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Glimpses of Kanha
Kanha Landscape
Kanha is located in the Maikal ranges of the Satpuras, in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh. Internationally renowned for its typical Indian floral and faunal attributes, the tiger reserve supports a viable population of tiger and also distinguished itself in saving the highly endangered hard ground Barasingha from extinction, and has the unique distinction of harbouring the last world population of this deer species. It also harbours a wide range of faunal species like leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, otter, gaur, python, over 300 species of birds, 26 of reptiles and over 500 species of insects and a very rich diversity of floral species.
Approach by rail, road and air
By rail: Convenient railheads are Jabalpur and Nagpur.
By road: Jabalpur via Mandla to Kisli, Nagpur to Kisli, Raipur to Kisli, Bilaspur to Mukki.
By air: Jabalpur, Raipur and Nagpur are operative civil airports.
Purpose
The purpose of this travelogue is to study biodiversity conservation and wildlife tourism.
Biodiversity Conservation
Kanha is regarded as an excellent centre of biodiversity conservation. Sustained biodiversity
conservation practices have contributed to the regeneration of several tree species, which
were once suppressed due to illicit grazing. Well managed wildlife habitats over the years,
have sustained large populations of a wide range of herbivores and carnivores.
The resurrection of the hard ground barasingha is one of the inspirational success stories in
conservation.
Wildlife Tourism
Wildlife tourism in Kanha is subordinated to the main objective of wildlife conservation. The
management believes that the visitors should be provided a meaningful exposure to the
management believes that the visitors should be provided a meaningful exposure to the
protected area so that they can appreciate India's magnificent natural heritage and
conservation benefits
As I saw wildlife tourism in Kanha is a balance of conservation education and entertainment
with the active participation of local people. The underlying principle is that the tourism
should be ecologically and socio-culturally sustainable.
Brightest Moments of my Journey
After a long day's travel from Bhopal to Kanha, it was so relishing to be in the soothing arms
of the mother nature. The peculiar scent of the sal trees and the cool jungle breeze
rejuvenated me.
rejuvenated me.
I had a wonderful supper of local cuisine like pania, churme ka laddu, dal Bhatti with a
relishing cup of lemon grass tea.
After supper I danced to the beats of drums along with the Baiga tribes. It was so
mesmerising, at that moment I remembered the saying that "a tribal women's walk itself is a
dance and her speech itself is a song."
mesmerising, at that moment I remembered the saying that "a tribal women's walk itself is a
dance and her speech itself is a song."
Next day morning I woke up at the stroke of 5:00 am and got ready for the safari with my
camera and binoculars in a wildlife attire.
I was enchanted by the sighting of many ungulates, wild boars, peacocks, Indian gaur but my
heart started beating with excitement when I caught the glimpses of the magnificent big
cat, regarded as the 'spirit of the Indian jungle', just walking in front of our jeep. It was a
breathtaking experience to capture the king of the jungle in my camera lens and appreciate
its majestic walk in its territory. Then the noble king gave us way and entered into the deep
forest. After that the guide showed us the pride of Kanha, the Barasingha, I was lucky enough
to hear its rutting call and the way the male barasingha tries to impress the female
counterpart.
It's a must to visit the museum and the interpretation centre and not forget to relish the
samosas and aloo bondas catered by the Kanha Workers Society canteen. I also payed a visit
to the souvenir shop which is also run by the Kanha Workers Society. I bought Baiga
jewellery, some lapel pins and T-shirts to gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the staff and
management of the national park.
counterpart.
It's a must to visit the museum and the interpretation centre and not forget to relish the
samosas and aloo bondas catered by the Kanha Workers Society canteen. I also payed a visit
to the souvenir shop which is also run by the Kanha Workers Society. I bought Baiga
jewellery, some lapel pins and T-shirts to gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the staff and
management of the national park.
Expenses
Accommodation: 2 nights one day- ₹3500
Guided vehicular excursion: Morning and evening safari- ₹5000
Food and other expenses : ₹4000
