Kanha National Park [ Madhya Pradesh ]

Call of the wilds

Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendour. This is original Kipling country, of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists today in Kanha National Park, 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). In the 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries: Hallon and Banjar, of 250 sq km and 300 sq km each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded, the area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population in the years that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a series of stringent conservation programmes for the protection of the park's flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of the finest and best administered National Parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction for all wildlife lovers and a true haven for its animal and avian population.

What to See?

Forest Department guides accompany visitors around the park on mapped-out circuits which enable viewers 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.

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

Mammalian Species: Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are the striped palmsquirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, samhar and hlackbuck.

Less commonly seen species are: tiger, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or gaur. Patient watching shoulcl reward the visitor with a sight of: Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, panther, mouse deer, chausingha or four-horned antelope, nilgai, Hardground Barasingha is found only at Kanha. Chital and porcupine.

Very rarely seen are: wolf, which lives in the far east of the park; chinkara, to be found outside the park's northern boundary; Indian pangolin, the smooth Indian otter and the small Indian civet.

Avian Species: Kanha 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 wafer birds and the area in front of the museum. The sal forests do not normally yield a sight of Kanha's avifauna. Early mornings and late afternoons are best for bird watching; binoculars are an invaluable aid to the watcher.

Hardground Barasingha is found only at Kanha

Commonly seen species include: cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent, racket tailed drongo,hawk eagle and red-wattled lapwing; various species of flycatcher, woodpecker , pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler and mynah;Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.

Jeep and Elephant Hire : MPSTDC jeeps are available on hire for touring the park. Elephants are used for tiger-tracking and should a tiger be located, the elephant can take visitors to the site.

For jeep hire, see the MPSTDC Manager, at the Baghira Log Huts, Kisli and Kanha Safari Lodge, Mukki. Bookings for a morning run should be made the previous day. Please bear in mind that jeeps are not always available during peak visiting periods.

General Information

Best time to visit :

February to June, although the cool season is much more comfortable and still very good for wildlife. (The park is closed from July 1 to 31 because of the monsoon)

For those planning a visit, a stay of at least three nights is recommended in order to have a good chance of seeing the more elusive animals - although, of course, a brief visit will also be very interesting.

What to wear :

Cottons, but bring woolens as well, as early mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially in a moving jeep and in the cool season. Try not to wear loud colours.

Food :

Kisli has a restaurant and a canteen. The restaurant serves both Indian and western food. The canteen is cheaper, serving reasonably-priced table d' hote meals and snacks. The Kanha Safari Lodge at Mukki is served by a multi-cuisine restaurant.

If boiled water is required, please ask for it specially (water served at the lodges is generally filtered). Cool drinks and beer are usually available.

Accommodation : Madhya Pradesh Tourism Offices

Nearest town :

How to get there:

Khatia (3 km from Kisli) and Mukki are the two main entry points to the Kanha National Park. From Jabalpur, Kisli is 165 km via Chiraidongri, and Mukki is 203 km via Motinala and Garhi. For travelers from Bilaspur (182 km), Raipur (213 km) and Balaghat (83 km), Mukki on State Highway no 26 is more convenient. From Nagpur, Kisli is 259 km via Nainpur and Chiraidongri, and Mukki is 289 km via Balaghat.

By Air : Nearest airports are at Jabalpur, Raipur and Nagpur

By Rail : Most convenient railheads are at Jabalpur and Bilaspur

By Road : There is a daily bus service available for Kisli and Mukki from Jabalpur and back. Taxis are available for hire from Jabalpur, Bilaspur and Raipur. It is advisable to reach Kisli before sunset as vehicle are not permitted within the park after dark.