The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is an interstate reserve located in central India. Spread across the two states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, it occupies an ecologically diverse and the least disturbed biogeographic region of the country. It covers an area of over 3835.51 sq. km, of which 551.55 sq. km consists of the core zone. The position of the biosphere reserve on a junction of three major mountain ranges (Maikal, Satpura and Vindhya) has made the landscape dotted with hills, shallow valleys, and plains. The mountains form a major source for several streams, and three major rivers, the Narmada, Johilla and the Son.  The area was made into a biosphere reserve in 2005 and was declared a part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2012.

This reserve has unique and varied geology which ranges from schists and gneisses, sandstone, shales, limestone, to basaltic lava and bauxite. Consequently, the soil varies from sandy to loamy-clays, which are generally light brown to brownish and even olive green clay at some places. The reserve experiences a typical monsoon type of climate, with hot summers, cold winters and a rainy season. 

The area is mainly covered with moist deciduous forests where 1,527 species of flora and 324 species of fauna exist. The flora includes thallophytes (algae, fungi, and lichen), bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. The rugged mountain terrain, as well as grasslands, gives shelter to 327 species of wildlife, consisting of Tiger, Bison, Bear, Spotted Deer, Panther, Wildcat, Fox, and Sambhar. The Four-horned antelope, Indian wild dog, Saras crane, Asian white-backed vulture, and the sacred grove bush frog are some of the threatened ones. 

The core area has protected forest land, and the buffer and transition zones consist of agricultural land and small clusters of townships. At least 27 tribal and non-tribal communities live in the 400 odd villages in this reserve. The major tribes that reside here are Baiga, Gond, Kol, Kanwar, Pradhan, and Panka. Besides collecting forest produce, they also grow seasonal crops like wheat, maize, and medicinal plants. People living in the buffer zone and transition areas make bamboo handicrafts and non-timber products.

The town of Amarkantak, lying in the Reserve, is a holy place. It is considered the place of origin of the Narmada River and the Hindu seer, Adi Sankaracharya, is said to have visited it. Thus devotees come here to visit temples and ashrams. The reserve with its plateaus, forest ranges, waterfalls and lakes also attracts tourists and nature lovers.  

The presence of human activity and the changing global climate poses problems for the reserve. Issues such as excessive exploitation of natural resources, the rampant growth of unwanted weed in the water bodies, threats to indigenous vegetation and unregulated use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are major concerns. Equally important is the issue of water pollution caused by the improper disposal of domestic sewage. These problems are being addressed, with the involvement of all stakeholders, including the local people.