Posted in Adventure travel, Blog, Bushwalking, Conservation, Ecotourism, Experiences, India, National Parks, Wildlife Tags: fauna, flora, leopard, tiger, UNESCO
Ecotourism in India
From snow-clad mountains, rough desserts, gushing waterfalls to dense forests, India is full of geographical diversities that attract travellers from across the world. Mother Nature has equipped India with varied and rich biological diversity. If wildlife and adventures stimulate your senses, you should explore the National parks and wildlife sanctuaries of this country. With more than 150 National Parks that sum-up over 1% of the country’s total land area, India has something really exciting and refreshing to offer you.
The National Parks are the best places to witness wild animals at their natural habitat. Exploring the captivating beauty of jungles and its vast wildlife has always been a spectacular and thrilling experience. When it comes to witnessing the magnificent beauty of wildlife, flora and fauna in their natural habitat National Parks are the best option for you. If you are an adventure lover and need a break from visiting mountains and beaches, you must plan a trip to one of these five best National Parks of India.
1. Corbett National Park
Photo by Ron Knight, CC BY 2.0
Established in 1936 by the famous British hunter named Jim Corbett, this is one of the oldest and best National Parks in India. Located at the foothills of the fascinating Himalayan range in Uttarakhand, Corbett National Park was established to protect endangered Bengal Tigers. Spread over 500 square kilometres, this National Park is home to a wide range of animals and wild species. Divided into five zones, this park has over 400 different species of plants and more than 500 species of birds. While Jhirna, one of the five zones, remains open throughout the year, the other four zones of Corbett close during the monsoon. Don’t forget to explore Dhikala zone to get the best of the Corbett National Park.
2. Ranthambore National Park
Photo by bjoern, CC BY 2.0
Located in Rajasthan and encircled by the Chambal and Banas Rivers, Ranthambore National Park is an ideal habitat for majestic Royal Bengal Tigers and other animals like Nilgai, Wild Boar, Hyena, Leopard etc. Apart from boasting a captivating beauty of wildlife, the National Park also has an ancient fort within the park area which was built in the 10th century. You can plan a trip to Ranthambore National Park at any time of the year except during the monsoon season.
3. Bandhavgarh National Park
Photo by Tom Thai, CC BY 2.0
Located in Umeria district of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest density of tigers, making it one of the best National Parks for spotting the majestic animals. Besides tigers, other wild animals including exclusive white tigers are found in the park. With a core area of 105 square kilometres, Bandhavgarh National Park is home to several species of plants and animals such as sambar, chinkara, leopard, bears, Nilgai etc. Known as the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, Bandhavgarh was declared a National Park in 1968. At present Bandhavgarh is known as a popular natural hub of the exclusive, majestic white tigers.
4. Gir National Park
Photo by Shaunak Modia, CC BY 2.0
Established in 1965, Gir National Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only National Park in India where ferocious Asiatic Lions reside. Comprising an area of 1412 square kilometres, Gir National Forest is the refuge to more than 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and other animals such as leopard, golden jackal, striped hyenas, nilgai, chinkara etc. Considered one of the most protected and largest preserve area for Asiatic Lions, more than 400 species of plants are found in Gir. The best time to visit Gir National Forest is October to June.
5. Sundarban National Park
Photo by Kingshuk Mondal, CC BY-SA 2.0
Situated on the largest delta in the world, Sunderban National Park is the best place to visit in West Bengal. Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, this region has the highest numbers of Royal Bengal tigers than any other National Park in India. Spread over an area of 4264 square kilometres, Sunderban is known as the largest Mangrove forest in the world. Other than the famous Royal Bengal tigers, this park is a refuge to some endangered species such as infamous Salt-Water Crocodile, rare Ridley Sea Turtle, Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, Gangetic Dolphin etc. The only way of exploring this delta area is by boat.
What can be better than watching tigers or other wild animals in their natural habitats? Each and every wildlife sanctuary and National Park has its own exclusive beauty. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and plan a trip to one of these National Parks in India.
Author Bio: Rohit Agarwal
A wildlife connoisseur by heart and blogger by passion, Rohit loves to pen down his experiences about wildlife and leisure travel. His love for wildlife has endowed him with immense knowledge that he likes to share with the readers. An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs. Rohit’s website: www.transindiatravels.com
Words: Rohit Agarwal
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