Lure of the Jungle
Corbett National Park /
Kanha National Park /
Bandhavgarh National
Park / Sariska National Park /
Ranthambore National Park /
Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary / Gir National Park /
Kaziranga National Park
Wildlife Viewing in India
All across the country are wildlife sanctuaries whose areas extend over
several thousands of square kilometres, where wildlife can be observed
in its natural surroundings. Each sanctuary supports several species of
wildlife, but is usually well known for one particular species. In some
cases, there are rare or endangered species. The country's protected
wilderness consists of 75 national parks and 421 sanctuaries, of which
19 falls under the purview of Project Tiger. Its climatic and Geographic
diversity makes it the home of over 350 mammals and over 1200 bird
species, many of which are unique to the sub continent. Following are
the most famous wildlife sanctuaries.
Located in the Patlidun valley at the base of Himalayas in Uttar
Pradesh, Corbett was established in 1936, as the Hailey National Park.
India's first National Park and the first sanctuary to come under
Project Tiger, Corbett supports a variety of vegetation making it ideal
habitat for the tiger and its prey.
Area : 520 sq kms.
Best Time To Visit : Dec. to Apr.
Prominent fauna : Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Sloth bear, Jungle cat,
Fishing cat, Dhole, Yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian
grey mongoose.
No other wildlife reserves in India offers the density of fauna, found
at Kanha, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Often called Tiger land, Kanha
is located in a horse-shoe shaped valley bound by two district spurs,
and supports 22 species of mammals in the central parkland and the
adjoining plateaus. Over the years, animals at Kanha have become bolder
and more confident , making the park excellent for wildlife viewing and
photography.
Area : 940 kms.
Best Time To Visit : Feb to Jun.
Prominent Fauna : Tiger, Leopard, Barasingha, Gaur, Sambhar, Chausingha,
Nilgiri, Sloth bear, Barking deer, Black buck, wild boar, Langur, Red
jungle fowl.
Located in the Vindhya Hills, Bandhavgarh encompasses 32 hills covered
with a mixed forest of sal, and saga and large stretches of grassland
with bamboo grooves. Dominated by a large Fort said to have been built
by Lord Rama, the hero of the Indian epic Ramayana, Bandhavgarh is
famous for its Tigers.
Area : 448 sq kms.
Best Time To Visit : Mar. to Jun.
Prominent Fauna : Tiger, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild bore, Jackal, fox,
gaur, sambhar, chital, rhesus monkey, black-faced-langur, Jungle Cat.
The landscape of sariska is dominated by sharp cliffs of Hills and
narrow valleys of the Aravalis. The forests are dry decidous. Within the
Sanctuary there are the ruins of medeival buildings. The ruins of
temples of Garh-Rajor of the 11th century are scattered in the jungle. A
17th century castle on a sharp hilltop at Kankwari, provides a panoramic
view of flying Egyptian vultures and eagles.
Areas : 800Kms.
Best Time To Visit : Feb. to Jun.
Prominent Fauna : Tiger, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, four-horned Antelope,
Wildbore, Hyena and Jungle Cat.
Ranthambore is said to have India's friendliest Tigers. Assured of
protection, they have changed their nocturnal habbits and are seen quite
frequently during the day. Sprawled over the Aravali and Vindhya
mountain ranges, Ranthambore primarily consists of dry decidous forests
dominated by dhok trees.
Area : 392 sq Kms.
Best Time To Visit : Oct. to Apr.
Prominent Fauna : Tiger, Leopard, Marsh, Crocodile, Hyena, Jackal,
Jungle Cat, Caracal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Wildbore, Chinkara.
The first wildlife park on the Golden Triangle of tourism is Keoladeo,
55 Kms from the Taj Mahal at Agra. The rich aquatic plant and animal
life in the shallow. Fresh water marsh of Bharatpur has been attracting
resident and migratory aquatic birds in thousands since times
immemorial. It has been recorded history of 100years of duck shoots.
There are over 353 species, belonging to 56 families. The Siberian
Cranes visit no other wayers in India, except Keoladeo. For the number
and variety of birds to be seen, Keoladeo is matchless.
Area : 29 sq Kms.
Best Time To Visit : Oct to Feb.
Prominent Fauna : Egrets, Darters, Cormorants, Grey Herons, Htorks,
Pheasants-tailed and bronze-winged Jacans, Graylag geese, Syberian
Cranes during winter.
The last surviving population of the Asiatic lion can be seen at the Gir
national park . Located in the saurashtra peninsula in Gujrat, Gir is
composed of terrain with steep rocky hills, deep ravines and occasional
stretches of grasslands. Irrigated by many rivers, the park supports a
mixed semi-arid deciduous forest .
Area :359 sq Km
Best Time To Visit : Dec. to Feb, Apr. to May.
Prominent Fauna : Asiatic lion, Sambar, Chital, Nilgiri,
four-horned-Antelope, Chinkara, Wild boar, Langur, Wild Cat, Jackal,
Hyena, Marsh Crocodile.
Located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river, in Assam,
Kaziranga is one of the last strongholds of the endangered Indian
one-horned rhinoceros. With open country, covered mostly with elephant
grass, Kaziranga gives the visitor a chance to see the fauna at fairly
close quarters.
Area : 430 Kms.
Best Time To Visit : Nov. to Mar.
Prominent Fauna : Indian one -horned rhinoceros, wild buffalo, Tiger,
Barasingha, Wild boar, Chital, Gaur, Otter, Leopard, rock Python.
Wild life India is viewed generally by jeeps, trucks, busses, cars,
elephants back, boats, launches, cycles, rickshaws and some places on
foot. some places have watch towers or machans where one can sit and
watch animals. You should wear green, khaki or beige clothings while
visiting a game park. So you should blend with the landscape and
increase your chance of spotting game.
BINOCULARS
These are not readily available for hire in India, so for added pleasure
in game viewing we strongly recommend you to take a light pair with
magnification 8" atleast, with you.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Wildlife photography is usually done with cameras with telephoto lenses.
Photographs can be taken from great distances without loss of detail or
disturbing the animal. The following tips could be of some help.
1. There is a camera fee in most national parks and sanctuaries in
India.
2. Films are not available in national parks and sanctuaries, so do take
some extra stock.
3. For normal wildlife photography take lenses from 80 to 300 mm power.
4. Flash light is generally not permitted.
5. Tripod is not very convinient in jeep and elephants. It is advisable
to use monopod or chestpod or a fast shutter speed.
6. Prevent Cameras from dust by covering with a polythene.
HUNTING
Hunting is generally frawned upon and the shooting of several species of
animals and birds is prohibited.
PRECAUTIONS IN THE JUNGLE
Do's and Dont's.
1. Silence and Discipline are two main requirements for a visit to a
wildlife sanctuary both for success and personal safety. Children must
be kept under control.
2. Small groups should be formed rather than a big one.
3. Early morning and late afternoon are rewarding times in most Jungles.
You must protect yourself from rain and cold.
4. Avoid going alone on foot in Elephants Jungles. Avoid loud color
clothes. Use colours which camouflage you in the Jungle. Avoid using
perfume.
5. Inform the sanctuary office about your trip and always take a forest
guard along with you for your trip inside the jungle. The Guard knows
the track and movements of the animals.
6. Donot disturb or tease animals. It is unfair as well as dangerous.
7. Carry medicines for common ailments including antiverum serum.
8. Avoid smoking. Do not throw lighted objects carelessly, they may
cause fire.
9. Do not use transistors and radios in sanctuaries.
10. Do not take away any article from sanctuary even if they are lying
unattended.
11. Walking is permitted in most Indian National Parks and sanctuaries.
12. During boat rides do not rush to one side on sighting an animal. Do
not bend to touch water.
13. Do not cross the safety distance limit to an animal. Your guide will
advice you on this.
14. It is advisable to carry a flash light, road maps, railway and
airline time tables.
15. Do not swim in unknown places or beaches.
16. Fix a tag on your luggage for identification.
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