Bandhavgarh National Park, famous for its tiger population and hill terrain, is located in which Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
National parks and tiger reserves are key topics in Indian environment and geography. Bandhavgarh National Park is especially well known for its high density of tigers and picturesque hill landscapes. Exam questions often ask candidates to match national parks and tiger reserves with their correct states, testing both wildlife awareness and map knowledge of India.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The protected area mentioned is Bandhavgarh National Park. • It is famous for tigers and located in central India. • We must identify the present Indian state that contains this park. • Options include Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Concept / Approach:
Bandhavgarh National Park lies in the Vindhya hill ranges of central India. It is situated in the Umaria district of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The approach is to recall that Madhya Pradesh hosts several famous tiger reserves such as Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the major tiger reserves of India by state. For Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench are commonly listed. Step 2: Recognise that Bandhavgarh is repeatedly placed under Madhya Pradesh in exam oriented tables. Step 3: Check the options. Madhya Pradesh appears clearly as one of them. Step 4: Maharashtra has tiger reserves like Tadoba and Melghat, but Bandhavgarh is not one of them. Step 5: Gujarat is associated with Gir National Park, Jharkhand with Betla, and Chhattisgarh with parks such as Indravati and Kanger Valley, not Bandhavgarh. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

Verification / Alternative check:
Government wildlife lists and tourism material describe Bandhavgarh National Park as lying in Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Maps of tiger reserves show Bandhavgarh as part of the central Indian landscape under Madhya Pradesh. Standard environment and general knowledge books use the pairing Bandhavgarh dash Madhya Pradesh for matching questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maharashtra: Important tiger reserves such as Tadoba Andhari and Melghat belong here, but not Bandhavgarh. Gujarat: Known mainly for Gir forest and Asiatic lions, not for Bandhavgarh tigers. Jharkhand: Contains Betla National Park, but Bandhavgarh is not located in this eastern state. Chhattisgarh: Has wildlife areas like Indravati, yet Bandhavgarh is not in its territory.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes mix up tiger reserves between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra because both are central Indian states with similar forest types. Another mistake is to focus only on famous big cats and forget the exact state location, leading to confusion between Gujarat and central states. A helpful tip is to remember that classic central Indian tiger reserves like Kanha and Bandhavgarh are in Madhya Pradesh.

Final Answer:
Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.