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Wildlife In India
India
is unique in the richness and diversity of its vegetation
and wildlife. Almost 350 mammal species, over a thousand and
two hundred species of birds in nearly 2100 forms and more
than 30,000 species of insects - provide evidence to the
wealthiness of wildlife in India Besides, there are a number
of species of fish, amphibians and reptiles. With over 4.5%
its geographical area covered by more than 75 national parks
and 425 sanctuaries, the range and diversity of India's
wildlife heritage matches the grandeur and magnificence of
her civilization.
India's
national parks and wild life sanctuaries (including bird
sanctuaries) from Laddakh in Himalayas to Souther tip of
Tamil Nadu. These parks, reserves, sanctuaries and forests
are vital to the conservation of endangered species, such as
Bengal tiger, the Asiatic Elephant, Lion, the Snow Leopard
and Siberian Crane. India's first national park, the Corbett
was established in the foothills of Himalayas. It supports a
great variety of mammals and over 585 species of birds. The
Wild Elephant population is on the increase and both tiger
and leopard are regularly seen.
Kanha National
Park is the largest of the original tiger reserves. The park
is noted for its local herd of swamp deer. Also in Kaziranga
is found a species of the swamp deer found in Kanha A third
subspecies (and the largest population) of swamp deer is at
the Dudhwa National Park in the northeastern UP.
The
magnificent bird sanctuary at Bharatpur Provides a vast
breeding area for the native water birds. During the winters
(November-March) migratory birds arrive in large numbers,
including the Siberian Crane. In the Indian deserts, the
most discussed bird is the Great Indian bustard. In western
Himalayas, one can see birds like Himalayan monal pheasant,
western tragopan, koklass, white crested khalij cheer
pleasant, griffon vultures, lammergiers, choughs, ravens. In
the Andaman and Nicobar region, about 250 species and sub
species of birds are found, such as rare Narcondum hornbill,
Nicobar pigeon and megapode. Here are also other birds like
white-bellied sea eagle, white breasted swiftlet and several
fruit pigeons. All these could be observed in Andaman's 6
national parks and over ninety wildlife sanctuaries.
The Himalayas
(foothills) are known for big mammals like elephant, sambar,
swamp, deer, cheetal, wild boar tiger, panther, hyena, black
bear and sloth bear, porcupine, Great Indian one horned
rhinoceros, wild buffalo, gagetic gharial, golden langur.
Wild ass, sheep, deers, smaller mammals, snow leopards,
wolf, cats and brown beers are in plenty in the western
Himalayas. While the national park and sanctuaries of
northern and central India are better known, there are quite
a few parks and sanctuaries in South India, too, e.g. ,
Madumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur Tiger Reserve and
Nagahole National Park in Karnataka.
A tour of
Indian wildlife sanctuaries and national parks is a fabulous
travelmasti. Contrary to the experiences of African Safari,
the vegetation and terrain in India is such that wild
animals are often solitary or in small herds, elusive and
shy. The thick forest and dense grassland with openings for
streams and rivers, provide the cover for Indian wildlife.
Unlike the
situation prevailing over a decade or two ago, Wildlife
Safari in India now facilitates seeing a tiger, a rhinoceros
or a herd of wild elephant. Ranges of Safari Packages are an
offer, courtsey the tourism departments of states as well as
tour and travel agencies. These Safari / Safari Packages are
unique and unparalleled. The kind of diversity. Indian
wildlife can boast off is not available anywhere else in the
world. The great Himalayan Mountains, forests, national
parks, sanctuaries (including bird sanctuaries) - all
constitute a terrific travelmasti.
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List of
Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks
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