Expansion from 89 Hectares to 200 Hectares Planned; A Grand Museum Will Also Be Developed
Indore, May 12, 2026:
A major step has been taken toward developing the Dinosaur National Park located in Dhar district as an international tourist and scientific destination. A high-level review meeting was held on Tuesday through video conferencing under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Dr. Sudam Khade, where detailed discussions were held regarding the expansion, development, and master plan of the park.
Deputy Commissioner Revenue Sapna Lovanshi attended the meeting from the Indore Commissioner’s Office. From Dhar, Chief Conservator of Forests T.N. Mishra, Divisional Forest Officer Vijay Manthan, and consultant Kaustubh Kurlekar from Abhinav Private Limited participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the master plan, baseline study, and consultant proposal related to the Dinosaur National Park were reviewed. Dr. Khade stated that a fossil park is currently operational in Dhar over an area of 89 hectares, where dinosaur bones, eggs, fossilized remains, and fossils of various species are preserved. These include fossils of echinoderms, mollusks, fish, and porifera species, which have been officially recorded at the national level.
He informed that considering the growing interest of tourists, the park will now be expanded to cover 200 hectares. Land from four villages in Dhar district has been included in the expansion plan. The park will be developed with modern facilities to establish it as a major center for tourism and scientific research.
A Grand Dinosaur Museum Will Be Established
A large and modern museum is also proposed within the Dinosaur National Park, where dinosaur fossils, bones, eggs, and other rare remains will be displayed. The museum is expected to become a major attraction for tourists and researchers alike.
Region Rich in Religious, Historical, and Natural Heritage
It was informed during the meeting that the park area includes religious sites such as Badkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Hanuman Temple. Historical landmarks including the Bagh Caves and Bagh Fort are also located in the region.
The area is also highly rich in biodiversity. Approximately 1,644 plants of medicinal and forest species, including castor, sheesham, satavar, and teak, are found in the region. Wildlife such as jackals, foxes, hyenas, and various species of snakes are also present in the area.
Tourism Infrastructure to Be Expanded; Employment Opportunities for Locals
Under the development plan, hotels, resorts, towers, and modern tourism facilities will be established. Road widening and construction of new roads are also proposed. Night tourism activities will also be promoted in the region.
Divisional Commissioner Dr. Khade stated that the expansion of the park will create employment and self-employment opportunities for local residents, thereby accelerating regional economic development.
Strict Environmental Protection Measures to Be Enforced
The meeting emphasized that environmental conservation would be given top priority in the park area. Activities such as excavation, industries causing noise pollution, commercial use of firewood, establishment of brick kilns, and discharge of untreated waste into natural water bodies will be strictly prohibited within the park limits.