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Wildlife
in India
India has a unique fauna and excels in the range and diversity of
its wildlife. There are over 500 species of mammals, 2,060 species
of birds, 748 species of reptiles and 30,000 species of insects. To
preserve its unique wildlife, India has created 11 National Parks
and 135 Sanctuaries in the country, covering a total area of 26,000
sq. km. So wherever your travels take you, consider sparing a day
or two, and, as a minimum, spend one night in one of the wild-life
sanctuaries. Best to plan to arrive during the day, go on a safari
at dusk, get up early the next day for a dawn safari, and carry on
with your travels.
The
more well known wild life sanctuaries and National Parks in India
include:
Bandhavgarh
National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary,
Chambal Sanctuary, Corbett
National Park, Dudhwa National Park,
Gir National Park, Kanha
National Park, Kaziranga National Park,
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Namdapha
National Park, Nagarhole National Park,
Panna National Park, Periyar
National Park, Pobitura Wildlife Sanctuary,
Ranthambore National Park, Sariska
Wildlife Sanctuary and, Sunderbans National
Park.
Some
of the minor bird sanctuaries in India include:
Bhindawas
Bird Sanctuary, near Delhi
This 1100 acre sanctuary is a lake with countless islands, some just
a few metres across. Expect to see Spot Bill Ducks, Pintails, Common
Teals, Purple Moorhens, Coots, Lapwings, Crow-Pheasants, Common Kingfishers,
Jungle Babblers, Rosy Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters, Purple Herons,
Egrets, White-necked and other Storks, Flamingos, Ibis, Shovellers,
Pintails, Demoiselle Cranes, Dabchicks and a host of other birds.
Flamingo
Colony, Khavda, Gujarat
It is reputed among the admirers of feathered species as the largest
flamingo colony in the world. It receives countless variety of birds
from the other corners of the globe. Birds come here to breed and
feed before their journey back to a distant land. It is one of the
great bird sanctuaries in India and is very attractive and adventurous
for all foreign tourists.
Kaundinya
Bird Sanctuary, near Chittor, Andhra Pradesh
Covered with rugged high hills and deep valleys, the 385 sq. km Kaundinya
Sanctuary offers the best of wildlife and bird watching in India.
Two streams, the Kaigal and the Kaundinya flow through the sanctuary,
adding to its attraction and beauty. The southern tropical type of
forests dots this entire bird sanctuary of India, home to the Cheetal,
Four horned Antelope, Sambhar, Mouse Deer, Hare, Porcupine, Wild boar,
Jungle Cat, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Panther, Jungle Fowl, Pea Fowls and
Elephants.
Kawal
Sanctuary, near Mancherial, Andhra Pradesh
Established in 1965, the magnificent 893 sq. km Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary
was originally managed as a 'Game Reserve'. The sanctuary is covered
by a variety of flora including dry deciduous teak forest and bamboo
trees. Due to its rich bio-diversity, it earned the status of a sanctuary.
It is a great Indian wildlife sanctuary to visit home to the Sloth
Bear, Panther, Tiger and variety of birds like Peacocks, Patridges,
Quails, Vultures, Eagles, Kites, Owls, Mynas, Pigeons, Tree - pies,
Kingfishers.
Kinnerasani
Sanctuary, near Paloncha, Andhra Pradesh
The 635 sq. km sanctuary traces its name from the River Kinnerasani,
which bisects the sanctuary and ultimately drains into the Godavari
River. It is covered with dry deciduous mixed type forests with teak,
bamboo and terminals and offers a great Indian bird watching tour,
home to the Peafowl, Jungle Fowl, Qualis, Partridges, Doves, Ducks,
Teals, Spoonbills, Nuktas, Open bill stork.
Kolleru
Bird Sanctuary, near Vijayawada
This picturesque 673 sq. km bird sanctuary of India is described as
"Peerless Fisherman's Paradise and birds' heaven" in the
Imperial Gazetteer. The Kolleru Bird Sanctuary receives water from
four rivers that include Budameru, Ramileru, Tammileru and Errakalva
and 18 drains. It is home to the Painted storks, open bill storks,
Grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises, glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef
Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns, Jacanas, Moorhens.
Manjira
Bird Sanctuary, near Hyderabad
The 20 sq. km Manjira Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of migratory
as well as domestic feathered species. It has an Environmental Education
Center with a museum, a library, and an auditorium. All these facilities
enable the tourist to learn about nature conservation and maintenance
of ecological balance. They also make it a perfect place for bird
watching tours in India. Home to the Painted Storks, Herons, Coots,
Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills,
Open Billed Storks.
Nalsarovar
Bird Sanctuary, 65 Kms from Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The delightful Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, nestling around the Nal
Lake, offers a sheer variety of color, pattern and a cacophony of
sounds that the birds use for recognition and courtship. Exploring
this Indian birs sanctuary with a pair of binoculars and a person
well versed in local bird life is definitely the best outing you can
have. It covers an area of 115 sq. kms, and home to Cranes, flamingoes,
pelicans, ducks, storks and other birds
Neelapattu
Bird Sanctuary, near Chennai
The 404 sq. km Neelapattu Bird Sanctuary is reputed as one of the
largest pelican habitats in Southeast Asia. It is a small fresh water
irrigation tank in the village of Neelapattu with Barringtonia trees
spread in the water. Home to the Grey Pelicans on Barringtonia trees
in the Tankbed. Other nesting birds include Cormorants, While Ibis,
Night Heron, Open Bill Storks, Teals, Ducks.
Porbandar
Bird Sanctuary, Porbander, Gujarat
The serene and tranquil 1 sq km environ of Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
in the heart of the city of Porbandar, Gujarat attracts a variety
of migratory and domestic birds. The sanctuary echoes with the chirping
of birds that populate the park. It's a great Indian adventure tour
package, home to the wildfowl, Teals, Ibis, Curlews and variety of
migratory birds.
Ranganthittu
Bird Sanctuary, near Mysore
You will find crocodiles basking under the sun, others running free,
flocks of birds gathered on tiny islands that come all the way from
Siberia, Australia and even North America. Birds include the open-bill
stork, the white ibis, egret, heron, patridge and the cormorant trying.
Ranganthittu is indeed a visual delight. This lovely sanctuary is
located a very short drive off the main Bangalore-Mysore highway from
Srirangapatna. The park is not very large in area (0.67 sq. km) but
houses a huge population of birds, a delightful sight to behold during
the main nesting season from June to November. Ranganthittu came into
existence due to the creation of a small dam on the river Cauvery
in the 17th centuary, then declared a protected area in 1940. The
sanctuary is host to a myriad of bird species such as cormorants,
darters, white ibis, storks (spoonbilled, openbilled, painted, white
necked), egrets, herons, terns, swallows, streaked weavers, ducks,
teals, sandpipers, kingfishers, etc. The mammal population consists
of fruit bats, bonnet macaques, palm civets, common mongoose and common
otters. The reptile population at the sanctuary is mainly represented
by the marsh crocodiles.
Rollapadu
Bird Sanctuary, near Kurnool
The magnificent 614 sq. km Rollapadu Bird Sanctuary is reputed for
its variety of flora and bird species. The vegetation is varied with
dry thorny type of forests, interspersed with dry carrel crops, cotton,
groundnut and castor. Home to the Black Buck, Bonnet Macaque, Indian
Bustard, Indian Roller, Sparrows, Mynas, Russell's Viper, Indian Cobra,
Jackal, Wolf and Indian Fox.
Shoolpaneshwar
The Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is reputed for its pristine
natural beauty and abundance of feathered species. It offers chance
for a great birdwatching tour in India.
Sonai
Rupai Sanctuary
The Sonai Rupai sanctuary is a picturesque Indian wildlife sanctuary,
offering breathtaking views of natural beauty and wildlife. The admirers
of feathered species frequently visit the sanctuary in search of rare
domestic and migratory birds. Located in the Sonitpur District, it
covers 175 sq. kms, and is home to Elephant, Indian Bison, Deer and
a variety of hill birds.
Sultanpur National Park, Sultanpur, Haryana, near Delhi
The 350 sq km Sultanpur National Park, (previously Sultanpur
Bird Sanctuary) three quarters of which is marshy, has been
remodeled making visitors more welcome. Within the lake about 30 artificial
islands have turned into green glades and the marsh has been converted
into a water body. It is one of the best bird sanctuaries in India,
home to darters, egrets, shovellers, gadwell, geese, teals, kingfishers,
lapwings, sandpipers, cormorants, ibises, herons, demoiselle cranes
and a variety of other water birds. Main attractions are the migratory
birds who come in large numbers during late October and November.
Velvadar
Bird Sanctuary, Bhavnagar, Gujarat
This is the home of the Indian black buck. Velavadar is a unique grassland
ecosystem that has attracted fame for the successful conservation
of the black buck and is important part of Gujarat tourism. Once found
in open plains throughout the country, its largest population at present
occurs in Velvadar National Park, home to the Black Buck and a variety
of birds.
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