India’s central forest belt is going through a conservation effort which is aimed at reshaping wildlife protection across the country. The set up of new wildlife corridors that link major national parks in Central India is creating one of Asia’s most ambitious conservation networks. It hopes for the survival of endangered species.
Central India parks
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh comprises Central India’s prime forest. It is also home to one of the world’s most important tiger habitats outside of protected reserves. But these regions have been facing issues because of bad infrastructure, mining, and agricultural expansion.
Dr. Rajesh Gopal, former head of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, highlights that “forest fragmentation is the silent killer of wildlife conservation,” particularly for large predators like tigers, who require connected landscapes to maintain genetic diversity and healthy populations.
The New Corridor Network
The newly established corridor network connects several key protected areas, significantly enhancing wildlife movement and gene flow across the region. Some of the major corridors are:
Kanha-Pench Corridor is a 150 km stretch linking two of India’s premier tiger reserves.
Satpura-Melghat Link will connect Maharashtra’s oldest tiger reserve with the biodiverse Satpura landscape in Madhya Pradesh.
Tadoba-Navegaon Corridor will link Maharashtra’s tiger strongholds.
These corridors are the result of extensive collaboration between government agencies, conservation NGOs, and local communities. The initiative includes strategic land acquisitions in critical areas, community-led forest restoration projects, wildlife-friendly infrastructure such as India’s first dedicated wildlife underpasses, and ecosystem services payment programs for villages practicing conservation-friendly agriculture.
Camera trap evidence from the corridors shows promising results. Tigers, leopards, and the rare wild dogs (dholes) have been observed using these pathways, with some traveling impressive distances. Wildlife biologist Prerna Singh shares a notable example: “We’ve documented one male tiger traveling over 120 km from Kanha to Pench through the corridor, which is crucial for genetic exchange between isolated populations.”

While tigers often dominate media attention, the corridors benefit many species. The vulnerable swamp deer, or barasingha, now has expanded habitat, while sloth bears can access larger territories. Lesser-known species, including butterflies and reptiles, also thrive thanks to connected habitats. Furthermore, the movement of animals across these corridors is enhancing forest biodiversity and improving seed dispersal, strengthening ecosystem resilience.
For wildlife enthusiasts, these corridors offer a unique opportunity to witness conservation efforts firsthand. The best time to visit is between October and March, when wildlife viewing conditions are optimal.