A Sanskrit word, Satpura roughly translates into the seven mountains ( Sapta means numerical seven and Pura means mountains ). The seven mountains indicate the Satpura Maikal Landscape & the Satpura ranges.
Captain James Forsyth of the Bengal Lancers is credited with exploring the Satpura landscape which also includes Pachmarhi while in persuit of he noted Indian Freedom Fighter Tantya Tope.
Capt. James Forsyth gave a detailed description in his accomplished book “The Highlands of Central India”.
The lush green forests of Satpura and the elevation of Pachmarhi escalated the ecological and commercial value of the region and was one of the first protected area to be declared by the government.
The Vindhyas have a great significance in Indian mythology and history. Several ancient texts mention the Vindhyas as the southern boundary of the Āryāvarta, the territory of the ancient Indo-Aryan peoples. Although today Indo-Aryan languages are spoken south of the Vindhyas, the range continues to be considered as the traditional boundary between north and south India. The former Vindhya Pradesh was named after the Vindhya Range.
Chronology
- 1862 – Capt. James Forsyth explored the Pachmarhi.
- 1864 – Colonel Pearson introduced fire protection measures.
- 1916 – D.O. Witt prepared list of plants, shrubs and trees.
- 1975 – Bori Sanctuary came into existence.
- 1981 – Satpura National Park Notified.
- 1999 – Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve declared
- 2000 – Satpura Tiger Reserve Notified.
- 2007 – Notification of Critical Tiger Habitat.
- 2010 – Notification of Buffer Zone