Kiplingesque Kuno

A naturalist’s Elysium, Kuno Wildlife sanctuary has witnessed a drastic progression of landscape in a short time span. Heralded as the artificially maintained meadow of the Royals of Gwalior, a wildlife haven was soon born, ex-nihilo. Definitely Kuno has a lot to give back to the people who visit this enchanting landscape.

- Ridhima Solanki

A LION’S SHARE OF ATTENTION

Cloistered from the laymen eyes, Kuno caught the interest of the wildlife fraternity because of the Asiatic lions. The Asiatic lions have a sole home in Gujarat since long and the concern of staffing the unique gene-pool at a single location made scientists looking for a second home in its historical range. The semi-arid habitat, connecting forests and good grasslands of Kuno made it a possible site for lion relocation. In 1993-1994, the managerial intervention started and Kuno WLS was planned to be people-free to avoid conflict with lions. Post the relocation, it was a changed Kuno. As it is said, nature works its best when left alone. Within a few years, a land that was once toiled for granary interspersed with the presence of cattle and humans were soon replaced with grasslands and its herbivores such as chowsingha, blackbuck and chital. And though the landscape had revived, it was still yet to see the day when the lions would walk with pride. The drawing of lion-look alike at the Tiktoli gate looked depressing, not because the artist did not do justice to the image, but the wait for the home-coming lion was rather comatose. Thus my first impression of the field was disappointing largely due to the ignorance that Kuno was facing. I could not fathom what was so great about this 345 sq. km core wildlife sanctuary? However I was soon proved wrong!

IN THE HEART OF KUNO