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Best Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Chhattisgarh

In accordance with the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary of Chhattisgarh was established in the year 1975. Spread across an area of 551.55 square kilometres, the area around this wildlife sanctuary is mostly hilly. The altitude here varies from 200 to 1000 meters above the sea level. Here, the vegetation comprises of bamboo, saja and bija. If you move towards the higher altitudes, you’ll come across other species of vegetation too. 

Flora & Fauna: 

Further, of all the Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh, the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of a rich fauna. Some of the animals that can be spotted here include wild animals such as Leopard, Blackbuck, Chital, Tetracerus quadricornis or four-horned antelope, Wild Boar, Wild Bear, Canis aureus jackal, Indian wild dog Cuon alpinus, sloth bear Melursus ursinus, nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, striped Hyaena, Tiger Panthera, Chinkara, Chital Axis axis, and others

Location: Bilaspur

Distance from Raipur: 167 Kms

Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary has a rich wildlife density. The sanctuary is open for major part of the year but the best time to make a visit to the sanctuary is from the months of November to June. It has a rich flora and fauna. You can find evergreen sal forests as well as the mixed forests of diverse qualities in the sanctuary. 

Flora & Fauna:

Important species of animals that are found here include spotted dear, deer, gazelle and chinkara. Other animals like sloth bear, nilgai, hyena, sloth bear, Chausingha and Sambar can also be found here. As for the birds stork, peacock, quail, fowl, parrot and pigeon can be found here. Often several migratory birds also visit this place. Leopards and tigers too can be spotted here however these are limited by numbers.   

Location: Jashpur District

Distance from Raigarh: 160kms

 Spread over an area of 245 sq. km, Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is a small wildlife sanctuary located in the Mahasamund district. 

Flora & Fauna:

Popular for its vast population of common leopard and lush green forest cover, it falls second in the list of most popular Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh. Vegetation cover here is thick and includes bamboo, sal and teak. It is also a home to diverse wildlife such as four-horned Antelopes, Porcupine, striped Hyaenas, Muntjac, Leopards, Tigers, Bison, Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Gaur, Jackals and Chinkara.   

Location:  Mahasamund district. 

Distance from Raipur: 85kms

A wildlife tour to the Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary can be a very rich and rewarding experience of the distinct qualities that are native to the state. 

Flora & Fauna:

Wild buffalo is believed to be a prime attraction here. Besides that, you can spot hill hyenas, leopards and tigers too, however they may be found in a lesser number. Chinkaras, Chital and Indian Gazelle are however spotted easily. Some other species of animals that you can spot here include hyena, Jackel, Nilgai, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Sambar, Sloth Bear and Gaur. Several birds can also be spotted here. Artificial arrangements are also made in this sanctuary to allow the migratory birds to visit this place.    

Location: Bhairamgarh 

Distance from Raipur: 358.2kms

Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is regarded as one of the most important Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh. It in several ways is also considered to be the face of wildlife in the state and is frequented by tourists from across the country. 

Flora & Fauna:

The flora here is dense and comprises of Haldu, Teinsa, Sal, Kara and Saja species. Fauna on the other hand includes mostly wild animals such as fox, cheetal, leopard, hyena, wild buffalo, fox, nilgai, bear, and others. There is a Sakari river which flows through the sanctuary and is a primary source of drinking water for the wild animals residing here

Location: Kawardha city

Distance from Raipur: 140kms

Sarangarh-Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary is believed to be one of the richest areas as long as biodiversity is concerned. The place is a natural habitat for a variety of rare species. It is also one of the most exotic places in Chhattisgarh. Located in the Raigarh district, it is spread over an area of 275 sq. km and is the most ideal place for adventure lovers. You can spot a variety of wild animals here. 

Flora & Fauna:

Some of the most common animals spotted here include a distinct variety of deer. Chinkara is also massively found in the region. Tourists visiting the sanctuary must definitely watch out for the wild buffaloes here who move in flocks and put forth a visual delight. Leopards and tigers are also found here but these maybe hard to spot. Migratory birds also come here. 

Location: Raigarh district

Distance from Raipur: 250kms

Pamed Wild Buffalo Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 262 sq. km and is a renowned wildlife reserve in Central India. 

Flora & Fauna:

The place is vastly known for its forest cover and comprises of deciduous hard wood such as teak and sal. This sanctuary was majorly created in Chhattisgarh to protect the population of wild Indian buffalo. The place is easy and safe to trek and explore for the tourists. 

Location: Bastar

Distance from Raipur: 400 kms

Situated about 50 km from Ambikapur, the Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 430.36 Sq. Kms. 

Flora & Fauna:

Several sal trees and mixed deciduous trees can be found here. Another popular specie of tree that can be spotted here include the riverine forest. The wildlife species found here include Wild boar, Sambar, Nilgai, Jungle cat, Chital, Fox and Chinkara. The most ideal time to visit this sanctuary is from January to May. 

Location: Surajpur District

Distance from Raipur: 343 kms

Christened after the River Stanadi, the Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls over an area of 550 sq. km. It is indeed one of the most visited Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh. 

Flora & Fauna:

The flora and fauna here is dense. You can spot wild animals such as Leopards, Jackals, Tigers, Flying Squirrels, Jungle Cat, Bison, Four-horned Antelopes, Porcupine, Striped Hyena, Chinkara, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Monkey, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Muntjac, Sambar, Wild Dogs, Gaur, Chital and others. Several bird species such as Crimson Breasted Barbet, Bulbul, Parrots, Teetar, Tree Pie, Peafowl, Racket-tailed Drongos, Pheasant, Herons and Egrets can also be spotted here.  

Location: Beladula Road, Devgaon

Distance from Raipur: 121.8kms   

Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 608 square km. The significant features of this sanctuary are the Pingla Nalla (stream) and the Tamor Hill. Moran River also passes through this sanctuary. Here you can find a mix of sal along with the other deciduous trees.

Flora & Fauna:

Some prominent species of plants and trees spotted here include Soymida febrifuga, Terminalia arjuna, Anogeissus latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Shorea robusta, Diospyros melonoxylon, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula, and others. On the other hand, the wildlife of the region comprises of Sloth Bear, leopards, Jungle cat, tiger, Wild boar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Fox, Chital, Sambar as well as a variety of birds. December to March could be a perfect time to visit the place.  

Location: Bishrampur

Distance from Raipur: 343.3kms

One of the must visit attractions in Chhattisgarh is the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary. The name of the sanctuary Udanti is taken from the River Udanti. This wildlife sanctuary was mainly set up to preserve the wild buffaloes of the region. Spread over an area of 247.59 Sq. Kms, it was listed as one of the Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh in the year 1983 under the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972. 

Flora & Fauna:

Besides wild buffaloes, Hill Myna, Wild Boar, Nilgai, Chital or Spotted Deer, Bison, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Indian Gazelle, Gaurs, Four-horned Antelope, Sambars, Striped Hyena, Muntjac, Jackal, Dhole, Porcupine, Wild Dog, etc can be spotted here. A variety of birds such as Jungle Fowls, Parrots, Wood Peckers, Peacocks, Green Pigeons, Gray-partridges, Quails, Storks and Darters can be spotted here.     

Location: Raipur

Distance from Raipur: 160kms

Established in the year 1974, the Narsinghgarh Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls over an area of57 sq. km. 

Flora & Fauna:

Located in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh District, the place is a home to a variety of animal species such as Blue Bull, Sambhar, Crocodile, Wild Boar, Chital, Bhedki, Leopard, etc. Significant fauna species found here include the Chandan, Teak, Bhaeda, Kronda, Saja, Lendia, Dhawda, Arjun, Khair, etc. Chidikho Lake lying in centre of the sanctuary is the principal tourist attraction of the sanctuary.  This lake is the habitat of different migratory and local birds of the region. You can spot more than 164 species of birds in this region.  

Location: Raigarh

Distance from Raipur:  259kms

Python Forest is a small wildlife sanctuary in Chhattisgarh. Situated in the Bhilai region of the Durg District, it is a home to a variety of wild animals and plants. 

Flora & Fauna:

Indian bison, leopards, deers, anetlopes are some common animal species spotted here. Variety of birds too can be found here. Besides this deciduous trees along with other faunal species are seen here

Location: Durg

Distance from Raipur:. 41kms

Sprawling over an area of 10 hectares of hand, the Nandan Van is situated at a distance of not more than 16 km from the city of Raipur. The primary objective of the formation of this nature park was to set up a home for stray wild animals. This is also a biological park and has some of the most commonly seen forestry plants. 

Flora & Fauna:

Inside the nature park, there is also a tiny zoo. Inside the zoo you can spot deer, tigers, lions, etc. Since, the park is located near the Kharoon river, it offers spectacular views to the on lookers. It is indeed one of the best places to visit for nature lovers given the vast fauna and flora found here. The place assures both recreation and relaxation to the tourists. 

Location: Hirapur Colony, Raipur

Distance from Raipur: 16kms

Christened after river Indravati, the Indravati Tiger Reserve is located in the Dantewad district in the state of Chhattisgarh. This National Park in Chhattisgarh forms the catchment area of the River Indravati along with the rivulets and the streams which pass through the region.

Flora & Fauna:

 Also known as the Tiger Reserve in the state, the park is a vast potential habitat for wild buffalo. Typically, the flora here mainly consists of bamboo, teak and sal trees. There is also a vast grassland which acts as a natural fodder to the wild buffaloes, gaurs, barking deer, nilgai and the other herbivores residing here. Reptiles such as Indian Chameleon, Crocodile, Indian Rock Python, Lizard, Cobra, etc can be found here.

Location:  Dantewad district

Distance from Raipur: 345.6kms

If you are a tourist seeking some thrilling trek or mesmerizing sightseeing, then a visit to the pristine Kanger Valley National Park is recommended. The place is slightly explored but vastly ignored by the tourists so there is enough for those seeking something to satiate their instigating curiosity. 

Flora & Fauna:

Spectacular waterfalls, sal tress, rich biodiversity, deep gorges, endangered species and hidden caves are few of the many exciting things that make this National Park in Chhattisgarh a must visit.  

Location: Bastar 

Distance from Raipur: 304.8kms

Guru Ghasi Das (Sanjay) National Park is regarded as one of the most distinct and all protected National Parks in Chhattisgarh.  It is a part of the erstwhile Sanjay National Park. 

Flora & Fauna:

The vegetation in this park mainly comprises of mixed deciduous forest. There is a vast mammal population residing here. Several migratory birds also come here on annual basis.

Location: Koriya district

Distance from Raipur:  294kms