Kanha National Park, a Tiger Reserve located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, the reserve covers an area of 1950 sq. km. Established as a reserve forest in 1879, it was declared a National Park in 1955 and a tiger reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger. The undulating terrain of the Park consists of flat-topped hills and meadow-like grasslands known as Maidans. The successive elevations of the valleys present a step-like formation in the east-west direction. The forest is formed of 50% dry deciduous woodland on the hilltops and slopes.

The grassy meadows are largely enclosed by sal forest. Bamboo is common in the higher elevations. The underlying rock is volcanic. The Bajar River flows west of the park. The river Sulkum, a tributary of Bajar River, is the main source of water. The Monsoon is from June to October, the cooler season is from Nov. through Feb. while the summer is from March to June. The temperature reaches -5 degree C in the winter and peaks to 43 degree C in summer.

The National Park is particularly notable, besides the tiger, for a 300lb, brown, large-antlered, hard-hoofed deer because of which the foundation of conservation and protection was laid in the Maikal hills. Even more zealously protected in Kanha is the southern or Central Indian race of the Swamp Deer - the Hard-ground or the Branderi Barasingha.

Birdlife of the region is equally astounding and more than 350 avian species have been recorded here with the possibility of sighting yet new races, thus giving the avid birdwatcher great scope for new discoveries. Mynas, Bush Chats, Kingfishers, Treepies, Orioles, Lapwings, Falcons, Kites, Owls, Vultures and various other species of our flying friends will provide unlimited hours of pleasure to those who choose to seek them.

The park was originally established to protect the Barasigha, the only surviving population of central Indian subspecies. There are more than 100 of them now in the park. Other wildlife include tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Indian wild dog, hyena, golden jackal, wild boar, sambar, black buck, chital, four horned antelope, nilgai, languor, black ibis, crusted serpent eagle, pea foul, jungle foul and other bird species. The animals can be observed best on elephant back. The open terrain gives a good chance to observe them.

Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit the park is in the summer months of March to June. The nearest town is Mandla and it is 65km from the park. The nearest railhead and airport is Jabalpur (170km). The park can easily be reached by road. Accommodation can be arranged in the forest lodge by ITDC, forest rest houses and Madhya Pradesh tourism log huts.

How to reach

• Air
  Jabalpur (170 km), Nagpur (270 km)
• Rail
  Jabalpur (170 km), Nagpur (270 km)