Kanha's sal and bamboo forests,
rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic
n
atural
splendour. This is original Kipling country, of which he wrote so vividly in
his Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists today in Kanha
National Park, which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974
under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground barasingha
(Cervus Duvaceli Branderi).
By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since
then, a series of stringent conservation programmes for the protection of the
park's flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of
the finest and best administered National Parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction
for all wildlife lovers and a true haven for its animal and avian population.
Mammalian Species:
Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are the striped
palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha
or swamp deer, sambar and blackbuck.
Less commonly seen species are:
Tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or
gaur. Patient watching should reward the visitor with a sight of: Indian fox,
sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, leopard, Mouse deer, chausingha or four-horned
antelope, nilgai, ratel and porcupine.
Very rarely seen are:
Wolf, which lives in the far east of the park; chinkara, to be found outside the
park's northern boundary; Indian pangolin, the smooth Indian otter and the small
Indian civet.
Avian Species: Kanha has some 200 species of birds.
Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests
harbour many species, and in The grassy forest clearings. ,
Water birds can be
seen near the park's many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented
by water birds and the area in front of the museum.
The sal forests do not normally yield a sight of Kanha's avifauna. Early mornings
and late afternoons are best for birdwatching; binoculars are an invaluable
aid to the watcher.
Commonly seen species include: cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis,
common peafowl, crested serpent, rackettailed drongo, hawk eagle and red-wattled
lapwing; various species of flycatcher, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet,
babbler and mynah; Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.
Jeep and Elephant Hire.
MPSTDC
jeeps are available on hire for touring the park. Elephants are used for tiger-tracking
and should a tiger be located, the elephant can take visitors to the site. For
jeep hire, see the MPSTDC Manager, at the Baghira Log Huts,
Kisli and Kanha Safari Lodge, Mukki. Bookings for a morning run should be made
the previous day., Please bear in mind that jeeps are not always available during
peak visiting periods.
Best Season:
February to June, although the cool season is much more comfortable and
still very good for wildlife. (The park is closed from July 1 to October 31
because of the monsoon). For those planning a visit, a stay of at least three
nights is recommended in order to have a good chance of seeing the more elusive
animals - although, of course, a brief visit will also be very interesting.
What to Wear
Cottons, but bring woollens as well, as early mornings and evenings can be chilly,
especially in a moving jeep and in the cool season. Try not to wear loud colours.
Food
Kisli has a restaurant and a canteen. The restaurant serves both Indian and
western food. The canteen is cheaper, serving reasonably-priced table d' hote
meals and snacks. The Kanha Safari Lodge at Mukki is served by a multi-cuisine
restaurant.
Kanha
National Park Reservation Form
*
Compulsory fields.
Note » Kanha National Park Close Between 30th June to 1 October
