New Delhi: There is no better time to visit the forests in winter, and if you are looking to visit a wildlife sanctuary, then the Kanha Tiger Reserve is the ideal place for you. It is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the country with a rich biodiversity and dynamic flora and fauna. It is located in Madhya Pradesh and encompasses two areas, the Mandla and the Balaghat. In this article, we will explore this wildlife sanctuary.
Kanha Tiger Reserve: The inspiration behind The Jungle Book
The Kanha National Park is nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of our country that forms the central Indian highlands. It is the largest national park in the state and is one of the most popular tiger reserves in the country. It is one of the biggest wildlife sanctuaries and is the largest national park in central India.
There are eight zones in the Kanha Tiger Reserve. Out of them, four are in the core area namely Kanha, Kisli, Sarhi, Mukki, one in adjoining Phen Sanctuary and three are in buffer areas of Tiger Reserve adjoining the core namely Khapa, Sijhora and Khatia. In 1879, the area was declared a reserve forest and in 1933, it became a wildlife sanctuary. In June 1955, the Kanha National Park was formed and in 1973, it became a tiger reserve.
The Kanha National Park covers 940 sq km in the Maikal chain of hills and overall, the Kanha Tiger Reserve, including the core area and the buffer zone covers 2051.791 sq km. The landscapes and the surrounding meadows along with the wooded strands and the dense maroons of forests offer a great experience for nature lovers. The forest is interspersed by clear streams, which has increased its beauty. Notably, it was this forest which formed the setting of Rudyard Kipling’s famous creation ‘The Jungle Book’.
Kanha Tiger Reserve: A wildlife to experience
The Hard Ground Barasingha, which is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh is found solely in the Kanha Tiger Reserve. Thanks to extensive conservation efforts, the population of this symbolic deer species which was once on the verge of extinction has increased in the forest. It is famously known as the ‘jewel of Kanha’.
The lush green forests of Kanha, famous for its evergreen Sal trees, is home to about 43 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 26 species of reptiles and over 500 species of insects. Apart from the Hard Ground Barasingha, the major species found in the forest are Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Bear, Gaur and Indian Python. The most commonly seen birds in the wildlife sanctuary include the Asian green bee-eater, black ibis, cattle egret, Indian pond heron, plum-headed parakeet, drongo, crested serpent eagle and common teal. In India, it is the first tiger reserve which has officially introduced a mascot, Bhoorsingh the Barasingha.
Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is a renowned wildlife sanctuary and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. Boasting diverse flora and fauna, including the endangered Hard Ground Barasingha, it’s a significant tiger reserve. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
