Kanha National Park in India is famous for saving a rare and once almost extinct species of Swamp Deer, which is also popularly known by which of the following names?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about wildlife conservation and Indian national parks. Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is not only a famous tiger reserve but also a critical habitat for a specific type of Swamp Deer. This deer was once on the brink of extinction, and focused conservation efforts helped its numbers recover. Examinations often test the association between a park and a flagship species, especially when special protection programmes have been highlighted in textbooks and conservation campaigns.

Given Data / Assumptions:
We are told that Kanha National Park is saving the rare and almost extinct species of Swamp Deer, and asked by what other name this animal is known. The options are:

• Barasingha
• Black Buck
• Chinkara
• Nilgai

We assume the learner knows that Swamp Deer is a common name, and one of these options is its popular local or Hindi name in the Indian context.

Concept / Approach:
The Swamp Deer found in Kanha is commonly called the Barasingha. The name Barasingha literally means “twelve horned” in Hindi, referring to its many tined antlers. Kanha National Park is often cited as a success story in saving the Barasingha from extinction through habitat protection and breeding programmes. Black Buck, Chinkara, and Nilgai are all different antelope or deer like species found in India, but they are not the Swamp Deer associated with Kanha's special project.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Kanha National Park is known for its Barasingha conservation project. Step 2: Recognise that Barasingha is a local name for the Swamp Deer with large multi tined antlers. Step 3: Compare this with Black Buck, a black and white antelope of grasslands, and Chinkara, the Indian gazelle, which look different and inhabit more open dry habitats. Step 4: Remember that Nilgai is a large antelope also called blue bull, common in northern India's farmlands, not a Swamp Deer. Step 5: Conclude that the Swamp Deer protected at Kanha is the Barasingha, and choose that option.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification comes from standard environment and ecology chapters in exam guides, which often state: “Kanha National Park – famous for Barasingha or Swamp Deer.” Additionally, conservation stories about Kanha mention that the Barasingha was brought back from the brink of extinction by creating suitable grassland and wetland habitats. None of the other animals listed—Black Buck, Chinkara, Nilgai—are commonly labelled as Swamp Deer in any text. This repeated pairing of Kanha and Barasingha in reliable references confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Black Buck: A black and white antelope found in open grasslands, not a Swamp Deer; protected in other sanctuaries like Velavadar.

Chinkara: Also called the Indian gazelle, a small and slender antelope found in arid regions, not the wetland loving Swamp Deer.

Nilgai: A large antelope known as the blue bull, common in farmlands and scrub forests, not the rare Swamp Deer species of Kanha.

Common Pitfalls:
Because all the options are hooved animals found in India, candidates may confuse them if they rely only on vague memory. Another pitfall is mixing up various conservation success stories, such as those of the Asiatic Lion in Gir, one horned Rhinoceros in Kaziranga, and Barasingha in Kanha. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to memorise a short list of park–species pairs: Kanha – Barasingha, Kaziranga – one horned Rhino, Gir – Asiatic Lion, Corbett – Tiger, and so on.

Final Answer:
The Swamp Deer species protected in Kanha National Park is popularly known as the Barasingha.