Kanha National Park
Kanha Tiger Reserve, comprising parts of the Mandla & Balaghat districts
of Madhya Pradesh, and located in the "Maikal" hills of the Satpuras,
is internationally renowned for its rich floral and faunal attributes. The Reserve is an excellent interspersion of the Dadars (flat hill tops), grassy expanses, dense forests and riverine forests. It is very rich in flora, largely due to the combination of landforms and soil types, apart from the moist character of the region.
The rich habitat diversity of the Reserve supports a wide range of wildlife species along with innumerable lesser life forms, and is the sanctum sanctorum of many typical Central Indian fauna.
Besides harbouring a viable population of the tiger, Kanha has distinguished itself in saving the endangered hard ground barasingha from extinction, and supporting the last world population of this deer species.
The Reserve is a part of the Gondwana tract inhabited traditionally and chiefly by the Gond and Baiga tribes, the latter confining themselves largely to the upper valleys and dadars near the main Maikal range. Information concerning the early history of these forests prior to 1860 is extremely scanty. The villagers had free access to cut and burn forest at will. The system of shifting cultivation, locally called "Bewar" - prevailed almost unhindered until 1870 on the hill slopes.
Forest Types
Technically the following forest types are found in the Tiger Reserve:
Moist Peninsular Sal Forests (3 C/C2)
Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (3 A/C 2a)
Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Mixed Forest(5 A/C-3)
Major Flora
Main Species
Sal, Saja, Lendia, Dhawa, Tendu, Palas, Bija, Mahua, Aonla, Achar and Bamboo etc. Besides, there are many species of climbers, forbs and grass.
Major Fauna
Main Species
Mammals:
Chital , Sambar , Barasingha , Barking deer , Chousingha , Gaur , Langur , Wild pig , Jackal, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Panther, Tiger .
Reptiles:
Python, Indian Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Indian Krait, Common Rat Snake, Common Skink, Indian Monitor, Fan Throated Lizard and Indian Garden Lizard etc.
Fishes:
Giant Danio, Common Rasbora, Mud Perches, Brown Snakehead and Green Snakehead etc.
Birds:
The Reserve supports around 300 species of birds.