Places to visit:
Corbett National
Park,
Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary,
Sariska
Tiger Reserve,
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve,
Chail
Sanctuary
Introduction:
The most ancient in the history of man, dating to the Vedic age, Indian
traditions have stressed the importance for all forms of life. The total
area of India’s protected wilderness is approximately 90,000 sq. km.
and constitutes 3 per cent of the country’s total land area. Its
climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350 mammal and
1,200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent. A number
of these species are not found elsewhere on earth. In a land once famous for
its White Tiger, Snow Leopard, Asiatic lion, Lion Tailed Macaque, Great
Indian Bustard, Himalayan Tahr, Andaman Teal and the Monal Pheasant are just
a few animals and birds that are peculiar to the region. Wildlife tourism in
India is designed to give the best opportunities of exploring the country’s
rich natural heritage without disturbance to the fragile ecosystem. The
country’s protected wilderness consists of 53 National Parks and 247
Sanctuaries.
Mentioned below are certain National Parks & Sanctuaries, which have
been chosen based on their tourist facilities.
Corbett
National Park: One of India’s finest tiger reserves, Corbett
National Park is located in the south patlidum valley at the base of the
Himalayas. It has been named after a famous British hunter Jim Corbett.
Covering an area of 520 sq. km., the park supports a variety of vegetation.
Corbett’s forest is dense and lush, and its savannah grasslands have
almost 33 species of bamboo and grass apart from 110 species of trees, which
include
Sal, Shisham, Khair, Bakli and Pine. Besides the tiger,
Corbett’s faunal assemblage includes 50 species of mammals, 580 species
of birds and 25 species of reptiles.
It includes mammals like –
Tiger, Elephant, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Chital,
Deer, Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Sloth Bear, Birds – Kings Vulture,
Shikra, Kingfisher and reptiles – Indian Python, Viper, Cobra, Turtle,
Gharial and Mugger.
Ramganga River is the main source of water in the park which runs through
Corbett to form the Ramganga Lake. The best way to see wildlife at Corbett
is on elephant back. Trained elephants can be hired from the tourist complex
at Dhikala.
Best time to visit:
December to May.
Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary: Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur has as many
of 350 species of birds in an area of just 29 sq. km. referred to as a “Bird
Paradise”. Created by the Maharaja of Bharatpur as a hunting preserve
in the late 19th century, the area was declared a Sanctuary in 1956, a
National Park in 1981 and named after the local Shiva Shrine of Keoladeo. It
is home to migratory birds especially the Siberian Crane and the protected
breeding ground of hundreds of species of birds.
Sariska
Tiger Reserve: Located in the Aravalli range of hills that cut
across the princely state of Rajasthan, Sariska is spread over an area of
800 sq. km. A tiger reserve under Project Tiger, It was declared a Forest
Reserve in 1955. Most of Sariska’s wildlife can be viewed from well
concealed hides at Kalighatti, Salopka and Pandhupool - the main water
holes. Tigers and leopards also visit these sites.
The Neelkanth Temple and the Sariska Fort, both within the reserve
are of archaeological interest.
Best time to visit:
February to June.
Ranthambore
Tiger Reserve: Sprawled on the Aravalli and Vindhya Ranges of
Rajasthan, Ranthambore National park encompasses an area of 410 sq. km. in
which live a healthy population of about 40 tigers. Once it was reputed as
the hunting ground of Maharaja of Jaipur. A large numbers of deer inhabit
the area and leopards are occasionally sighted. The Padam Taloa lake,
located adjacent to the Jogi Mahal hunting lodge, is the park’s
favourite water source.
Best time to visit:
October to April.
Chail
Sanctuary: Chail Sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near
Chail Town in Shimla. It covers an area of 10,854. 36 hectares. The Deodar
and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are abode of
wildlife.Visitors are welcome to Chir Pheasant breeding centers at both
Blossom and Jhajja.One can see Goral, Red Deer, Himalayan Black Bear,
Sambar, Silver-white Oak, Barking Deer, Indian Hare, Common Langur, Leopard,
Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Yellow Throated Martin, Indian Porcupine, Kashmiri
Flying Squirrel.
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