Kanha Tiger Reserve

About Kanha Tiger Reserve

Kanha National Park is located in the range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh. Because of its expansive grassland in the heart of India it attracts herds of herbivores ultimately leading to the easy prey for the hunting animals. This grassland forms the central Indian highlands.The national park is being popularized as the tiger reserve and it is being declared as one of the finest wildlife areas in the world. In the heartland of central India, this park spreads across two revenue districts the Mandala and the Kalaghat. This park was declared as a reserve forest in 1879 and later on it was transformed into a revalued wildlife sanctuary in 1933. After independence it was elevated to the status of a national park in 1955.

This park is spread across the area of 940 sq km in the Maikal chain of hills. If we include the expansive and buffer regions around the park then the Kanha Tiger Reserve has the total area of 1945 sq km.

The landscapes and the surrounding luxurious grassland along with the wooded strands and the dense maroons of forests. It offers wow sightseeing experiences for the nature lovers. Because of its access to watered grassland, and the crystal clear streams it allows the wildlife around the forest flourishing. Its vast and expansive green surroundings makes the wildlife exploring experience unparalleled. This vivacious land has been the source of inspiration for legendary author like Sir Rudyard Kipling, who is known for authoring his “The Jungle Book”.

The Kanha National Park offers a conducive and harmonious living space to a variety of wild creatures; right from the mighty tigers to the most populated Barasingha and other animals, one can have the sighting of countless species of birds, reptiles and insects. 

 Fauna & Flora

Because of the easy access to the water bodies, the Kanha National Park is reckoned as the perfect habitat for both herbivores and carnivores animals. It also offers the abundant varieties of wildlife plants. It is the only location in India where the most abundant variety of Barasingha can be found and so does to call them as the “Jewel of Kanha”.

Mammals found in Kanha National Park: The park is home to Tiger, Panther, Sambar, and Barasingha. In the herbivores it hosts the varieties of Chital, Black Buck, Barking Deer, Gaur, Langur, Wild Pig, Jackal, Chousingha, Sloth Bear, and Wild Dog.

Reptiles and Fishes: Python, Indian Cobra, Indian Krait, Russell’s Viper, Indian Monitor, Common Rat Snake, Common Skink, Fan Throated Lizard and Indian Garden Lizard etc. Fishes : Giant Danio, Mud Perches, Common Rasbora, Brown Snakehead and Green Snakehead.

Avian lives: The Reserve brings more than 300+ species of birds allowing the bird watchers community to promote the place as the ideal hub for resident bird and migratory bird. Some of the most sighted birds are Black Ibis, Bee-eaters, Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Drongos, Blossom-Headed Parakeets, Common Teal, and Grey Hornbill. It is also the abode for Crested Serpent Eagle, Indian roller, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Little Grebes, Lesser Adjutants, Lesser Whistling Teal, Minivets, Pied Hornbill, Woodpecker, Pigeon. The park has Paradise Flycatchers, Mynas, Red Wattled Lapwing, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Steppe Eagle, Tickell’s Flycatcher, White-eyed Buzzard, White-breasted Kingfisher, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Wood shrikes and more.

Flora:

 Kanha reserve comprises three different forest types, namely Moist Peninsular Sal Forests, Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, and Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest. It grows over 200 species of flowering plants. The major floras of the region are Sal, Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar and Bamboo. Besides regular trees it also grows plants with medicinal values like Amla, babool apart from species of climbers, forbs and grass.