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Kanha National Park :India February 10, 2006

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.

The Kanha National Park is the only existing habitat of barasingha in India. The jewel of Kanha special programmes are into action to safeguard this species against complete extinction. Barasinghas are surviving here on account of the tall grass meadows in this park. Kanha is also known as the habitat of the tiger. The spotting of tigers and catching them in camera is quite ideal in this park. The first ever scientific study done on tigers by the great zoologist George Schaller was undertaken in this park. One can easily explore these animals on an elephant back or in a jeep under the guidance of a forest guide.

The grasslands at Kanha interspersed with forests of sal, teeming with varieties of deer – the barasingha, chital (spotted deer), chousingha, nilgai, the majestic gaur (Indian bison) and wild pig, is ‘tiger country’. It is ideal for viewing both the predator and the prey.

Early in the morning, after spending my night at the Krishna Jungle Resort just in front of the park entrance, I set out to seek the tiger in its coveted hideouts. Since I was there in the off-season, it was possible for me to have a jeep safari without prior booking. I was accompanied by a well informed guide, it took no time in locating the Tiger. Soon I found many of them- while the males were cooling off in the shades, the cubs were playing with the mother. I realized why it was chosen as the ideal location by the eminent zoologist George Schaller for undertaking the first ever scientific study on the Tiger. My guide informed that the “Project Tiger� was introduced here way back in1974 and since then the park is committed to the conservation as well as the regeneration of this highly endangered species.


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