Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park is not only a national park but also a Tiger Reserve which falls under the district of  Mandla and Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh. Kanha was then divide into two sanctuaries during 1930s, into Banjar and Hallon, approximately covering the area of 250 and 300 Km². Kanha National Park was introduced to the world on 1 June 1955. Now almost covering the area of 940 Km² which includes two districts Mandla and Balaghat. "Kanha Tiger Reserve" has form by almost covering the buffer zone of 1, 067 Km² and the very neighboring Phen Sanctuary  which covers 110 Km². On !4 April  Kanha National Park came under Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Thus Kanha National Park is considered as the largest national park in Central India.

Kanha National Park

Kanha has been home to varied species of animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian wild dog, Barasingha, bear, leopards and sloth. Even one will get to see varied species of trees and plants like Bamboo forests, lush sal, ravines, grassy meadows. It is considered that Rudyard Kipling has got inspiration from Kanha for his  famous 'Jungle Book'.

Flora

It is said that almost over 1000 species of flowering plants are there in Kanha National Park. One will get to see two types of forest in Kanha National Park, they are: the lowland forest and the highland forest. One will get to see the mixture of other mixed forest trees and Sal, and it is interspersed with meadows. The highland forest of Kanha is of tropical type dry deciduous type with lots of different kinds of bamboo on the slope. Another interesting fact is a very good looking Indian ghost tree known as Kullu is also found in the dense forest.

Sal Tree

Kanha Tiger Reserve is bounded in meadows which is actually a grassland is in the fields and some of the abounded villages, they have away out for animals too. Kanha meadow is one such good example. Different species of  grass which are found in Kanha, they are very important for the survival of Barasingha. In the dense forest zones of Kanha, one will get to see the abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs. Tal an aquatic plant are found in numbers which are known as the lifeline of migratory and wetland species birds.

Fauna

One of the apex predator in Kanha is the Tiger. Apart from Tiger other flesh eating population of Kanha includes are jackal, leopards, wild dogs, wild cats and many other

One of the only species of  swamp deer is Barasingha which is known as the pride of the place is found only in Kanha, it is said that it is only a sub species of  swamp deer found in India. These deers can live in had ground, not like the swamp deer from north, which are only adapted to marshy swamps. This national park has been very active for rescuing of the Brasingha from the extinction. One will get to see Gaur, it belongs to ox genus, mostly during winter ends, it is found only in Kanha. During the summer months Gaurs are found in meadows and water holes in the park.

Barasingha

Apart from these animals, other commonly seen animals are barking deer, spotted dear, sambar and the four horned deer. Recently in the Tiger Reserve, the mouse deer has also been found.

Black buck has been re-introduced in the fence area of the park, as previously it could not survive here, as the habitat was not suitable for it. At Sarahi Gate, Nilgai can still be seen and the Indian wolf which was seen at Mocha are rarely seen now. Occasionally sloth bear and Hyna are seen. Wild boar and langur are commonly seen.

Tiger at Kanha

Outside the park, nocturnal animals like hare, ratel, porcupine, hyna, honey badgr, jungle cats are seen.

Near the water bodies, many species of turtles can be seen, amphibians like cobras, pyhons, rat snakes, vipers, grass snakes.

Transport and other facilities 

To reach the park, Jabalpur is the nearest place and the nearest airport( 175km), well with very limited flight connectivity.  Even  Nagpur and Raipur, too have airports, which have good connectivity with the county. Mandla has good road connection with Kanha as you will get good taxi connection from Jabalpur, which will go via Mandla and Nainpur.

In Kanha National Park, there are three gates for the entrance, the Khisli gate is easily accessed from Jabalpur and it stops in he village called Khatia in the buffer zone. The other two gates are Mukki and recently opened Serai.

General information about the park:

Area covering the park is 940 kilometer square.

Best season to visit this park is from February to June. 

Visiting hours: morning visiting hours: 6 am -12 noon

                      evening visiting hours: 3 pm- 9pm

Closing : 1 July to 15 October.