Kanha
- Kanha
Kanha National Park – Madhya Pradesh
Famous for inspiring Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Kanha National Park is one of India’s most iconic wildlife destinations. This vast reserve in Madhya Pradesh is celebrated for its thriving tiger population, expansive meadows, and the rare barasingha (swamp deer), which was brought back from the brink of extinction here.
The park’s landscapes are a striking mix of dense sal and bamboo forests, open grasslands, and crystal-clear streams. Wildlife sightings here are often nothing short of spectacular, from a tiger emerging from the tall grass to packs of wild dogs on the hunt.
Spread over 940 square kilometers, Kanha was declared a national park in 1955 and became a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger. Its rivers and meadows sustain an extraordinary range of species, making it a dream destination for wildlife lovers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike.
Interesting Fact – Kanha National Park
Kanha inspired Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” It’s also known for its successful conservation of the Barasingha (swamp deer), bringing it back from the brink of extinction.
Prime Predators
Royal Bengal tigers are the apex predators here.
Famous For?
Renowned for its scenic meadows, especially the lush Bamni Dadar plateau.
Major Wildlife
Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Indian wild dog (Dhole), barasingha, gaur, and more than 300 bird species.
Flora & Fauna in the Park
Kanha National Park is one of India’s most picturesque tiger reserves, with vast sal forests, meadows (known locally as maidans), and bamboo groves. It is also the last refuge of the endangered hard ground barasingha, or swamp deer, which thrives in its grassy wetlands. Other key vegetation includes saja, lendia, and mahua, adding diversity to the dense forest canopy.
This thriving habitat shelters a robust tiger population, leopards, and wild dogs, alongside a rich array of herbivores. The open meadows provide the perfect backdrop for spotting grazing herds and hunting predators.
Mammals
- Royal Bengal Tiger
- Leopard, Barasingha
- Wild Dog (Dhole)
- Sloth Bear
- Gaur
- Sambar
- Chital
- Jackal
Birds
- Green Bee-eater
- Black Ibis
- Indian Peafowl
- Lesser Adjutant Stork
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- White-throated Kingfisher
Reptiles
- Indian Rock Python
- Cobra
- Rat Snake
- Common Krait
- Indian Star Tortoise
Safari Zones or Gates
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is divided into four core safari zones and several buffer zones, each with distinct landscapes and wildlife opportunities.
Kisli Zone – Kanha
Kisli is a popular core zone with rich biodiversity and easy access from the Kisli Gate.
Mukki Zone – Kanha
Mukki is known for frequent tiger sightings and diverse flora. Entry is via Mukki Gate.
Kanha Zone – Kanha
The central zone, famous for its meadows and open grasslands, entered through Kanha Gate.
Sarhi Zone – Kanha
A quieter zone with dense forests, accessed from Sarhi Gate.
Buffer Zones – Kanha
Includes Khatia, Sijhora, Phen Wildlife Sanctuary, and Khapa buffer gates, offering excellent offbeat safari experiences.
Core Zone
| Zone Name | Entry Gate |
|---|---|
|
Kanha |
Khatia / Mukki / Sarhi Gate |
|
Kisli |
Khatia/Mukki/Sarhi Gate |
|
Mukki |
Khatia/Mukki Gate |
|
Sarhi |
Khatia/Sarhi Gate |
Buffer Zones
| Zone Name | Entry Gate |
|---|---|
|
Khatia |
Khatia Gate |
|
Khapa |
Mukki Gate |
|
Sijhora |
Sarhi Gate |
|
Phen |
Mukki (Ghurri Barrier) Gate |
