Stretching over 940 sq.kms (363 sq.
Miles), Kanha promises a unique and satisfying experience. Its forests
retain a grandeur of wilderness rarely found elsewhere and is
unparalleled with its variety of mammals & birds. It is one of the
most well maintained National Parks in Asia & a major attraction for
wildlife lovers all over the world. Over the years animals of Kanha have
become bolder & more confident, making the park excellent for
wildlife viewing and photography.
Tiger (Panthera
tigris) : The park has been in the forefront of efforts to
save the Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) & its habitat nearly for a
quarter of a century, as one of the original nine reserves developed and
planned under Project Tiger – Most ambitious conservation plan in
Asia to save Tiger. However, to save Tiger is not a easy task, it means
to save its prey, the herbivores. To save the prey means to save all
grasses, plants and trees that herbivores feed on. And good vegetation
will grow only if the soil is good & sufficient moisture is
available. It means preservation of entire forest ecosystem – A
delicate web of life.
Project Tiger has yielded remarkable
results, from around 48 tigers at the beginning of the Project Tiger,
Kanha now boasts around hundred tigers, making it the best place in the
world to see tiger. The Kanha National Park also happens to be the sole
habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha or Swamp deer (Cervus
durauceli branderi) which has been rescued from the very brink of
extincti.
Location
and History : Kanha National Park is situated to south-west of
Jabalpur(160 kms.) in the central Indian state of Madhya pradesh. The
area of the park lies between longitude 89”-32’ to 89”-45’
E and lattitude 22”-13’ to 22”-27’ N.
The Banjar valley & the Halon valley of erstwhile central provinces
in Central India, today’s Madhaya pradesh were famous for its rich
forests, deer & tiger, even at the turn of the century & were
reserved (1879) as exclusive hunting grounds for the most privileged. In
1933 Kanha valley was gazetted as a sanctuary with an area of about 250
sq.kms (96 sq. Miles). In 1935 adjoining Halon valley around Supkhar
with an area of 300 sq.kms (116 sq. Miles) was attached to Kanha with a
status of a sanctuary. But within few years, Supkhar sanctuary was
denotified, because of extensive deer damage to tree saplings in the
forest & crops in nearby villages.
In 1955, Kanha valley
was declared as National Park with an area of 250 sq.kms (96 sq. Miles),
by a special legislation because of the furore that followed a ruthless
hunting of 30 tigers, by a privileged shikari (hunter) in the area in
and around the Banjar valley & the Halon valley. In 1962, the park
was expanded to 318 sq.kms (123 sq. Miles). It was further expanded in
1970 by attaching the area south of Mekal ridge & down to the river
Banjar raising its area to 446 sq.kms (172 sq. Miles).
Finally, Project Tiger integrated the eastern Halon valley in to the
park, initially on sanctuary status in 1974 & as a full National
Park since 1976. This gave Kanha National Park its present area of 940
sq.kms (363 sq. Miles) with an additional buffer area of 1005 sq.kms
(388 sq. Miles). This total conservation unit encompassing 1945 sq.kms
(750 sq. Miles) is called Kanha Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
Temperature
and Rainfall : Kanha has a distinct monsoonal climate. In
summer temperature ranges from 43°C max. To 11°C min. Whereas
in winter it is between 29°C max. To 2°C min. Winters are
severe and frosty.
The southwest monsoon shows its vigour
between late June till late September. The maximum rainfall occurs in
July & August. The mean annual rainfall is 1225 mm. The park remains
closed during the rainy season and no visitors are allowed to enter the
park.
Flora
& Fauna : The forest is mixed and given the high rainfall
precipitation one finds extensive stretches of Sal (Shorea robusta), a
tree of moist deciduous forest in central and north India. The Sal is
good quality timber, the leaves are good fodder, fruits have nutritional
& medicinal value and is valued greatly by tribals. The other common
tree species belong to the Terminalia genus, the most numerous being
what in India is popularly known as Crocodile bark, the earlier
Scientific name being .
Terminalia tomentosa, now it is
referred to as Terminalia crenulata, it is good timber, locals call it
as Saja and in Maharashtra it is called as Ain. Terminalia arjuna,
locally called Arjun is distinct because of its pale bark and thick
girth, is more common near water sources. Other Terminalia species are
Terminalia chibula and Terminalia bellarica, Axle wood (Anogeisis
latifolia), locally referred to as Dhaoda, good for making charcoal and
agricultural implements is common. Labernum or Amaltas (Cassia fistula)
with lovely yellow blossoms in the dry season and Flame of the forest or
Palas (Butea frondosa) a glorious sight in the drier season when it is
flowering, are found sprinkled all over the forest. Huge trees of Baja
(Pterocarpus marsupium) & Haldu (Adena cardifolia) along with host
of other large & small trees comprise the thick forest. Evergreen
trees like Mango (Mangifera indica) and of Jamun or Black plum (Syzigium
cumini) are also found. Bamboo thickets (Dendrocalamus strictus) are
commonly found, the undergrowth is quite thick with species like Lantana
and Glerodendron. The rolling meadows of grass and grassy plateau are
integral to the health of the herbivore population. In some areas
wildlife management practices have deliberately prevented the Click on
the pics for Full View progression of secondary and climax vegetation to
ensure adequate grasslands for the herbivores. No note on flora can be
complete without a note on tall luxurian tree, Mahuwa (Madhuca Indica).
Flowers of the tree useful as food and are source of very popular liquor
which is compared to Ambrosia or nector of the god.
Fauna
: The largest herbivore here is the Indian Wild Ox or Gaur
(Bos gaurus) mistakenly called as Indian Bison. A magnificent animal,
found in small herds more towards the Mukki region of the park. The
Sambar (Cervus unicolor) is the largest Indian deer, usually found
singly.
The most significant deer species in this forest is the sub
species of the Swamp deer - the Barasingha (Cervus durauceli branderi),
often referred to as "The Jewel of Kanha", Kanha being the
only remaining habitat. It is distinct from the Swamp deer found in the
swampy areas of the north in having a darker coat and well knit hooves
instead of the splayed hooves of the other subspecies. This deer was
pushed to the brink of extinction in the early 1970s with their number
going down to around 66, now with conservation efforts it has gone up to
around 500.
The most commonly seen deer is the Chital or
Spotted deer (Axis axis) in large herds. The Muntjac or Barking deer
(Munitiacus muntjac) a small plain solitary deer is seen quite
regularly. Blackbuck (Antilope cericapra) and the elusive Chowsingha
(Tetracerus quadricornus) - only fourhorned antelope in the world, are
also seen. The Blackbuck, not typically an animal of the moist deciduous
forest saw its number dropping to around 10 in 1986 and is a part of
captive breeding program and the numbers are rising.
Chital
or Spotted deer (Axis axis) : Among the large predators, the
Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) takes pride of place. A fascinating
animal, an encounter with one even from a jeep or elephant can be a
spine tingling experience for the sheer majesty, grace and power which
the tiger exudes. The Leopard (Panthera paradus), is the most ubiquitous
of the large predators in India. Leopard, a agile tree climber, often
carrying its prey up trees is a remarkable and the most adaptable
predator. The Dhole or Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus), referred to as whistling
hunters are very interesting in terms of stories of their hunting
prowess. They hunt in packs between 7 to 15 and tire out their prey with
long chases. Jackal (Canis aurens), Jungle cat (Felis bengalensis) are
common among the small predators. The Sloth bear (Melursus ursianus) is
more common in the hilly areas, can occasionally be seen. It is an
omnivore with its diet mostly made up of berries, honey and insects.
Porcupine, Pangolin or Scaly anteater are very rarely seen. Wild boar
(Sus scrofa) which feeds on roots, carrion etc., is very commonly seen.
Apart from the larger animals, Kanha is a veritable paradise for
birdwatchers. From the larger raptors like the Short-toed Eagle
(Circaetus gallicus), the Crested Hawk-Eagle (Spizactus cirrhutus) and
Crested serpent Eagle (Spilorrns cheela), many smaller birds like the
grassland Warblers (Sylviinae spc.), Flycatchers (Muscicapinae sps.),
Bee-eaters (Meropidae sps.), Minivets (Pericrocotus sps.), brilliantly
coloured Indian Roller or Blue Jay (Coracias bengalensis), Cattle Egrets
(Bubulcus ibis) , Black stork (Cicinia nigra), Barbets, Nuthatchers, so
many kinds of Woodpeckers and the Kingfishers are resident species of
Kanha. In the drier months and during monsoon time, the forest resounds
with the call of the Hawk Cuckoo or Brainfever bird (Cuculus varius).
Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus), the ancestor of the common
village hen makes its appearance in these forests as south of Vindhyas
GreyJungle Fowl (Gallus sonerati) is seen instead of this. The Peafowl
(Pavo cristatus), the national bird is commonly seen. The display of the
male is breathtaking but as it occurs in the rainy season, one can't see
that in this park. In the evenings one can see the Franklin's Nightjar
(Coprimulgus affinis) sitting motionless in the middle of the path and
takes off only when the vehicle goes very close. The evenings also echo
with the calls of Jungle Owlet (Glaucidiuns radiatum), the Scops Owl
(Otus scops) and occasionally the Great Horned Owl (Bubo bubo). In the
drier months the lilting call of the Whistling Thrush (Myiophonus
horsfieldii) is really melodious. Truly the park is a birdwatchers
delight.
Among the snakes, the largest and the one mostly
seen here is the Indian Python (Python molurus), other nonvenomous
snakes are the Dhaman or Rat snake (Ptyas mucosus) - similar to Indian
Cobra in appearance and the Wolf snake (Lycodon aulicus). Among the
venomous snakes the common ones are Indian Cobra (Naja naja) and the Saw
Scaled viper (Echis carinatus).
The Indian Marsh Crocodile
(Crocodilus palustris) and the common Indian Monitor Lizard (Varanus
monitor) are among the bigger reptiles found here.
Butterflies including the Blue Mormon (Princeps polymiestor), Blue
Oakleaf (Kallima horsfieldi), Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis), the
Nawab (Polyura athamas athamas) are few of the attractive butterflies.
Giant Wood spider, Signature spider, Wolf spider are some of the common
spider species.
»
Best time to visit : The park is unique in nature, making it
difficult to specify any perticular time as being the best time. Kanha
has three major seasons - the rainy, the cold & the hot.
The rainy season (Mid June - October) The monsoonal
showers in late June kills the heat & the vegetation turns into
intense green. A thick undercoat starts covering the forest floor &
the leaves on the decidous trees unfold. This the fawing period for the
herbivores. But the park is closed for visitors in this season.
The cold season ( November - February) Winter is the
best season of the year. The day teperature rarely goes over 30°C.
November is mildly cold while December - January are the coldest. Since
monsoon has recently receded the vegetation is green, but the grass in
the meadows turns yellow due to severe frost.
The hot
season ( March - Mid June) Summer in Kanha is not very harsh.
Though the daytime temperature reaches 40°C in shade, there are no
hot winds. rains, if any are sporadic, but it sometimes hails in March -
April. This coinsides with the rutting season for Chital(Axis axis). The
meadows are filled with dominant stags displaying and courting with the
females and fighting rivals for them.
Most of the people
prefer to visit Kanha between February & June. A stay of 3-4 days is
advisable to get a really good sighting of Kanha's entire range of
wildlife.
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