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Kanha
National Park
How many of you have seen a tiger before? Most of the answers will
be ambiguous because everyone wants to see a tiger. Then where can
one spot a tiger? Well, even if there are circuses and zoo's all over
India, there's some kind of a thrill you experiences when all of a
sudden you came across a Tiger roaming freely in the wilderness of
its natural habitat: the fields and forests of India. There are numerous
Tiger reserves in India, that are preserving this ferocious beast,
but nowhere can you see them as often, and as regularly as in Kanha
National Park.
Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha national park
cum Tiger reserve extends over an area of over 1,940-sq-kms. The major
feature of this region's interesting topography is the horseshoe shape
valley and the whole park area is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal.
The Surpan River meanders through Kanha's central Maidans, grasslands
that cover the extensive plateau. Steep rocky escrapments along the
edges offer breathtaking views of the valley.
Wildlife Attraction in the Kanha National Park
The Flora :
While venturing you will come across the thick forests of Bija, Haldu,
and Dhaora trees. Some other trees often found in the region are Sal,
Bamboo, Ban-rahar, and Sindhur. The lush surroundings of the park
make it strikingly beautiful, especially during the cooler and greener
months.
The Fauna :
Kanha
is rich in wildlife but tiger is the major attraction. However, finding
wild animals is always little difficult here. One has to be patient
to spot these. First time visitors are often so keen to spot the larger
animals that they overlook the smaller ones. There are 175 varieties
of birds in Kanha. So if you happen to be bird watcher, look forward
to a full bird show. One can easily catch glimpses of all the grazers,
a Porcupine, many Gray Langurs, Mongoose, Hyena, Jungle Cat, even
a Leopard. Other wild attractions in this Tiger country include varieties
of Deer - the Barasingha, Chital or Spotted Deer, Chousingha, Nilgai,
as well as the majestic Gaur or Indian Bison and wild Pig.
The Birds :
The
park, with 300 different species of birds within its complex, is a
visual treat for bird lovers. Some more interesting ones to look out
for are Pied or Marsh Harriers, Red Jungle Fowls, Painted Spur Fowls,
Lesser Whistling Teals, Common Teals, Pintails, Cotton Teals, Shovelers,
Peafowls, Indian Rollers, Racket-tailed Drongos, Green Bee-eaters,
Scavenger Vultures, Long-billed Vultures, White-backed Vultures, Gray
Hornbills, Pied Malabar Hornbills, Indian Pittas, Indian Stone Curlews,
Common Gray Partridges, Warblers, Flycatchers, Babblers, Woodpeckers,
Painted Partridges, Green Pigeons, Black Ibis, White-necked Storks,
Lesser Adjutant Storks, White-breasted Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers,
Egrets, and Cormorants.
Mammals & Reptiles :
Today, Kanha is one of the most famous Tiger Reserves in India, and
it harbours a rich diversity of plants and animals. A photographer’s
paradise, Kanha offers unlimited possibilities of capturing wildlife
on film.
Kanha is often called Tiger Land, and visitors narrate innumerable
and unforgettable instances of tiger sightings. Even in terms of conservation,
the National Park has been a remarkable success, and has protected
a number of species that might otherwise have been altogether extinct.
In & Around Kanha :
If you are interested in archaeology and look forward to monuments
on each trip, then head towards Baihar, 15km from Kanha. En route
are the ruins of old temples. These black structures are of an impressive
architectural style with corrugated shikharas (temple spires).

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