Van Vihar National Park UPSC

Van Vihar National Park is a renowned wildlife sanctuary located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is situated adjacent to the Upper Lake and serves as a significant center for conservation, education, and recreation.

Unlike other national parks in India, Van Vihar does not have any large predators or carnivores. It follows an innovative concept of a "no-cage" zoo, where animals roam freely within their designated enclosures and natural habitats. The park provides a safe and secure environment for various species of animals, especially those that are orphaned, injured, or displaced.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Hills
Lake
Flora
Fauna
UPSC Questions

Van Vihar National Park Location

Van Vihar National Park is located in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. The park is situated adjacent to the Upper Lake, which is also known as Bada Talab. Bhopal is a central Indian city and is well-connected by road, rail, and air transport.

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Van Vihar National Park is the Raja Bhoj International Airport, located in Bhopal itself. It is approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) away from the park and serves as the primary air gateway to the city.

Nearest Railway Station:

As for the nearest railway station, Bhopal Junction is the main railway station in Bhopal and is well-connected to major cities across India. It is located approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from Van Vihar National Park. Bhopal Junction is a major railway hub in central India and is easily accessible from various parts of the country.

Van Vihar National Park History

Van Vihar National Park was established in 1979. It is a combination of National Park, a Zoo, Rescue Centre for wild animals and Conservation Breeding Centre for selected vital species like Barasinghas, Vultures and Tigers.

Van Vihar National Park is the only place in central India where its rescue centre harbours a number of Lions and Tigers rescued from the circuses, Sloth Bears rescued from the madaris, Tigers, Panthers and Bears rescued from the zones of human-wildlife conflict.

Van Vihar has the status of a national park, but is developed and managed as a modern zoological park, following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. Animals are kept in near natural habitats. Most animals are either orphaned and brought from various parts of the state or are exchanged from other zoos. No animal is deliberately captured from the forest.

Van Vihar National Park Area

Van Vihar National Park covers an area of about 4.45 km2 (1.72 square miles). The park is divided into two main sections, a herbivore section and a carnivore section.

The herbivore section is home to a variety of deer species, including the spotted deer, sambar deer, and blackbuck. The carnivore section is home to tigers, lions, and leopards, among other predators.

Van Vihar National Park Hills

Shymala Hills is located in the Van Vihar National Park.

Shyamala Hills is a beautiful hill range located in the city of Bhopal, the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The hills are situated in the northern part of the city, and are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Shyamala Hills is known for its scenic beauty, and offers panoramic views of the city of Bhopal. The hills are surrounded by lush green forests, which are home to a variety of wildlife.

One of the most popular attractions of Shyamala Hills is the Upper Lake, which is located at the foot of the hills. The lake is a beautiful spot for boating, and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and Van Vihar National Park.

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya is located on Shymala Hills.

Van Vihar National Park Lake

Van Vihar National Park is located on the banks of the Upper Lake in the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The lake is an important part of the park's ecosystem and plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the region.

Visitors to Van Vihar National Park can enjoy boating on the lake, which is a popular activity in the park. The lake offers a beautiful setting for a leisurely boat ride, with stunning views of the surrounding hills and forests.

Bada Taalab or Upper Lake:

It is also known as Bhoj Tal.
It lies on the western side of Bhopal.
It is a man-made artificial lake.
It is built by the Paramara Raja Bhoj during his tenure as a king of Malwa (1005–1055).
It has an area of 31 km2, and drains a catchment or watershed of 361 km2.

Van Vihar National Park Flora

Van Vihar National Park is home to a diverse range of flora. The park's vegetation is primarily composed of dry deciduous forests, with several species of trees and shrubs.

Some of the common tree species found in the Van Vihar National Park include teak, sal, bamboo, mahua, and jamun. Apart from trees, the park also has a variety of flowering plants and grasses. Some of the medicinal plants found in the park include the Indian gooseberry, Indian madder, and the neem tree.

The Van Vihar National Park is also home to a variety of orchids, which are known for their beauty and fragrance. These delicate flowers are found in abundance in the park, and are a major attraction for tourists.

Van Vihar National Park Fauna (Van Vihar National Park Animals)

Van Vihar National Park categorises animals in two categories, captive and herbivores. All carnivorous animals are kept inside enclosed areas and herbivores are allowed to roam freely.

Captive Fauna:

Bengal Tiger
Asiatic Lion
Asiatic Wildcat
Indian Wolf
Sloth Bear
Red Fox
Indian Jackal
Wild Dog
Mongoose
Striped Hyena
Mugger Crocodile
Gharial
Snakes

Herbivores:

Chital
Sambar
Blackbuck
Nilgai
Four-horned Antelope
Wild Boar
Porcupine
Hare
Rhesus Macaque
Common Langur

Avian Fauna:

White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
Long Billed Vultures (G. indicus)