Satpura Tiger Reserve is a vast tranquil protected area within the Satpura Mountain range of Central Indian Landscape; mostly unadulterated by whatever human influence it had to cope with. This pristine Jungle has still retained the nature’s magical charm and wilderness area like this is hard to find these days. Centuries of weathering has shaped this elevated highland into a rugged landscape adorned with sandstone peaks with stunning views, gorges and ravines, rivulets; waterfalls and streams that have nurtured these dense jungles.
Satpura Tiger Reserve is a prime example of the central Indian highlands eco-system and with an area of 2133.307 square km, it is one of the major geographical plateaus in India and part of the Deccan bio-geographic zone of India. The reserve lies in the Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh. It’s a unique area of high natural and diverse land resource values and is gifted with rich bio-diversity , having many of the rare and endemic plants and animals. Another unique combination which can be seen only here in Satpura is that on Pachmarhi plateau part Sal forests exist on Gondwana sandstone whereas on lower plain area of the reserve teak forests grow on basaltic traps. It is also interesting to note that some species, which are not common elsewhere in Madhya Pradesh are found in this area.
Satpura, the word is derived from Sanskrit which basically means "Seven Folds" or “Seven hills”, forms a watershed between the Narmada and Tapti Rivers from Central India which is triangular in shape. Comprising of Bori Sanctuary, Satpura is one of the oldest forest reserves with a well-established tradition of scientific management of forests. It was in Bori forest area that systematic scientific forest management started when it was declared a reserve forest in 1865 and it was the success of Bori Model that was applied to Mandla forest area part of which is now the Kanha Tiger Reserve.
A combination of various climate and edaphic factors at different altitudinal levels has helped this protected area to have rich biodiversity and luxuriant tropical flora so much so that 26 species of the Himalayan region and 42 species of Nilgiri areas are found here. Due to this Satpura Tiger Reserve sometimes is also known as the northern extremity of Western Ghats.
In addition to Biological, Satpura also has a huge Archaeological significance considering more than 50 rock shelters with painting that are 1500 to 10,000 years old are found within its boundaries. Satpura Tiger Reserve stands out by its magnificent natural beauty and the famous Pachmari town, the only designated hill station of Madhya Pradesh which is famous for its picturesque locations, also falls within the reserve. Its unique geographical formations, dense forests, waterfalls, distinguished flora and fauna, rock shelters depicting ancient cultural heritage, pilgrim sites, colonial buildings and tribal culture make it one of the most unique wildlife destinations in Madhya Pradesh.