Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, one of the greatest National Parks of Asia. Five hundred and twenty acres of forests, hills and grasslands, fed by a frisky river. A bio-diversity that is rich, rare and precious. The perfect habitat for the tiger, elephant, hog deer, birds and other wildlife species fast vanishing from the earth. Flat valleys are interspread with hilly ridges and the Park's rolling grasslands known as the Chaurs provide visitors with an excellent view of its inhabitants. The magnificent Ramganga River flows through the entire length of the park and little forest streams tumble through the ravines. While dense stands of sal cloak the higher ridges, mixed deciduous forest are found throughout the Park and over 110 varieties of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 kinds of bamboos and grasses are seen here. Corbett has the highest density of tiger in the country - approximately one every 5 sq.km. and it was here that the prestigious "Project Tiger" was launched in 1973. Four speices of deer -hog deer, sambar, chital and barking deer and other prey like the wild boar, support the predator.

Kanha National Park

Kanha is in Madhya Pradesh (five hours drive from Jabalpur and six hours from Nagpur) has some times been called the N'Gorongoro of India. The simile is apt, albeit Kanha is far greener and its cordon of hills far more densely wooded. Unlike Tanzania's N'Gorongoro, the Kanha Valley is not a volcanic crater, though the enclosing hills are a consequence of geologically ancient volcanic activity. Herbs of the Kanha miscellany, the axis deer (Chital), the Swamp deer (Barasingha), the Blackbuck (Hiran), the wild pig and occasionally the Gaur, throng the central park land of the valley, providing the basis for the comparison with N'Gorongoro. With its confiding herds and relatively tolerant predators, Kanha offers an almost unrivaled scope to a keen tourist of Indian wildlife. The forests of the Banjar Valley and the Halon valley, respectively forming Kanha's Western and Eastern halves, had, even at the turn of the Century, been long famous for their deer and tiger.

Ranthambore Sanctuary

Ranthambore National Park is an outstanding example of Project Tiger's efforts at conservation in the country. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport, was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger. In 1972, it was estimated, that there were around 1927 tigers in India, of which Rajasthan had 74, and the number of big cats in Ranthambore Sanctuary was 14. 1972 was also the year that Project Tiger was launched, and this sanctuary was taken into its wings, alongwith seven other sanctuaries and national parks .Other than tigers and panthers, Ranthambore is home to antelopes, nilgai, sambhar, chital, sloth bear, wild boar, chinkara, porcupines, jackals, leopards, jungle cats, fox, caracals, hyena, gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose and jacanas. Monitor lizards and marsh crocodiles are also found here.

Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park is primarily an artificially maintained wetland complex dependent upon diversion of water from rivers into an artificial reservoir, the Ajan Bund, which was constructed primarily to maintain the water level in the Park. The water from this enormous reservoir is now diverted both to agricultural fields and to the Park. Unfortunately, the monsoon rains were very low in 2002, and the pressure on the reservoir has increased over the years due an explosion of farming activity around the park. The reservoir remains empty, and the fields and the Park are bone dry. This drought cycle in north-central India is not an unusual phenomenon. There was a period of drought between 1979-1982 but nothing as drastic as the current drought. The above image of cattle, grasslands, and mounds with acacia trees, has replaced a scene where in former winters wide expanses of wetlands were dotted with a plethora of aquatic birds including Siberian and sarus cranes.

Periyar

The pride of Kerela and a testimony to nature's splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.In addition to elephant rides, cruises on the lake and treks to the ruined Mangala Devi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters. The Periyar Widlife sanctuary is spread across 777 sq km, of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wiild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors all over the world and is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves.

Gir National Park

Gir National Park is the probably the last refuge of the Asiatic lion; a terrain composed of steep rocky hills,deep ravines and occasional stretches of grassland irrigated by many rivers. The park supports a mixed semi-arid deciduous forest.Over the years the lions have got pretty used to people and sightings are plentiful. As a matter of fact the lion population at Gir has been growing steadily and efforts are on to relocate some of the animals to ease the pressure on Gir. An alternate home may be found for some in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh.

Dachigam Park

DACHIGAM is a wildlife sanctuary which is home to the endangered HANGUL species of the Deer in the country. dachigam is also host to other wildlife of the state viz Black/ Brown Bear, Musk Deer, leopards and migratory birds. There is a Trout fish farm also in Dachigam. It is big natural reserve which requires permissions from the Wildlife Authorities for excploration. The dense forests of Dachigam offer a brilliant view alongwith a Glacier fed rivulet flowing right through the middle. There are over 150 species of birds.The principal species are monal,koklas,bearded vulture, griffon vulture,golden eagle,grey heron,starling,golden oriole,paradise flycatcher,western yellow-billed blue magpie,kestrel,peregrine falcon,black bulbul, etc.

Bandhavgarh

Located in the Vindhya Hills, Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh encompasses 32 hills covered with a mixed forest of sal, dhobin and saga and large stretches of grasslands with bamboo grooves., Bandhavgarh is famous for its tigers and the adventure unfolds at day break. The early morning mist blankets around your open jeeps. As we advance into the heart of the Bandhavgarh Forest, a sense of expectation grips you. Tigers regularly give audience in these parts.

Kaziranga Park

Kaziranga National Park lies on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and its boundary for the most part follows the Mora Diphlu river and runs parallel to National Highway No. 37. It covers an area of 688 sq. kilometres. The Park was first established in 1908, as a reserve forest with only about a dozen rhinos and was declared a National Park in 1974. Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site, is famous for its one-horned rhino (Rhinocerous Unicornis). Tourist from India and abroad come here to see the wild life in its natural habitat. Apart from the rhino, there are elephants, wild buffalos, leopards and a host of other animals. It is also a haven for many different rare and near extinct species of birds.Migratory birds from many parts of the world come here during the winter season. A wide variety of fresh water fishes are also found in the Beels (marshy areas) of the park.The park is open from November to April. Tourists can take rides on elephants to move around the park or cruise in a boat on the Brahmaputra along the park.

Chitwan

Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest - from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat - extending over an area of 175 sq. km. was declared Mahendra Mriga Kunj (Mahendra Deer Park) by the late King Mahendra in 1959. In 1963, the area south of Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. The area was gazetted as the country’s first national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary

Sariska became a sanctuary in the year 1958. The sanctuary came under the project Tiger in 1979 and became a national park in 1982. It is located at Kankwari fort, near Alwar, on the Delhi Jaipur Highway. The terrain is predominantly hilly, as it lies in the Aravalli range. It has total area of 788 sq. kilometres, with a core area of approx. 47sq. kilometres. Sariska National Park lies in the Aravalli hills and is the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Alwar. Sariska itself is a wide valley with two large plateaus and is dotted with places of historical and religious interest, including the ruins of the Kankwari Fort, the 10th century Neelkanth temples, the Budha Hanumab Temple near Pandupol, the Bharthari Temple near the park office, and the hot and cold springs of Taalvriksh.