National Parks in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is home to 3 national parks.

Table of Contents

Guru Ghasidas National Park

Location: Koriya District, Chhattisgarh, India; Situated between two tiger reserves: Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand) and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh).
Naming: Named after Guru Ghasidas, spiritual leader and social reformer of the Satnami community.
National Park: Established as Sanjay National Park in 1983; became Guru Ghasidas National Park in 2000 after Chhattisgarh bifurcation;
Renamed: In 2007 after spiritual leader Guru Ghasidas.
Tiger Reserve: Combined with Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary and declared a tiger reserve in 2022.
Area: ~1,500 sq.km (580 sq miles).
River: Banas River, Bijaur Nala, Hasdeo River.
Tribe: Cherva, Pando, Gond, Khairwar, Agaria.
Plants: Sal, teak, mahua, tendu, bamboo, Indian gooseberry.
Animals: Tiger, leopard, chinkara, sambar, striped hyena, bison, red-headed vulture.
Asiatic cheetah: Last known habitat of Asiatic cheetah in India.

Location: Bijapur District, Chhattisgarh, India; Eastern Ghats hill range.
National Park: Declared in 1981; also known as Kutru National Park.
Tiger Reserve: Declared in 1983 under Project Tiger.
Area: ~2,799.08 sq.km.
Hills: Eastern Ghats.
River: Indravati River (forms northern boundary with Maharashtra).
Plants: Sal, teak, mahua, semal, haldu, amla.
Animals: Tiger, wild water buffalo, barasingha, sambar, gaur, dhole, striped hyena, red jungle fowl.
Wild Water Buffalo: Home to one of the last remaining populations of endangered wild water buffalo.

Location: Bastar District, Chhattisgarh, India; Situated in the Kanger Valley (part of the Eastern Ghats).
National Park: Established in 1982; also known as Kanger Ghati National Park.
Area: ~200 sq.km (77 sq miles).
Hills: Kotamsar Range (west), Koleng Range (east).
River: Kangar River (tributary of Mahanadi).
Waterfalls: Tirathgarh, Mandawa, Kanger Dhara.
Limestone Caves: Park is known for its limestone caves like Kutumsar/Kotamsar, Kailash, Dandak (notable stalactite and stalagmite formations).
Plants: Sal, mahua, teak, Indian gooseberry.
Animals: Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, striped hyena.
Bastar Hill Myna: Famous for Bastar hill myna, state bird of Chhattisgarh.