Kanha National Park (The Park remains open from 1st Nov. to 30th Jun) is the world famous Tiger Reserve for a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger. The Reserve is governed under the wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the reserve rules. In 1930, the reserve area comprised of two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 km² respectively. Kanha National Park was created on 1 June, 1955. Today it is spreaded over an area of 940 km² in the two districts i.e. Mandla and Balaghat. Together with a surrounding buffer zone of 1,009 km² and the neighboring 110 km² of Phen Sanctuary, it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve.

Flora: The lowland forest is a mixture of sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest trees, interspersed with meadows. The highland forests are tropical moist dry deciduous type and of a completely different nature with bamboo on slopes (Dendrocalamus strictus). A very good looking Indian ghost tree (kullu) can also be seen in the dense.

Kanha Tiger Reserve abounds in meadows that have sprung up in fields of abandoned villages, evacuated to make way for the animals. Kanha meadow is one such example. There are many species of grass recorded at Kanha some of which are important for the survival of Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi). Dense forested zones with good crown cover have abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs flourishing under the tall trees. Aquatic plants in numerous "Tal" (lakes) are life line for migratory and wetland birds.

Fauna: The major mammals that are found in the open and natural environment of the Park are:

Royal Bengal Tiger - 131 Nos. in June 2000   

Leopards – 80 Nos.,

Sloth bears – 111 Nos.,

Indian wild dog (Cuon alpinus dukhunensis, - 396 Nos.

Rare Indian wolf (Canis lupus indica)

Spotted deer or chital – more than 20,000 Nos.

Sambar (Cervus Unicolor) – 3621 Nos.

Common grey langur (6,668 in 2000),

Wild boar (8,534 in 2000),

Gaur (more than thousand in 2000),

Barasingha or swamp deer (this is the hard-ground swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli branderi),

The most abundant prey species for the large predators is the spotted deer or chital; the second largest population of deer is that of Sambar (Cervus Unicolor) which constitutes an important prey base of the tiger.

Barasingha or the hard-ground swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli branderi) is found only in Kanha, barely 1200 survive in the wild. There were only 60 Barasingha left on this planet when measures were taken to prevent extinction. As of June 2006, the count is around 1,200. An attempt to raise the black buck here has failed. The chousingha (four horned antelope) and the nilgai (blue bull), though rare, can also be found in Kanha.

Other larger inymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/themes/advanced/langs/en.js" type="text/javascript"> mammal species of the park are rhesus macaque, golden jackal, Mouse Deer, Bengal fox, smooth-coated otter, honey badger, small Indian civet, Indian gray mongoose, ruddy mongoose, striped hyena, jungle cat, leopard cat, Indian spotted chevrotain, Indian pangolin, Indian porcupine and Indian hare.

Very rarely seen species are: Wolf that lives in the far East of the park, Chinkara found outside the Park's Northern boundary, Indian Pangolin, the smooth Indian Otter and the small Indian Civet.

Birds: There are around 260 species of birds identified, e.g., Peafowl, Jungle fowl, pained spur fowl, grey partridge, Painted Partridge, Indian roller, Racket tailed drongo, Red wattled lapwing, Yellow wattled lapwing.

Bamni Dadar: Known as Sunset Point, this is one of the most beautiful areas of the park, from where a spectacular sunset can be watched. The dense luxuriance of Kanha forests can be seen from here. Animals that can be sighted around this point are typical of the mixed forest zone: sambar, barking deer, gaur and four-horned antelope.

How to reach: Transportation & facility

Jabalpur is the nearest rail station and Airport (175 km) which is connected with Delhi while Nagpur airport is the next closest (275 Km). Nagpur airport is connected to most of the big cities in India. Mandla (70 km) is well connected with Kanha by road. In order to visit Kanha National Park, there is a regular tourist taxi service from Jabalpur which is well connected to all major cities in the country by railways. There are two Govt. buses ply from Jabalpur to Kanha (5 hours drive via Mandla) at 7 AM and 11 AM and return in the same day.

Distance by Road:

Jabalpur - Mandla - Chiraidongri - Khatia - Kisli : 160 KM

Jabalpur - Mandla - Chiraidongri - Tatri -Baihar -Mukki : 187 KM

Nagpur - Seoni - Nainpur - Chiraidongri - Khatia - Kisli : 255 KM

Nagpur -Seoni -Nainpur -Chiraidongri -Tatri -Baihar -Mukki: 280 KM

Nagpur - Seoni - Nainpur - Balaghat - Baihar - Mukki: 287 KM

Raipur - Simga - Kawardha - Chilpi - Supkhar - Mukki : 178 KM

Bilaspur - Pandaria -Chilpi - Supkhar - Mukki : 188 KM

Gondia - Balaghat - Baihar - Mukki: 125 KM

Durg - Gondia - Malajkhand - Mukki: 169 KM

Rajnandgaon - Khairagarh - Malajkhand - Mukki: 181 KM

Transport in Park:

Only petrol cars and jeeps allowed inside the park.

State Transport, MPSTDC (cars) can be booked..

Taxis are available at Jabalpur & Nagpur.

Gypsy (petrol vehicle) is available at Khatia & Mukki for Park Excursions.

Park Timing:

Opening     : November 1 to June 30
Excursions: Morning and Evening (Timing vary with season)

Park Entrances:

Khatia (Mandla District). The Govt. buses enter through Khatia gate.
Mukki (Balaghat District)

Last Updated on Saturday, 27 November 2010 00:00