Kanha National Park, located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, is one of India’s most known tiger reserves and a key component of Project Tiger. Established in 1955, it inspired Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel The Jungle Book. Kanha is also recognized as the first tiger reserve in India to have implemented a scientific management plan for habitat and wildlife conservation. With its rich biodiversity, picturesque landscapes, and conservation success stories, especially concerning the Barasingha (Swamp Deer) Kanha National Park holds great relevance on India’s protected areas and wildlife policies.
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is spread over an area of about 940 sq. km, forming the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, which has a total area of around 2,000 sq. km including buffer zones. It is famous for its dense sal forests, rolling meadows, and healthy tiger population. The park also played a major role in saving the Barasingha, which is now its official mascot.
The park is managed by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and is one of the best-maintained national parks in the country, offering eco-tourism and research opportunities.
Also Check: Nagarhole National Park
Geographical Features of Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park lies in the Maikal range of the Satpura Hills, which gives it rugged yet scenic terrain. The landscape includes plateaus, valleys, meadows, and seasonal streams, which together support rich biodiversity.
- Location: Mandla and Balaghat districts, Madhya Pradesh
- Total Area: Core area – 940 sq. km; Buffer area – 1,059 sq. km
- Altitude: 450 to 900 meters above sea level
- Climate: Tropical with three distinct seasons—summer, monsoon, and winter
- Rivers: Banjar and Halon, tributaries of the Narmada River
- Terrain: Plateaus, grasslands, dense forests, and riverine ecosystems
Kanha National Park Flora
Kanha National Park Flora is a blend of moist and dry deciduous forests, mainly composed of Sal (Shorea robusta) and bamboo. Open meadows within the park act as prime grazing grounds for herbivores.
| Kanha National Park Flora | |
| Category | Details |
| Dominant Tree Species | Sal (Shorea robusta) |
| Other Important Trees | Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Tendu, Saja, Amla, Palash |
| Grass Species | Spear grass, Wild rice (common in wetland areas) |
| Understorey Vegetation | Medicinal herbs and climbers |
| Ecological Importance | Supports prey species like Barasingha, indirectly sustaining large carnivores in the ecosystem |
Kanha National Park Fauna
Kanha National Park Fauna is renowned for its successful conservation of both tigers and Barasingha (Swamp Deer). It supports a wide range of fauna, including several endangered and endemic species.
| Kanha National Park Fauna | |
| Category | Species / Details |
| Major Mammals |
|
| Avifauna (300+ species) | Indian Roller, Green Bee-eater, Black Ibis, Crested Serpent Eagle |
| Reptiles & Others | Python, Monitor Lizard, Common Krait, Cobra, Various Turtles |
| Conservation Note | Kanha’s well-balanced ecosystem and rich biodiversity make it a model reserve in India’s conservation framework |
Kanha National Park FAQs
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