Kanha National Park – Rich biodiversity of flora and fauna

Kanha National Park is located in the Banjar and Hallon valleys in the Mandla / Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh. The park is one of the best managed facilities in the entire Asian region. It is also one of the best tiger reserves in the country, spreading over an area of ​​940 square kilometers and having a horseshoe shape due to the Maikal Ranges valley.

This National Park was created in 1955 by a special statute. This was done to save the swamp deer (Barasingha) from near extinction. This animal species forms a considerable population of the Park. It is the only habitat for this hard-ground deer. Since then, Kanha National Park has undertaken a series of conservation programs to protect and preserve its rich flora and fauna.

The Kanha Tiger Reserve was born in 1974, when it was selected for the Tiger Project in order to save this majestic beast from disappearing from this planet. The National Park is one of the richest in flora and fauna. The biodiversity in Kanha National Park leaves one amazed to the core.

Flora in Kanha National Park: Plant life in the park forms the basis of a rich and healthy wildlife population. The entire life cycle of animals, both herbivores and carnivores, is highly dependent on plants. There are more than 600 species of flowering plants in the National Park.

The forest is spread over huge plains and plateaus. The salt and other trees of the mixed forest form an interesting mix in the jungle that intermingles with the lowland meadows. Bamboos also make up a large part of the jungle slopes. One of the most interesting tree species in the dense Kanha forest is the Indian ghost tree (Kullu) which glows and is easily visible even in the densest part.

There are wide expanses of meadows in the jungle that are in fact open meadows that have grown after the abandonment of the villages. These tall grasses form a perfect refuge for swamp deer (Barasingha). There are also many species of vines, shrubs and herbs that flourish in the forest. The Park’s lakes form a perfect base for the survival of aquatic plants which in turn support migratory and wetland bird species.

Wildlife in Kanha National Park: There is a great variety of animal life in the jungle. Herbivores provide food for prey animals and feed themselves on the various types of flowers, fruits, and insects present here. The entire ecosystem of the jungle works in perfect coordination. There are numerous types of animals in Kanha National Park.

Kanha National Park is home to the most endangered species of animals and it is the swamp deer (Barasingha), which is now highly visible to the viewer. Apart from these, one can easily see Cheetal, Sambhar and the spotted deer in the meadows grazing in a serene way.

Langurs and sloths also make their presence felt in the jungle. It is a real joy to see the entire gang of langurs leaping from tree to tree, carrying their young close to their heart.

Apart from this, there are various types of insects such as termites and spiders that also add enriching value to the jungle ecosystem and help in the decomposition of flora and fauna as well.

Therefore, a visit to Kanha National Park not only involves the sighting of wild animals, but also forces one to study the amazing dynamics of the rainforest and its ecosystem.