Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park – complete detail – updated

Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park – complete detail – updated. Dominant flora and fauna of Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park. Geography of Guru Ghasidas National Park. How to reach Guru Ghasidas National Park. This Park is the result of the carving of Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh in the year of 2000. After Madhya Pradesh was divided in 2000, a large part of the then Sanjay National Park went to Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh government renamed this forest area, with an area of 1440.71 km² falling under its jurisdiction, as Guru Ghasidas National Park………..

Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National park is a beautiful place, located in the Koriya district of the state of Chhattisgarh. Total area of the park is about 1440.71 Km². It was declared as a National park in the year of 1981. The park has been renamed after the Satnami reformist hero of the place, Guru Ghasidas. 

In June 2011, the proposal to declare Guru Ghasidas National Park as a tiger reserve was proposed by the then Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

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Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park

Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National park is a beautiful place, located in the Koriya district of the state of Chhattisgarh. Guru Ghasidas National Park is marked as one of the most important and unique of all the protected areas in Chhattisgarh.

Guru Ghasidas National Park is actually a part of the former Sanjay National Park. Guru Ghasidas National Park was formed when Chhattisgarh was bifurcated from Madhya Pradesh and formed a state in itself. About 60% of the park is located in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh.

Click here to view state wise list of Indian national parks – updated

It was declared as a National park in the year of 1981. Total area of the park is about 1440.71 Km². This Park is the result of the carving of Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh in the year of 2000. The park has been renamed after the Satnami reformist hero of the place, Guru Ghasidas.

The area in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh state is the catchment area for several small rivers and streams that support the lush forest cover of the reserve, which in turn becomes a perfect habitat for some of the more diverse collection of wildlife on the Deccan Plateau in India.

History

In past, (Before the formation of Chhattisgarh) the Ghasidas Reserve was a part of the Sanjay National Park in Madhya Pradesh, which during the creation of Chhattisgarh was divided by the new state boundaries and most of it went to the new state.

This larger part of Sanjay Park (about 60%) was renamed to Guru Ghasidas National Park by the Chhattisgarh government.

After Madhya Pradesh was divided in 2000, a large part of the then Sanjay National Park went to Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh government renamed this forest area, with an area of 1440.71 km² falling under its jurisdiction, as Guru Ghasidas National Park.

In June 2011, the proposal to declare Guru Ghasidas National Park as a tiger reserve was proposed by the then Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

Geography

Guru Ghasidas National Park is located in the Koriya district of the state of Chhattisgarh. The park has undulating topography. It is covered by different forests and water bodies. Total area of the park is about 1440.71 km^2.

The park area falls under Tropical climate zone. The vegetation of Guru Ghasidas National Park consist mainly of mixed deciduous forest with teak, sal and bamboo trees.

The Guru Ghasidas Tiger Reserve has a dense forest cover with a mixture of sub-tropical vegetation and wooded deciduous trees.

There are some small hills interspersed with plain areas. Soils are sandy in nature. There are a number of streams passing through the park. These two rivers are the main source of water to wild animals. Banas river flowing in the western side of the park is an important water source. Bijaur nala flowing in northern side of the sanctuary retains water in some pools even during the summer.

State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated

The guru Ghasidas national park lies between two important tiger reserves- Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh) and Palamau (Jharkhand).

The altitude of the park varies from 327 to 736 metres above Mean Sea Level.

Maximum Temperature – 40⁰ C

Minimum Temperature – 11⁰ C

Average rainfall – 1400.00 mm

Dominant flora

Sal (Shorea robusta), Saja (Terminalia alata), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Semal (Bombox ceiba), Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica), Sisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus), Achar (Buchanania lanzan), Kari (Cliestanthus collinus), Khair (Acacia catechu), Palas (Butea monosperma), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) etc.

Dominant fauna

Mammals – Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, Jackal, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope, Jungle Cat, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Monkey, Bison, Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Spotted Deer, Civet, Wild Boar etc.

Birds – Parakeets, Bulbuls, Wagtail, Munia, kingfishers, Barbet, Red-Headed Vulture Golden Hooded Oriole, Lesser Adjutant, Indian Pitta, Rufus-Treepie and Racket-Tailed Drongo etc.

Reptiles – Cobra, Monitor lizard, Python, Snakes etc.

Best time to visit

The best time of the year to visit the Ghasidas National Park is between the months of November to May.

How to Reach

By Air – Nearest airports are Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) or Ranchi (Jharkhand) airports, about 200 Km and 250 Km from the Ghasidas National Park. These airports are well connected by road and rail network to Ghasidas National Park.

By Rail – Nearest railway station is Jaora railway station, about 20 Km from the Ghasidas National Park. Jaora railway station is well connected by road to Ghasidas National Park.

By Road – Ghasidas National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Ghasidas National Park at frequent intervals.

Accommodation

There are rest houses inside the Guru Ghasidas National Park that can be reserved by visitors from the Range Officer or the Wildlife Warden.

Useful Contact

Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Paryatan Bhavan, G. E. Road, Raipur
Chhattisgarh – 492 006
Phone: +91 771 42 24600
Fax: +91 771 4066425

Other National Parks in Chhattisgarh. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows……..