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Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve: A Comprehensive Guide
The Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. This reserve is a perfect example of how humans can coexist with nature and thrive together. In 2005, the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve was designated as the 14th National Biosphere Reserve of India by the Government of India. The reserve is situated in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and spreads from the Maikal hill ranges to the junction of Vindhyan and Satpura hill ranges, forming a triangular shape.
- Declaration Date of inclusion in MAB programme of UNESCO: 2012
- Core area(s): 55,150 ha
- Buffer zone(s): 195,587.5 ha
Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
| Designation | 14th National Biosphere Reserve of India |
| Notification date | March 30, 2005 |
| States covered | Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh |
| Geographical area | 383,551.0 hectares |
| Latitude range | 20° 58′ to 22° 15′ North |
| Longitude range | 81° 25′ to 82° 05′ East |
| Vegetation types and subtypes | Northern Indian Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, Moist Peninsular Sal Forest-Moist High Level Sal Forest, Moist Low Level Sal Forest, Moist Valley Sal Forest, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests, Dry Peninsular Sal Forests and Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests |
| Ecosystems | Sal forest, mixed forest, degraded forest, and agro-forestry ecosystems |
| Major rivers | Narmada, Johilla, and Sone |
| Water check dam | Khudia dam |
| Connectivity | Well-connected by road from Bilaspur and Raipur of Chhattisgarh and Anuppur and Shahdol of Madhya Pradesh |
Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve MAP
Land Use History of Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
| 1878 | The core area of the reserve was declared as a Reserve Forest. |
| 1955-56 | The area was declared as Amarkantak Wildlife Sanctuary |
| 1983-84 | Achanakmar Reserve Forest was established as Wildlife Sanctuary |
| March 2005 | Designated as the 14th National Biosphere Reserve of India |
Geographical Location Features
- Maximum area of Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve lies within Chhattisgarh in Bilaspur district, and remaining area lies in Madhya Pradesh in Anuppur & Dindori districts.
- Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is located within Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve in the Bilaspur district within Chhattisgarh.
- Every Biosphere reserve have a core area and a Buffer area, Achanakmar Sanctuary is designated as the core zone of the reserve and the remaining serves as the buffer zone.
Zones and Topography Information
| Zones | Core zone, Buffer zone, and Transition zone |
| Core zone area | 551.55 km2 in Chhattisgarh, including Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Buffer zone area | 1224.98 km2 in Madhya Pradesh and 2059.38 km2 in Chhattisgarh |
| Topography | Varies from lowland rice fields to hills of Maikal range of Satpuras, Amarkantak plateau with bauxite rocks |
| Rivers | Narmada, Johilla, and Son River |
| Hill ranges | Maikal hill ranges, Vindhya and Satpura |
Geology
- The geology of the area is unique and varies from schists and gneisses to granite intrusions, sand stones, shales, limestone, basaltic lava and bauxite.
- Red soil is also found here due to presence of iron oxide which is porous and fertile.
- alluvial soil is also found on the banks of numerous streams in the reserve and black cotton soil in many areas, support a large number of species.
Watershed
- Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is a major watersheds of peninsular India.
- It is source of three major river systems: the Narmada, the Son River, and the Johilla.
- The topography ranges from high mountains to shallow valleys and plains.
- Maikal hill ranges, Vindhya and Satpura lies within the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve.
- South-western monsoon brings rainfall to the reserve during the months of June to September.
Flora & Fauna
- Tropical deciduous vegetation covers the majority of the area
- The tropical Moist deciduous forests makes 63% of the area, and remaining area is covered with tropical dry deciduous vegetation which constitutes the southern part of the biosphere reserve.
- The Biosphere Reserve is home of 67 threatened faunal species, which includes Four horned antelope, Saras crane, Asian white-backed vulture, Indian wild dog, Sacred grove bush frog.
Endangered Flora and Fauna Species in Achanakmar Amarkantak BR
| Common Name | Scientific Name | IUCN Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Indian snakeroot | Rauvolfia serpentina | CR |
| St. Ghats bush frog | Philautus sanctisilvaticus | CR |
| Bengal vulture | Gyps bengalensis | CR |
| Southern maidenhair fern | Adiantum capillus veneris | EN |
| Sweet flag | Acorus calamus | EN |
| Bharangi | Clerodendrum serratum | EN |
| Ground orchid | Eulophia herbacea | EN |
| Climbing fern | Lygodium flexuosum | EN |
| Chitala | Notopterus chitala | EN |
| Royal Bengal Tiger | Panthera tigris | EN |
| Graham’s grass | Bothrichloa grahamii | VU |
| Fifty-five fauna species | VU | |
| Twenty eight flora species | VU |
Some Common Animal Species in Achanakmar Amarkantak BR
| Species | Habitat |
|---|---|
| Tiger | Rugged terrain |
| Bison | Grasslands |
| Bear | Sal-dominated forests |
| Spotted deer | Moist habitat |
| Barking deer | – |
| Panther | – |
| Wild cat | – |
| Fox | – |
| Wild dog | – |
| Sambhar | – |
| Four horned antelope | – |
| Mouse deer | – |
Climate of Achanakmar Amarkantak BR
| Climate | Monsoon climate with Summer, Rainy, and Winter seasons |
| Hottest months | May and June |
| Coolest months | December and January |
| Rainfall months | June to September |
| Vegetation | Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous and Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous forests |
| Plant diversity | Almost 1500 plant species from over 151 plant families |
Population
Reserve have Twenty-seven tribal and non-tribal communities inhabiting villages in Biosphere reserve. Their main occupation is agriculture ,along with the bamboo handicraft and non-timber products produced in the buffer zone and transition areas.
Inhabitants of the Biosphere Reserve
| Zone | Type of Area | Number of Villages/Suburban Areas | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Zone | Tribal Villages | 22 | 7,617 |
| Buffer and Transition Zones | Residential Areas, Revenue and Forest Villages | 399 | 4,40,404 |
Major Tribes Residing in the Biosphere Reserve
| Tribe | Origin | Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Baiga | Eastern Satpura hills | Mahamai, Chhaparwa, Jalda, Lamni, Rajak and Surhi |
| Gond | Dravid culture | Core area: Pathare Gond and Singraulia Gond |
| Kol | Singhbhum district of Jharkhand province | Achanakmar, Bindawal, Bamhani, Chhaparwa, Jakadbandha, and Lamni |
| Kanwar | Mahabharata times | Mostly settled as single family |
| Oraon | Chhota Nagpur | Surhi, Jakadbandha, Daganiya, Mahamai (core zone) and Jamunahi, Ghameri, and Babutola (transition zone) |
Download Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve Map 2021
The Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is just one of the many examples of biosphere reserves around the world that serve as living laboratories for coexistence between humans and nature. These reserves are essential for maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental conservation, and for ensuring a sustainable future for our planet.
Biosphere reserves provide a platform for scientific research and education, and they promote responsible tourism that contributes to the well-being of local communities. They also offer valuable insights into sustainable development practices that can be replicated across the world.
Want to learn more about UNESCO MAB programme refer to Official website
