Kanha National Park – Inheritance of Bhoorsingh

Kanha national park is one the most unique forest you can visit in India.
It is believed that Rudyard Kipling got the inspiration for writing ” Jungle Book” from the forest of central India like Kanha and Pench. It is located in state of Madhya Pradesh on banks of river Banjar which is tributary of river Narmada. Kanha tiger reserve is dense forest of Sal, bamboo and meadows form extensive landscape.

Meadows here are very picturesque. It has unique fauna also. This land in not just about tigers. It is land of Bhoorsingh. Bhoorsingh also known as Barasingha is endemic species found in Kanha. It has got 12 (Bara) antlers(Singh), hence the name. They are also known as hard ground swamp deer. Once found in abundance across Indian sub-contient it is almost extinct from entire sub continent except Kanha National Park in India. They were on brink of extinction in India too. Thanks to conservation and closely monitored re-introduction program by forest department they have made strong comeback.

Kanha has 4 main zones: Kanha, Kisli, Mukki and Sarhi. While all zones are unique and have their own charm, Kanha zone happens to be my favourite. It has extensive meadows, edged by thick forests, an ideal habitat for tigers to stalk and hunt. It is in these meadows that Bhoorsingh are sighted in abundance along with other herbivores like Black buck, spotted deer, sambar etc. Predators here are abound too. Not to forget other important mammals like jackals, hyenas, gaurs & wolves.

If you want to see Bhoorsingh, Kanha meadows is place to go. The presence of this magnificent deer enriches the meadows. The behaviour of Bhoorsingh is fun to observe. A male will have a harem of up to 20 females. To ensure his genes continue to flourish he has to guard the harem, defend against challengers and mate with his concubines in heat. During courtship, male will announce his presence to competitor males by loud sound like roar. To appear bigger and impressive to the females and competition, the male will decorate antlers with grass. If required they will get into fights with other males and ensure they father new generation. Mating season generally is from September to April. Fawns are born August to November when the grass is green to feed and hide from predators.

Bhoorsingh and Tigers are key attraction here. Tiger experience is always luck based but here its even more challenging because of spread of jungle. But one thing is for sure. Flora and fauna here is bountiful. You will never have dull moment. On the land of inherited by Bhoorsingh the spirits of wild will always keep your senses awakened.