There
are numerous Tiger reserves in India, that are preserving this elusive
beast, but nowhere can you see them as often, and as frequently as in Kanha
National Park. Kanha National Park, located in the Mandla district of Madhya
Pradesh extends over an area of 1,940-sq kms. The striking feature of this
region's spectacular topography is the horseshoe shape valley and the whole
park area is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal. The Surpan River flows
through Kanha's central Maidans, grasslands that cover the extensive
plateau. Steep rocky escrapments along the edges offer astounding vistas of
the valley. The wildlife of Kanha is so impressive that it once prompted
Rudyard Kipling to write the well famous "Jungle Book".
Sightseeing at Kanha -
The Flora : The terrain inside the park is varied, nonetheless
fascinating. The entire forest is intermixed with Bamboo and Sal forests and
meadows.
The Fauna : While you are on your mission to find a tiger, you can
easily catch glimpses of all the grazers, a Porcupine, many Gray Langurs,
Mongoose, Hyena, Jungle Cat, even a Leopard. Other wild attractions in this
Tiger country include varieties of Deer - the Barasingha, Chital or Spotted
Deer, Chousingha, Nilgai, Antelope, the Black Buck as well as the majestic
Gaur or Indian Bison and wild Pig.
The Avifauna : Kanha is also rich in bird population. Kanha has over
300 different species of birds within its complex. Some of the more
interesting ones for bird lovers to look out for are Pied or Marsh Harriers,
Red Jungle Fowls, Painted Spur Fowls, Paradise Flycatchers, Pied Malabar
Hornbills, Indian Pittas, Indian Stone Curlews, Common Gray Partridges,
Warblers, Flycatchers, Babblers, Woodpeckers, Painted Partridges, Green
Pigeons, Black Ibis, White Necked Storks, Lesser Adjutant Storks, White
breasted Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, Egrets and Cormorants.
Also visit the Reptiles section which houses - Monitor Lizards, Pythons and
a large variety of other snakes.
Park Trips : The animals at Kanha are best observed from the
elephant back and the open country makes the chance of sightings reasonably
good.
Other Attractions : Kanha Museum at Kanha National Park, presenting
attributes and activities of the park and the tribal culture of the state of
Madhya Pradesh is a must see.
Reaching Kanha -
Air : Nagpur at 266-kms is the nearest Airport to visit Kanha
National Park and is connected by various domestic airline services with
Mumbai.
Rail : Jabalpur at 169-kms is the convenient rail head to visit
Kanha.
Road : Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur
175-kms, Khajuraho 445-kms, Nagpur 266-kms, Mukki 25-kms, Raipur 219-kms.
There are regular to and fro bus service available from Jabalpur to Kanha.
