Located in the Mandia district
of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha National Park is a Tiger Reserve that extends
over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country. Elevations range from 450 to 900
meters.
A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the. spurs of the
Mekal ridge gives Kanha an interesting topography. The Surpan River meanders
through Kanha's central maidans - grasslands that Dover the extensive
plateaus. Steep rocky escarpments along their edges offer breathtaking views
of the valleys below.
The
grasslands at Kanha interspersed with forests of sal, teeming with varieties
of deer - the barasinqha, chital (spotted deer), chousingha, nilgai, the
majestic gaur (Indian bison) and wild pig, is 'tiger country'. It is ideal
for viewing both the predator and the prey.
It was here at Kanha
that the eminent zoologist George Schaller undertook the first
ever-scientific study of the tiger. Another landmark at Kanha is the
preservation of the "hard ground' barasingha (cervus duvauceli
branderi) - the only surviving population of this Central Indian subspecies.
This was achieved by extending the grasslands, relocating villages and by
increasing the habitat.
The animals at Kanha are best observed
from elephant back and the open country makes the chance of sightings
reasonably good. Deer are seen along the maidans and gaur at Bamhindadr or
in the Bishanpura Sondhar- Ghorella area of the Mukki range. This area is
also ideal for spotting the dhole or wild dog. spotting the dhole or wild
dog. Langurs, wild boar, water fowl and birds are also commonly seen.
General Information: Best Time to Visit: March
to June Nearest Town: Mandla (65 Km) How to Get
Here:
Air: Jabalpur (170 km), Nagpur (270 km)
Rail: Jabalpur
(170 km), Nagpur (270 km)
