Kanha Tiger Reserve – The Tiger Reserve

Kanha Tiger Reserve – The Tiger Reserve

The tiger reserve encompasses a core area of about 940 km2 (360 sq mi) in the two districts Mandla and Balaghat. The surrounding buffer zone is about 1,067 km2 (412 sq mi). The neighboring Phen Wildlife Sanctuary of about 110 km2 (42 sq mi) also forms part of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The reserve is located in the Maikal Range which forms the eastern base of the triangular Satpura Range. The altitude of the park ranges from about 600 m (1900 ft.) at Kanha Village to 870 m (2900 ft.) at Bamhni Dadar. The major topographical feature of this reserve is the horseshoe shaped valley.

The reserve is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal. The Surpan River flows through the central grasslands of the reserve. These grasslands covers the extensive plateau. The reserve is divided into six ranges namely Kisli, Kanha, Sarhi & Mukki in the western block and Bhaisanghat & Supkhar in the eastern sector which are closed to the public. The park is open for visitors from October 16^th to June 30^th. The park remains closed during the monsoon season (July 1^st to October 15^th). The best time to visit this park is from November to March. 

Flora:

This tiger reserve is home to over 70 species of trees and 1000 species of flowering plants. The tiger reserve comprises of moist peninsular sal forests, southern tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and southern tropical dry deciduous mixed forests. 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 type and of a completely different nature from bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) on slopes. A notable Indian ghost tree (Davidia involucrata) can also be seen in the dense forest. The major trees found here are Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, and Achar. Several species of climbers, forbs and grass can also found here.

Fauna:

The mammals found in the reserve are Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, dhole, sloth bear, Bengal fox, porcupine, hare, jungle cat, barasingha, gaur, chital, sambar, barking deer, Indian tree shrew, small Indian civet, common palm civet, ruddy mongoose, Indian wolf, common mongoose, flying squirrel, ratel, nilgai, Indian pangolin, Indian flying fox, fulvous fruit bat, greater false vampire, Indian pipistrelle, hyena, chausingha, langur, wild pig, and Indian jackal. It is also the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, Bhoorsingh, the Barasingha. Barasingha is called the jewel of Kanha National Park.

Some of the reptiles found in the reserve are python, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, Indian krait, common rat snake, common skink, Indian monitor lizard, fan throated lizard and Indian garden lizard. Some of the fishes found in the reserve are giant danio, common rasbora, mud perches, brown snakehead, and green snakehead. The butterflies found in the reserve are lime butterfly, common rose, crimson rose, yellow orange tip, Indian cupid, striped tiger, plain tiger, gaudy baron, common crow, common jezebel, Daniad egg fly, common evening brown, common tree brown, tawny rajah, black rajah, and Indian skipper.

Avifauna:

The reserve is home to around 300 species of birds. Some of the birds found in the reserve are black ibis, Asian green bee-eater, cattle egret, plum-headed parakeet, Indian pond heron, common teal, crested serpent eagle, Indian grey hornbill, Indian roller, lesser adjutant, little grebe, lesser whistling teal, minivet, Malabar pied hornbill, woodpeckers, pigeon, Indian paradise flycatcher, hill myna, Indian peafowl, red junglefowl, red-wattled lapwing, steppe eagle, Tickell's blue flycatcher, white-eyed buzzard, white-breasted kingfisher, white-browed fantail, wood shrikes, warblers, racket- tailed drongo, golden-hooded oriole, Indian treepie, Rufous treepie, wolly necked stork, brown fish owl, white rumped shama, white bellied drongo, spangled drongo, twany babbler, jungle babbler, Indian scimitar babbler, grey francolin, painted francolin, black naped flycatcher, common Iora, eurasian blackbird, gold mantled chloropsis, Jerdon’s leaf bird, black hooded oriole, Malabar pied hornbill, Asian brown flycatcher, Tickell’s flowerpecker, verditor flycatcher, twany fish owl, barred jungle owlet, spotted owlet, Indian scops owl, mottled wood owl, shikra, common kestrel, changeable hawk eagle, pariah kite, oriental honey buzzard and Indian pitta.

Medicinal Plantation Conservation Area:

Medicinal Plantation Conservation Area (MPCA) is located at Boda Chhapri village. This village is situated at about 2 kms from Mocha village. This place is situated inside the dense forest. It is advisable to visit this place with permission from forest officers and a guide with good knowledge of plants.

Bamni Dadar:

Bamni Dadar is famously known as Sunset Point. It is situated at an elevation of 1,667 feet. This place is known for its spectacular sunsets. It offers a breathtaking view of the landscape of Kanha Tiger Reserve.