Kanha National Park
Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km of dramatic natural splendour which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. Created in 1974 under Project Tiger, the park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi).The park is closed during the monsoons from 1st July to 15th October. Please note that during the period that the park is open, no game rides are allowed on Wednesday afternoons.
Wildlife Viewing
Forest Department guides accompany jeep rides around the park on mapped-out circuits which enable visitors to see a good cross-section of Kanha's wildlife. The best areas are the meadows around Kanha, where blackbuck, chital and barasingha can be seen throughout the day.Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are the Striped Palm Squirrel, Common Langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Chital or Spotted Deer, Barasingha or Swamp Deer, Sambar and Black Buck.
Less commonly seen species are Tiger, Indian Hare, Dhole or Indian Wild Dog, Barking Deer, Indian Bison or Gaur. Patient viewing should reward the visitor with a sighting of: Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine.
Birdlife
Kanha also has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species, and in the grassy forest clearings.Water birds can be seen near the park’s many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds, and the area in front of the museum. The Sal forests are not so good for bird watching. Commonly seen species include Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Black Ibis, Common Peafowl, Crested Serpent, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Hawk Eagle, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Dove, Parakeet, Babbler and Mynah, Indian Roller, White-Breasted Kingfisher and Gray Hornbill.
