From Diamonds to Tigers: The Fascinating Evolution of Panna
Let me ask you a question what do you think is more valuable a the sparkle of a diamond under the sun or the gleam in a tiger’s eyes at dawn.
Despite of what one thinks there was a place in India where you could find both at the same time.
Yeah it is actually true that Panna National Park, which is now a Tiger Reserve was once famous for its diamond mines and not its wildlife. Today the same soil that used to yield diamonds is now nurturing the stripes of India’s apex predator – the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The Diamond Legacy: Panna’s Glittering Past
Only a very few people know about the history of the legendary diamonds of Panna. The diamonds from the mines which were located where Panna National Park stands today once adorned the Mughal courts and European Jewelry. These diamond mines were located on the basin of the Ken River which runs in this river. This river basin has alluvial soil which collected the precious stones brought down by the river from the regions kimberlite pipes very rich diamond deposits. Some historians even believe the legendary
The Kohinoor diamond was also said to be have been found in the mines here.
The Bundela rulers of Panna used to guards this natural treasure and its riches fiercely. In that period mining was often done by hand. It was a painstaking excavation process and shaped the lives of the communities that had settled in this region. There were generations of families that had lived off the wealth that this region had given them. These mines had given both, a lot of economic prosperity and environmental scars for this region. A lot of forests were cleared, riverbanks disturbed which in the end disturbed the ecological balance of the region.
Decline and Deforestation: When the Shine Faded
Over the years this region saw a huge economic decline due to the a significant reduction in the mining activity the region saw. But the mining activity of the past had also done a permanent damage to the region. Rampant deforestation had deeply affected the wildlife population of the region. The tiger population of this region had reached near extinction levels by the 2000s. Because of such decrepit situation the forest department and government had to intervene and put on heavy restrictions on the region.
The Comeback Story: How Panna Rose Again
Under the Project Tiger initiative started by the government a Tiger Reintroduction Project was conducted in the year 2009. Tigers from Bandhavgarh and Kanha were introduced in the region for repopulation. the project was a success and now as off now in 2024 Panna National Park has 70+ tigers. Because of this even the ecological balance of the region was restored, and the region saw an improvement in the forest cover of the region. You can read our article about the recover of the tiger population of Panna here.
Panna Today: Where Heritage Meets Wilderness
Today Panna is the most interesting of all the parks you can visit in India. It offers the most unique two fold experience one can imagine. Here you can explore both the worlds; first is the old diamond mines, and second is the exciting and thriving tiger reserve.
At Panna national park you can visit iconic locations like the Pandav Falls, Raneh Canyon, and the Ken Gharial sanctuary. You can stay at premium eco-luxury lodges such as the taj Pahan Garh, Sarau at Toria, and the Ken river Lodge. All these are symbols of sustainable luxury. You can experience having breakfast on the riversides, private safaris, and enjoy interactions with the local naturalists.
The True Treasure of Panna
When we get to know the story of Panna it teaches us the idea of renewal. It teaches us nature’s ability to heal itself when given time and its own space. It makes you think what a treasure truly is; it is no longer in the earth, but alive in the forest. It truly is a poetic example of the fact that the diamonds may have faded, but the forest now shines brighter than ever with the stripes of black and gold.
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