Anuppur district is an administrative district in the eastern part of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The district headquarters is the town of Anuppur. It lies in the Shahdol division and is known for its forested terrain, coal reserves, and as the site of the source of the Narmada river at Amarkantak.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Division | Shahdol |
| Headquarters | Anuppur |
| Region | Eastern Madhya Pradesh / Baghelkhand |
| Notable town | Amarkantak |
Anuppur district was carved out of the erstwhile Shahdol district in 2003 as part of an administrative reorganisation by the Government of Madhya Pradesh aimed at improving local governance in the tribal-majority eastern districts of the state.
The district lies on the eastern edge of the Satpura–Maikal range, with its terrain dominated by hills, plateaus, and dense forest cover. Amarkantak, situated in the district, is the source of the Narmada and the Sone rivers, and forms part of the Maikal hill system. The region's elevation, forests, and high rainfall make it ecologically significant within central India.
Anuppur is bordered by Shahdol district to the north and west, Dindori district to the south-west, and the state of Chhattisgarh to the east and south.
The district is divided into tehsils and development blocks for revenue and rural administration. Major towns within the district include Anuppur, Amarkantak, Kotma, Pasan, Jaithari, Rajendragram, and Bijuri. The district falls under the jurisdiction of the divisional commissioner at Shahdol.
Anuppur has a substantial Scheduled Tribe population, with the Gond, Baiga, Kol, and Panika communities historically inhabiting the area. Hindi is the principal language of administration and communication, alongside regional dialects of Baghelkhandi.
The district economy is shaped by:
Anuppur Junction is an important railway station on the Bilaspur–Katni section of the South East Central Railway, with branch lines towards Chirimiri and Shahdol. National and state highways connect the district headquarters to Shahdol, Bilaspur, and Jabalpur.
Amarkantak is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in central India. It is revered as the origin of the Narmada, with the Narmada Udgam temple, Sonemuda, Kapildhara falls, and the Mai Ki Bagiya among the principal sites. The town also hosts a Jain temple complex and the Sri Yantra Mandir. The Government of India has recognised Amarkantak as a notified pilgrim and heritage site.
The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), a central university established in 2007 to focus on tribal education and research, is headquartered at Amarkantak in Anuppur district.