Balaghat

HIGHEST FOREST COVER, RED CORRIDOR Area 9,245 km²; population 1,701,698 (2011); sex ratioThe number of females per 1,000 males in a population — a key demographic indicator in Indian census data. 1,021 — one of the very few MP districts with a female-majority sex ratioThe number of females per 1,000 males in a population — a key demographic indicator in Indian census data.; literacy 78.29%. Roughly 80% of the district lies under forest, the highest share in the state. Historically part of the Naxal-affected Red Corridor (Chapter 13). Home to the Malanjkhand copper mine — India's largest copper reserve — and the Kanha National Park's Mukki range. Produces GI-tagged "Chinnor rice," MP's first agricultural GI tag (2021).