Have you heard such a statement ever? Yes! When tiger population is going down there remains the question who is the next. Yes next obviously the leopard. Is the king of the jungle? But limitations of leopard remain and pose certain problems. Which is the blessing to few big wild lives such as Bison, Sambar & Nilgai etc How ever smart and most beautiful leopard has to develop a special technique to hunt them down, for maintaining ecological balance. Other wise it will become, Bisons are forever.



Well such is a case in BARNAWAPARA in Raipur Dist. I call it land of the leopard, Go and enjoy dry deciduous forest with abundance of wildlife with an acute shortage of natural water in the park. Still the wild life thrives some how, may be man has to learn from them.

Leopards can be sighted easily in the open land from close quarter if one has patience. Place is having lot of wildlife, except tigers. We do not know where they have gone. Due to smaller predators like leopard, the tigers bigger pray base like Bison, Sambar, Nilgai has less or no harm hence there population is growing rapidly. One can see big heards of them roaming freely and fearlessly. At times they come very close to the guesthouse in search of water.

The Name Barnawapara has come to the sanctuary because of the two forest core villages i.e. Bar & NawaPara. Major source of water comes from Mahanadi Tributaries, the sanctuary falls between the two river they are Balandehi river on western side and Jonk river on the north eastern side which forms the boundary. Barnawapara established in 1975 with an area of 225 Sq.Km, the forest is majorlly covered by Teak, Sal and other mixed species and bamboo, the forest looks beautiful with dazzling white kulu trees scatted around the park. The flow of the river stop in the month of December, which created acute shortage of water. Forest department should take the help of college students & local villagers to create water holes and conserve the water sources and supplement with artificial water hole for the wildlife. Other wise the villagers surrounding the park will face savage harvest problem.

Barnawapara is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary and every one can afford. It is not like famous national parks like Ranthabore and Kanha. Nearest Railway Station is Mahasamund on the Raipur – Waltair (Vishakhapatnam) route.

One can travel by bus / shared jeep from Raipur and Mahasamund and rents are nominal, park entry charge is also very nominal its better to take a local guide by paying nominal fee.

He will show cheetal, sambhar, nelgai, wild boar are sighted regularly. Sloth Bear, Leopard, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Jungle Cat, Fox, Striped Hyena, and Barking Deer, deer’s are also found. Tigers, are shy and sighted infrequently it seems. Birds species peafowl, Crow pheasant, crimson, breasted barbet, red vented bulbul, racket tailed drango, Magpie Robin, lesser whistling teals, pintail, shoveled, egrets and herons it houses more than 150 variety of birds and some of them are migratory

It is easily reachable from Raipur. Since it is only 125 Kms. Bus and shared taxi are also available for budget travelers. There is a rest house with 6 cottages in the sanctuary no Govt safari vehicle are available for the tourists. So please make arrangements for a jeep in Raipur or Mahasamund contact DFO wildlife Raipur for Reservation of cottage.

One may also try accommodation in a resort, which is out side the park. Tentented accommodation may be available at forest department. Village people also provide simple rooms at affordable rates. Enjoy village surroundings among the fields and cattle.

Tourists can start safari and eco visits with Barnawapara. People who are regular visitors to forest will certainly enjoy the leopard sighting. Who is the king of the jungle here, Please visit and write your views about your trips.

Be prepared for a very hot day, nights is ok. No electricity due to power cuts at times.

Please carry grocery and your special medicine if any, and also camera films etc since there is no near by supply. Barnawapara a new destination for adventure people and the place is worthwhile for a visit.