Van Vihar National Park - Revision history

PorterStowell75: clean up

2026-02-25T03:53:03Z

clean up

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 25 February 2026
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2018}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2018}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2018}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2018}}
	{{Infobox Protected area		{{Infobox Protected area
	\| name = Van Vihar National Park		\| name = Van Vihar National Park
	\| iucn_category = II		\| iucn_category = II
	\| ~~photo~~ = Alligator at Van Vihar National Park.jpg		\| image = Alligator at Van Vihar National Park.jpg
	\| ~~photo_alt~~ =		\| image_alt =
	\| ~~photo_caption~~ = [[Gharial]] at Van Vihar		\| image_caption = [[Gharial]] at Van Vihar
	\| ~~photo_width~~ = 300		\| image_size = 300
	\| map = India Madhya Pradesh		\| map = India Madhya Pradesh
			\| relief = 1
			\| mapframe = Yes
	\| location = [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]		\| location = [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
	\| nearest_city = Bhopal		\| nearest_city = Bhopal
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	}}		}}

	'''Van Vihar National Park''' is a [[national park]] in [[Bhopal]], the capital city of [[Madhya Pradesh]] in [[central India]]. Declared a national park in 1979, it covers an area of about 4.45 km<sup>2</sup>. It has the status of a national park, but is developed and managed as a modern [[zoological park]], following the guidelines of the [[Central Zoo Authority]]. Animals are kept in near natural habitats. Most animals are either orphaned and brought from various parts of the state or are exchanged from other zoos. No animal is deliberately captured from the forest.<ref name="van_vihar"/> Van Vihar is unique because visitors access it from a road through the park, and trenches,walls, and chain-link fencing protect the animals from poachers while providing natural habitat.		'''Van Vihar National Park''' is a [[national park]] in [[Bhopal]], the capital city of [[Madhya Pradesh]] in [[central India]]. Declared a national park in 1979, it covers an area of about 4.45 km<sup>2</sup>. It has the status of a national park, but is developed and managed as a modern [[zoological park]], following the guidelines of the [[Central Zoo Authority]]. Animals are kept in near natural habitats. Most animals are either orphaned and brought from various parts of the state or are exchanged from other zoos. No animal is deliberately captured from the forest.<ref name="van_vihar"/> Van Vihar is unique because visitors access it from a road through the park, and trenches, walls, and chain-link fencing protect the animals from poachers while providing natural habitat.

	==History==		==History==
	In the mid twentieth century a number of illegal stone quarries were operational in the area and, being in a serene and beautiful location on the bank of big lake, many commercial organizations were trying to take hold of this valuable piece of land.		In the mid twentieth century a number of illegal stone quarries were operational in the area and, being in a serene and beautiful location on the bank of big lake, many commercial organizations were trying to take hold of this valuable piece of land.
	Realizing the importance of both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of wild fauna, it was decided to provide this area with a legal umbrella under the [[Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]]. A committee of experts was constituted to decide how to make Van Vihar a protected area. In 1983, on the committee's recommendation, the government declared an area of 4.4521~~ km<sup>2</sup>~~ a national park.		Realizing the importance of both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of wild fauna, it was decided to provide this area with a legal umbrella under the [[Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]]. A committee of experts was constituted to decide how to make Van Vihar a protected area. In 1983, on the committee's recommendation, the government declared an area of {{cvt\|4.4521\|km2}} a national park.
	Out of the 4.4521~~ km<sup>2</sup>~~ of land, an area 3.8839~~ km<sup>2</sup>~~ was government owned land and the rest belonged to the villagers of Prempura, Dharampuri and Amkheda. Compensation of Rs. 23.52 lakhs was paid to villagers to acquire 0.5692~~ km<sup>2</sup>~~ of private holdings. After the constitution of the National Park, the acquired area was enclosed in with stone walls and chain link fences.		Out of the {{cvt\|4.4521\|km2}} of land, an area {{cvt\|3.8839\|km2}} was government owned land and the rest belonged to the villagers of Prempura, Dharampuri and Amkheda. Compensation of Rs. 23.52 lakhs was paid to villagers to acquire {{cvt\|0.5692\|km2}} of private holdings. After the constitution of the National Park, the acquired area was enclosed in with stone walls and chain link fences.

	The first ~~technical document known as the~~ Management Plan ~~to manage the Van Vihar~~ was ~~written in~~ the ~~year 2000 (for a period of 10~~ years ~~from~~ 2000 to 2010~~), by Jagdish Chandra, IFS, & Ex-Director of Van Vihar. Efforts of staunch protection and habitat improvement measures resulted in its enrichment in a very short period of time~~.<ref name=van_history>{{Cite web \|title = History : Peep into the Past \|publisher=Van Vihar National Park \|location=Bhopal, India \|year=2007 \|url=http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/history.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323185553/http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/history.html \|archive-date=23 March 2012 \|url-status=dead}}</ref>		The first Management Plan was drawn up for the years 2000 to 2010.<ref name=van_history>{{Cite web \|title=History : Peep into the Past \|publisher=Van Vihar National Park \|location=Bhopal, India \|year=2007 \|url=http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/history.html \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323185553/http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/history.html \|archive-date=23 March 2012 \|url-status=dead}}</ref>

	[[File:Van Vihar at Sunset.jpg\|thumb\|Van Vihar at Sunset]]		[[File:Van Vihar at Sunset.jpg\|thumb\|Van Vihar at Sunset]]
	The degraded hillock of Shyamla Hill along with private village land was initiated in 1980 and finally notified as a national park in 1983. Funding from the [[Central Zoo Authority]] started in 1993-94 and also granted Van Vihar as a medium sized zoo on the same year. With the dedicated efforts of the park management, the area has now been transformed into an oasis of greenery. The area today serves as the green lung for Bhopal City.<ref name="van_vihar"/>		The degraded hillock of Shyamla Hill along with private village land was initiated in 1980 and finally notified as a national park in 1983. Funding from the [[Central Zoo Authority]] started in 1993-94 and also granted Van Vihar as a medium sized zoo on the same year. With the dedicated efforts of the park management, the area has now been transformed into an oasis of greenery. The area today serves as the green lung for Bhopal City.<ref name="van_vihar"/>

	==~~Biodiversity~~==		==Wildlife==
	~~[[File:Panther.jpg\|thumb\|Indian leopard]]~~
	~~Van Vihar categorises animals in two categories, captive and herbivores. All carnivorous animals are kept inside enclosed areas and herbivores are allowed to roam freely.~~

	===~~Captive fauna===~~		===Mammals===
	The animals, such as the [[Bengal tiger]], [[Asiatic lion]], [[Asiatic wildcat]], [[Indian wolf]], [[Sloth bear]], [[Red fox]], [[Indian jackal]], [[wild dog]], [[mongoose]], [[striped hyena]], [[mugger crocodile]], [[gharial]], and [[snakes]] such as the [[Pythonidae\|python]] are kept in captivity in a system of kraal and enclosures in lines of modern concept of zoo management as per the norms of Central Zoo Authority. All [[felids]] and [[hyenas]] are fed with buffalo meat, mutton and poultry. [[Bear]]s are provided with milk, vegetables and fruits to make a balanced diet.

	~~===Herbivores~~===
	[[File:Cheetal (spotted deer) at Van Vihar National Park.jpg\|thumb\|Chital]]		[[File:Cheetal (spotted deer) at Van Vihar National Park.jpg\|thumb\|Chital]]
	[[Chital]], [[Sambar (deer)\|sambar]], [[blackbuck]], [[nilgai]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[wild boar]], [[porcupine]], [[hare]], [[Rhesus macaque]], [[common langur]] are ranging freely. Normally the grass and other plant species growing in Van Vihar are sufficient for these herbivores. However, in summer when the grass is scarce, green fodder produced in the fodder farm and wheat husk procured from the market is provided as a supplement. In its ponds, [[Indian star tortoise]], [[turtle]]s, and a variety of [[fish]] occur. Van Vihar also preserves animals belonging to endangered species.{{cn\|date=November 2019}}		[[Chital]], [[Sambar (deer)\|sambar]], [[blackbuck]], [[nilgai]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[wild boar]], [[porcupine]], [[hare]], [[Rhesus macaque]], [[common langur]] are ranging freely. Normally the grass and other plant species growing in Van Vihar are sufficient for these herbivores. However, in summer when the grass is scarce, green fodder produced in the fodder farm and wheat husk procured from the market is provided as a supplement. In its ponds, [[Indian star tortoise]], [[turtle]]s, and a variety of [[fish]] occur. Van Vihar also preserves animals belonging to endangered species.{{cn\|date=November 2019}}

	===~~Avian fauna~~===		===Birds===
	[[File:Cinnamon bittern, Van Vihar National Park Bhopal, May 3017.jpg\|thumb\|[[Cinnamon bittern]]]]		[[File:Cinnamon bittern, Van Vihar National Park Bhopal, May 3017.jpg\|thumb\|[[Cinnamon bittern]]]]
	The wilderness of park offers an ideal habitat for a number of avian fauna. Till now about two hundred species of birds have been listed in different parts of Van Vihar.<ref name=vanvihar_birds>{{cite web \| url = http://www.bhopalbirds.com/birdingspot/Van%20vihar \|title=Van Vihar National Park - A Rich Birding Spot \|access-date=2011-11-08 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204203612/http://www.bhopalbirds.com/birdingspot/Van%20vihar \|archive-date=2011-12-04 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> Large number of birds frequent this park, especially during winter the migratory waterfowl alight in great numbers in the adjoining extensive wetland of big lake. In the 2010s, the park developed a vulture breeding centre, which initially focused on restoring populations of [[white-rumped vulture]] (''Gyps bengalensis''), and [[long billed vultures]] (''G. indicus'').<ref>{{Cite news\|date=~~20 May~~ 2014\|title=Kerwa breeding centre to get another 50 pairs of vultures \|newspaper=The Times of India \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Kerwa-breeding-centre-to-get-another-50-pairs-of-vultures/articleshow/35370726.cms\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521002805/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Kerwa-breeding-centre-to-get-another-50-pairs-of-vultures/articleshow/35370726.cms\|archive-date=21 May 2014\|url-status=live}}</ref>		The wilderness of park offers an ideal habitat for a number of avian fauna. Till now about two hundred species of birds have been listed in different parts of Van Vihar.<ref name=vanvihar_birds>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bhopalbirds.com/birdingspot/Van%20vihar \|title=Van Vihar National Park - A Rich Birding Spot \|access-date=2011-11-08 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204203612/http://www.bhopalbirds.com/birdingspot/Van%20vihar \|archive-date=2011-12-04 \|url-status=dead}}</ref> Large number of birds frequent this park, especially during winter the migratory waterfowl alight in great numbers in the adjoining extensive wetland of big lake. In the 2010s, the park developed a vulture breeding centre, which initially focused on restoring populations of [[white-rumped vulture]] (''Gyps bengalensis''), and [[long billed vultures]] (''G. indicus'').<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2014 \|title=Kerwa breeding centre to get another 50 pairs of vultures \|newspaper=The Times of India \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Kerwa-breeding-centre-to-get-another-50-pairs-of-vultures/articleshow/35370726.cms\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521002805/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Kerwa-breeding-centre-to-get-another-50-pairs-of-vultures/articleshow/35370726.cms\|archive-date=21 May 2014\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	==Administration==		==Administration==
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	==See also==		==See also==
			* [[Conservation in Bhopal]]
	* [[Wildlife of India]]		* [[Wildlife of India]]
	* [[Wildlife ~~of South Asia~~]]		* [[Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary]], a wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan

	==References==		==References==
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	==External links==		==External links==
	{{commons category\|Van Vihar National Park}}		{{commons category\|Van Vihar National Park}}
	* [http://www.mptourism.com/ Madhya Pradesh (MP) Tourism Official Government website]
	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313115138/http://cza.nic.in/van%20vihar%20national%20park%20mp.jpg Map of Van Vihar National Park]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313115138/http://cza.nic.in/van%20vihar%20national%20park%20mp.jpg Map of Van Vihar National Park]
	* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/patna-zoo-lion-sheru-to-roar-at-van-vihar/articleshow/64318412.cms Patna zoo lion Sheru to roar at Van Vihar]		* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/patna-zoo-lion-sheru-to-roar-at-van-vihar/articleshow/64318412.cms Patna zoo lion Sheru to roar at Van Vihar]

			* [https://www.mptourism.com/van-vihar-national-park-bhopal.html Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal]


	{{City of Bhopal}}		{{City of Bhopal}}

imported>BrownHairedGirl: added Category:1983 establishments in Madhya Pradesh using HotCat

2021-03-25T04:02:42Z

added Category:1983 establishments in Madhya Pradesh using HotCat

New page

{{short description|National park in Madhya Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Van Vihar National Park
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Alligator at Van Vihar National Park.jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = [[Gharial]] at Van Vihar
| photo_width = 300
| map = India Madhya Pradesh
| location = [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = Bhopal
| coordinates = {{coords|23|13|48|N|77|21|59|E|display=inline, title}}
| area_km2 = 4.48
| established = 18 Feb. 1979
| visitation_num = 2,50,000<ref name=van_vihar>{{Cite web |publisher=Van Vihar National Park |title=Van Vihar National Park - an Introduction |year=2007 |url=http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/about_vvnp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323190711/http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/about_vvnp.html |archive-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Madhya Pradesh Forest Department
}}

'''Van Vihar National Park''' is a [[national park]] in [[Bhopal]], the capital city of [[Madhya Pradesh]] in [[central India]]. Declared a national park in 1979, it covers an area of about 4.45 km2. It has the status of a national park, but is developed and managed as a modern [[zoological park]], following the guidelines of the [[Central Zoo Authority]]. Animals are kept in near natural habitats. Most animals are either orphaned and brought from various parts of the state or are exchanged from other zoos. No animal is deliberately captured from the forest.<ref name="van_vihar"/> Van Vihar is unique because visitors access it from a road through the park, and trenches,walls, and chain-link fencing protect the animals from poachers while providing natural habitat.

==History==
In the mid twentieth century a number of illegal stone quarries were operational in the area and, being in a serene and beautiful location on the bank of big lake, many commercial organizations were trying to take hold of this valuable piece of land.
Realizing the importance of both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of wild fauna, it was decided to provide this area with a legal umbrella under the [[Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]]. A committee of experts was constituted to decide how to make Van Vihar a protected area. In 1983, on the committee's recommendation, the government declared an area of 4.4521 km2 a national park.
Out of the 4.4521 km2 of land, an area 3.8839 km2 was government owned land and the rest belonged to the villagers of Prempura, Dharampuri and Amkheda. Compensation of Rs. 23.52 lakhs was paid to villagers to acquire 0.5692 km2 of private holdings. After the constitution of the National Park, the acquired area was enclosed in with stone walls and chain link fences.

The first technical document known as the Management Plan to manage the Van Vihar was written in the year 2000 (for a period of 10 years from 2000 to 2010), by Jagdish Chandra, IFS, & Ex-Director of Van Vihar. Efforts of staunch protection and habitat improvement measures resulted in its enrichment in a very short period of time.<ref name=van_history>{{Cite web |title = History : Peep into the Past |publisher=Van Vihar National Park |location=Bhopal, India |year=2007 |url=http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/history.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323185553/http://210.212.144.202/vanvihar/history.html |archive-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Van Vihar at Sunset.jpg|thumb|Van Vihar at Sunset]]
The degraded hillock of Shyamla Hill along with private village land was initiated in 1980 and finally notified as a national park in 1983. Funding from the [[Central Zoo Authority]] started in 1993-94 and also granted Van Vihar as a medium sized zoo on the same year. With the dedicated efforts of the park management, the area has now been transformed into an oasis of greenery. The area today serves as the green lung for Bhopal City.<ref name="van_vihar"/>

==Biodiversity==
[[File:Panther.jpg|thumb|Indian leopard]]
Van Vihar categorises animals in two categories, captive and herbivores. All carnivorous animals are kept inside enclosed areas and herbivores are allowed to roam freely.

===Captive fauna===
The animals, such as the [[Bengal tiger]], [[Asiatic lion]], [[Asiatic wildcat]], [[Indian wolf]], [[Sloth bear]], [[Red fox]], [[Indian jackal]], [[wild dog]], [[mongoose]], [[striped hyena]], [[mugger crocodile]], [[gharial]], and [[snakes]] such as the [[Pythonidae|python]] are kept in captivity in a system of kraal and enclosures in lines of modern concept of zoo management as per the norms of Central Zoo Authority. All [[felids]] and [[hyenas]] are fed with buffalo meat, mutton and poultry. [[Bear]]s are provided with milk, vegetables and fruits to make a balanced diet.

===Herbivores===
[[File:Cheetal (spotted deer) at Van Vihar National Park.jpg|thumb|Chital]]
[[Chital]], [[Sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[blackbuck]], [[nilgai]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[wild boar]], [[porcupine]], [[hare]], [[Rhesus macaque]], [[common langur]] are ranging freely. Normally the grass and other plant species growing in Van Vihar are sufficient for these herbivores. However, in summer when the grass is scarce, green fodder produced in the fodder farm and wheat husk procured from the market is provided as a supplement. In its ponds, [[Indian star tortoise]], [[turtle]]s, and a variety of [[fish]] occur. Van Vihar also preserves animals belonging to endangered species.{{cn|date=November 2019}}

===Avian fauna===
[[File:Cinnamon bittern, Van Vihar National Park Bhopal, May 3017.jpg|thumb|[[Cinnamon bittern]]]]
The wilderness of park offers an ideal habitat for a number of avian fauna. Till now about two hundred species of birds have been listed in different parts of Van Vihar.<ref name=vanvihar_birds>{{cite web | url = http://www.bhopalbirds.com/birdingspot/Van%20vihar |title=Van Vihar National Park - A Rich Birding Spot |access-date=2011-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204203612/http://www.bhopalbirds.com/birdingspot/Van%20vihar |archive-date=2011-12-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Large number of birds frequent this park, especially during winter the migratory waterfowl alight in great numbers in the adjoining extensive wetland of big lake. In the 2010s, the park developed a vulture breeding centre, which initially focused on restoring populations of [[white-rumped vulture]] (''Gyps bengalensis''), and [[long billed vultures]] (''G. indicus'').<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 May 2014|title=Kerwa breeding centre to get another 50 pairs of vultures |newspaper=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Kerwa-breeding-centre-to-get-another-50-pairs-of-vultures/articleshow/35370726.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521002805/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/Kerwa-breeding-centre-to-get-another-50-pairs-of-vultures/articleshow/35370726.cms|archive-date=21 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Administration==
The park is maintained by the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. The park administration is headed by a director of the rank of chief conservator of forests and assisted by one assistant director, 3 range officers, 3 deputy-rangers, 4 foresters and 24 forest guards. In addition to these, persons are engaged on daily wage basis, to meet the day-to-day requirement of the animal care and management.
Van Vihar administration is promoting cycling in the park; bicycles can be rented inside park gates at either end of the park. Van Vihar is closed on Fridays.

==See also==
* [[Wildlife of India]]
* [[Wildlife of South Asia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Van Vihar National Park}}
* [http://www.mptourism.com/ Madhya Pradesh (MP) Tourism Official Government website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160313115138/http://cza.nic.in/van%20vihar%20national%20park%20mp.jpg Map of Van Vihar National Park]
* [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/patna-zoo-lion-sheru-to-roar-at-van-vihar/articleshow/64318412.cms Patna zoo lion Sheru to roar at Van Vihar]

{{City of Bhopal}}
{{National Parks of India}}

[[Category:National parks in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Bhopal]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1983]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Madhya Pradesh]]