Kapil Tyagi (India)
Visited: October, 15th, 03
After
the incredible excursion to Bandhavgarh, I was stimulated to set out for a
tour to Kanha National Park, more as a reason- being the very location which
galvanized Rudyard Kipling to immerge out with his chef d'oeuvre 'The Jungle
Book'. Kanha National Park is also quite famous for its panoramic grandeur.
The retrospection of Bandhavgarh was still novel in my mind, when I travel
out to explore Kanha. I boarded a train to Jabalpur from there Kanha is only
170 km. The entire terrain is dotted with the thick sal forests, tall bamboo
trees, waving grasslands and the rivers winding between the clump of trees,
enchanted me at the very first sight.
I had my overnight stay at the Krishna Jungle Resort
at the park entrance, the accommodation was fairly good and reasonable
comfortable. Next morning I was all set to encounter the tiger in its
coveted hideaway. I got the jeep safari without any prior booking due to my
off-season visit to the park. My guide was a well-informed man, it didn't
took him to locate the tiger, as he knew where to go about. I discovered
quite a few numbers of these royal beasts luxuriating in the cool shades of
dense trees while the cubs were playing around. It was just a fabulous
experience to sight a family of this royal creature from such a close
quarter.
Now I understood why it was preferred as the absolute site by the famous
zoologist George Schaller to endeavor the first ever-scientific study on the
Tiger. My guide informed me that the park came under "Project Tiger"
in1974 and since then it is entrusted to the safekeeping as well as the
rehabilitation of these highly endangered species.
It was not just the tiger that left me captivated- I was equally enthralled
at the vista of the antelope, blue bull and deer nibbling in the pastures
with vigilant eyes and jackals, leopards and wild cats on their roam. The
viewing of the bird folk flying high in the sky was another spellbinding
sight an idle location for bird watchers, I could also capture some of these
striking moments in my handy-cam.
I spent 2 delightful days in Kanha without realizing how time flew away. I
fasted for more wildlife adventure but it was time for another
peregrination.
