Kanha at last! A wish fulfilled and the realities outstripping expectations!!
Kanha National Park and immediately the name conjures Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book!
One of the scenic and best tiger reserves in India!!
The area was declared a reserve forest in 1879 and revalued as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933!
Nestled between the Vindhaya and Satpura Maikal ranges, Kanha is the pride of dense forests!!
Hundred of acres of grassy meadows, with mixed bamboo and sal, ravines and streams, indeed a paradise for the wildlife in Kanha.
Fitting under such a description the Park provides natural habitat to a huge variety of animals!
Kanha is the largest National Park in Central India and has been ranked as one of the best parks in Asia.
Located in the central region of Madhya Pradesh in Mandla and Balaghat districts, the Kanha Tiger Reserve is occupied by two major sanctuaries, the Hallon and the Banjar Sanctuaries.
The Park has two entrance gates at its opposite ends, one at Khatia-Kisli and other one is at Mukki Gate. The distance between these two gates is of 40 kms. The boundary line of the tiger reserve touches the Raipur City of Chattisgarh.
The Kanha National Park was originally a part of the Gondwanas or the “Land of the Gonds”. The forest of the Kanha Tiger Reserve was inhabited by two indigenous tribes of Central India, the Gonds and the Baigas. The vicinity of the reserve is still occupied with the villages of these tribes mostly to be near the Mukki zone.
The Baigas worship mother earth and as per folklore are the children of the Earth and are responsible for its upkeep! They live simply and their worldly possessions are primal! Very well known for their hospitality! They speak Baigani language.
The Gonds are known to be great defenders of their land. One of the largest surviving tribes in the country. They speak Gondi, heavily influenced by Dravidian language! It's the Gond art work and demand for it ,that the Gonds are better off than the Baigas. Baigas have always been revered by the Gonds.
Both the Baigas and Gonds love to drink toddy made from Mahua leaves!!
“Heaven is where there are Mahua trees and hell is where there is no mahua tree to make wine,” a popular Gond saying!
Mahua is better known as the butternut tree, Scientific name: Madhuca longifolia.
The flowers are used for preparing one of the most famous drinks of Central India, Mahua wine.
Mahua is loaded with active compounds that provide with tremendous medicinal and therapeutic value. From seasonal flu mahua is a one-stop solution to virtually every health problem. In fact, Ayurveda as regarded mahua as a universal formula. When in bloom the fleshy pale yellow flowers leave such an intoxicating fragrance, the wild bears just love the flowers and eat them to their hearts content! If your lucky you may just see a bear high on mahua, pass by!!
The Park boasts of the first conservation history in the country! Relocation or rehabilitation of villages happened in Kanha!
The Park was established in the year 1955 and was taken under the Project Tiger Reserve in 1973, to maintain a sustainable tiger habitat, thanks to our Late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
The tiger sits at the top of the ecological pyramid in the forest landscape! A top predator which is at the apex of the food chain!
We need to understand if the Tiger goes, we go!!
The Park has since actively contributed to the preservation of many endangered species.
Among the 22 species of large mammals, the Royal Bengal Tigers are one of the major attractions!!
Flora and fauna, are abundant, Kanha houses one of the rarest species of deer- the hard ground Barasingha, the Jewels of Kanha. It is known globally for the unique Barasingha conservation to save the species that were once on the verge of extinction. The Barasingha's are the only surviving sub species of swamp deer in the entire world!
It is the most peaceful species in Kanha that easily interacts with Chital. They are often found to wade into water, frequently dipping its stifle to feed on water plants.
Other important animals in this Park are Leopards, Wild Dogs, Wild Cats, Foxes, Sloth Bears, Hyenas, Langurs, Wild Boars and Jackals. Reptiles including Pythons, Cobras, Krait and other varieties of snakes are also found.
With an array of birds that are unique to this area of Madhya Pradesh, the eastern region of the Park , has many trails and water ways , where one can go in search of the 350 species which Kanha brings around making it a bird watchers paradise!
Others include Storks, Teals, Egrets, Peacock, Peafowl, amongst many other. A binocular, bird guidebook and a camera equipped with suitable lenses are must-have essentials to experience the kaleidoscopic avian beauty.
Bird watchers are often attracted by the exotic species in these grasslands such as Asian Paradise Flycatcher, White Rumped Shama, White Bellied Drongo, Spangled Drongo. Racket Tailed Drongo, Tawny Babbler, and so many more.
Ornithologists can get attracted to this amazing bird paradise, their soothing chirps can be heard throughout the forest!!
Of all the gifts only one is supreme. It is freedom from fear. For all the creatures of this universe there is no other gift greater than this. ~ Padma Puran.
Kanha National Park is famous for its wildlife safaris and attracts tourists from all over the world.
The Park is divided in to 3 zones, Kanha - Kisli, Kanha- Sarhi and Mukki. The Sarhi zone has been added due to the overload of wildlife tourism!
There are many options to stay in Kanha, the M.P Tourism accommodation is, clean, comfortable very good.
Kanha is well connected by rail, road and air!
The Park is open from 15th November to
15th June.
