Wildlife in Kanha

Vast, Kipling-esque and supporting an incredible diversity of wildlife across grasslands, wetlands, open meadows and highland forest, Kanha is the largest park in Central India and perhaps the country’s greatest wildlife reserve. The park’s bounds cover around 550km² over two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar. Combined with a buffer zone measuring around 1,000km², and the nearby Phen Sanctuary, it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve, home to some 100 Royal Bengal tigers. Protecting the tiger here was controversial, as it required the enforced relocation of the semi-nomadic Baiga people to what turned out to be barren land, leading to high rates of alcoholism and destitution.

But this is where India’s successful drive to protect its tigers had its beginning, and Kanha continues to be one of the most popular places in the country for tiger safari vacations. Sadly, recent years have seen the tiger population depleted by poaching, but the park is still an immensely popular destination for wildlife vacations, and income from tourism convinces local people to help protect the remaining tigers.

Wildlife safaris in India’s national parks are tightly regulated but not flawless. We always recommend that groups book with a responsible operator, preferably one that is a member of TOFT (Travel Operators for Tigers) so that you can be confident the interests of the animals are put first by the guides.

Morning and afternoon safaris take place in open-topped jeeps, so that you can stand up to get a better view. Expert guides may lead you to pools and streams where mammals congregate, or to views of tall grass around the edges of meadows where tigers are known to stalk prey such as antelope and swamp deer. Most tiger sightings tend to be in the mornings, as they cross roads in search of shaded spots to avoid the heat of the day. Herds of wild elephants are often encountered too – always a memorable moment.

Responsible tourism in India

Saurabh Agrawal of our specialist India operator Chinkara Journeys:
“India is behind the curve in terms of sustainable tourism, but that is changing with a collective realisation that our spectacular habitats, abundant flora and fauna and unique culture are our most precious resources. To cater to the increasing demand for ecotourism, land around parks and sanctuaries is being cleared through deforestation to accommodate hotels and lodges. Resources such as water and electricity are often in short supply and tourism puts pressure on these services and supplies which can in turn reduce what is available to local people. Waste management is another challenge particularly with plastic such as water bottles.”

“Tourism can bring many benefits to the people we visit, helping to provide a living for communities and promoting cross-cultural awareness. We try to identify and reduce negative impacts to ensure that adventure travel is a positive and sustainable experience for our clients and local people. Our mission is to provide our clients with the adventure of a lifetime by offering them a means to experience diverse cultures and explore unfamiliar landscapes in a safe, exciting and responsible way.”