Fly into Nagpur from where Kanha is 260 kms (or 160 kms from Jabalpur), located in the Satpura-Maikal range. It is one of India`s best known national parks. There is a seminal study on the behaviour of the tiger by George Schaller called the `Deer and the Tiger` which was conducted at Kanha - one of the factors that brought Kanha into worldwide prominence. You see a tigress patrolling her territory just before sunset. She is fitted with a radiocollar`- by which the scientists track the movements of the tiger within the forest.
Sunrise in Kanha. There are two slots for tiger sighting - Go in at sunrise and return by noon, or start mid afternoon and return by sunset. Kanha boasts of about 22 species of mammals. Some of the inhabitants of the park are the gaur, the largest of the world`s cattle, the sambar,the largest Indian deer; and the chausingha, the only four-horned antelope in the world.
Kanha meadow. Important to preserve the environment. Kanha is closed during the monsoon. The Park came into being in 1955.
First rays of the sun filtering onto the forest-floor through the trees. Summer sighting is easier while in winter the forest is verdant.
Family of langurs on a dead tree trunk. Park timings Oct. 1 - Feb. 15- Sunrise to 1200 hrs., 1500 hrs. to sunset, Feb 16 - Aprl.15 - Sunrise to 1200 hrs., 1600 hrs. to sunset, Apr. 16 - Jun. 30 - Sunrise to 1100 hrs., 1700 hrs. to sunset
Bird called Shikra checking out the photographer ie Kusal. Most people visit Kanha between Feb and June. Keep 3-4 days.
Large radio collared male standing over his kill (dead cheetal visible in the cleft between the rocks).
"Do not disturb me in the middle of my lunch" says the King.
Tiger licking off the fur from the kill. Summer temprature is 43 max to 11 min degrees C. Winter it is 29 max to 2 min degrees C.
Spotted Owlet in the bole of a banyan tree.
In order to prevent the spread of forest fires, the park management create `Fire Lines` (narrow zones where no dead foliage is available to burn) by burning off dead vegetation in a controlled manner.
The bird that you see is Bhraminy Starling. We thank Bhavna M for giving us the name of the bird since had forgotton bird name.
Pack of wild dogs (called Dhole) at Kanha, possibly the most feared hunter of the forests.
A close up of a wild dog.
A Tigress resting near her kill in thick undergrowth.
A Tigress relaxing amidst thick undergrowth. Her eyes are white because of the reflection of the camera-flash.
Wildlife Population board in Kanha Tiger Reserve in 2006.
Map of the tourist zone in Kanha. Only 25% of the 1900 sq kms park is open to tourists.
You see the photographer Kusal with his charming son Neel.
Neel and his friends from Kolkata enjoying the natural beauty at Kanha. The trio look very cute. Kanha is child-friendly. Neel has been going to Kanha since he was one. Now even the Tigers recognise him!
Sunrise at Kanha.
Water lily at Kanha.
This is a giant wood spider. It is known for building huge webs which can be more than 10 feet across and the insect itself can be as much as 4-5 inches in diameter.
An alert Jackal in Kanha.
A healthy male tiger spraying its scent. This is a standard way of marking territories for tigers.
Lord of the Jungle in his daily beat.
A herd of alert chital watching a tiger pass by in the distance.
A close up of the chital (spotted deer).
Tracking the tiger on elephant back. Ther tiger is In the middle foreground - half submerged in a stream. Note the high grass which also comes up to the shoulders of the elephants. This variety of grass is called elephant-grass for this reason.
The tiger in a philosophical mood - who knows what lies ahead….
The candid look…
A tigress in all her splendour amidst nature. Note her reflection in the water and the look in her eyes.
Celebrating young Neel`s 7th birthday at Kanha. In the centre of the picture, feeding him a piece of cake is Dr Eric D`Cunha, a qualified ornithologist and Director at Wild Chalet Resort. Eric has spent the last 25 years of his life at Kanha and is a dedicated conservationist.
The Jackal - the epitome of cunning !
A close to fully grown male tiger cub.
The hard-ground Barasingha (Swamp deer), found only at Kanha and known as the `Jewel of Kanha`.
A tiger making a beeline for you. A sight to set the heart racing!
"Don`t mess with me" - says the Queen of the Jungle.
The tigress`s skin glowing in the setting sun.
The Greater Racket-tailed Drongo - one of the most interesting birds of Kanha.
A panoramic view of Kanha from Bahmani Dadar, the highest point of the national park, also known as Sunset Point.
A rare sight, a barking Deer in full alert!
Three Blue Jays (Indian Roller) having a ball on the topmost branches of a dead tree.
Peaceful co-existence. A peacock, a peahen and a pair of Chital, with an Adjutant Stork presiding over the proceedings.
Sunset at Kanha in the month of May.
A Barasingha grazing in the backdrop of fallen leaves in the height of summer at Kanha.
A peacock strutting around in the meadow at Kanha. These birds are found all over the park. Peacock is the national bird of India.
A male tiger in the prime of his life.
Enjoy the Tiger.
The tiger approaching a waterhole, alert for a literal "quick-kill" opportunity !
All senses on high alert. If you go to Kanha from Jabalpur see the Marble Rocks, Dhuandhar Falls and the Chausath Yogini Mandir .
The regal beauty of the tiger. Only three hours drive for the Resort, The Palace Kawardha was designed and built by Maharaja Dharamraj Singh in the period 1936-39 The magnificence of the domed and filigreed DURBAR HALL, along with the marble staircases and elegant sweeping verandhas.
After emerging from a mud bath in a waterhole, the tiger spots a pair of wild boar in the distance.
Rearing up on its hind legs, the tiger puts up his call-sign by leaving deep scratches on the bark of a tree. This is another standard method of marking territory for male tigers.
The tiger in a pensive mood - thinking about Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori in their latest movie Kites.
A grimace in Tigerland. Let us resolve to Save the Tiger and protect the forests.
Rolling in the dust just like your friendly neigborhood tabby cat.
The celebrity walks offs with complete nonchalance, oblivious to the queue of shutterbugs (photographers).
A herd of Gaur (Indian Bison - the largest cattle in the world) wallowing in a river-bed in a hot summer afternoon.
A peacock trying its best to impress its partner. If you would like to buy any of these pictures contact Kusal Roy + 91 98203 09000.