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Kanha
preserves a very precious heritage. The laws of nature permit no
replacement: not one new specy is known to have evolved in the past
million years. So to see these forest homes of tiger and deer is
to wonder anew at the mystery of the animal world. The Tiger at
Kanha
"Awesome, and magnificent…so beautifully and perfectly
proportioned that he seems cast in gold, the tiger is a living sculptured
masterpiece.." His fine symmetry is heightened by a pair of
blazing eyes and a sinuous, stalking stride, Mysteriou in every
way, he always appears suddenly, dramatically, then fades away into
the bamboo thickets as silently as he came. You can meet "Sher"
as the tiger is called in India, at Kanha National Park in Madhy
Pradesh.
Forested Sanctuary
In the heartland of India, Kanha lies in the Satpura ranges. The
hills are forested with stately sal trees. In the central area stretch
meadows laced by streams. And in one corner of the plateau is the
strategically situated Bamni Dadar airstrip.
The Barasingha
In this amphitheatre of 446 square kilometers live a variety of
deer, blackbuck, gaur, leopard and striped hyena. The graceful barasingha
swamp deer (cervus duvauceli branderi) preserved only in Kanha,
is characterized by sweeping twelve-tined antlers. With woolly brownish
yellow coats, these gregarious animals are always seen in schools
of the same age or sex group. Demure in their ways are the gentle
chital or spotted deer bounding in abandoned delight when scared.
If lucky you might catch a glimpse of the shy smabar.
Of a grayish - brown colour, they prefer to remain inconspicuous
till after dusk. Flashing across the green, you see elegant back,
the fastest creature on four legs. The colours of the bucks and
does differ considerable. Of the antelope family, these animals
love open spaces where speed is their surest protection against
enemies.
Gaur and Barking Deer
Gaur are common at Kanha. Adult bulls are jet black with short-haired
pelage while the cows and young are deep brown coloured. A small
dewlap hangs below the chin and a large one drapes down frequent
the dense undergrowth and when frightened, give a trumpet-like snort
and lumber away, among the other animals at Kanha the nilgai and
barking deer are also a part. A smattering of wild pig also make
their home here in the wilderness.
This sanctuary, sheltered on three sides by the Maikal hills, is
also the home of a few leopards. The sloth bear, who has a white
crescent on his chest, is a nocturnal guest. Small mammals such
as musk shrew, palm squirrel and mouse deer frolic in the meadows
and trees. Minnow like fish glide in the streams. And ninety species
of twittering birds awake with the dawn to usher in each new day.
The Changing
Seasons
Just before summer, the Flame of the Forest trees are flamboyant.
The semi deciduous sal change leaf to summer green. By May, Kanha
wears its summer ensemble as the trees regain their mantles of lush
green.
The Kanha National Park is closed to visitors during the monsoon
from July to October.
How To Get There
The nearest airport is Nagpur (270km).
Arrangements can be made for chartered flights to land at the Bamni
Dadar airstrip. Most convenient railheads : Jabalpur on the Howrah
- Bombay via Itarsi line of the Central Railway.
Connected by road with nagpur, Jabalpur and Mandla. Taxis are available
at Jabalpur.
Kanha,
is characterized by sweeping twelve-tined antlers. With woolly brownish
yellow coats, these gregarious animals are always seen in schools
of the same age or sex group. Demure in their ways are the gentle
chital or spotted deer bounding in abandoned delight when scared.
If lucky you might catch a glimpse of the shy smabar.
