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Through the following article, it is possible to get a detailed view of various wildlife sanctuaries in India along with a list of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India that is a definite must-visit.
India consists of one of the richest biodiversity along with vast natural resources around the world. This also consists of a unique range of flora and fauna that roam around free in protected natural wildlife sanctuaries in India. These sanctuaries in India are the true haven for both wildlife and nature lovers such that a huge amount of people flock to watch these green terrains and thick jungles in India. To understand more about wildlife sanctuaries in India here is a list of wildlife sanctuaries in India along with details of the national park. Right from giant squirrels in the south to Asiatic lions in the west these are the abodes to a plethora of wild species that cannot be spotted anywhere else in the world.
A wildlife sanctuary can be referred to as an area where animal habitats and their surroundings are protected from any type of disturbances. The killing, capturing, and poaching of animals in these areas is highly prohibited. It is also a secure environment for animals with the base objective being to provide a healthy life to these animals with ease since they tend to be an important part of the ecosystem.
Multiple wildlife sanctuaries in India are home to huge mountains, lengthy rivers, and thickly forested areas that provide home and nutrition to animals. Such sanctuaries in India were created with the idea of wildlife conservation, enhancement, and development of wildlife being kept in mind.
Since we already know what wildlife sanctuaries are, here is a list of wildlife sanctuaries in India along with one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India that most people do add to their bucket lists. These top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India are a must-see for all those people who are not only residing in India but also for other people around the globe.
The first on the list of wildlife sanctuaries in India is Ranthambore National Park which is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India apart from also being the most renowned national park in Northern India. It is one of the most historic national parks as well due to its major popularity among hunters during the periods of Maharajas of Jaipur. Today the Ranthambore national park has attracted not just tourists but also many wildlife photographers from around the world. The national park is also an abode to the nation’s pride, the majestic tiger. Apart from this, it is also a home to other animals such as leopards, hyenas, wild boars, and jaguars.
Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar Deer, Chital Nilgai, Jackal, Jungle Cats, Hanuman or Common Langurs, Chinkara, Common Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Black Bucks, Sloth bears
Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, India
Nearest airport – Sanganer Airport in Jaipur
Nearest railhead – Sawai Madhopur Railway Station
By road – Cabs can be booked from Sawai Madhopur to the national park.
October to March
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous tiger reserves apart from being the oldest and largest wildlife sanctuary in India. This home to several herbivore and carnivore species is evergreen which owes to the geographical topography of the location. Apart from a ton of species of animals, there are also several rare plant species such as axle wood which are a part of fire-resistant plant species.
Leopards, Bengal Tigers, Sloth bears, striped hyenas, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Jungle cats
Chandrapur, Maharashtra
Nearest airport – Nagpur airport
Nearest railhead – Chandrapur Railway Station
By road – State-run bus from Chandrapur to Chirmur or via taxis
October to March
Apart from being on the list of wildlife sanctuaries in India with a majestic collection of rare species of animals and plants, this sanctuary is also rightly said to be a bird sanctuary and is also quite a famous place for birdwatchers. Such a protected area exhibits a wide range of rare and exotic plant species along with various species of amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Adventurers also go here for river rafting, trekking, and other such adventurous trails.
Crocodiles, Blue throated barbet, Great Pied Hornbill, Peregrine Falcon, Tigers, Black Panthers
Solad Complex, J N.Road, Dandeli, Gokarna, Uttara Kannada
Nearest airport – Hubli Airport
Nearest railhead – Alnavar and Londa railway stations
By road – Buses and private cabs from Bangalore, Karwar, Hubli, Dharwad, and Belgaum
March to October
A wildlife sanctuary is not always all about tiger reserves or just plants, they can also be about pink flamingos dotted all over a wide stretch of white desert. Kutch Desert wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India that consists of pink flamingos that migrate during certain seasons. Apart from being one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India, this place is also considered to be one of the largest seasonal saline wetland areas. The 0.5 to 1.5-meter depth of water tends to attract and preserve an enormous population of flamingos.
Flamingos, Greater Flamingos, Indian Porcupines, Spiny Tailed Lizards, Black-necked Storks, Wild Ass, Indian Cormorant
Rann, Dholavira, Kutch, India
Nearest airport – Bhuj Airport
Nearest railhead – Bhuj railway station
By road – Bus or taxis from Rajkot or Ahmedabad
November to March
Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the sanctuaries in India that is listed in the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is also home to a variety of animal and plant species which lure in a lot of birdwatchers from far away. It is also home to fascinating snow leopards and is also considered to be a major tourist hotspot. With a snowy mountain view along with sparkling streams and thick jungles, this is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries that everyone needs to visit at least once.
Sclater’s Monals, Blyth’s Tragopan, Snow Leopards, Mishmi Takin, Clouded Leopards, Red Pandas, Musk Deer, Asiatic Black Bear, Tigers
Dibang Valley, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh
Nearest airport – Dibrugarh Airport
Nearest railhead – Tinsukia railway station
By road – Taxi services from Roing, Anini, and Tinsukia along with State-run buses.
November to February
Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in India is quite famous for its gorgeous landscapes, abundant flora, and a plethora of bird and animal species. It is also considered to be a bird sanctuary for several bird species. It is also home to King Cobras and Royal Bengal Tigers and is hence also called as a tiger reserve. This wildlife sanctuary in India also has a perfectly cool climate with an altitude ranging between 600 to 1000 meters above sea level. The main source of water in this sanctuary is via rivers Kandati, Koyna, and Solashi. Due to its abundant beauty and heritage site within the sanctuary, this protected area has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Royal Bengal Tiger, King Cobra, Barking Deer, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Rufous Woodpecker, Crested Goshawk, Bison, Sambar Deer, Indian Giant Squirrels, Sloth Bears, Indian Leopards.
Koyna Nagar, Koyna, Maharashtra
Nearest airport – Pune Airport
Nearest railhead – Kolhapur railway station
By road – Cabs or buses from Pune and Kolhapur
October
Apart from being the largest wildlife sanctuary in India, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an amazing sanctuary that is home to several birds and animals. The green grasslands tend to get their water source from Periyar Lake which also gives the name to this wildlife sanctuary in India. Apart from wonderful wildlife habitat, there is also a spice garden which is home to an array of spices such as clove, cardamom, nutmeg, and pepper.
Lion Tail, King Cobra, Mouse Deer, Indian Elephants, Barking Deer, Sambar Gaur, Foxes, Bison, Nilgiri Langur
Periyar, Kerala
Nearest airport – Madurai Airport
Nearest railhead – Kottayam Railway Station
By road – Take a bus or cab via NH 220 to reach Kumily from where the sanctuary is located at just a distance of 4 km
March to May
Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is considered to be one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India and has an area spread around 1100 square kilometers in Odisha. It is one of the most famous picnic spots for both friends and families and is a fantastic place to witness sunsets or sunrise. Apart from being home to a large number of wildlife species, it is also home to aquatic wildlife with around 225 species of fish.
Open Billled Stoek, Golden Jackals, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Ehret, Kingfisher, Spot Billed Pelican, Brahminy Kite, Dolphin, Wigeon, Ibis, Avocet, Hyenas, Spotted Deer, Pintail
Near Kalijai Temple, Puri, Odisha
Nearest airport – Bhubaneswar Airport
Nearest railhead – Balugaon Railway Station
By road – Catch a cab from Bhubaneswar
November to February
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary listed among the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India gets its name from the Manas River that flows near this sanctuary. Though it might not be one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, it is still home to project tiger reserve, biosphere reserve, and elephant reserve. It was initially established in the year 1985 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With the sanctuary being located under the foothills of the Himalayas, one can enjoy a favorable climate throughout the year.
Capped Langurs, Black Panthers, Gaurs, Macaques, Asian Golden Cat, Indian Rhinoceros, Hoolock Gibbons, Red-headed Trogon, Bengal Florican, Finn’s Weaver, Asian Water Buffaloes, Chital, Otters
Manas Road, Barangabari Gyati Village, Dist Baksa, Gobardhana, Assam
Nearest airport – Guwahati Airport
Nearest railhead – Barpeta Railway Station
By road – This sanctuary can be easily reached via major towns such as Guwahati, Johrat, Barpeta, and more. Buses and taxis can also be easily accessed.
October to February
Also formerly known as the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, this wildlife sanctuary located in India was renamed as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1987 in memory of the Prime Minister. This sanctuary in India is spread over a wide area of 950 square kilometers and consists of deciduous forests, grasslands, and dry scrub forests which shows its ever-changing topography.
Nilgiri, Tahr, Bonnet, Common Langur, Malabar Hornbill, Dollar Bird, While Bellied Woodpecker, Painted Bush Quail, Great Pied Hornbill, Hill Myna, Grey Jungle Fowl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Lion Tailed Macaque.
Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
Nearest airport – Coimbatore Airport
Nearest railhead – Pollachi Railway Station
By road – Public transport will be available from both Pollachi and Coimbatore.
December to April
Wildlife sanctuaries provide a lot of benefits not only just for people but also for nature. These serve as a natural resource that needs to be protected at all costs. Here are some of the reasons why a wildlife sanctuary is important.
It costs a lot to relocate endangered species, however, with the help of such protected areas it is possible to preserve the wildlife and can be watched over with close supervision. By visiting these sanctuaries, biologists can also take a look at how these animals behave in their natural habitat.
Trees are being cut and nature is losing its beauty, however, with the help of wildlife sanctuary, it is possible not just to provide shelter to wildlife but also to preserve the beauty of these landscapes.
Some of the sanctuaries also consist of tribes that have been living in these areas for a long time. Such tribes can also be protected with the help of wildlife sanctuaries being set up.
To protect the wildlife sanctuaries, the following steps have been taken:
As the wildlife sanctuaries in India have always provided several benefits to both people and nature while also helping the animals to survive it has become essential to keep these sanctuaries protected. Wild animals being dangerous to people needs to be isolated and such wildlife sanctuaries are the perfect places to keep them in their natural habitat while maintaining peace.
There are in total 543 wildlife sanctuaries in India that were established between the years 1936 to 2016.
The smallest wildlife sanctuary in India is Bor Tiger Reserve which was established in the year 1970 near Hingani in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. The Bor Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 121.1 square kilometers.
The first wildlife sanctuary in India was established in the year 1936 as protection for the endangered Bengal Tigers and is named Jim Corbett National Park.
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