Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
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Wildlife sanctuaries of India Srisailam Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh The largest of India's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary ( 3568 sq. km.); spreads over five districts - Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Kurnool, Prakasam and Guntur in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary was notified in 1978 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1983. The Reserve was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992. The river Krishna flows through the sanctuary over a distance of 130 km. The multipurpose reservoirs, Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, which are important sources of irrigation and power in the state are located in the sanctuary. The reservoirs and temples of Srisailam are a major tourist and pilgrim attraction for people from all over the country and abroad. The terrain is rugged and winding gorges slice through the Mallamalai hills. Adjoining the reserve is the large reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the River Krishna. The dry deciduous forests with scrub and bamboo thickets provide shelter to a range of animals from the tiger and leopard at the top of the food chain, to deer, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, palm civet, bonnet macaque and pangolin. In this unspoilt jungle, the tiger is truly nocturnal and is rarely seen. Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary Total Area: 3568-sq-kms Species found: Catla, Rahu, Murrel, Ech Paten, Karugu, Chidwa,Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc About Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary: Manjira bird sanctuary spreads over an area of 20 sq.kms and is the abode of a number of resident and migratory birds and the marsh crocodiles. It has an Environmental Education Centre with a museum, a library, and an auditorium. All this facilitates in educating the visitors about nature conservation and maintenance of ecological balance. Boats are in operation to take the visitors around the sanctuary for bird watching. Binoculars and books on identification of birds are also available. The films of birds and animals are also shown everyday on 16- mm projector. Invertebrates : Prawns, Mollusis and Zoo plankton. Fishes : Catla, Rahu, Murrel, Ech Paten, Karugu, Chidwa. Reptiles : Monitor Lizards, Fresh Water Turtles, Cobra and Marsh Crocodiles. Birds : Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc Extensive growth of Babul Prosopis. Plants commonly found in water are Pistia, Hydrilla, Eichornia and Vallisneria How to Reach There (Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary): Train to Hyderabad (150 km); Hyderabad (150 km) Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary About Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary: Evolved out of different needs, the town of Srisailam is divided into three zones. Srisailam or the original pilgrim town centers round the age-old temples dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba, incarnations of Shiva and Parvati. A fairly stocked marketplace and several lodges for pilgrims lie alongside the temple quadrangle. About eight kilometers from the temple town is Sunnipenta, another ridge top where most offices and a few eating houses are located. Also located here is the office of the Project Tiger and the Field Director. The dam site on the river Krishna-the Srisailam Hydel Projects-makes up the third zone. Nestling in the Nallamalai Hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, with cliffs, gorges, ridges and plateaus, endowed with a variety of flora and fauna, the NSTR protects a large portion of the once flourishing ecological system that existed here. Without having the benefit of being an erstwhile royal game preserve, the forest in this area was always open to human visitation. Pilgrims from all over southern India carved out routes through the forest to reach Srisailam. It was in 1973 that the area was declared a sanctuary and incorporated under Project Tiger a decade later. A little over 6 sq km in area, the Rollapadu grasslands near Srisailam are dotted with dry, thorny bushes and is home of about a hundred blackbucks. From a distance, one can observe families of blackbucks out on their breakfast trail, a couple of bustards gazing at the horizon while taking a tentive foot forward. At present, day visits to Rollapadu Sanctuary is permitted. Reaching There (Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary): By Air: The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 316 km away from Srisailam. Hyderabad is connected to many important cities in India including Delhi and Mumbai, the major international gateways. By Rail: Srisailam is connected through Hyderabad as well as via Markapur (85 km away) on the South Central Railway. Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat Location: 64 km from Junagadh and 32 km from Verawal Total Coverage Area:1,412.14 sq. km./ Lion sanctuary 141,213 hectares (of which national park 35,948 hectares). About Sansan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary: The Gir National Park, was established on 18th September, 1965, as a Forest Reserve, primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion. The total area under national park status is about 2,450 hectares. It is located in the Junagadh District of Gujarat, about 65 km south-east of Junagadh city, and 90 km east of Keshod Airport, in the Kathiawar (Saurashtra) Peninsula. Sasan, with a forest rest-house, is the headquarters of the sanctuary.The Gir is a mixed deciduous type of forest with teak, ber, flame of the forest, jamun, a variety of acacia, particularly babul. It is a hilly tract with plenty of rivers, and offers the visitor long pleasant drives, through the thick forest cover. Gir National Park is the only remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion, which has been confined to this forest, since 1884 ( about 239 lions were reported in 1985 ).The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin, nevertheless, a large male lion of the Gir is quite a sight to behold. The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. The Forest Department does arrange lion shows every Sunday, where the spectators can watch prides of lions on the hunt.There are guided trips available, to watch these magnificent animals from a very close range. The chinkara, wild boar, striped hyena, jackal, common langur, porcupine, hare, black buck, are the other animals, that can be found in this sanctuary. There are over 200 bird species including the peafowl, grey partridge, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, common green pigeon and several species of doves . The Gir is also home to the marsh crocodile, which can be sighted easily in its rivers, particularly in the lake of the Kamaleshwar dam. There is also a crocodile breeding farm at Sasan. The Gir National Park is steeped in history and folklore. It boasts of temples of great antiquity, like Kankai Mata and Tulsishyam, a place of pilgrimage with hot springs. The forest is famous for its cattle herders, the Madharis, whose buffaloes form a substantial part of the lions' meals. Extremely hospitable, the Madharis are herders, whose lifestyle has changed little over the years, and their folklore and traditions are a unique record of coexistence of humans with lions. Wildlife viewing in the Girs is best done, by driving around the forest. The best drives from Sasan are, to Baval Chowk and Kankai, to Chodavdi and Tulsishyam, and to Kamaleshwar dam. Though a sturdy car would do, a jeep is definitely more appropriate. Three unusual reserves, the Nalsarovar Lake and Sanctuary - home to several water-birds, the Little Rann of Kutch - home of the Indian wild ass, and the fascinating Flamingo Island, render the state of Gujarat a virtual haven for wildlife buffs Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat The entire Little Rann of Kutch known as the "Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary" is a featureless expanse of flat land - the sea bed - dotted with islands known as "Baits" which form the core for the flora and fauna. This is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. In India the Indian wild ass represents the horse tribe. In the Little Rann of Kutch, the asses are attracted by the flat grass covered expanses known as bets or islands where coarse grasses spring up In monsoon. With the advent of summer, the asses move to oilier bets in which there is perennial supply of water and grass. As for speed and stamina, there is no one in the animal kingdom to match the wild ass as they are capable of marathon runs at a pace of about 24 km/h for as long as two hours, reaching a top speed of 70 km/h over short distances. The wild ass is a strong animal and a stallion will fight viciously for the possession of the mare in the mating season. The combatants rear up on their hindlegs, and kick and bite viciously. After mating one fowl is born between July and September. Besides the wild ass, the wildlife consists of rare and endangered Ghudkhur (Equs hemionus khur) not found anywhere else in the world. Others, such as the Blue-Bull, Chinkara, Hedgehog and carnivores such as the Wolf, Jackal, Fox, Jungle and Desert Cats can also be found here in large numbers. A variety of birds - almost three hundred species, can be seen in and around the Rann during winter. Cranes and Flamingos can be seen in thousands. Rare birds such as the Houbara Bustard, Falcons, a large number and species of larks and other arid region birds can be seen. Reptiles such as snakes, tortoises, lizards, are also found. Watch towers, a tourist complex and other tourist related facilities are in place to enhance wildlife viewing in this unique habitat. Wildlife Safari Travelling on the vast Rann in an open jeep is a refreshing and exciting experience.