Enjoying Indian Wildlife: The Big Cats of Kanha

About a hundred years and more, the big cats were in wild abundance. With the arrival of the British the decline started. Like elsewhere, the rulers initiated the vermin concept in India and thus began the struggle for survival of all the wilderness including the tiger.      

The satraps, Maharajahs, and Nawabs who made it possible to enslave India joined in the fray. Wild animals were shot mercilessly in large numbers with the use of firearms. The forests were brought under the ax of civilization and loot.

Kanha survived. By the time Central Indian Highlands were fragmented the erstwhile sanctuary had received protection.  

After independence, a large protected area was created encompassing about two thousand square kilometers. This was declared as a National Park and subsequently, as a tiger reserve whence the Project Tiger Program was initiated here. Gradually with the introduction of conservation practices, the forest began to recover along with animals that constituted the prey base of the predators.  The big cats are best protected here with a fabulous breeding record.

Some of the names I remember are Konda, Choti Mada, Badi Mada, Lal Aaankh, Munna and Kankata. Tigers are secretive animals and many complete their life cycle in anonymity. They are hardly ever seen or heard in the deep confines of Kanha forests. 

Some tigers make their presence felt and emerge from the illusive tapestry of dense jungle. They are marked by the management, tourists, and park guides and named. The big males that dominate large areas of the forest are seen regularly during the park rounds. These are the perfect epitome of the feline and are named as per the characteristic features they exhibit. Many of these tigers are conditioned to human presence. This is due to the frequent movement of the park management, forest dwellers, and tourists. Nevertheless, they live out their whole breeding cycle normally.  Many tigresses complete their whole breeding cycles and give birth to a number of litters during their lifetime. The phenomenon is witnessed by the generation of humans, thanks to tourism in these parks. Tourism is a hub of activities that enables, nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and researchers to witness the awesome spectacle of wilderness which becomes landmark moments of study.   

Naming does not take place in the case of the elusive leopards. They are marked by the area they frequent. Being smaller in size and overshadowed by their bigger cousin they are seen, photographed, and forgotten.  Kanha and Mukki Zones offers the best leopard sightings in the reserve.     

The tiger is one of the ablest hunters in the animal world. It is a perfect hunting machine and apt to the task it has been created for. But unlike humans, it kills only for food. Sometimes territorial fights are fatal resulting in the death of the opponent.

Most adult males weigh anywhere from 225 kg to 250 kg. The females weigh around 100 to 180 kg.  The height is around two and a half feet at shoulders this enables the animal to cross over the grasslands unseen.

The black stripes and orange color mixed with white offer amazing camouflage in the forest. The jaws with canines and massive paws are major hunting elements. The musculature is designed in a manner to accord force at the right juncture.

Being a solitary animal the union is only for reproduction. This is also the reason for the males being highly territorial. They mark their territory by scratch marking, scent-marking through urine and feces, and with the use of deafening roars.     

After a gestation period of three months, the female delivers a litter of three to four cubs weighing a little more than a kg and born blind. The eyes open after two weeks during the time they stay at one place giving enough opportunity to the hungry tigress to feed itself properly. 

The male tiger guards the family but does not assist in the rearing.

The National Park is accessible from the Raipur Capital of Chhattisgarh, Gondia in Maharashtra, and Jabalpur. The drive from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh is about one hundred sixty-five km via Mandla. This is the preferred route along with the drive from Nagpur. Most of the hotels are situated at Khatia and Mukki Gates. 

The park safari timings are from predawn to 11.00 am and from noon to the onset of sunset. The number of jeep entries is limited at each of the four zones. The zones are Kanha, Sarhi, Mukki and Kisli.

Before arriving the tiger tour at Kanha can be booked through the tour operators as well at MP Online Portal. Advance booking is required so book your ticket while planning the journey.   

Besides booking your hotel one needs to hire a jeep for the safari. They are available for hire near the gates. The tour can be arranged with the help of accommodation you are staying at so that is not a big problem.  

While on safari carry mineral water and food. Keep books on Indian Wildlife and birds. Wear light-colored clothes and keep a good pair of binoculars.