Kanha National Park or Kanha tiger reserve is one of the India’s largest as well as well-maintained national parks. This wildlife reserve is the first tiger reserve under project Tiger Project in India. It is located in the districts of Mandla and Balaghat in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. In 1933 this area was divided into two sanctuaries called Banjar and Hallon. It became a National park in 1955 and it was declared as a Tiger reserve in the 1974. Kanha is a horseshoe-shaped valley surrounded by the Mountains. The beautiful natural setting of the national park had inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his classic novel, The Jungle Book.
The park encompasses an area of 1945 sq.km of which 940 sq.km is the core zone and rest 1005 sq. kms is the buffer zone. The buffer zone is dotted by more than 150 villages.
Kanha national park offers best tiger sightings in the world. The park is not only renowned for the high tiger concentration, but also for its landmark achievement is the preservation of the rare hardground Swamp Deer (Barasingha) which was brought back from the brink of extinction. This park is the last remaining habitat of the hard ground barasingha.
November and March is the best time to visit Kanha because the weather is cool during these months. However the summer months of April and May when the animals come out in search of water is the best month for wildlife viewing and spotting the tiger and other animals. Kanha Tiger Reserve is closed to visitors during the monsoon months from July to October.
Flora in Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is quite rich in flora and fauna. The vegetation is mainly Southern tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest and Southern Tropical dry Deciduous Mixed Forest types . Since villagers inhibited this place earlier there are a number of grassy meadows inside the park. These grassy meadows are the most striking feature of the park. The moist deciduous forest is dominated by sal trees. Bamboo trees can be seen on hill slopes. The park is home to over 600 species of flowering plants. The most popular Indian Ghost Tree (Kullu) which can be seen in the deciduous area. The major flora found here includes Sal, Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar and Bamboo.
Fauna in Kanha National Park
Kanha is home to several species of mammals. The major attraction of the park is its tigers. Other major wildlife attractions in Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary are Leopards, Dholes (Indian wild dog), Indian Bisons, Sambar, Chital, Barasingha, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Chausingha, Nilgai, Monkeys, Mongoose, Mouse Deer, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Porcupine, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Hare etc. The reptiles include common rat snakes, vipers, krait, pythons, Indian monitors, Copper-headed snake, Saw-scaled viper, monitor lizards etc. Many species of turtles as well as amphibians are found in or near the water bodies.
Avifauna in the Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is a home to over 300 species of birds. Birds species in the park include Warblers, Black Ibis, Bee-eaters, Cattle Egret, Blossom-Headed Parakeets, Pond Heron, Drongos, Common Teal, spur fowl, Hoopoes, Pintail duck, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey Hornbill, Indian roller, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Little Grebes, Lesser Adjutants, Lesser Whistling Teal, Minivets, Pied Hornbill, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Paradise Flycatchers, Mynas, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Red Wattled Lapwing, Steppe Eagle, Tickell's Flycatcher, White-eyed Buzzard, White-breasted Kingfisher, White-browed Fantail Flycatcher, Wood shrikes and Warblers among many more.
Places to See in Kanha National Park
Bamni Dadar
Bamni Dadar is also known as the sunset point. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the park and is the most visited spot by the tourists. Bamni dadar offers a fascinating view of the setting sun. Since it is the highest point in Kanha, this is also a perfect place to watch the natural splendour of the park. Animals like sambar, barking deer, gaur and the four-horned antelope can be spotted here.
Kanha Meadows
This is also a popular site to visit in the park. The meadows are frequented by herbivores like chital, barasingha, sambhar deer, and gaur that come here to graze. The predators like the Tigers, leopards or wild dog can also be spotted here.
Kanha Museum
Kanha Museum is established and maintain by the forest department of Madhya Pradesh. It is situated inside the park. This place provides information on various topics like topography, park maps, pug marks of various animals etc. Skeletons of reptiles, carnivores and herbivores are also on display here.
Sonf Meadows
Sonf Meadow was shifted out of the park in the year 1973. This is popular for the large number of barasingha found here which descended to this place and started breeding successfully. Animals like chital, sambhar, wild boar, jackal can also be spotted here.
Lapsi Kabar
Lapsi Kabar is local name for the grave of a guide cum naturalist who died in this spot while fighting a tiger. It is said that while the guide was accompanying some guests in the jungle he came face to face with the tiger. He fought the tiger bravely but lost his life.
Shravan Tal
Shravan Tal is a small water pond in the park. This pond is named after Shravan Kumar who is believed to have come here to fetch water for his blind parents.
Dasharatha Machan
Dasharatha Machan seen opposite to Shravan Tal is a mountain like structure. According to legends this is the point where Shravan Kumar was killed by the arrow shot by King Dasharatha. This hideout for hunting the animals is built at a height on the trees.
Tourist Places near Kanha National Park
Kawardha Palace
Kawardha Palace is about three hours’ drive from Kanha national park. This palace was constructed by King Dharamraj Singh between 1936 and 1939. Situated in the middle of a 9-acre compound this magnificent building is built using Italian marble and stone. Ornate dining room, Italian marble floors, huge durbar hall, dome and vintage bathroom fittings of this place are its highlights. It has now been converted into a heritage hotel.
Bedaghat
Bedaghat is about 24 km from Jabalpur. This place is known for its Marble Rocks that rise majestically up to a height of 100ft on either side of the Narmada River. Dhuandhar Falls, Chausat Yogini Temple and Soapstone Artefacts are other attractions here.
Jungle Safari
One can go on elephant safari and jeep safari in Kanha. Now Madhya Pradesh State Forest Department has offered online safari ticket booking system for the tourists. Jeep safari is arranged twice in a day once in the morning and once in the evening. It is the best way to explore the national park that takes people through the dense forest. Private vehicles are not allowed into the park.
Elephant safari is the best way to watch the tigers and other animals in their natural habitat. Elephant safaris take tourists to places inside the park which is not accessible by jeeps. Tiger Show is a program organized after successful sighting of Tiger by trackers on elephants. In Tiger Show up to 4 people are taken close to tiger and shown from elephant back for 10 to 15 minutes.
Another best way to explore the beauty of the park is by going on a Jungle walk. Nature walks in designated nature trails is a very good option to explore the bio-diversity of the park. Kanha has nature trail options near the Kisli entry gate and at Chhapri village.
How to reach Kanha National Park
Khatia/Kisli, Mukki and Sarhi are the three entrance gates in Kanha. Jabalpur Airport which is 169 Km away from the park is the nearest airport for Kanha National Park. However it has limited connectivity. The nearest major airport to Kanha National Park is Nagpur which is about 280 Kms away. Nagpur is well connected by air to Mumbai, Pune and Chennai. Jabalpur is the nearest railway station which is at a distance of about 169 kms from Kanha. MPSRTC operates two buses daily to Kanha. Daily bus services from Kanha to Bilaspur and Nagpur are available. Many private buses also ply between Kanha and other major cities.
Accommodation
Plenty of decent stay options are available in Kanha catering to different budgets of the tourists. Many deluxe resorts are available in Kanha. Very economical forest rest houses and cabins are available at Khatia, Mukki and Kisli. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, popularly known as MPTDC offers cottages at Kanha National Park which is called Baghira Log Huts.