Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?

Barasingha, also known as swamp deer, is a large deer species in India known for the distinctive twelve-tined stags.

Today, Barasingha are primarily found in:

• Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
• Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
• Manas National Park (Assam)
• Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh)

Kanha Tiger Reserve has a significant population of Bengal tigers, Indian wild dogs, and Barasingha. It was the reintroduction site for Barasingha and the first tiger reserve to officially introduce Barasingha as a mascot.

There are three subspecies of swamp deer found in the Indian Subcontinent:

• Western swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) - Found in Nepal.
• Southern swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) - Found in central and north India and adapted to hard ground due to its hard hooves.
• Eastern swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii ranjitsinhi) - Found in Kaziranga and Dudhwa National Parks and adapted to swampy areas.

Kanha National Park is well-known for conserving the subspecies of Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi) that thrives on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous.

Hence the correct answer is option (a).