COMPARTMENT NUMBER

The entire forest area is divided into small units called compartments for administrative convenience. 3-4 compartments form a Beat controlled by a forester. 3-4 rounds form a Range controlled by a Range controlled by a Range Forest Officer and so on.

KANCHAN FIRE LINE

Here you are looking at the 5 km long Kanchan Fire Line which is maintained to restrict unexpected fire from spreading from one end to another during the dry hot summer. A fire line is created by cutting grass and all shrubs from a sufficient width which varies from 6 metres to 12 metres. The strips are then burnt before February every year.
Panna National Park has a network of such fire lines. If you find any sign of fire in the park, report it to your nearest of.

BADAMI BABA

He was a sage from the Pipartola village and was killed by a Tiger at this spot. Because of the sanctity of the spot people do not fell trees here.

 

BARADARI

Just across the Ken river you can see a Baradari which was built by the Chandelas. Behind it is the Raipura village of Chandranagar range.

BHOURA DAU

Ken river flows deep here, occasionally creating a strong whirlpool. If you are lucky you may spot a Mugger or a Ghariala, basking on the banks. Fifteen young Gharials, bred in captivity in Chambal, have been released at this spot in the year 1996 to replenish the natural stock. Being a perennial water body, this place is a favourite watering point for all kinds of animals, including the tiger in hot summer.
The big Kahua (Terminalia arjuna) tree in front on the river bank, is here since ages. Elsewhere kahua provides tanins and medicines, besides good timber. However, here in the National Park like herons, egrest, ibis, darter, etc., when they migrate here during November to February, besides providing a cool safe place for honey bees to make their beehives.

KULLU

Kullu tree is also called the ghost of the forest. This tree has a very prominent shining bark. The bark changes its colour in different seasons. The white bark and leafless in the dry season gives the tree a ghost like appearance. The tree yields gum which has medicinal importance. It flowers in the month of March.

 

PAKKAGADHA

The forests of Panna were the shooting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Panna, Chattarpur and Bijawar states. During game hunting the shooter used to sit in such "gadhas" protecting himself from any possible animal attack and through "hakka" the game was driven towards gadha so that the shooter could shoot.

CHEWLA JHARIA

Water is a natural resource essential for the existence of all life. In Panna the water sources are the Ken river and nalas which are natural sources whereas check dams and anicuts are manmade. Well distributed water sources all over the protected area enables wild animals to use most parts of forests and crowding of large numbers of wild animals in one place is avoided.
 

KARDHAI PATCH

This place is called the Silata valley and it has a pure patch of Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula). In Panna it is eastern most boundary of Kardhai forests. The species is found on rocky ground with shallow soil.

 

DHUNDHWA SEHA

The nalas or the small rivers originating from the plateau generally make falls locally called "Seha" and thereafter valley are formed. When the water falls from a height the gorge gives a misty look thus the name Dhundwa or misty. The gorge forms ideal habitat for animals during summer. Look out for vultures in the rock crevices evident with the white colour of their droppings.

 

GRASSLAND

Nature has favoured creation of grasslands to provide food and shelter for herbivores, birds and insects. Grasses also provide a very good stalking cover for the predators to catch their prey. Grasslands support a rich diversity of micro flora and fauna. Grasslands, therefore are not forest but are highly productive and rich part of the protected area ecosystem. Look out for Chausingha, Chinkara, Nilgai and Sambar.