Deers of Kanha

Kanha National Park is often called the “Kingdom of the Deer”, a title that captures the grace and abundance of its ungulate population. From the elegant barasingha (swamp deer) to the nimble chital (spotted deer) and the shy sambar, Kanha’s meadows and sal forests echo with the rhythms of these creatures’ daily lives. For guests at Surwahi Social Ecoestate Kanha, observing these herds in their natural environment is one of the most immersive experiences in the heart of central India.

The deer species of Kanha play a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance of the tiger reserve. As primary grazers, they help regulate plant growth and sustain the food chain that supports apex predators like the Bengal tiger and leopards. The barasingha, in particular, is Kanha’s emblematic species. Once on the brink of extinction in the 1960s, with only about 60 individuals remaining, the swamp deer became a symbol of successful wildlife conservation in India. Through careful habitat restoration, protection measures, and relocation efforts, their population has now surpassed 800, a triumph credited to the joint efforts of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, NTCA, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

• Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi): Found only in Kanha; state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
• Chital (Axis axis): Most abundant deer species, known for spotted coat and symbiotic relation with langurs.
• Sambar (Rusa unicolor): Largest Indian deer; key prey for tigers.
• Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak): Small, solitary, and alarm-call emitting.
• Nilgai & Antelope: Found in buffer zones; share habitats with deer species.

At Surwahi Social Ecoestate Kanha, conservation education forms a key pillar of the guest experience. Visitors learn that protecting herbivores is as vital as saving predators, as the two are interlinked in the web of life. Through eco-guided safaris, interpretive walks, and community partnerships, Surwahi promotes awareness of prey-predator balance, habitat protection, and local livelihood models that reduce forest dependence.

• Best observed at dawn or dusk; stay quiet and maintain distance.
• Use binoculars instead of flash photography.
• Opt for eco-certified guides familiar with animal behavior.
• Refrain from feeding wildlife; it disrupts natural patterns.