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This wondrous land India, is a haven of flora, fauna and avifauna. The legacy of bountiful wild animals includes 550 mammals, 30,000 insects and 2000 species and sub-species of birds, with over 500 species of reptiles and amphibians including the deadly king cobras, pythons, crocodiles and monitor lizards.India offers some outstanding forest reserves and distinctive habitats for sighting a variety of wild animals and birds.
The best way to explore and get a feel of the wild is by availing wildlife packages which have been designed keeping in mind the rich heritage of wildlife and the comforts of the travellers in mind.
The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks spread across the country offer a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna. India has preserved vast tracts of forests and habitats in its 441 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 80 National Parks.
So next time you travel to India, take a refuge in the quietude along with the wildlife and watch the exuberance of the bountiful nature in India.India's exotic wildlife reserves are home to the largest number of tigers and one-horned rhinoceros in the world, as well as the almost extinct Asiatic Lion, and a large percentage of the total Asian elephant population.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana Natiuonal Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well.
Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
More than 300 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29-sq-kms of which 11-sq-kms are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.
Bandhavgarh National Park
This is a small National Park; compact, yet full of game. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. This is also white Tiger country.
These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many years. The last known was captured by maharaja Martand Singh in 1951 .
This White tiger , Mohun, is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of the Mahrahahs of Rewa.Blessed with a large variety of creatures; both animals and birds, Bandhavgarh has the highest known density of tiger population in India. Covered with sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, the main wildlife viewing is still done in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.
The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal 'gaur', innumerable varieties of deer and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds.
Kanha National Park
The National Park of Madhya Pradesh comes under Project Tiger and covers 940 sq km of area. Known for being the only habitat of the rare hardground barasingha (blackbucks), it sports sal and bamboo forests, grasslands and streams.
The Deers and Tigers are the highlights of the park and it is one of the most well-maintained National Parks in Asia. Housing about 22 species of mammals and aboput 200 species of birds, it also has Bamni Dadar known as Sunset Point. Sighting and photographing tigers and other animals from elephant back is the ultimate adventure though one can also opt for jeep safaris.
Gir National Park
Located in the south west of the Saurashtra peninsula, the Gir National Park is a haven to about 300 Asiatic lions. The 1,412.13 sq Km. Park has a rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are covered in mixed deciduous forests.
There are teak, ber, flame of the forest and banyan trees.
Streams run through the deep ravines.The lions, a smaller more compact version of their African cousins are best viewed at dawn or dusk when they are on the move. Gir has also nearly 210 leopards and numerous chital, nilgai, chinkara, the four horned antelope and wild boar.
Marsh crocodiles are often seen along its rivers.
The forest is rich in bird life and the paradise flycatcher, black headed cuckoo shrike, pied woodpecker , Bonelli's eagle, crested serpant eagle, painted sandgrouse, bush quail and grey partridge are among the variety that is found here.
The 1412.13 sq km park has a rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are covered with mixed deciduous forests.
Apart from the lion other prominent fauna of the area includes leopards, wild ass, numerous chital, nilgai, chinkara, four horned antelope, wild boar, numerous birds like paradise flycatcher, Bonneli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, woodpeckers flamingo etc.
Wildlife in India... |
