Madhav National Park

Madhav National Park is situated in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Spread over an area of 354.61 sq.km, the park was set up in the year 1959. Previously, the park was the hunting reserve of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior and the Mughal rulers. It has been recorded that Emperor Akbar captured elephants from here and over the years the elephant numbers had reduced quite drastically by the greed of the overzealous Mughal rulers. Madhav National Park is unique, since it remains open throughout the monsoons unlike other national parks and sanctuaries.

The park is rich in its flora and fauna which compels the nature admirers to visit this park. Besides wildlife, this park is also famous for some other attractions.

George Castle, built by the Jiyaji Rao Scindia, is situated in the dense forests of the park at a high point. Hundreds of tourists visits this spectacular George Kaisal fort in Madhav National park. Named after British emperor George V, it is said that in 1911, George V reached this area to hunt a tiger in the forests. The then Gwalior province ruler Jiajirao Scindia constructed the two-storey marvelous fort at the top of a highest hill for him. It was studded with Belgium glass and Italian tiles besides stone from here. It was said that the British ruler killed a tiger before coming to the fort and returned sans visiting the citadel but the monument was famous after him. The fort was one of the magnificent edifices built inside the Park and now developed as attractive tourist spot. From here, the view of the placid lake is exceptional and the best time to visit the castle is at evening when the setting sun lights up the lake like a mirror.

Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes
Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes are two important biodiversity support systems in the Park. Situated on the edge Madhav National Park Sakhya Sagar Lake, is the habitat of variety of reptiles like . marsh crocodile or mugger, Indian Python and the Monitor Lizard. Sakhya Sagar Boat Club the other prime attraction in Madhav National Park is located on the edge of the Park. Built in the Year 1919 by then Maharaja of Gwalior state for V.V.I.P housing, one can have beautiful view of migratory birds and reptiles from here.

Ghadi Ghar
Built in 1921, it is facing boat club and Sakhya Sagar Lake. It is said that Nawab Ali Khan Walia presented a big watch (Ghadi) to then Maharaja of Gwalior and he installed that watch in the front upper portion of this building.

Baradari
Built by then Maharaja of Gwalior Madhorao Scindhia in the year 1915, the building is near to Sakhya Sagar lake. Made of marble stones, the erstwhile Maharaja of Gwalior used to entertain important dignitaries at this place.

Baradari no. 2
Built in the year 1921, it also used for organising folk dances. It is located inside the forest on a hillock facing Sakhya Sagar lake.

Golf Tower
Situated at the hillock near the Sakhya Sagar lake it is a watch tower. From here one can have full view of Sakhya Sagar and Madhav lakes and different variety of wild animals.

Bhura-kho Tower
Built in 1915, it is a hexagonal shape building situated deep inside the forests. The area around this tower is very rich of flora and fauna.

Shooting Box
It is on the Sakhya Sagar Dam. Standing at a height of 40 feet, it was used to see wild animals. Built by then Maharaja of Gwalior in the year 1936, visitors could sit under cover and watch a tiger and also have a glance of large numbers of crocodiles.

Flora
The vegetation in the park is generally dry mixed and deciduous. The park encompasses varied terrain covered with hills with occasional view of flat grasslands which offers splendid opportunities to see a variety of wildlife. The flora of the park mainly consists of Khair (acacia catechu), Salai {Boswella serrata(roxb), Kerdhai (Anogeissus Pendula), Dhaura (Anogeissus Latifolia wall), Tendu {Diospyros melanoxylon(roxb)}, Palas {Butea monosperma (lamk) etc.

Fauna
Madhav National Park boasts rich fauna comprising mainly Deer, Chinkara or Indian gazelle and Chital. Apart from these animals Nilgai, Sambar, Chausingha or four-horned antelope, Blackbuck, Sloth bear, Leopard and Common langur are some the other inhabitants sprawling in the park.

Reports says that the environment of the park has been ideal for tiger. The tiger safari in the park provides a good opportunity to visitors to observe the tigers too close. 

One can find a diversity of bird life in Madhav National Park. The artificial lake Chandpatha at Madav National park is a home to numerous rare migratory birds as well as residential birds. The rare migratory ducks like Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), Ferruginous Pochard (Aythya nyroca), Red-crested Pochard (Rhodonessa rufina) and Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) found here. November and February is the best season to see these migratory birds. The other species that frequent at this spot are Stork-billed Kingfisher (Halcyon capensis), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis), Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) and Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda).

The park's other important bird species are Painted Francolin (Francolinus pictus), Red Spurfowl (Galloperdix spadicea), Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), Painted Spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata), Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator), Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus), Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi), Sirkeer Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii), Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava), Green Avadavat (Amandava formosa) and Crested Bunting (Melophus lathami).

Part timings : 6.30 am to 10 am and 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm. Entry fee : For Indians Rs 15./- and Rs 50/- for foreigners, Guide fee : Rs.50/-

Parking charge for Vehicles is Rs 50/- and Video : Rs 200/- ; Still camera Rs 50/-.