Wildlife in India
Just like the terrain and landscape, there's no dearth of india wildlife and travelling through the varied wildlife habitats located in various regions of India make any wildlife lover crave for more. The attention-grabbers from the Indian Animal Kingdom include the Bengal Tiger, the Asiatic Lion, the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros and the Indian Elephant.
Have you ever had a close encounter with any of them, till now, and that too on their land; then visit any of the numerous wildlife reserves in India and take a closer look of their wild world. Watching a Tiger just few inches away, may give some chill, but it will be the most thrilling experience of you life.
So plan a trip to visit the Indian wild regions and witness the varied natural heritage of India.
Bengal Tiger
Major Regions : Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala.
Famous Tiger Reserves : Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Corbett National Park, Sundarbans National Park.
Other Wildlife Attractions : Leopards, Antelopes, Deers, Sambar, Gaurs
The natural heritage in India is as rich and diverse as the cultural heritage. The wildlife sanctuaries and the national parks here give you an essence of the same. Nestled in this rich land is the Royal Bengal Tiger, the only home to the Royal Tiger Cat.
The largest living member of the cat family has a rather graceful built and gait. Bengal Tiger is the fastest running animal. Its length can measure up to 10 feet and has a weight ranging from 180 to 260 kgs.
The habitat of this elegant swift mammal (Bengal Tiger) varies from the swamps of the Sunderbans to the desert land at Ranthambore, from the foothills of Himalayas at Corbett National Park to Bandipur in the peninsular India. In 1973 was launched the Project Tiger to get hold of the dwindling count of the indian tigers.
Around 9 wildlife sanctuaries were declared as tiger reserves, which has now increases to 19 covering an area of 33,000 sq. kms in 14 states. The beauty of the royal bengal cat can now be seen in its natural surroundings in these conserved areas.
If you are fascinated by the royal Bengal tiger and wish to see it in its natural surroundings, a visit to these tiger reserves is bound to be an enchanting one. All these reserves have the facility of tours to the forested area to watch Bengal Tiger. One can choose a suitable mode to tour. It can be by jeep or on the elephant backs.
Corbett National Park was the first one covered under the Project Tiger. Named after the famous environmentalist Jim Corbett, it houses diverse flora and fauna and has weather suited for flourishing wildlife.
VISIT THESE TIGER RESERVES TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF BENGAL TIGERS ::
Sundarbans National Park
Come to Sundarbans where adventure awaits you at every corner. Known as the largest estuarine delta in the world, this Bengal Tiger's land vibrates with countless forms of colourful life.
Corbett National Park, U.P.
Corbett is India's first and finest national park spread along the banks of the Ramganga River, in the foothills of the Himalayas. A well-protected wild habitat, Corbett provides an unforgettable experience to a nature lover.
Kanha National Park
Ever though what it feels like to visit a tiger country, then visit the state of Madhya Pardesh, check out the wilds of Kanha and see for yourself why this place is called a wild hideout taken straight from the famous "Jungle Book".
aziranga National Park
The land of Rhino is counted among the two major wild pockets, the only surviving habitats of this prehistoric survivor in India.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Best known for its wildlife, is a must-see for all the visitors to Kerala. The Periyar lake lies at the heart of the sanctuary, which is a veritable paradise for all wildlife lovers.
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Probably the most visited park in India, Sariska was also a hunting reserve previously just like other national parks in India. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the "Project Tiger" as a tiger reserve in 1979.
Ranthambore National Park
A nearby attraction of Sawai Madhopur, in the state of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in the India.
INDIAN RHINO
Location : Assam, Northeast India
Famous Rhino Reserves : Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park
Other Wildlife Attractions : Tiger, Wild Buffalo, Wild Elephants.
A few centuries ago, the Indian one horned Rhinocerous ranged across the north Indian plains in the wetlands of the rivers Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra. Today this survivor from the prehistoric times is found only in pockets in the north eastern state of Assam and in Nepal.
In Assam, their Rhino habitat is limited to just two national parks - Kaziranga and Manas.
TYPE OF RHINOS
There are five kinds of Rhinos found in the world - white rhino, black rhino, Indian rhino, Javan rhino, and Sumatran rhino. The white and black Rhinos are live in Africa, while Indian, Javan and Sumatran are Asian Rhinos, found in Noth Pakistan, Assam in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The usual weight of an Indian Rhino is 2,000 kg. The one way to distinguish between a an Indian Rhino and an African Rhino is the single horn. Both white and black African Rhinos have two horns.
Another distinguishing feature of the Indian Rhinoceros is its skin, which is knobbly and falls into deep folds at its joints, giving a look like the Rhino is wearing a coat of armour.
Kaziranga National Park
Lying along the mighty Brahmaputra river, the Kaziranaga National Park covers an area of about 430-sq-kms. Its swamps and grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and patches of ever green forest support the largest number of Rhino population in the whole of Indian subcontinent. Once reached to an alarming point due to hunting and poaching, this area came under wildlife conservation in 1926 and in 1940, Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary.
Wild Attractions of Kaziranga - Indian Rhino
The open county makes wildlife viewing at Kairanga fairly easy. A day's outing is often sufficient for visitors to see most of the major species here. Elephants take them into the park at the early morning hours. Other wildlife attractions at Kaziranga include Barasingha, Wild Buffalo, Wild elephants and Wild Boars. The grassland area is a raptor country and the crested Serpant Eagle and the Pallas Fishing Eagle and the grey-headed fishing Eagle can be seen circling over the marshes.
The water-bird variety includes Swamp Parridges, Bar-headed Geese, Whistling Teal, the Bengal Florican, Storks, Herons and even Pelicans.
Manas National Park
Manas national park is another Rhino refuge and is noted for its population of the rare Golden Langur - found only this part of India. Other primates in Manas include the Capped Langur, Assamese Macaque, the slow Loris and the Hoolock Gibbon. Over 2, 840-sq-kms in area, Manas is a fascinating Tiger Reserve.
The reserve is also home to the attractive Red Panda, but these are seen occasionally in the higher elevations. Manas is a very special biosphere, for it harbours twenty species of birds and animals that are highly endangered and listed in the IUCN Red Data Book. These include the Hispid Hare and the Pigmy Hog.
ASIATIC LION
Location : Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, 42-kms From Junagadh, Gujarat
Importance Of Gir : Comes Under Gir Protected Area (PA)
Other Wildlife Attractions : Leopards, Antelopes, Deers, & Marsh Crocodiles.
Lions have always been considered the kings of the Jungle. But most of the people in the world think that lions are only found in the African continent. People haven't been mislead in this regard, the truth is that there aren't much lions left in the rest of the world.
About 10, 000 years ago lions spanned vast sections of the globe, but as the human population started to increase, trees were cut and forests were cleared to make more land for people to live in.
Now lions only in small fractions in some parts of the world. And Asiatic lions, a subspecies that split from African lions perhaps 100,000 years ago, are only found in the Gir wildlife Sanctaury of the Indian state of Gujarat.
Gir - The Last Abode Of Asiatic Lions
Gir Widllife Sanctaury is the last refuge of Asiatic lions in India and the lion population residing in the park is a little over 300. The whole coverage area of Gir Sanctuary is about 560-square-mile (1,450-sq-kms).
Prey animals are also generally smaller in Gir than they are in Africa, and hunting groups tend to be even smaller. The lions themselves aren´t as big as the African lions, and they have shorter manes and a long fold of skin on their undersides that many lions in Africa don´t have.
In India too, the Lions were spread across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. History bears witness to the fact that this majestic animal is so deeply etched in our minds that King Ashoka depicted them on his rock pillars around 300 BC.
Today India´s National Emblem is based on the Lions featured on Ashokan pillars.
Residents Of Gir - The Maldharis
Beside the animal residents there people also residing within the Gir sanctuary.
More than 2,000 Maldhari tribals live within the sanctuary area, and their livestock make up a third of the lions´ diet. After severe droughts even attacks on people become common as lions enter villages to find food.
Still the Maldharis consider this animal, as the lord of the beasts. The state government of Gujarat has persuaded hundreds of tribal families to leave the sanctuary, but people are reluctant to leave.
A recent wildlife sanctuary survey reveals that Gir has become a little overcrowded with the lion population and this is becoming a point of concern for farms and factories that surround the park. The Indian wildlife organisation have plans to move some of Gir´s lions to the KunoWildlife Sanctuary more than 500 miles away.
But with the increasing population of India, finding other suitable homes for the endangered species like lion might be difficult.
SAVING OF LIONS
In 1901, the King of Junagadh invited the then Viceroy Lord Curzon to Gir for a hunt. Lord Curzon backed off at the last moment when as if by providence a letter in a local newspaper criticised the damage a Viceroy's visit would cause to a species on the verge of extinction. Wisely, he requested the King to protect the last surviving animals in his territory.
The total Lion population was around 20 when the Nawab enforced a ban on hunting. This move resulted as the first conservation effort for the continuous well being of the Lions.
After India got its independence from the British rule in 1947, the government had come to realise the importance and fragile nature of this last bastion of the Asiatic lion, and the Nawab´s Lion conservation policy was upheld. Naturalists were assigned to study and take a census of the Gir´s lion population, which at that time was around 200 lions.
The Indian government then created the Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary - collectively known as the Gir Protected Area (PA), covering over 1,000-sq-kms. The sanctuary area is made up of dry scrubland with hills, rivers, and teak forest. In addition to the lion population, the wildlife attractions of Gir PA includes Leopards, Antelopes, Deer, Jackals, Hyenas, and Marsh Crocodiles.
Kings and rulers of India have always used Lion as a powerful symbol of their leadership. Even if conservation was not exactly their main motive, but the association between the beast and ruler has helped in saving the Asiatic lion from extinction. If Nawab of Junagardh hasn't taken the initiative, the Gir Lions would most likely have disappeared by now. What came of his conservation effort, are the 300 lions that today live in and around the Gir Forest.
INDIAN ELEPHANT
Major Regions : Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Uttara Pradesh, Orissa, & Assam
Famous Elephant Reserves : Periyar Widlife Sanctuary, Bandipur & Nagarhole National Parks
Other Wildlife Attractions : Tiger, Gaur, Sambar, Chital, Leopard.
Nothing can compare the majestic build up of an elephant and when you ride on when, it feels like you've gone back to the times of the royal. Elephants always catch the attention of every onlooker, but just like Tigers and Lions this animal has also come under threat of extinction.
Asian elephants are listed under endangered, and have almost vanished from most of China and Southwest Asia. As the human population increases, the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed, and they are forced to live on the farming areas, where they cause damage to crops. According to a recent wildlife survey there are less than 45,000 Asian elephants remain in the wilds of Asia.
Facts About Asian Elephants And African Elephants
Asian elephants are distinguished from the African ones by their smaller size, smaller ears, more rounded back, and fourth toenail on each of their hind feet. They have thick, dry skin with a small amount of stiff hair, and are grey to brown in colour.
Asian elephants are mainly found across India and Sri Lanka and towards the south and east as far as Sumatra. They live in a range of habitats from grasslands to wet forests.
Asian Elephants have a varied vegetarian diet, and feed on grasses, bamboo, leaves, bark, shoots, creepers and palms. They also prefer seasonal variety sometimes such as fig leaves and fruits, wood apple and mango.
In India the major regions where elephants are found include the forests of Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Uttara Pradesh, Orissa, and Assam.
A typical elephant herd consists of forty elephants, which include five male tuskers and quite a few young calves. Indian Elephants are very sociable animals and march from forest to forest, seldom staying in one for more than a few days. to lead a solitary life. When on the move, the females lead the herd, with the tuskers lagging behind, unless alerted to some approaching danger.
Bandipur & Nagarhole National Park
Bandipur, lying in the shadow of the Western Ghats, is one of the Asian elephant. Drained by the Moyar Tiver, its own forest makes it easy for visitors to see the Elephant and Gaur in natural surroundings. At Nagarhole too, there are excellent facilities for viewing wildlife and large groups of Gaur, Elephant, Sambar, Chital and even the occassional Tiger or Leopard are seen.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Set in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The Park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir provides a perennial source of water for the local wildlife.
Herds of Elephant and Sambar, Gaur and wild Pigs wander down to the lake side and can be observed from the motor launches that cruise the lake. In the dry months of March and April, the animals spend a lot of time near the lake and the Indian Elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir. A glimpse may be had even of the Tiger during this season, as it comes to the water.
The Indian subcontinent has varied physical and climatic conditions and types of vegetation, stretching from the northern temperate Zone to the equator and embracing such contrasting regions as the Himalayas in the north and tropical sea-coast in the south.
The affinity of fauna of the Siwalik beds and that of present-day Africa and India suggest that they were derived from common species which migrated from Europe and Central Asia which enjoyed warm climate at that time.
The advent of ice age in these regions must have forced many species to migrate southwards. Some of them reached India. Migration of fauna to India also took place from the eastern lands, which are now separated from the Bay of Bengal and also from the west.
Thus the wild life of India comprises the originally indigenous species as well as the species which migrated from elsewhere. It is really the admixture of Indian, Malayan, African and European elements. The respective species inhabited the areas adjacent to their original home lands.
For the systematic study of global distribution of wild life. The earth has been divided into six Zoogeographical regions.
The Neoartic region consisting of North America, Canada, Iceland and Green land
The Palaeartic region consisting of North Africa, Europe, North East and Central Asia.
The Neo-tropical region comprising southern peninsula of North America and South America.
The Ethiopian region consisting of three fourths of Africa and southern Arabia.
The oriental region including Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia.
The Australian region comprising mainly Australia.
India with south-east of Asia forms a part of the oriented region. Millions of years ago India was an Island continent it moved northwards joining the land mass of Asia across an ocean which has now vanished. On account of geological movements millions of years of ago India and Africa joined Asia and Europe establishing physical contact and scope for movement of fauna.
Based on the distinctive types of flora and fauna the Indian subcontinent has been divided in to three sub regions though they do not form rigid boundaries.
They are (a) Himalayan sub- region (b) Tropical rain forest (c) Indian Peninsular region. Certain species are widespread in the country and cover more than one region. Thus there is always an intermingling of species between these zones.
India is home to many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks which are the natural habitat of many animals and rare species. It has the second largest wildlife base in the world.
In India you can find tropical wet evergreen jungles of the Ghats in the Indian Peninsula to the alpine forests of the Himalayas. Areas like the Deccan Peninsula, the Indian coasts, the Western Ghats, the Gangetic plain, the Northeastern Region and the Trans Himalayan region form the main wildlife zones in India.
The climate and vegetation of these areas, range from the tropical to the temperate, and is home to tigers, snow leopards, elephants, antelopes, deer, bears, jackals, hyena, wild buffalo, etc.
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.
The tiger is the most sought after wild animal by tourists in India. The Ranthambore National Park, Corbett National Park, and Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks are the best known sanctuaries to see tigers in India.
India has unique and diversified wildlife, which are protected by the Government. The most majestic of them all is the Indian Tiger, a highly endangered species, the Indian Tiger is slowly regaining its lost ground under the protection of The Project Tiger.
Wildlife reservation and national parks-
Jim Corbett National Park, UP
India's first National Park lies at the foothills of Himalayas and spreads over an area of 520 sq. kms along the banks of Ramganga river. The tigers are the main attraction of the park, and Ramganga is the home of prehistoric reptiles too, whereas the other carnivorous include the Leopard, Bear, Hog, Sambar, Muntjac, Fox, etc.
The park has more than 300 species of birds such as Ducks, Snipe, Egrets, Herons, Spotted Eagle, Harrier, Woodpecker, Darter, Cormorants and Thrushes and the lake of the park also attracts a large number of other species of water birds.
The park opens from November 15 to June 15. Located approx. 290 Kms. from Delhi. Nearest Rail Station is at Ramnagar. Hotels catering to all kinds of budget are available.
Ranthambhor Sanctuary,Rajasthan
The oasis of biomass lies admist vast, arid and denuded tracks of the desert ecology of Rajasthan, surrounded by Vindhyas and the Aravalis, spread over an area of 392 sq. kms of thick forest with nullahs and waterfalls.
According to the naturalists, Ranthambhor is the ideal park for observing and Photographing the activities of the tiger. Other carnivorous in the Park are Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, Fox, Caracal, Ratal and Bears.
The park has over 300 varieties of birds e.i.. Peafowls, Parakeets, Storks, Egrets, Flycatchers, Eagles, Owls, etc. Wildlife-rich Ranthambhor is equally rich in archeological monuments. The fort of Ranthambhor, situated on a large hill, is inaccessible even today from any side except for its gate.
It has been declared protected Monument by the Archeological Survey of India. The park opens from October to June, while November to March are the best months to visit it. Located around 388 Kms. from Delhi and 185 Kms. from Agra, with the nearest Domestic Airport at Jaipur and International Airport at Delhi.
Nearest Railway Station is at Sawai Madhopur. Hotels catering to all kinds of budget are available.
Bandhavgarh National Park, MP
This is one place, where one can be sure of seeing a tiger in its natural habitat, stretching. over 448 sq. kms. It is in the valley where the Maharaja of Rewa discovered the World's first White Tiger.
The rich wildlife of Bandhavgarh National Park consists of Deer, Panther, Sambar, Wild boar, and Bison. And equally rich is the bird life of over 200 species. The park is dominated by Bandhvagarh Fort and numerous prehistoric caves, rich with inscriptions and drawings by prehistoric man.
The park opens from October to June, while December to march are the best months to visit it. Located around 164 Kms. from Jabalpur and 210 Kms. from Khajuraho, with the nearest Domestic Airport at Khajuraho and International Airport at Delhi. Nearest Rail Station is at Jabalpur. Hotels suiting every budget are available.
Kanha National Park, MP
Sal & bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq.kms. in dramatical natural splendor of Kanha in Madhya Pradesh. The tiger roams freely here, with plenty of other animals i.e.. Panther, Gaur, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Blackbuck, etc... Besides, over 2000 species of birds like Black Ibises, Vultures, Crested Serpent, Eagle, etc... make it a Paradise for bird watchers. The park opens from October to June, while January to April are the best months to visit it.
Located around 165 Kms. from Jabalpur and 280 Kms. from Nagpur, with the nearest Domestic Airport at Nagpur and International Airport at Mumbai (Bombay). Nearest Rail Station is at Nagpur. Hotels catering to every budget are available.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
Spread over 777 Sq.Kms. of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also resort to walking with the local guide in a small group but be on a lookout... Wild Elephant herds are the greatest attractions that come to the lake to frolic in the water.
In other attractions of the sanctuary, Sambar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flyings Squirrils, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. Over 260 species of birds including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
The park opens from February to May. Located around 208 Kms. from Madurai and Trivandrum. Nearest Domestic Airport Madurai & Trivandrum.
Railway Station is at Madurai & Trivandrum. Hotels catering to every budgets are available.
Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
Colorful kingfishers, pelicans, Siberian cranes and trans - continental fliers - migratory water fowl are amongst the 375 species of birds found here.The geographical location of Bharatpur is ideal since it is on the main North - South avian route of India, and is spread in an area of 29.89 Sq. Kms.
Reference: Indian Wildlife