Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh

Kuno National Park is a protected area located in the Sheopur and Morena districts of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was established in 1981 and covers an area of approximately 344 square kilometers. The park is known for its diverse flora and fauna, with over 200 species of plants and a wide range of animals, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, chitals, and sambars.

Kuno National Park is also home to the critically endangered species of the Indian wolf and the caracal. The park is named after the Kuno River, which flows through it and is an important water source for the local flora and fauna. The park is not only a haven for wildlife but also a popular tourist destination, attracting nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world.

This article will cover all facts of Kuno National Park for the UPSC Exam.

Location of Kuno National Park

• Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur & Morena districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.
• It is situated in the Vindhya Range, which is a part of the Central Indian Highlands.
• The park covers an area of approximately 344 square kilometers.
• It is located at a distance of about 140 kilometers from Gwalior, the nearest major city.
• Kuno National Park shares its boundaries with the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh to the east and the Karauli district of Rajasthan to the west.
• The Kuno River flows through the park, which is an important water source for the local flora and fauna.
• The park’s location in a hilly and forested region provides a diverse and rich habitat for wildlife, making it an important conservation area.

Event	Year
Establishment of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary	1981
Notification of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary as a national park	2018
Proposed reintroduction of Asiatic lions	Ongoing

Flora & Fauna of Kuno National Park

Flora

• Kuno National Park is home to over 200 species of plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbs.
• The park has a mix of deciduous and dry deciduous forests, with teak, sal, and bamboo being some of the dominant tree species.
• Other important plant species found in the park include amla, banyan, pipal, Arjun, khair, and bel.

Fauna

• Kuno National Park has a diverse range of wildlife, with over 30 species of mammals, 150 species of birds, and many reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
• Some of the key mammals found in the park include tigers, leopards, sloth bears, chitals, sambars, nilgais, wild boars, and hyenas.
• Kuno National Park is one of the few places in India where the critically endangered Indian wolf can be found.
• The park is also home to the caracal, striped hyena, golden jackal, and fox.
• Several species of reptiles and amphibians can be found in the park, including snakes, lizards, frogs, and toads.
• The park is also an important habitat for many bird species, including raptors, waterfowl, and passerines.

Species in Kuno National Park

Species	Scientific Name
Bengal Tiger	Panthera tigris tigris
Indian Wolf	Canis lupus pallipes
Indian Wild Dog	Cuon alpinus
Indian Bustard	Ardeotis nigriceps
Sloth Bear	Melursus ursinus
Lesser Florican	The population is not well-studied in the park
Mugger Crocodile	Crocodylus palustris
Leopard	Panthera pardus
Chinkara	Gazella bennettii
Sambar Deer	Rusa unicolor
Four-horned Antelope	Tetracerus quadricornis

History & Significance

The history of Kuno National Park dates back to 1981 when the Government of India initiated the process of setting up a wildlife sanctuary in the area. The area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, and in 1994, it was proposed as a site for reintroducing Asiatic lions, which had become extinct in the area.

The proposal for the reintroduction of lions received strong support from conservationists, who saw it as an opportunity to restore the ecological balance in the region. In 2000, the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a national park, and efforts to reintroduce the lions began in earnest.

The significance of Kuno National Park lies in its potential to be a second home for Asiatic lions, which are currently found only in the Gir National Park in Gujarat. The reintroduction of lions in Kuno is a crucial step towards their conservation and the restoration of their historic range.

Apart from the reintroduction of lions, Kuno National Park is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it an important ecological hotspot. The park’s forests are home to several rare and endangered species, including the Indian wolf and the Indian bustard.

Overall, the establishment of Kuno National Park and the reintroduction of Asiatic lions in the area is a testament to the Indian government’s commitment to conservation and the protection of the country’s rich natural heritage.

Challenges and Conservation Efforts in Kuno National Park

Challenges

Kuno National Park faces several challenges, both natural and man-made, that threaten the park’s ecosystem and its wildlife. Some of the significant challenges are as follows:

1. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Human settlements around the park and the encroachment of wildlife habitat have led to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts, with incidents of crop raids, livestock depredation, and attacks on humans on the rise.
2. Poaching and Illegal Trade: Kuno National Park is also facing the threat of poaching and illegal trade of its wildlife, especially the endangered species found in the park.
3. Lack of Adequate Resources: The park faces a severe shortage of resources, including personnel, equipment, and funds, which hinders effective conservation efforts.

Conservation Efforts

To mitigate these challenges and protect the park’s flora and fauna, several conservation efforts have been undertaken. These include:

1. Anti-Poaching Measures: The park authorities have taken measures to prevent poaching and illegal trade of wildlife, including setting up anti-poaching camps, deploying patrol teams, and conducting regular surveillance.
2. Habitat Restoration: Efforts are underway to restore the natural habitat of wildlife and ensure the availability of water, food, and shelter for the park’s flora and fauna.
3. Community Participation: The park authorities are also working with local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict by providing compensation for crop and livestock losses and promoting eco-tourism as an alternative livelihood option.
4. Lion Reintroduction Program: The reintroduction of Asiatic lions in the park is a crucial conservation effort, and several steps have been taken to ensure the success of the program, including the construction of a predator-proof enclosure to house the lions and the establishment of a breeding program.

Other National Parks of Madhya Pradesh