-Wildlife Tourism

[CORBETT] [KANHA] [BANDHAVGARH] [SARISKA] [RANTHAMBHOR] [KEOLADEO] [PERIYAR] [BANDIPUR] [GIR] [MANAS]

The total area of India's protected wilderness is approximately 140,000sq km and constitutes 4 percent of the country's total land area. The emphasis has not only been on protecting wildlife in reserved forests, but in areas where man and animal continue to live in harmony.

The country's protected wilderness consists of 75 National Parks and 421 Sanctuaries, of which 19 fall under the purview of Project Tiger.

Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350 mammals and 1,200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent. The land of the tiger and the elephant, the peacock and the rhinoceros, India's wildlife is a delight for the nature lover. The wildlife parks and sanctuaries spread across the country offer a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna.

Corbett: The Wild Land Of Himalayas

Located in the Patlidun Valley at the base of the Himalayas in Uttar Pradesh, Corbett was established in 1936 in area of 520 sq. kms. , 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 the ideal habitat for the tiger and its prey. The prominent fauna: tiger, leopard, elephant, sloth bear, jungle cat, fishing cat, dhole, yellow-throated marten, Himalayan palm civet.

Reach -
By Air: nearest airport is Delhi
By Rail: nearest railhead is Ramnagar
By Road: Ramnagar 5 kms. Delhi 275 kms.

Kanha: The Density Of Fauna

No other wildlife reserve 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 distinct 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 of tiger, leopard, barasingha, gaur, sambhar, chausingha, nilgai, barking deer, black buck, red jungle fowl.

Reach -
By Air: nearest airport is Nagpur.
By Rail: nearest railhead is Jabalpur 160 kms.
By Road: Mandla 65 kms. Nagpur 266 kms.

Bandhavgarh: Recalling The Past

Located in the Vindhya Hills, Bandhavgarh encompasses hills covered with a mixed forest of sal, dhobin and saga and large stretches of grassland with bamboo groves. 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. jungle cat, hyena.

Reach -
By Air: nearest airport is Khajuraho.
By Rail: nearest railhead is Umaria.
By Road: Umaria 35 kms. Khajuraho 210 kms.

Sariska: The Home Of Tigers

The landscape of Sariska is dominated by sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali. The forests are dry deciduous. Within the sanctuary there are the ruins of medieval buildings. The ruins of temples of Garh- Rajor of the 10th centuries 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. Reach - By Air: nearest airport is Jaipur. By Rail: nearest railhead is Alwar. By Road: Alwar 37 kms, Delhi 200 kms and Jaipur 107 kms.

Ranthambhor: Gateway To The Tigers Den

Experience of royal past and encounter with majestic tiger. The great Ranthambhor Fort perched atop a creek 200 mts. high. Ranthambhor is said to have India's friendliest tigers. Assured of protection, they have changed their nocturnal habits and are seen quite frequently during the day. Sprawled over the Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges. A system of three artificial lakes enhances beauty of the park. Reach - By Air: nearest airport is Jaipur 132 kms. By Rail: nearest railhead is Sawai Madhopur. By Road: nearest town is Sawai Madhopur 14 kms.

Keoladeo: Exotic Migratory of Birds Sanctuary The first wildlife park on the Golden Triangle of tourism is Keoladeo, 55km from the 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 a recorded history of 100 years of duck shoots. There are over 353 species, belonging to 56 families. The Siberian Cranes visit no other waters in India, except the marshes of Keoladeo. For the number and variety of birds to be seen, Keoladeo is matchless. Reach - By Air: nearest airports are Agra & Jaipur. By Rail: nearest railhead is Bharatpur 3 kms. By Road: Agra 55kms, Delhi 212 kms.

Periyar: Most Picturesque Reserve
Periyar is one of India's most picturesque reserves. A dam constructed on the periyar river led to the submersion of a large forest area and the formation of a 55 sq. kms lake, which assured the local wildlife a perennial source of water and led to its rapid growth. The home of elephant, tiger, mouse deer, wild dog porcupine, lion tailed macaque, flying squirrel. Reach- By Air: Nearest airport is Kochi. By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kottayam 114 kms. By Road: Kumily 4 kms, Kochi 200 kms

Bandipur: Evergreen Open Forest

Part of the lushly-forested Deccan Plateau, Bandipur in Karnataka, offers a rich and varied wildlife habitat. Covered with a mix of deciduous forests, evergreen forests and scrub well irrigated by the Moyar river, the prominent fauna: Asian elephant, wild pig, four-horned antelope, black-naped hare. Bandipur has a fairly open forest floor, making it easy for visitors to spot wildlife. Reach- By Air: Nearest airport is Banglore. By Rail: Nearest railhead in Nanjangud. By Road: Bangalore 60 kms,Gudulpet 20 kms,Nanjangud 55 kms. Gir: The Wild Palace Of The King The last surviving population of the Asiatic lion can be seen at the Gir National park. Located in the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat .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. Reach - By Air: nearest airport is Keshod. By Rail: nearest railhead is Sasan. By Road: Veraval 42 kms, Keshod 80 kms. Manas: Blend Of Flora & Fauna The Manas river divides the lush mixed deciduous forests that run through India to Bhutan. On both sides, the habitat is zealously protected as it houses no less than 20 species of birds and animals that are highly endangered and listed in the IUCN Red Data Book 'Manas' is also the primary habitat of the rare golden langur, wild buffalo, hispid hare, pigmy hog, capped langur, India one-horned rhinoceros, water buffalo, elephant, tiger and hog deer. Reach - By Air: By Air - nearest airport is Guwahati. By Rail: nearest railhead is Barpeta Road. By Road: nearest town is Barpeta Road 41 kms, Guwahati 186 kms.