Now Reading: Kanha, Nagarhole: Two Tiger Reserves, Two Safari Tales
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Kanha, Nagarhole: Two Tiger Reserves, Two Safari Tales
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the country's first tiger reserve, offers safaris across 2,074 sq km of sal forests and meadows. About 115 tigers roam here, alongside barasingha, leopards, and 300…
The Story in Brief
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, the country's first tiger reserve, offers safaris across 2,074 sq km of sal forests and meadows. About 115 tigers roam here, alongside barasingha, leopards, and 300 bird species. Safaris run twice daily; bookings open 120 days ahead on the forest department website. Jabalpur, 160 km away, is the nearest airport.
At Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, The Hindu's Nidhi Adlakha joined a land safari and a boat safari on the Kabini River. The reserve is home to 149 tigers, according to naturalist Chamaraj. Safaris resumed recently after a temporary government ban over human-animal conflicts. Her jeep missed a tiger sighting, but the river trip offered coracle rides and a traditional plantain-leaf meal.
The Indian Opinion
Both parks flaunt their big cats, yet the real story is the pressure of tourism. Online slots sell out instantly, so a safari becomes a lottery. Gates, jeeps, and WhatsApp tips turn a forest walk into a race. The bustle may be good for revenue, but the barasingha and the dhole need quiet too. Watch if either reserve caps daily visitors or starts rationing safari permits. That number will tell us if the tiger is the product or the host.
Sources (2): republicworld.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
