Archive · 1 Nov 2025
Madhya Pradesh Approves Omkareshwar Sanctuary as State's 27th Protected Reserve and New Tiger Haven
A special forest area in India called Omkareshwar is now officially protected and will be a new home for tigers.
This is the 27th protected area in the state of Madhya Pradesh and the 11th place designated for tigers.
This new park is in a very old and spiritual place called the Narmada valley.
It's so big, covering 614 square kilometers.
It's also getting ready to welcome new animals like rhinos and Indian bison.
This is important because there are already many tigers in other protected areas, and this new one will give them more space.
It will also help protect tigers that sometimes wander outside the usual parks.
This new sanctuary is being created to make up for a part of the land that was used many years ago to build big dams for water.
The government has already made sure there are buildings and people to manage the sanctuary.
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav declared the 614 sq km Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary as the state's 27th Protected Reserve.
The sanctuary, located in the Narmada valley across Khandwa and Dewas districts, is now Madhya Pradesh's 11th Tiger Reserve.
The move fulfills a nearly 40-year-old mandate for compensatory protected areas following the diversion of land for the Indira Sagar Project.
Omkareshwar Sanctuary is home to over 50 tigers and is intended to alleviate overcrowding in existing tiger hotspots and secure wandering populations.
Plans are underway to introduce rhinos and Gaur (Indian bison) to the sanctuary, with existing infrastructure and staff in place for immediate operation.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board
- What
- Approval of Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary as the state's 27th Protected Reserve and 11th Tiger Reserve, with plans for rhino and gaur introductions.
- When
- The approval was announced on Saturday, during the state's 70th Foundation Day. The environmental clearance mandate for compensatory protected areas dates back to the 1980s.
- Where
- Omkareshwar region in the Narmada valley, spanning Khandwa and Dewas districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- To provide a new tiger haven, ease overcrowding in existing reserves, secure vulnerable tiger populations roaming outside reserves, and fulfill a decades-old environmental mandate related to dam construction.
- Location
- Omkareshwar, Narmada valley, Khandwa and Dewas districts, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Area
- 614 sq km
- Designation
- State's 27th Protected Reserve; Madhya Pradesh's 11th Tiger Reserve
- Establishment Mandate
- Compensatory protected area for Indira Sagar Project (1980s diversion)
- Wildlife Population
- Over 50 tigers
- Planned Introductions
- Rhinos and Gaur (Indian bison)
- Infrastructure
- 73 forest buildings, 12 watch towers, 88 staff
