Kanha Tiger Reserve UPSC

Kanha Tiger Reserve is a popular national park and tiger reserve located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Kanha Tiger Reserve also known as Kanha–Kisli National Park. It is one of the largest and most well-known tiger reserves in the country.

Kanha Tiger Reserve is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, which are the main attraction for visitors.

The forest depicted in the famous novel by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book is thought by some to be based on jungles including this reserve. It is also the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, “Bhoorsingh the Barasingha”.

Table of Contents

Location
History
Area
Hills
River
Tribe
Flora
Fauna

Mammals
Birds
Reptiles

Barasingha
UPSC Questions

Kanha Tiger Reserve Location

Kanha Tiger Reserve is located in the Mandla and Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is situated in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Range.

Mandla District: The eastern and central parts of Kanha Tiger Reserve are located in Mandla District. The main entrance gate to the reserve, called the Khatia Gate, is located in this district.

Balaghat District: The western part of the reserve falls within Balaghat District. The Mukki Gate, another entrance point to the reserve, is situated in this district.

The distance between the two main entrance gates, Khatia Gate and Mukki Gate, is approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles). Both gates provide access to different zones within the reserve, and visitors can choose the gate based on their preferred safari routes and accommodations.

The nearest major cities to Kanha Tiger Reserve are Jabalpur and Nagpur. Jabalpur is located about 160 kilometers (99 miles) away, while Nagpur is approximately 270 kilometers (167 miles) away.

Nearest Airport:

Jabalpur 160 Kms
Raipur Airport 250 Kms
Nagpur Airport 300 Kms.

Nearest Railway Station:

The Nearest Railway Stations for accessing Kanha National Park is Gondia & Jabalpur.

Gondia railway station is 145 kms from Kanha Tiger Reserve (Khatia Entrance Gate).
Jabalpur railway station is 160 kms from Kanha Tiger Reserve (Mukki Entrance Gate)

Kanha Tiger Reserve History

Kanha Tiger Reserve has a rich history that dates back several decades. Here is a brief overview of its history:

1. Reserve Forest: In 1879, the Kanha Tiger Reserve was established as a reserve forest, primarily aimed at safeguarding the region's flora and fauna.

2. Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary: In 1933, recognizing the importance of providing additional protection to the reserve's wildlife, the reserve forest was declared a wildlife sanctuary.

3. Upgraded to National Park: By 1955, the significance of the Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary was acknowledged, and it was upgraded to the status of a National Park.

4. Declared a Tiger Reserve: In 1973, Kanha National Park took a significant step forward in wildlife conservation when it was declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger. Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India to address the urgent need for tiger conservation.

Kanha Tiger Reserve Area

Kanha Tiger Reserve spans an area of approximately 940 square kilometers (363 square miles). It is one of the tiger reserves of India and the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh.

The Kanha Tiger Reserve is divided into two main zones:

Core Zone: The core zone is the primary area of the reserve that offers the highest level of protection to the wildlife. It covers around 940 square kilometers and is predominantly dense forested areas.

Buffer Zone: The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and acts as a transition area between the core zone and human settlements. It covers approximately 1134.361 square kilometers and includes forests, agricultural lands, and human habitations.

Core: 917.44 Sq Km
National Park : 22.57 sq. km.
Buffer: 1134.361 Sq Km
Total: 2051.791 Sq Km

Kanha Tiger Reserve Hills

Kanha Tiger Reserve is situated in the Maikal Hills, which are part of the larger Satpura Range. The Maikal Hills are located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The Satpura Range is a series of hills and plateaus that stretch across several states in central India, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat. These hills are known for their scenic beauty, rich biodiversity, and important ecosystems.

Kanha Tiger Reserve River

Kanha Tiger Reserve is blessed with several rivers and streams that meander through its expansive landscape, providing water sources and adding to the natural beauty of the reserve. The prominent rivers in and around Kanha Tiger Reserve include:

(1) Banjar River:

The Banjar River flows through the core zone of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, enhancing the scenic beauty of the region. It is one of the significant water bodies within the reserve and contributes to the overall ecosystem by providing water for the wildlife and supporting the vegetation along its banks.

(2) Sulkum and Lata Mendola Streams:

These streams are tributaries of the Banjar River and contribute to the hydrology of the Kanha Tiger Reserve. They add to the diversity of water sources within Kanha Tiger Reserve and play a vital role in sustaining the flora and fauna.

Kanha Tiger Reserve Tribe

Kanha Tiger Reserve is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, which is known for its rich cultural diversity and tribal communities. While the reserve itself is not primarily inhabited by any particular tribe, there are tribal communities residing in the surrounding areas who have a historical connection with the region.

(1) Gond Tribe:

The Gond tribe is one of the prominent tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, including the areas around Kanha Tiger Reserve.

(2) Baiga Tribe:

Members of the Baiga tribe that is reliant on the Kanha Tiger Reserve forest, lived in 28 villages that had been within the Kanha National Park until 1968, when they were relocated.

The Baiga tribe is an indigenous community predominantly found in the central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. They have a significant presence in the areas surrounding Kanha Tiger Reserve.

(3) Other Tribe:

Other tribal communities found in and around the region may include Bhil, Kol, and others. Each of these tribes has its distinct culture, language, customs, and social practices.

Kanha Tiger Reserve Flora

Kanha Tiger Reserve boasts a diverse range of flora, thanks to its varied topography and favorable climatic conditions. The reserve is known for its rich and lush vegetation, including the following key components:

1. Sal Forests: Sal (Shorea robusta) forests dominate a significant portion of Kanha Tiger Reserve. Sal trees are known for their tall, straight trunks and broad leaves. They form dense canopies and provide important habitat and food sources for various wildlife species.

2. Bamboo Groves: Kanha is renowned for its extensive bamboo forests, particularly the species known as Dendrocalamus strictus. Bamboo thickets are essential for several animal species, including the endangered Barasingha (Hardground Swamp Deer), which heavily rely on bamboo shoots as a food source.

3. Mixed Forests: Apart from sal and bamboo, the reserve also features mixed forests comprising other tree species such as mahua (Madhuca longifolia), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), amla (Phyllanthus emblica), jamun (Syzygium cumini), and teak (Tectona grandis). These mixed forests contribute to the overall biodiversity and provide a variety of habitats for wildlife.

4. Grasslands and Meadows: Kanha Tiger Reserve encompasses large expanses of open grasslands, locally known as "maidans." These grassy meadows offer prime grazing areas for herbivores like deer, gaur (Indian Bison), and wild boars. They also provide a contrasting landscape against the forested areas and contribute to the park's scenic beauty.

5. Aquatic Plants: The numerous water bodies within the reserve, including lakes, streams, and ponds, support a variety of aquatic plants. Floating plants such as water lilies and lotuses can be found in these water bodies, adding beauty and serving as habitat for aquatic fauna.

6. Flowering Plants: Kanha Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse range of flowering plants. With its varied habitats and favorable climatic conditions, the reserve supports a significant number of plant species. It is estimated that Kanha Tiger Reserve is home to over 1,000 species of flowering plants. Some notable flowering plants found in Kanha Tiger Reserve include:

Mahua (Madhuca longifolia)
Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma
Indian Ghost Tree (Kalanchoe pinnata)
Wild Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
Indian Coral Tree (Erythrina indica)

Kanha Tiger Reserve Fauna (Kanha Tiger Reserve Animals)

Kanha Tiger Reserve is renowned for its diverse and abundant wildlife. The reserve is home to a wide range of animal species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Here are some of the notable fauna found in the reserve:

Mammals:

Bengal Tiger
Barasingha (Swamp Deer)
Leopard
Dhole
Gaur
Langur
Spotted Deer
Sloth Bear
Hyena
Bengal Fox
Indian Jackal

Note- Kanha Tiger Reserve is the exclusive home to the State animal of Madhya Pradesh - Hard Ground Barasingha.

Birds:

Black Ibis
Asian Green Bee-eater
Cattle Egret
Blossom-headed Parakeet
Indian Pond Heron
Drongo
Common Teal
Crested Serpent Eagle
Indian Grey Hornbill
Indian Roller
Lesser Adjutant
little grebe
Lesser Whistling Teal
Minivet
Malabar Pied Hornbill
Woodpeckers
Pigeon
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

Reptiles:

Monitor Lizard
Indian Python

Kanha Tiger Reserve Barasingha

Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of the last remaining strongholds for the Barasingha, also known as the Hardground Swamp Deer. It is an iconic species of the region and is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is the State animal of Madhya Pradesh.

Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii) is a type of deer known for its distinctive antlers with twelve or more tines, hence the name "Barasingha" which means "twelve-horned" in Hindi. They are known for their adaptability to wetland habitats, including swampy and marshy areas.

Kanha Tiger Reserve is recognized for its successful conservation efforts in protecting the Barasingha population. The reserve provides a favorable habitat for these deer, and their population has thrived over the years. The Hardground Swamp Deer is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, and Kanha Tiger Reserve is one of the few places where they can be observed in their natural habitat.

The Barasingha is an important prey species for predators like tigers and leopards. Their conservation is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the reserve and preserving the overall biodiversity of Kanha Tiger Reserve.

Kanha Tiger Reserve is also the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, Bhoorsingh the Barasingha.