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Van Vihar National Park complete detail – updated. Geography of Van Vihar National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Van Vihar National Park. How to Reach Van Vihar National Park. Van Vihar Safari Park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, where one could found birds like Peacocks, Munias, barlets, wagtails, bulbuls, orioles, Kala Teetar, Blue Kingfisher, Phakta and migratory birds such as Tree Pie and Drongo. The authorities take proper care of the animals.
Total area of the park is about 4.45 Km2. It was declared a National Park in the year of 1979. Van Vihar is the home to rich Biodiversity. There are about 200 species of birds, 60 species of butterfly; animals like Albino Sloth bear, White tiger, Lion, Sambhar, Cheetal, Nilgai, Black buck, Chausingha, Common Langur, Rhesus macaque, Wild-boar, Porcupine, Hare etc are also present at the park along with gharial, crocodile and several species of tortoise………….
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.
Van Vihar National Park
Van Vihar National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Bhopal district of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Van Vihar is National Park located adjacent to Upper Lake of Bhopal city at Madhya Pradesh in Central India.
Van Vihar is developed and managed as a modern zoological park, following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority and maintained by the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. It was declared a National Park in the year of 1979. It covers an area of about 4.45 Km2.
The animals are kept in their near natural habitat. Most of the animals are either orphaned brought from various parts of the state or those, which are exchanged from other zoos. No animal is deliberately captured from the forest.
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Van Vihar allows easy access to the visitors through a road passing through the park, security of animals assured from poachers by building trenches and walls, chain-link fence and by providing natural habitat to the animals.
This land is under strict protection, due to it has now transformed into an island full of greenery surrounded by habitation. The park serves as green lung for the capital town of Madhya Pradesh.
Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has granted recognition to Van Vihar as medium size Zoo during 1994. The adjoining upper lake adds immense beauty to the landscape of Van Vihar. The lake enlivens the park particularly when thousands of migratory birds land in the lake at the onset of winter.
It harbors herbivores like Chital, Sambar, and blue bull under free ranging condition and the animals like tiger, lion, leopard, hyena, crocodile and gharial under captive condition.
Van Vihar is the home to rich Biodiversity. There are about 200 species of birds, 60 species of butterfly; animals like Albino Sloth bear, White tiger, Lion, Sambhar, Cheetal, Nilgai, Black buck, Chausingha, Common Langur, Rhesus macaque, Wild-boar, Porcupine, Hare etc. are also present at the park along with gharial, crocodile and several species of tortoise.
Van Vihar Safari Park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, where one could found birds like Peacocks, Munias, barlets, wagtails, bulbuls, orioles, Kala Teetar, Blue Kingfisher, Phakta and migratory birds such as Tree Pie and Drongo. The authorities take proper care of the animals. They are not enclosed in cages in the park.
The herbivores feed on the grass and other plants that grow in Van Vihar, which are quite sufficient for the animals. While during the summer season there is a scarcity of grass. At this time green fodder and wheat husk are brought from the market to feed the animals of the park.
The carnivores are fed with poultry, buffalo and mutton meat. Bears are also provided a balanced diet comprising of milk, fruits and vegetables.
History
About two decades back, a number of illegal stone quarries were operational in the area and being in the serene and beautiful location on the bank of big lake, many commercial organizations were trying to take hold of this valuable piece of land.
Realizing importance of both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of wild fauna, it was decided to provide this area a legal umbrella under the Wildlife (protection) Act, 1972. A committee of experts was constituted to decide the modalities for constitution of this area as a Protected Area. An area of 4.45 km2 was declared to be a national park in 1979 as per the committee’s recommendation.
The first technical document, to manage the Van Vihar, was written in the year 2000, by Jagdish Chandra, IFS, & Ex-Director of Van Vihar.
Funding from Central Zoo Authority started in 1993-94 and also granted Van Vihar as a medium sized zoo on the same year. With the dedicated efforts of the park management, this area has now been transformed into an oasis of greenery.
Dominant flora
Plants – Sal, Bel, Amaltas, Babul, Reunjha, Doodhi, Lendia, Saja, Amla, Aak, Karonda, Besharam, Tendu etc.
Grasses – Chrysopogon fulvus, Themeda triandra, Heteropogon contortus, Dicanthium annulatum, Chloris dolichostachia, etc.
Dominant fauna
Mammals – Tigers, White Tiger, Lion, Leopard, White bears, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Cheetal, Sambar, Nilgai, Panthers, Jackals, Jungle cats, Blackbuck, Common Langur, Rhesus macaque, Wild-boar, Porcupine, Hare, Blue Bull, Monkey, Mongoose, Wild dogs etc.
Reptiles – Crocodiles, Alligators, Pythons, Cobras, Monitor lizard, Tortoise, Turtles etc.
Birds – Peacocks, Munias, barlets, Wagtails, Bulbuls, Orioles, Kala Teetar, Blue Kingfisher, Phakta, Tree Pie, Drongo, Pintail, Spot bill, Brahminy duck, Gadwall, Red crested pochard, Barheaded goose, Cotton teal, Spoonbill, Painted stork, Purple heron, Common pariah kite, Great horned owl, Shikra, Marsh harrier, Tawny eagle, kestrel etc.
Entry Fee
Indians – Rs. 15/-
Foreigner – Rs. 200/-
Still Camera – Rs. 40/-
Video Camera – Rs. 300/-
Entry for school & college children and senior citizens is free at the park.
Taking vehicles inside the park will cost extra Rs.200.
Timings
Summer – 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM
Winter – 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Note – Park remains closed on Tuesday.
Best time to visit
The best time of the year to visit the Van Vihar National Park is between the months of July to September.
How to Reach
By Air – Nearest airport is Bhopal airport, about 15 Km from the Van Vihar National Park. Bhopal airport is well connected by road to Van Vihar National Park.
By Rail – Nearest railway station is Bhopal railway station, about 06 Km from the Van Vihar National Park. Bhopal railway station is well connected by road to Van Vihar National Park.
By Road – Van Vihar 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 Van Vihar National Park at frequent intervals.
Distance from Nearby and Major Cities
Indore – about 200 Km
Pachmarhi – about 230 Km
Satpura National Park – about 190 Km
Mandu – about 280 Km
Ujjain – about 180 Km
Sanchi – about 50 Km
Useful Contact
Director,
Van Vihar National Park, Post Box No 348, Central TT Nagar Bhopal
Ph.: 0755 – 2674278
E-mail: dirvvnp@sancharnet.in
Other National Parks in Madhya Pradesh. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows…
| S. No. | Name of National Park | Year of Notification | Total Area(km²) |
| 1 | Bandhavgarh National Park | 1968 | 448.85 |
| 2 | Kanha National Park | 1955 | 940 |
| 3 | Madhav National Park | 1959 | 375.22 |
| 4 | Panna National Park | 1981 | 542.67 |
| 5 | Pench (Priyadarshini) National Park | 1975 | 292.85 |
| 6 | Sanjay National Park | 1981 | 466.88 |
| 7 | Satpura National Park | 1981 | 585.17 |
| 8 | Mandla Plant Fossils National Park | 1983 | 0.27 |
