Day 8 – Kanha National Park

Day 8 – Kanha National Park

There are many success stories of wildlife conservation are associated with this Kanha Tiger reserve and most prominent among them is the revival of population of hard Ground Barasingha. Kanha was declared a National Park in 1955 and Tiger reserve in 1973. The mammal and bird diversity of the park is fabulous having almost the entire faunal element of central India including Tiger, Leopard and Wild Dogs. 5 Types of Deer including the smallest one Mouse deer with Indian Gaur constitute the prey species for the carnivores. The beautiful mosaic of habitat of Sal forest and savannah grasslands are ideal for survival of the big mammals specially Tigers. Two perennial rivers flowing through the reserve ensures the water supply to the wildlife and forest throughout the year. Return to the lodge for lunch.
Later, visit the tribes of Gond and Baigha to see their lifestyle and way of living. Interact with the villagers and also see a tribal museum for an insight into their uniqueness and art. During the afternoon tour today, we will walk in the villages and meet interesting tribal people, often displaying beautiful jewelry and tattoos. Besides their unique lifestyle, which makes an interesting subject, their smiling faces are a photographer’s delight. The ancient Baiga tribe is indigenous to central India. Many of them can be found in the Mandla district, near Kanha National Park, in Madhya Pradesh. They live traditionally, in villages with mud huts and no electricity, completely untouched by modern development. They cook using primitive implements, cultivate and store their own rice, and brew potent toddy from the flowers of the sacred mahua tree. Throughout various phases of their life, Baiga women get tattoos on their head, arms, chest and legs, representing aspects of nature integral to the Baiga way of life. The Baigas still coexist with the Gonds. Yet, the Gond villages tell a different story of how this community has prospered while the Baigas have not. Artwork, which the Gonds have become well known for, has provided them with a lucrative source of income. Their homes have more facilities, often including electricity. Dinner & overnight at the lodge.
Accommodations: Kanha Earth Lodge