Context: A tigress and her four cubs recently died at the Kanha Tiger Reserve due to a suspected outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV).
- These fatalities have brought the total tiger death count in Madhya Pradesh to 27 so far in 2026, prompting urgent wildlife investigations.
About Kanha Tiger Reserve:
What it is?
- Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) is one of India’s most renowned protected areas, globally recognized for its typical Central Indian floral and faunal biodiversity.
- Spanning 2,074.32 sq. km, it serves as a prime forest area for nature enthusiasts and conservationists.
Located in: The reserve is situated in the Maikal ranges of the Satpuras and falls within the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.
History:
- Establishment: It is one of India’s oldest protected areas, declared a reserve forest as early as 1879.
- National Park: It was officially designated a National Park in 1955.
- Project Tiger: Kanha was among the first nine tiger reserves included in India’s ‘Project Tiger’ initiative due to its high tiger population and prime habitat.
Key Features:
- Zoning: The reserve consists of a Core Area (940 sq. km) of critical tiger habitat and a Buffer Zone (1,134.36 sq. km) for multiple uses.
- Satellite Core: Includes the Phen Wildlife Sanctuary (110.74 sq. km), which acts as a satellitic micro-core under the reserve’s unified control.
- Flora: The landscape is characterized by lush green forests composed primarily of Sal Trees (Shorea Robusta) and other mixed forest varieties.
- Maikal Hills: Its location within the Maikal range provides a distinct rugged terrain characteristic of the Satpura mountain system.
Significance:
- Tiger Habitat: It supports a highly viable and dense population of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- Conservation Success: The park is credited with saving the Hard Ground Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) from extinction; for nearly fifty years, it held the world’s only remaining population of this species.
