Established in 1979, Van Vihar National Park is located in Bhopal District,
Madhya Pradesh. Covering an area of 445.21 hectares, the park draws a
large number of tourists and about 2.50 lakhs tourists visit Van Vihar
every year.Van Vihar Park areas was under the control of revenue department
and few owners from Prempura, Dharampuri and Amkheda villages.
Considering the importance of Van Vihar National Park
was declared as National Park on 18th January 1983. Although, having status
of a National Park, the Van Vihar is developed and managed as a modern
Zoological Park, following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority
(CZA). Now Van Vihar is a hybrid between a National Park and zoo. Here,
the orphaned animals brought from other parts of the country or exchanged
from other zoos.
The park serves as the most important gateway to Bhopal. Also known as
Safari Park, Van Vihar lies on a hill near the Upper Lake, with an area
of about 4 sq km .
Fauna
The main attractions in Van Vihar are Albino Sloth bear and the White
tiger. Besides these, the fauna found in Van Vihar National Park are Lion,
Sambhar, Cheetal, Nilgai, Black buck, Chousingha, Common Langur, Rhesus
macaque, Wild-boar, Porcupine, Hare, Blue Bull, Monkey, Mongoose, Wild
dogs, Jackal, Fox, Wolf etc.
The park also supports a variety of Ghariyal, Crocodiles, Mugger, Turtle,
Star tortoise and Python. According to the lUCN's Red list, the gharial
is the most threatened of all crocodilian species.
Van Vihar National Park also boasts of a large variety of avifauna. About
two hundred species of birds have been listed in different parts of Van
Vihar which includes migratory birds. Around 60 wide variety of colorful
butterflies and insects can be seen at this park.
Flora
The forests here are tropical moist deciduous type. They are interspersed
with swamps. The park consists of moist Sal bearing forests, dry Sal bearing
forests, moist mixed deciduous forests without Sal, cane. The Bel, Amaltas,
Babul, Reunjha, Doodhi, Lendia, Saja, Amla, Tendu etc are the common trees
in and around the park. Besides Aak, Karonda, Besharam and a variety
of other Shrubs and Herbs are also founds in Van Vihar.
Fee
Indian / foreigner Rs 15/200, camera/video Rs 40/300, autorickshaw
/ car Rs 20/40
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Wildlife 
