Flora and Fauna of Madhya Pradesh - Forest Statistics

Forest Statistics

Madhya Pradesh is endowed with rich and diverse forest resources. Lying between latitude 21°04'N-26.87°N and longitude 74°02'-82°49' E, it is a reservoir of biodiversity. The geographical area of the state is 308,144 km² which constitutes 9.38% of the land area of the country. The forest area of the state is 95,221 km² constituting 31% of the geographical area of the state and 12.44% of the forest area of the country. Legally this area has been classified into "Reserved Forest, Protected Forest and Unclassified Forest", which constitute 61.7%, 37.4% and 0.9% of the forest area respectively. Per capita forest area is 2,400 m² as against the national average of 700 m²

As per the latest estimates of Forest Survey of India, published in the State of Forest Report (SFR) 2003, the total forest cover of M.P. is 76,429 km2., which is 24.79% of the land area - dense forest constituting 13.57% and open forest 11.22%.

One third of the state is forested and offers a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife. In the National Parks of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Shivpuri and many others, one has the rare opportunity to see the tiger, the bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope in sylvan surroundings. Nine National Parks and Twenty Five Wildlife Sanctuaries are attractive destinations on tourist map.