Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state in Central India and its outline shape is like a seahorse. It is the ninth largest state by area covering 135,192 km2 (52,198 square miles), and with a population of roughly 30 million, the seventeenth most populous. It borders seven states – Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the northwest, Maharashtra to the southwest, Jharkhand to the northeast, Odisha to the east, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the south. Formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh, its state capital is Raipur. A resource-rich state, it has the third largest coal reserves in the country and provides electricity, coal, and steel to the rest of the nation. It also has the third largest forest cover in the country at over 40%. Agriculture is counted as the chief economic occupation of the state. According to a government estimate, the net sown area of the state is 4.828 million hectares. Horticulture and animal husbandry also engage a major share of the total population of the state. About 80% of the population of the state is rural and the main livelihood of the villagers is agriculture and agriculture-based small industry. The majority of the farmers are still practicing the traditional methods of cultivation, resulting in low growth rates and productivity, but environmental protection.
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis – ©Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA
The northern and southern parts of the state are hilly, while the central part is a fertile plain. The highest point in the state is the Gaurlata near Samri, Balrampur-Ramanujganj district. Deciduous forests of the Eastern Highlands Forests cover about 44% of the state. In the north lies the edge of the great Indo-Gangetic plain. The Rihand River, a tributary of the Ganges, drains this area. The eastern end of the Satpura Range and the western edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau form an east-west belt of hills that divide the Mahanadi River basin from the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Mahanadi River – ©VishuN CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The central part of the state lies in the fertile upper basin of the Mahanadi and its tributaries, of which Shivnath River is a major one running around 300 km long. This area has extensive rice cultivation. The upper Mahanadi basin is separated from the upper Narmada basin to the west by the Maikal Hills (part of the Satpuras) and from the plains of Odisha to the east by ranges of hills. The southern part of the state lies on the Deccan plateau, in the watershed of the Godavari River and its tributary, the Indravati River. The Mahanadi is the chief river of the state. The other main rivers are Hasdeo (a tributary of Mahanadi), Rihand, Indravati, Jonk, Arpa and Shivnath.
The state has the third largest forest by area in India and is surrounded by the forests in Madhya Pradesh (1st), Odisha (4th), Maharashtra (5th), Jharkhand and Telangana making it India’s largest forested area across state boundaries. There are multiple National Parks and Tiger Reserves across the state. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO Biosphere with total area of 383,551 hectares (3,835.51 km2 or 1,480.90 square miles). The state animal is the van bhainsa, or wild Asian buffalo. The state bird is the pahari myna, or hill myna. The state tree is the Sal (Sarai) found in Bastar division.
Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis – ©Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA
Chhattisgarh has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid in the summer because of its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and its dependence on the monsoons for rains. Summer temperatures in Chhattisgarh can reach up to 49 °C. The monsoon season is from late June to October and is a welcome respite from the heat. Chhattisgarh receives an average of over 50 inches of rain. Winter is from November to January. Winters are pleasant with low temperatures and less humidity. Ambikapur, Mainpat, Pendra Road, Samri and Jashpur are some of the coldest places in the state.
Birding Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a great location for bird watching, boasting diverse habitats and numerous bird species. The great extent of forest cover and areas under conservation for big mammals of course favours birds too. The extent of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve means geographical level conservation with areas barely touched by humankind. But even in the capital places like the Bhatagaon Bird Watching Point encourages visitors to connect with nature and some good birding.
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve – ©Paromita1.8 CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Some of the best birding locations include Kanger Valley National Park, Patan, and the areas around IIT Bhilai, Guru Ghasidas University Campus, and Kopra Dam. Over 70% of the state is under a flyway route of migratory birds, making it a critical stopover for birds traversing long distances from northern Asia and Europe. Winter is a particularly good time for birding, as it’s when many migratory birds arrive.
Kanger Valley National Park is renowned for its biodiversity and is home to the Bastar Hill Myna sub-species (the state bird). Other notable species there include Spotted Owlets, Red Junglefowl, Peafowl and many other birds – more than 200 bird species were recorded on a recent survey including nine species of owls, such as the Spot-bellied Eagle-owl and eleven species of woodpecker. IIt even has some Western Ghats endemics, such as Malabar Trogon and White-Bellied Woodpecker. The park’s unique location – close to the Eastern Ghats, Himalayas and north-eastern tracts – means that it is a sort of a melting pot, home to fauna that are found in all these different biodiversity hotspots.
Red Jungle Fowl Gallus gallus – ©Bird-Photo-Tours ASIA
Patan is another terrific area for bird watchers, especially during the winter months when migratory birds arrive. The area is developing into a mega wetland complex, attracting a wide variety of species. Bhilai and Guru Ghasidas University Campus are also significant birding hotspots, offering a variety of species and opportunities for bird watching. Notable species include the Bar-headed Goose and River Tern among others. Kopra Dam is another area known for its bird diversity and is a good place to observe water birds in particular.
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Wikipedia
GNU Free Documentation License
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhattisgarh
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Number of bird species: 515
(As at June 2025)State Bird: Hill Myna Gracula religious
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Chhattisgarh , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
E-Bird
PDF ChecklistThis checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
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Birds of Chhattisgarh
| Report by Bird Count India 2017-2018 | By Ravi Naidu, Arun MK Bharos & Suhel Quader | Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board | 2021 | 148 pages, colour photos, colour illustrations, colour maps, colour tables | ISBN: #262511 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent
| By Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp & Tim Inskipp | Helm | 2025 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 544 pages, 240+ plates with colour illustrations; colour distribution maps, b/w illustrations | ISBN: 9781472984777 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Fauna of Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
| (Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh) | By Kailash Chandra | Zoological Survey of India | 2014 | Paperback | 316 pages, 24 plates with colour photos; colour illustrations, colour maps | ISBN: 9788181713773 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent
Apple iOS | AndroidThe eGuide to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent is an interactive companion to Birds of the Indian Subcontinent – the definitive guide for birdwatchers visiting the region. It covers India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. This application has specific features that will enhance your birding experience.Indian Birds
Apple iOS | AndroidPioneers in bringing Indian Birding to the smart phone generation - Introducing Indian Birds, the time-honoured and cherished birding companion for India. Established in 2010, it proudly remains the sole mobile app available on App Store, offering bird enthusiasts the ability to explore bird namesReserves-
NP Kanger Ghati
InformationSatellite ViewIt is one of the densest national parks, well known for its biodiversity, landscape, waterfalls, subterranean geomorphologic limestone caves, and home for the Bastar hill myna, the state bird of Chhattisgarh. The avian fauna at the park includes hill myna, spotted owlet, red jungle fowl, racket-tailed drongos, peacocks, parrots, steppe eagles, red spurfowl, phakta, bhura teeter, tree pie and heron among many others. -
NP TR Indravati
InformationSatellite ViewIndravati National Park is a national park located in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh state, with a total area of approximately 2799.08 km2. The park also gives shelter to the large variety of birds of which the hill myna is the most important species. -
WS BR Achanakmar
InformationSatellite ViewThe Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is an Indian sanctuary in Mungeli district, Chhattisgarh State. Linked by the hilly Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor to the tiger reserve in Kanha, Madhya Pradesh, the sanctuary comprises 557.55 km2 of forest. Tigers and many large mammals as well as a wide variety of birds. -
WS Sitanadi
InformationSatellite ViewSitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Dhamtari District, Chhattisgarh. This sanctuary sprawls over an area of 556 km2 and has an altitude ranging between 327 and 736 m above the sea level. It is named after Sitanadi River which originates from this sanctuary and joins Mahanadi River near Deokhut. Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its lush green flora and rich and unique and diverse fauna and has great potential to emerge as one of the finest wildlife destinations in central India. -
WS Tamor Pingla
InformationSatellite ViewThe northern boundary is the Moran river, eastern boundary is Bonga Nalla, and western boundary is Rihand River. The area, which is under Tamor, Khond and Pingla Ranges of the Surguja Jashpur Elephant Reserve Forest Division, consists of sal and bamboo forests. Spread over 608.55 km2 (234.96 sq mi), the sanctuary supports Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, bears, Sambar deer, blue bulls, chital, bison, four-horned antelope, chinkara, barking deer, wild boars, wild dogs, wolves, Golden jackals, Striped hyenas, hare, cobras, nag, pythons, red jungle fowl, brown jungle fowl and green pigeon.
Sightings, News & Forums-
eBird
SightingseBirding This Month
Guides & Tour Operators-
Chhattisgarh Tours
Local Tour OperatorJourney through Chhattisgarh's lush forests, ancient temples, and vibrant tribal communities for an unforgettable travel experience. -
Dulcimer Tours
Local Tour OperatorChhattisgarh located in central India is among the states which has the maximum land under forest area (44%) . Chhattisgarh is blessed with some of the most endangered and rare wildlife species are found here. For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers Chhattisgarh is a perfect destination. -
Shikhar Travels
Local Tour OperatorTribal And Wildlife Tour Of Chhattisgarh
Trip Reports-
2022 [12 December] -
ReportWe went birdwatching and bird counting since morning. We were divided into two small groups and went to the forest trails along with our ‘Myna Mitra’ guides. We made several 15 minutes checklists together. We photographed a few species, recorded a few calls, and watched some beautiful birds.
Places to Stay-
Bastar Birds Nest
AccommodationAt Bastar Birds Nest, We invite you to escape the Hustle and Bustle of everyday life and bask in the peace and tranquility of nature. We are experiential stay on the bank of River Indravati, that offers comfortable, cozy accommodation for anyone seeking to relax and rejuvenate in the heart of nature.
Other Links-
Bastar Birds Nest
Facebook PageExperience the life on the other side in our tiny earthen abode within the uncharted flora and fauna of Bastar.
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