Kanha National Park – Rich Biodiversity of Flora and Fauna
By: David H.
Submitted: 2011-09-30 21:43:46 | Word Count: 612
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 finest tiger reserves in the country which is spread over an area of 940 square kilometers and has a horse-shoe like shape due to the valley of the Maikal Ranges.
This National Park was created in 1955 by a special statute.This was done in order to save the swamp deer (Barasingha) from near extinction.This animal species forms a considerable population of the Park.It is the only habitat of this hard ground deer.From then on, a series of conservation programmes have been taken up by the Kanha National Park to protect and preserve its rich flora and fauna.
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Kanha Tiger Reserve came into being in 1974, when it was selected for Project Tiger in order to save this majestic beast from disappearing from this planet.The National Park is one of the richest in terms of flora and fauna.The biodiversity in the Kanha National Park leaves one amazed to the core.
Flora in Kanha National Park: The plant life in the park forms the basis for the healthy and rich fauna population.The whole life cycle of the animals, both herbivores and carnivores, depends much on the plants.There are over 600 species of flowering plants in the National Park.
The forest is spread over huge plains and plateaus.Sal and other mixed forest trees form an interesting mix in the jungle which intersperse with the lowland meadows.Bamboos also form a major chunk of the jungle slopes.One of the most interesting species of trees in the dense forest of Kanha is the Indian Ghost Tree (Kullu) which shines and is easily visible in the densest part too.
There are wide expanses of meadows in the jungle which are in fact open grasslands which have grown after the villages were abandoned.These tall grasses form a perfect shelter for the hard ground Swamp Deer (Barasingha).There are also abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs which flourish in the forest.The lakes in the Park form a perfect base for the survival of aquatic plants which in turn help the migratory and wetland species of birds.
Fauna in Kanha National Park: There is an abundance of a variety of animal life in the jungle.The herbivores provide food to the animals of prey and they themselves feed upon the various kinds of flowers, fruits and insects present here.The entire ecosystem of the jungle works in perfect coordination.There are numerous types of animals in the Kanha National Park.
The National Park in Kanha is home to the most endangered species of animals and that is the hard ground Swamp Deer (Barasingha) which is now very visible to the onlooker.Apart from these one can easily view Cheetal, Sambhar and the Spotted Deer in the meadows grazing away in a serene manner.
Langurs and sloth bears also make their presence felt in the jungle.It is a real joy to see the whole gang of langurs hopping from one tree to another, carrying their young ones close to their heart.
Apart from this, there are various types of insects like the termites and spiders which also add an enriching value to the eco-system of the jungle and help in the decomposing of the flora as well as fauna too.
Thus, a visit to the Kanha National Park not only involves the sighting of the wild animals but it also compels one to study the amazing dynamics of the jungle and its eco-system.
