- Location: Situated in central India; spread across Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur district covering about 68.1%) and Madhya Pradesh (Anuppur ~16.2% and Dindori ~15.7% districts); located within the Deccan Plateau and Central Highlands region, forming a significant ecological and cultural landscape.
- Cultural Significance: The Amarkantak region is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre and is traditionally regarded as a sacred site; it marks the meeting point of the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, adding immense spiritual and geographical importance to the biosphere reserve.
- Wildlife Sanctuary Origin: Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary was originally established in 1975 to protect its rich forest ecosystems and wildlife, laying the foundation for later expansion into a biosphere reserve.
- Tiger Reserve: Declared as Achanakmar Tiger Reserve under India’s Project Tiger initiative in 2009, strengthening conservation efforts for the Bengal Tiger and associated wildlife species.
- Addition of Amarkantak Region: The biosphere reserve was expanded to include the sacred Amarkantak area, integrating ecologically sensitive forests with culturally significant landscapes; Amarkantak’s identity as a pilgrimage centre and the confluence zone of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges enhances its heritage value.
- Biosphere Reserve (India): Officially declared by the Government of India in 2005; it is the 14th Biosphere Reserve of India, the first in Chhattisgarh, and the second in Madhya Pradesh.
- UNESCO Recognition: Included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2012 under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, acknowledging its biodiversity, ecological importance, and sustainable development framework.
- Area: Covers a total area of approximately 3,835.51 km², divided into Core (~551.50 km²), Buffer (~1,955.87 km²), and Transition (~1,328 km²) zones to ensure graded levels of conservation and community participation.
- Hills: Located in the eastern Maikal Hills, which form part of the larger Satpura Range; the terrain consists of forested hills, plateaus, and valleys supporting diverse habitats.
- River Origin: Serves as the source region for major rivers including the west-flowing Narmada River and the Son and Johilla rivers (tributaries of the Ganga river system), making it hydrologically significant for both central and northern India.
- Forest Type: Predominantly covered by tropical moist deciduous forests (approximately 63%), with tropical dry deciduous forests occurring in the southern parts, creating varied ecological conditions across the reserve.
- Plants: Vegetation includes sal, teak, bamboo, mahua, and tendu, along with a rich variety of medicinal plants such as neem, amla, and guduchi; several endemic and rare plant species are also recorded in the region.
- Animals: Supports diverse wildlife including the Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Sambar deer, Wild Dog (Dhole), Giant Squirrel, Sacred Grove Bush Frog, and numerous bird and reptile species typical of central Indian forests.