India has many stunning national parks all along the length and breadth of its borders, but one overlooked gem is the Kanger Valley National Park of Chhattisgarh. Located in Jagdalpur in the Bastar district, the park gets its name from the Kanger River, which meanders from the northwest to the southeast of the park.
Renowned for its diverse topography, the Kanger Valley features low flatlands, gentle slopes, steep inclines, plateaus, deep gorges, valleys, and winding stream courses that captivate visitors. Spanning 200 sq km and with elevation ranging from 338 to 781 m above sea level, people come here to see the waterfalls, wildlife, limestone caves, and nature trails that dot the landscape.
Recently, Kanger Valley National Park was included in the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites (read more here), making it the first place in Chhattisgarh to achieve this prestigious recognition. Experts carried out an in-depth study about its biodiversity, archaeological ancestry, and unique ecosystem before filing the application.
Many people enjoy travelling to national parks because of the wildlife encounters they hope to have. At Kanger Valley National Park, visitors can witness a diverse range of wildlife, including 49 species of mammals, from panthers to smaller carnivores like striped hyenas and dholes. The park also hosts populations of chital, barking deer, langurs, rhesus macaques, giant squirrels, and more.
Arguably, the topmost attraction of the park is Chhattisgarh’s state bird, the Bastar hill mynah (Gracula religiosa peninsularis). Efforts are currently underway to protect the bird from extinction, as people often cage and sell them as pets due to their ability to mimic the human voice. Besides the Bastar hill mynah, visitors can see nearly 201 species of birds like crested serpent eagles, the Malabar whistling thrush, and the rufous-tailed lark.
Kanger Valley National Park also boasts a diverse reptile population, encompassing 37 distinct species such as the Travancore wolf snake and green pit viper. The flora in the park consists chiefly of mixed moist deciduous types of forests with a predominance of sal, teak, and bamboo trees. In fact, the Kanger Valley is the only region in peninsular India where one of the last pockets of virgin and untouched forests are still left.
The national park has remarkable geological formations which makes a trip here all the more unique. Kotumsar, Dandak, and Kailash are limestone caves that not only provide shelter for wildlife, but are also sacred to the indigenous tribes of the area, like the Gonds. The caves feature stalactite and stalagmite formations and harbour a variety of wildlife, including bats, frogs, snakes, crickets, spiders, fishes, and millipedes.
Among the most popular attractions in Kanger Valley National Park is the Teerathgarh Waterfall. Located on the Kanger River, it falls 300 ft below the stilted hillside of natural structures, forming a magnificent fountain of milk-like foam. The waterfall was created thousands of years ago when a piece of the moon struck down the cliffs downstream of the river after an earthquake.
Kanger Valley National Park is a haven for adventurers. Visitors can try bamboo rafting and kayaking experiences on the Kanger River; embark on jungle safaris and birdwatching tours to encounter diverse wildlife such as tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, red junglefowl, Indian pitta, and more; trek scenic trails that will lead them deeper into the park's natural splendours; and spelunk with authorised guides.
Guests can also experience the local culture while shopping for exquisite handicrafts, tribal jewellery, aromatic spices, and captivating Chhattisgarhi art at nearby markets.
According to the Chhattisgarh Forest Department website, Kanger Valley National Park is open to visitors from November to June.
Take a flight to Maa Danteswari Airport (JGB) or the train to Jagdalpur railway station (JDB). The national park is 40 km from Jagdalpur by road.