Places
to visit: Introduction:
The most ancient in the history of man, dating to the Vedic age,
Indian traditions have stressed the importance for all forms of life.
The total area of India’s protected wilderness is approximately 90,000
sq. km. and constitutes 3 per cent of the country’s total land area.
Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350
mammal and 1,200 bird species, many of which are unique to the
subcontinent. A number of these species are not found elsewhere on
earth. In a land once famous for its White Tiger, Snow Leopard,
Asiatic lion, Lion Tailed Macaque, Great Indian Bustard, Himalayan
Tahr, Andaman Teal and the Monal Pheasant are just a few animals and
birds that are peculiar to the region. Wildlife tourism in India is
designed to give the best opportunities of exploring the country’s
rich natural heritage without disturbance to the fragile ecosystem.
The country’s protected wilderness consists of 53 National Parks and
247 Sanctuaries.
Mentioned below are certain National Parks & Sanctuaries, which have
been chosen based on their tourist facilities.
Corbett National Park:
One of India’s finest tiger reserves, Corbett National Park is located
in the south patlidum valley at the base of the Himalayas. It has been
named after a famous British hunter Jim Corbett. Covering an area of
520 sq. km., the park supports a variety of vegetation. Corbett’s
forest is dense and lush, and its savannah grasslands have almost 33
species of bamboo and grass apart from 110 species of trees, which
include Sal, Shisham, Khair, Bakli and Pine. Besides the tiger,
Corbett’s faunal assemblage includes 50 species of mammals, 580
species of birds and 25 species of reptiles.
It includes mammals like –
Tiger, Elephant, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer,
Chital, Deer, Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Sloth Bear, Birds – Kings
Vulture, Shikra, Kingfisher and reptiles – Indian Python, Viper,
Cobra, Turtle, Gharial and Mugger.
Ramganga River is the main source of water in the park which runs
through Corbett to form the Ramganga Lake. The best way to see
wildlife at Corbett is on elephant back. Trained elephants can be
hired from the tourist complex at Dhikala.
Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary: Keoladeo National Park at
Bharatpur has as many of 350 species of birds in an area of just 29
sq. km. referred to as a “Bird Paradise”. Created by the Maharaja of
Bharatpur as a hunting preserve in the late 19th century, the area was
declared a Sanctuary in 1956, a National Park in 1981 and named after
the local Shiva Shrine of Keoladeo. It is home to migratory birds
especially the Siberian Crane and the protected breeding ground of
hundreds of species of birds.
Sariska Tiger Reserve:
Located in the Aravalli range of hills that cut across the princely
state of Rajasthan, Sariska is spread over an area of 800 sq. km. A
tiger reserve under Project Tiger, It was declared a Forest Reserve in
1955. Most of Sariska’s wildlife can be viewed from well concealed
hides at Kalighatti, Salopka and Pandhupool - the main water holes.
Tigers and leopards also visit these sites.
The Neelkanth Temple and the Sariska Fort, both within the
reserve are of archaeological interest.
Ranthambore
Tiger Reserve: Sprawled on the Aravalli and
Vindhya Ranges of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National park encompasses an
area of 410 sq. km. in which live a healthy population of about 40
tigers. Once it was reputed as the hunting ground of Maharaja of
Jaipur. A large numbers of deer inhabit the area and leopards are
occasionally sighted. The Padam Taloa lake, located adjacent to the
Jogi Mahal hunting lodge, is the park’s favourite water source.
Chail
Sanctuary: Chail Sanctuary was notified on
21st March 1976 near Chail Town in Shimla. It covers an area of
10,854. 36 hectares. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around
the township are abode of wildlife.Visitors are welcome to Chir
Pheasant breeding centers at both Blossom and Jhajja.One can see
Goral, Red Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Sambar, Silver-white Oak,
Barking Deer, Indian Hare, Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque,
Himalayan Yellow Throated Martin, Indian Porcupine, Kashmiri Flying
Squirrel.
Introduction:
The most ancient in the history of man, dating to the Vedic age,
Indian traditions have stressed the importance for all forms of life.
The total area of India’s protected wilderness is approximately 90,000
sq. km. and constitutes 3 per cent of the country’s total land area.
Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350
mammal and 1,200 bird species, many of which are unique to the
subcontinent. A number of these species are not found elsewhere on
earth. In a land once famous for its White Tiger, Snow Leopard,
Asiatic lion, Lion Tailed Macaque, Great Indian Bustard, Himalayan
Tahr, Andaman Teal and the Monal Pheasant are just a few animals and
birds that are peculiar to the region. Wildlife tourism in India is
designed to give the best opportunities of exploring the country’s
rich natural heritage without disturbance to the fragile ecosystem.
The country’s protected wilderness consists of 53 National Parks and
247 Sanctuaries. 
Corbett National Park:
One of India’s finest tiger reserves, Corbett National Park is located
in the south patlidum valley at the base of the Himalayas. It has been
named after a famous British hunter Jim Corbett. Covering an area of
520 sq. km., the park supports a variety of vegetation. Corbett’s
forest is dense and lush, and its savannah grasslands have almost 33
species of bamboo and grass apart from 110 species of trees, which
include Sal, Shisham, Khair, Bakli and Pine. Besides the tiger,
Corbett’s faunal assemblage includes 50 species of mammals, 580
species of birds and 25 species of reptiles. 
Bharatpur
Bird Sanctuary: Keoladeo National Park at
Bharatpur has as many of 350 species of birds in an area of just 29
sq. km. referred to as a “Bird Paradise”. Created by the Maharaja of
Bharatpur as a hunting preserve in the late 19th century, the area was
declared a Sanctuary in 1956, a National Park in 1981 and named after
the local Shiva Shrine of Keoladeo. It is home to migratory birds
especially the Siberian Crane and the protected breeding ground of
hundreds of species of birds. 
Chail
Sanctuary: Chail Sanctuary was notified on
21st March 1976 near Chail Town in Shimla. It covers an area of
10,854. 36 hectares. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around
the township are abode of wildlife.Visitors are welcome to Chir
Pheasant breeding centers at both Blossom and Jhajja.One can see
Goral, Red Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Sambar, Silver-white Oak,
Barking Deer, Indian Hare, Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque,
Himalayan Yellow Throated Martin, Indian Porcupine, Kashmiri Flying
Squirrel.