Backdrop of Rudyard Kipling’s
Jungle Book

You can imagine the beauty and fascination of Kanha National Park by the fact that Kanha National Park was the backdrop of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’.
Today, Kanha National Park is one of India’s largest and finest National Park and Tiger Reserve located in Madhya Pradesh, India.In the 1930s, Kanha was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 sq. kms each.Kanha National Park was created on 1 June 1955.Today, it covers an area of 940 sq. kms in the two districts of Mandla and Balaghat.
Together with a surrounding buffer zone of 1009 sq. kms, and the neighboring 110 sq. kms Phen Sanctuary, it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve.  

Flora

There are dense forest zones with good crown cover.

The lowland forest is a mixture of sal (shorea robusta) and other mixed forest trees, interspersed with meadows.
The highland forests are tropical, moist dry deciduous, with bamboos (dendrocalamus strictus) on the slopes.
You can also see the interesting Kullu tree (nicknamed the Indian ghost tree).There are abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs.
Meadows, or open grasslands, have sprung up in fields of the villages evacuated from the National Park.
There are many species of grass at Kanha, some of which are important for the survival of Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi).There are Aquatic plants in the numerous ‘ tals ‘ (lakes) attracting a lot of migratory and wetland species of birds.

Mammals

Kanha has over 27 species of mammals.
They include the Indian Bison or gaur, the largest of the world’s cattle; Sambar, the largest Indian deer; the Chausingha, the only four-horned antelope in the world; Nilgai antelope; Sloth bear, Dhole, or Indian wild dog (Cuon alpinus dukhunensis).; the Rare Indian Wolf (Canis (lupus) indica), and the Panther.

The Barasingha (Cervus durauceli branderi), fondly known as the ’’The Jewel of Kanha’’, is found only in Kanha.
It is a sub species of the Swamp Deer, but is somewhat different in having a darker coat and well-knit hooves instead of the splayed hooves of the other subspecies.
During the early 1970s,  this deer was on the brink of extinction, but sustained conservation efforts have pushed their number to about 500.

The most abundant prey animal for the large predators in the park is the Spotted Deer or Chital.
The second largest population of prey animal is the Sambar (Cervus Unicolor) which constitutes an important prey of the tiger.

Birds  

There are 175 varieties of birds.
If you are a bird watcher, you will enjoy your stay.

Places to see in Kanha National Park  Bamni Dadar

 
This spot, also known as the sunset point, is quite popular among tourists.
Most tourists visit Bamni Dadar to have a wonderful view of the setting sun.
But this is also the most beautiful location in the park.
You can see a lot of animals from here – sambar, barking deer, gaur and the four-horned antelope.

Kanha Museum
You can learn about the plants, animals of the National Park and about the local tribes in the Kanha Museum inside the park.

Tourist Places around Kanha National Park Kawardha Palace

The Kawardha Palace was designed and built by Maharaja Dharamraj Singh during 1936-39.
This Palace, made of Italian marble and stone, is set in eleven acres of lush gardens. You can also see the other places of interest in and around Kawardha – The Krishna Temple, Bhoremdeo Temple, Mandawa Mahal and Madan Manjari Mahal all dating from the 11th century.

Bandhavgarh National Park

 
This is a small but compact National Park full of birds and animals.
(You can see my blog on this).

Nagpur

The present Nagpur city was founded by the Gond King of Deogad, Bakht Buland Shah in 1702.
Nagpur is located at a distance of 260 kilometres from Kanha National Park
It is famous for oranges and is nicknamed the orange city.

Jabalpur


You can see the Marble Rocks, Dhuandhar Falls, Chausath Yogini Mandir, and a number of other places here.
(You can see my blog on this).
Reaching There


Air

Jabalpur                160  kms  ( 4 hours )
Raipur                   230  kms  ( 5 hours )

Rail

Umaria                    35 kms    ( 1 hour )
Satna                    130 kms   ( 3 hours )
Jabalpur                160 kms   ( 4 hours ) 

Road

Jabalpur              160  kms   ( 4 hours )
Nagpur                260  kms   ( 6 hours )
Raipur                 230  kms   ( 5 hours )
Bandhavgarh     325  kms   ( 7 hours )

Recommendation
Kanha National Park is one of India’s finest National Parks.
There are all kinds of accommodation to suit all pockets.
MPTDC log huts, named the `Bagheera Log Huts” are good and cheap.
Kanha National Park is closed from July 1 to September 30.