Kanha
National Park - the richest tiger reserve of India.
Why Kanha
Kanha National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh is popular for its tiger
population. If you are in India to see tigers in abundance, then this is the
place for you to visit. The park is located between the Banjar and Halon
valleys in the Mandla / Balaghat districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The Kanha National Park was established after a lot of flurry within the
concerned circles regarding rampant killing of animals in the area at the
time. The central Kanha valley was declared a sanctuary way back in the year
1933 but was been given the status of a National Park in the year 1955.
Key Factors
State : Madhya
Pradesh in the central part of India.
Climate : The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are hot
and humid with a maximum and minimum temperature of 40.6°C and 23.9°C.
Winters are pleasant with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 23.9°C
and 11.1°C, respectively. The annual average rainfall is 152 cm. The
park is closed from July to mid-November during monsoon.
Area : 1,940 sq-km.
Travel Tips : Consult the doctor before starting your trip. Take all
your important documents needed to enter India and your desired destination.
Best Time to Visit : Within the months of April to June and November
to January.
Nearest Town : Mandla.
Get There
You can reach Kanha by various means of Transport. The Madhya Pradesh State
Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC) operates a Jeep Service for
visitors to go around in the park.
International Airport : New
Delhi.
Airport : Nagpur (266 km).
Railways : Jabalpur (175 km).
Road : Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur,
Khajuraho, Nagpur, Mukki, Raipur.
Stay There
Accommodation for tourists visiting Kanha consists of MPSTDC log huts. In
addition to the log huts, there are other jungle rest houses and cabins, at
Khatia, Mukki and Kisli. These are managed by the park authorities;
reservations may be done through the Field Director, Kanha Tiger Reserve.
Khatia and Mukki have a number of privately owned resorts and hotels as
well, with a wide range of tariffs.
Nearby Wildlife Lodges
Venture Into The Kanha
Explore the park in a Jeep or take an Elephant ride. Both will provide you
ultimate enthusiasm, but, the Elephant safari will definitely add some extra
zest to your wildlife India tour. Elephant's back is the most ideal place to
gaze through the dense forests of Kanha.
Jeep safaris are the best, if you are looking for a convenient and
comfortable ride for wildlife sighting. Take either of the two, but try to
explore as much as you can. The entire topography of Kanha consists of huge
plateaus with vast grasslands, three rivers like -Sulkum, Banjar and Nila
and numerous perennial springs, that waters the higher areas during the
extremely hot summer months.
While you are venturing the forest area, you will pass by the thick forests
of Bija, Haldu, Dhaora trees. The forest is also covered by Sal, Ban-rahar,
Bamboo and Sindhur. But, try to visit the park during the cooler and greener
months, as the lush surroundings of the park makes it amazingly beautiful.
The
Fauna
When you are at Kanha National Park, you must be looking for the tigers,
for which it is famous round the world. Tiger sightings are very common
here. Other than the tiger, some of the more frequently seen animals in the
park consist of Leopards, Gaur, Sambar, Chausinghas, Barasingha, Nilgais,
Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), Blackbuck, Langurs, Wild
Boars, Porcupines, Mouse Deer, Hyenas, Jackals, Wild Dogs (Dholes), Gray
Langurs, Mongoose, Jungle Cat, Chittal and Wild Pig.
The Avi-fauna
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, Lesser Whistling Teals,
Common Teals, Pintails, Cotton Teals, Shovelers, Peafowls, Indian Rollers,
Racket Tailed Drongos, Red Wattled Lapwings, Brown Fish Owls, Nightjars,
Laggers, Shaheen Falcons, Shikras, Crested Serpent Eagles, Crested Honey
Buzzards, Yellow Wattled Lapwings, Green Bee-eaters, Scavenger Vultures,
Long Billed Vultures, White backed Vultures, gray Hornbills, Tree Pies,
Kestrels, Barn Owls, White Eyed Buzzards, Black Winged Kites, Mynahs,
Munias, Bushchats, Black Headed Orioles, Golden Orioles, 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.
Additional Punch
A visit to the nearest attractions - Kanha Museum, trips to the
Bahmnidadar, Bishanpura, Sondhar, Ghorella, Shravantal areas would be a good
idea. Madhya Pardesh has numerous attraction for you to visit. You can go to
Jabalpur (169 km), Khajuraho (445 km). You can also revitalize yourself in
the refreshing surroundings of Panchmarhi.
Extend the Trip
Madhya Pradesh is in the central part of India. But, from Kanha, the state
of Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh will be nearer. If you keep interest in
the tribal culture of India, then you can visit Chattisgarh. Chattisgrah
boasts of rich vegetation dominating its topography. If you are heading
towards Andhra Pradesh then you can go to Hyderabad, Golconda and also visit
the beaches of Vishakhapatnam to laze under the sun.
Few Difficulties
This part is situated at the central part of India, So, you may not face
too many difficulty. But, you may not be able to speak to the local people,
as only the educated one can speak English.
Few Suggestions
Don't get into any unknown or illegal activity. Do not disturb the local
culture and local atmosphere. Try to be well informed about the routes and
the place you are going to visit. Contact us when and where needed, while on
a wildlife India Tour.
If you want more information on Wildlife India Tour then get back to us,
whenever needed. Let us know your requirements, so that we can make your
trip to India Wildlife completely exceptional and exciting.
