50th Anniversary of Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park, nestled in the picturesque Makal hills of the Central Indian Highlands, spans over 940 sq km across Mandla and Balaghat Districts of Madhya Pradesh. Renowned as one of Asia’s most bountiful wildlife sanctuaries, it stands as a testament to India’s rich natural heritage. The sprawling meadows of Kanha, teeming with deer herds, have earned it the moniker of the ‘Ngorongoro of India’.

The park’s abundant fauna has long been celebrated by naturalists and conservationists. Early accounts by pioneers like Capt. Forsyth and Dunbar Brander have lauded its biodiversity. Dunbar Brander’s work, ‘Wild Animals in Central India’, remains a seminal contribution to the understanding of India’s wildlife, drawing extensively from Kanha’s rich ecosystem.

Kanha’s journey towards conservation began over five decades ago when a portion of its western region was declared a sanctuary in 1955 after a dark episode of tiger hunting. Since then, the park has steadily expanded in size and stature, culminating in its designation as a national park. With subsequent expansions and the establishment of a buffer zone, Kanha has emerged as a flagship tiger reserve under ‘Project Tiger’.

The collaborative efforts of the Central Government, the State Government, and international organizations like the World Wildlife Fund have been instrumental in ensuring Kanha’s success as a wilderness reserve. Robust protection measures, including enhanced manpower, communication networks, and relocation of villages, have safeguarded its pristine wilderness.

A notable conservation achievement has been the recovery of the Central Indian Barasinga population, which was on the brink of extinction. Through dedicated conservation efforts, the population has rebounded significantly, showcasing the park’s commitment to preserving its unique biodiversity.

Kanha National Park has also played a pioneering role in wildlife research and community engagement. By involving local communities in conservation efforts and promoting sustainable land use practices in the buffer zone, Kanha has fostered a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

As Kanha and Project Tiger mark their respective milestones, the park stands as a beacon of hope for wildlife conservation in India. The stamp commemorating Kanha’s rich biodiversity, featuring the Indian Barasinga, pays tribute to the park’s legacy as a sanctuary for India’s magnificent wildlife.