The grasslands are vital for the survival of herbivore populations, forming a critical component of the ecosystem that sustains a rich diversity of wildlife. Grasslands in India are relatively rare, and many of those found within national parks, including Kanha, are largely the result of human intervention rather than purely natural formations. These anthropogenic grasslands, however, have become essential in the conservation and management of wildlife, providing key grazing areas that support species like barasingha, spotted deer, and other herbivores, which in turn sustain the park’s predator species.
Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha Tiger Reserve, one of the first nine national parks included in Project Tiger in 1973-74, stands as a beacon of conservation success in India. Located in the Maikal Hills of the Satpura Range, within the Deccan Peninsula-Central Highlands, Kanha was initially designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and later declared a national park in 1955. Spanning a core area of 917.43 square kilometers, surrounded by a buffer zone of 1,134.36 square kilometers, Kanha is a rich mosaic of grassy expanses, flat hilltops (Dadars), dense forests, and riverine woodlands. It is renowned not only for its significant population of tigers but also for its pivotal role in saving the hard ground barasingha from extinction. Today, Kanha is recognized as one of Asia’s best-managed parks, providing a safe haven for a diverse array of flora and fauna, thanks to decades of dedicated conservation efforts.
The Vegetation
Four principal vegetation types have been identified in Kanha: Moist Deciduous Forest, Dry Deciduous Forest, valley meadow and plateau meadow. The vegetation is chiefly made up of Sal and Bamboo forests, and grassland. The forests are categorized in the following types as per Champion & Seth: moist Sal forests with subgroups high-level Sal and low-level Sal, and miscellaneous forests, with subgroups southern tropical moist deciduous forest and southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest.
There is a mosaic of grassland and forests in the reserve, this mosaic habitat is considered as one of the best habitat types suited to tigers. In general Herbivores prefer grasslands, as grasses provides the required nutrition to them. These grasslands sustain the population of herbivores which in turn favor the tigers. While the grassland supports the prey for tigers, forests provide cover for them.
The grasslands
The grasslands of Kanha Tiger Reserve are a crucial component of the habitat mosaic that sustains both prey and predator populations. With more than 38 grasslands spread across the reserve, they play an especially vital role in supporting the endangered hard ground barasingha, one of Kanha’s flagship species. Interestingly, most of these grasslands are anthropogenic in origin, formed on the sites of relocated villages, old agricultural fields, and former areas of shifting cultivation. The meadows, once under pressure from grazing village cattle, have since seen a resurgence of herbivore populations after village relocation efforts. These grasslands now contribute significantly to the thriving wildlife ecosystem of Kanha.
Although the grasslands cover only about 8% of the Core Zone, they are incredibly important for the survival of the reserve’s large ungulate populations, including barasingha, deer, and other herbivores. These grasslands are highly diverse, comprising around 16 distinct plant communities. However, the heavy grazing pressure, exacerbated by natural topographic barriers, presents ongoing challenges in managing these essential habitats.
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Major Grasslands of Kanha Tiger Reserve:
The major grassland meadows of Kanha, including Sonf, Ronda, Kanha, and Kisli meadows, have a fascinating history tied to human habitation and subsequent wildlife conservation. These meadows were once the agricultural fields and grazing lands of local villagers, but in the mid-20th century, the Indian government began relocating villages from the core areas of Kanha to create a more suitable habitat for wildlife. This was part of a larger conservation strategy aimed at protecting species like the hard ground barasingha, whose survival depended on open grassland habitats. Villages were gradually evicted from these core zones, with families resettled in other areas. As the villagers left, their former farmlands transformed into open meadows, which became crucial for sustaining herbivores. These grasslands now serve as vital grazing grounds for animals like the barasingha, chital, and sambar, while simultaneously supporting Kanha’s predator population. The successful relocation of villages allowed these grasslands to flourish, helping restore and maintain the balance of the Kanha ecosystem.
Grassland and Barasingha Conservation
Kanha’s grasslands are vital for the hard ground barasingha as they provide the species with the grazing grounds necessary for its survival. The barasingha depends on these grasslands for both food and shelter. The meadows serve as fawning grounds, ensuring safety and resources during the breeding season. The species primarily feeds on tender, palatable grasses, which are abundant in these meadows. However, past management practices such as regular burning and overgrazing put immense pressure on these grasslands, leading to degradation and a decline in the quality of forage available to the barasingha.
The conservation of the hard ground barasingha has been one of the most significant success stories of Kanha Tiger Reserve. At one point, the population of barasingha was on the brink of extinction, reduced to just a handful of individuals in the 1960s. The park management, recognizing the importance of this species, initiated targeted conservation efforts to save it. One of the key strategies was the restoration of the grassland ecosystem, as barasingha thrive in open meadows with abundant grasses.
The meadows that were once heavily grazed by village cattle have now become thriving habitats for herbivores, particularly barasingha. With the removal of anthropogenic pressures and scientific management of these grasslands, the population of the barasingha began to recover.
Today, the hard ground barasingha population in Kanha stands as a testament to successful wildlife conservation. From a mere 66 individuals in the 1960s, the population has rebounded to over 800 individuals, making Kanha the last remaining stronghold of this subspecies. The Sonf and Ronda meadows within the core zone are among the most important areas for the barasingha population, serving as their primary grazing and breeding grounds.
However, challenges remain. The grasslands continue to face pressures from grazing and invasive species, and ongoing management is essential to ensure the long-term survival of the barasingha. But thanks to the dedicated efforts of the park’s management and the focus on grassland restoration, the hard ground barasingha has been brought back from the brink of extinction, making Kanha’s grasslands a crucial component of its conservation success.
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Grassland Management
Grassland management in Kanha Tiger Reserve has been shaped by a complex interplay of past practices and current ecological challenges. Historically, early or cool burning of grasslands in winter was a standard method used to reduce fire hazards in the dry summer months. While this practice helped prevent widespread fires, it inadvertently led to the degradation of certain grasslands. The frequent burning, coupled with prolonged grazing pressure from large herbivore populations, sapped the vitality of rhizomes, leading to the decline of more palatable perennial grasses, particularly those critical for the hard ground barasingha.
Over time, grasslands began to suffer from the encroachment of invasive weed species such as Lantana camara and Parthenium hysterophorus, as well as hardy, less palatable grasses like Desmostachya bipinnata and Imperata cylindrica. The invasion of woody species, including Butea monosperma and Lagerstroemia parviflora, further threatens the health of these meadows, pushing the grasslands toward a woodland-dominated ecosystem.
This degradation process is exacerbated by overgrazing, which reduces the availability of palatable plant species and allows unpalatable or invasive species to dominate. In particular, the Sonf and Ronda meadows, critical to the barasingha population, have been showing signs of species composition changes, with tall grasses being replaced by less desirable vegetation. As a result, large herds of chital and other ungulates are increasingly dispersed, indicating the overgrazing issue. Managing these grasslands effectively requires balancing fire prevention, grazing pressure, and invasive species control to restore and maintain these crucial habitats for wildlife.
The study on grasslands indicates that burning and grazing are the key factors affecting the structure and function of grasslands, leading to secondary succession and changes in plant communities. Overgrazing and repeated fires have caused regressive trends, with fire and grazing intensities regulating both the successional stages of grasslands and the ungulate population’s use of these areas.
Conclusion
Kanha Tiger Reserve’s grasslands, though largely anthropogenic, are influenced by natural factors like flood and frost in some areas. From a management perspective, these grasslands can be categorized into hygrophilous (wet and semi-aquatic), mesophilous (moderately humid valleys and slopes), and plateau grasslands. Each of these types requires distinct management strategies due to their differences in composition and ecological needs.
In some harder ground areas, native grasses like Desmostachya bipinnata and Imperata cylindrica have emerged, preventing the invasion of other species. While Imperata can be allowed to expand along forest edges, Desmostachya patches need monitoring and selective management. Meadows within Kanha and Kisli are closely grazed, with rich species diversity, serving as important sites for herbivores, particularly during the dry season.
Saccharum spontaneum, a unique feature of Kanha’s grasslands, thrives even on less flooded grounds, requiring minimal management intervention. Narrow hygrophilous strips support species from the Cyperaceae family and wild rice species like Oryza rufipogon and Oryza minuta, which are significant for wild gene-pool conservation.
Weed infestation by exotic species like Cassia tora and Sida cordifolia affects mesic grasslands, especially in former village sites. Manual uprooting and mechanical treatment are used to control these weeds, with rhizomatous grasses like Vetiveria zizanioides being introduced in heavily infested areas. Occasional burning and the removal of invasive species like Lantana and Hyptis suaveolens have proven effective, while the retention of stunted bushes like Butea monosperma is recommended to support palatable grasses for herbivores during dry seasons.
