tiger reserves of India and the first one to straddle across two states namely Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The majority of the tiger reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh. Pench tiger reserve has of the highest density of herbivores (90.3 animals per square kilometer) and the second highest prey base biomass in India after Nagarhole (6013 Kg per square kilometer). The high habitat heterogeneity favors high population of Chital and Sambar.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pench-tiger-reserve-history.html

The Tiger Reserve

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pench-tiger-reserve-tiger-reserve.html

Safari

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pench-tiger-reserve-safari.html

Activities

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2025/01/pench-tiger-reserve-activities.html

Contact

Field Director,

Pench Tiger Reserve,

Seoni – 480 661

Madhya Pradesh, India

Phone: +91 7692 223 794

Fax: +91 7692 223 204

Email: fdpennp.sni@mp.gov.in / dirpenchnp@mp.gov.in

Connectivity

Turia Gate is located at about 8 Kms from Teliya Gate, 13 Kms from Khawasa Gate,16 Kms from Karmajhiri Gate, 19 Kms from Khursapur Gate, 26 Kms from Jamtara Gate, 34 Kms from Rukhad Gate, 42 Kms from Sillari Gate, 54 Kms from Ramtek Railway Station, 57 Kms from Seoni Railway Station, 58 Kms from Seoni, 93 Kms from Nagpur and 102 Kms from Nagpur Airport. Turia Gate is situated at about 13 Kms to the north west of Khawasa Gate on the Nagpur to Seoni route. Turia gate is the popular & most frequently used entrance gate for Pench Jungle Safari.

Location