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Home , Periyar National Park, Tiger reserves of India

Wildlife sanctuaries of

Srisailam Sanctuary,

The largest of India's 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 thickets provide shelter to a range of animals from the tiger and leopard at the top of the food chain, to deer, , hyena, , 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 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 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,

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 , 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 , 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, , 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. The sunrise and sunset are breathtaking, displaying exotic hues. Viewing wildlife is an exciting and thrilling adventure. It is more satisfying to observe animal behaviour than mere sighting. A minimum of three/four day's stay is recommended. There are morning and evening excursions in Jeeps/Mini coaches that seat a comfortable number of persons and are conducted at a leisurely pace. The safaris, besides wildlife also include visits to ancient monuments and inland salt works and other places of interest. Explanations and anecdotes, during the whole safari will keep one, enthralled.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary,

Location: Delhi - Jaipur highway ( 46 km from Delhi)

Founded by: Dr. Salim Ali

Season: September to March is the best time to visit.

About Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Located at a distance of 46 kms from Delhi, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of domestic and migratory birds. Artificial mound, have turned into a green glade. The marsh has been converted into a water body. And with the years, hundreds of species of migratory birds have winged in to stay. Winter brings in birds fro as far as Siberia. Flock of geese from Europe wing in too. The local birds flap in. The bird population include darters, egrets shovellers, gadwell and geese dominate. Teals, kingfishers, lapwings, sandpipers demoiselle cranes and such like water birds nestle in. Over 100 species have been identified here.

Sultanpur Bird Sanctuarywas a haunt of our very own birdman Late Dr. Salim Ali: And, innumerable bird watchers who come in to observe bird antics. There are hide outs, watch towers and a museum of sorts for those keen on serious study. Guestrooms and catering wing, await the patrons.

Climate(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary) The climate of this region is tropical with very hot summers and chilly winters. Monsoon approaches this place in the month of July and continues till mid-September. The best season to visit this park is winter as the chances of seeing the exclusive wildlife of this park is more in these months.

Location(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary) The is located in the Indian state of Haryana at a distance of 45 km from Delhi, the national capital. The park extends from latitude 28°37' in the North to longitude 77°04' in the east. is well connected by roads with Delhi and Gurgaon, the district headquarters.

Attractions(Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary): Flora: The vegetation of this park is tropical and dry deciduous and the flora include grasses, dhok, khai tendu, ber, jamun, acacia, and tree.

Fauna in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary: The Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is home to a large range of birds, both resident and migratory. Migratory geese and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur and there ar also the demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals. Local species include plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks.Other wildlife in the park include blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or , caracal, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and four horned antelope. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary,

Location : 40 Kms From Thodupuzha, Kerala

Famous For :

Area : 77 sq. Kms

Altitude : 450-758m Above Sea Level

About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary: Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha.This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola taluks of spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 - 748m above sea level.

The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq. km.

A picturesque lake, a majestic arch dam across two hills and roaming herds of elephants and are sights that lure you to this enchanting canopy of tropical semi-evergreen and deciduous forests. The fauna also includes Langur, Leopard and Wild Boar.

Wild Population of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary The sanctuary has a large variety of flora and fauna. Among the mammals, Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar etc reptiles such as Cobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes can be seen.

Jungle Fowl, Myna, Laughing Thrush, Black Bulbul, Peafowl, Woodpecker, Kingfisher etc also inhabit the place in large numbers. Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Area: 777 sq. km. Core: 350 sq. km. Buffer: 427 sq. km

Established : 1950 as a sanctuary, 1978 as a tiger reserve. About Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: is situated in the hills of the in the state of Kerala in SW India. The centre piece of Periyar National park is the 5,500-hectare Periyar lake formed by the construction of a dam on the Periyar river in 1895.The dam submerged low-lying forest whose dead tree trunks still jut out of the waters. Along the fringes of the lake are marshy areas with tall grasslands. This is one of the richest habitats of large mammals, as it provides both excellent cover and nourishment in the form of succulent shoots and grasses. Here it is possible to see large herds of Indian Elepha with relative ease as well as Nilgiri Langur near Aranya Niwas and the Liontail Macaque in higher areas.

The forests are tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen ‘sholas’, the last occurring in the moist valleys and characterised by tall trees and a closed canopy. The forests alternate with extensive patches of grasslands. Periyar’s rich bird life includes the Giant Hornbill, Cormorant, Darter, Osprey and Racket-tailed Drongo. The Indian Python and are among the reptilian fauna. Periyar has a few , good numbers of which may also be seen on day excursion to nearby near .

Main Fauna in Periyar: In Periyar Tiger Reserve 49 species of mammals, 265 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 35 species of fishes and 160 species of butterflies have been identified so far. Some important mammals are tiger, leopard, , gaur, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

A mere 55 sq.kms in area and located on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, the Aralam sanctuary is the northern most wildlife sanctuary of Kerala. It was established in 1984. The headquarters of the sanctuary is near Iritty, a small town about 55 kms from Kannur. The sanctuary adjoins the Central State Farm at Aralam. It lies between north latitude 11°50' and 11° 52' and eastlongitude 75° 49' and 75° 57'.

Topography in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary The elevation varies from 50m to 1145m. The highest peak is Katti Betta, which is 1145m. high.

Climate (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary) The temperature at the foothills varies from 21° C to 40°C and at the higher reaches from 8°C to 25°C. The sanctuary rec an annual rainfall of about 3,000 mm. The wettest part of the year is from June to August. (south-west monsoon).

Forest Type Forest coast tropical evergreen and west coast semievergreen forests are predominant. There are about 490 ha of teak an eucalyptus plantations within the forest area.

Flora in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary In the evergreen areas the following species are found: vellapine (Vateria indica), Mesua ferrea, Mechilus macrantha, Calophyllum elatum, Cullenia rosayroona, Magnifera indica, Toona cillata, Myristica Species, Euphorbia Longana, Strobilan The common trees in the semievergreen areas are Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Hopea parviflora, Largestroemia lanceolata, Xyliaxylocarpa, Mallotus, Philippinensis.

Fauna in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary A variety of animals and birds usually found in the Western Ghats are seen here. Different kinds of deer, boar, elephant, a bison are quite common. Leopard, jungle cat and various types of squirrels are sighted.

Administration (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary) The sanctuary comes under the Wayanad Division with headquarters at Sultan Bathery. The sanctuary is under the direct charge of an Assistant Wildlife whose office is at Chathiroor near Irutti.

Wildlife Tourism (Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary) One can reach the Aralam sanctuary by road from Thalasseri (45 kms) and Kannur (45kms). The nearest railway station is Thalassery and the nearest airport is Kozhikkod, 113 kms from Irutti. The infrastructure for tourism development is limited present, but steps are being taken by the Forest Department to improve the situation.

BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary,

Location: Kemmannagundi, Karnataka

Total Area: 540 sq. kms

Main Attractions: Gaur, Chital

Visiting Season: September to May About B.R. Wildlife Sanctuary: B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Situated at a height of 5,091 feet, B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique blend of resort a wildlife sanctuary, a must for wildlife lovers. Dancing trees, whistling winds and swirling streams form a backdrop to some rare animal. The B.R Wildlife sanctuary is 3,375 ft above sea level and is spread over an area of 540 sq. kms of undulating and valleys covered in deciduous forests and Sholas.

Topography (BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary): The BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is an important link between the Eastern and the Western Ghats. The river Cauvery flows S East and at Kollegal takes an abrupt turn towards the North and again returns to its initial course. This reflects the geogra significance as well as the wonderful blend of the Biligiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar ranges, bridging the gap be the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Wildlife Attractions (BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary): The B R Hills Wildlife sanctuary is home to many species of wild animals. The sanctuary is teeming with varied flora and fa , chitals, sambhars, bears, elephants, panthers and inhabit the place in large numbers. Here is an opportunity the nature lover to study over 200 species of birds, chief among which are the racket-tailed drongo and the crested eagle.

Adventure Activities (BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary): Professional angling, amateur fishing, coracle boat rides, bird watching, river rafting, trekking, outdoor camping will keep busy. Every April you can witness the wonderful Ratha festival at the BR Temple too.

Park Trips: For trips within the park one can either trek up on foot or opt for jeep safaris or elephant rides.

Visiting Season (BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary): The BR Hills Wildlife sanctuary is open throughout the year. Best time to sight wildlife is June to October when the animals out for water. But the more comfortable time to visit if relaxation is what you're looking for is winter to early summer. Ma sure you take permission from the Forest Department at Chamarajnagar if you are not staying at the resort.

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary

Area : 67 sq km

Languages : Kannada, English, Hindi

Best Time to Visit : June to November (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)

About Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary: Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is an important tourist destination from Mysore city orthe adjoining Vrindavan gardens, both of which are barely 20 km away. The bird sanctuary, situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, includes of a group of six islets as well. The isolated islets and the abundance of aquatic insects during the monsoon make Ranganathittu a favorite abode for birds. Ranganathittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, courtesy of the visions of India. s noted ornithologist. Dr. Salim Ali. who, during his survey of the birds of Mysore, advocated for the establishment of such a sanctuary. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. The large number of birds at the sanctuary appears to have attracted a sizable number of tourists as well. A total of 2,080 foreign tourists, besides 2,02,417 domestic tourists, had visited the bird sanctuary in 1999. 2000, according to officials.

Climate(Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary): There are no extremities of temperature at Ranganathittu Sanctuary. The temperature stays between the 23. 29°C range for most parts of the year. In June, when the southwest monsoon peaks throughout Karnataka state, heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by waterlogging and mild flooding, has been reported from the area.

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary- Paradise of Birds: The sanctuary, even though it lacks a sprawling area, is a delightful place to visit. What makes it inviting is that it is an important Asian nesting and breeding ground for migratory birds from all across the earth. Some species of birds that are known to have made Ranganathittu their breeding abode are spoonbills, open bill storks, darters, white Ibis, little cormorants, egret, heron, partridge, river tern, stone plougher, snake bird, and other exotic bird species that fly to the sanctuary in large flocks. Park officials and experts have traced the origins of some of these bird species to as far as Siberia, Australia and even North America. A record number of 1,400 painted storks visited the area in 1999. 2000. Local inhabitants like kingfishers and peacocks are also found in this avian bliss.

Migratory birds lay their eggs on islets in the river. The authorities have created additional islets at the sanctuary to make way for more number of birds to lay eggs and breed. The birds begin arriving in the sanctuary in December every year. The migratory birds lay eggs and breed until they finally move out of the sanctuary with their little ones in August, only to return yet again the following year. Boats are available at the sanctuary to take the tourists for a ride along the river and the islets, where they can witness trees full of beautiful birds of myriad varieties. Most of the oarsmen are also excellent guides and can provide tourists the exact location as to where the birds may be spotted. The Kaveri riverbank also offers excellent spots for picnics.

Places Nearby Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary: The picturesque town of Mysore and the garden city of Bangalore are the nearby attractions from the bird sanctuary.

Reaching There (Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary): We(indianvisit.com) can provide you all tourist permit car/coach, for the city and intercity drives and can look after all your travel related services. Since the sanctuary is on the Bangalore. Mysore highway, approach is through either of the two cities. The nearest rail junction is Mysore (18 km). The nearest international airport is Bangalore (125 km).

Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary Accoommodation: Accommodation is available at Ranganathittu in the form of three Riverside Cottages. Most tourists, however, prefer to stay at nearby Mysore

Links to the Outside World: Nearest town where communication (post, telegraph, fax and telephones) facilities are available is Mysore at distance of less than 20 km. Since 1995, the number of Internet cafés in Mysore is on the rise.

Karera Wildlife Sanctuary

Area: 202 sq km Altitude: 370 metres above the sea level Annual Mean Rainfall 824.50 mm Maximum Temperature 331.8°C Minimum Temperature 17.4°C

Best time to visit November to March Language Hindi and English STD Code 07493 About Karera Wildlife Sanctuary: The thorny open country of the Karera Sanctuary houses the haughty Great Indian Bustard and the equally snooty blackbu But blackbucks and bustards are not the only wildlife that roams Karera. There are many other varieties of birds and anim that have made it their habitat. The Dihaila Jheel here plays host to many migratory birds.

The status of the Karera is that of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary and it was notified in 1981 as a sanctuary. The vegetation is reverie and swamp with mixed deciduous forests. Ber bushes and other wild plants are found in abundance. are no trees except acacia throughout this forest.

Location (Karera Wildlife Sanctuary) The Karera Bird Sanctuary is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The sanctuary is a distance of around from Shivpuri (latitude 25°40' N to longitude 77°44"E) on the Jhansi-Shivpuri main road. There is a good road network th connects the sanctuary to Shivpuri and other places in the region.

Climate (Karera Wildlife Sanctuary) The climate of this region is tropical as in the other places in the Indian plains. April to mid July are the hottest months. Monsoon reaches this region in July and remains in force till mid September. Winter months are November to February. Th best season to visit this region is winter.

Attractions (Karera Wildlife Sanctuary)

Avifauna There are many migratory birds that settle here in the season. In fact, experts have recorded a total of 245 bird species in Karera. There are pintails, teals, and gadwalls snoozing in the sun or squatting meditatively in the mud. There are residen water birds too like the black-bellied river terns, egrets, and spoonbills. Other birds found here are herons, Indian robins, also insects like dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies. Karera is one of the last refuges of the great Indian bustard. As per expert studies, one can find three types of bustards th here, the Indian bustard, bearded bustard, and coloured bustard.

Wildlife in Karera Wildlife Sanctuary: The blackbuck and Indian gazelle are the prominent habitants of this open country. Here, out in the thorny open country, blackbucks seem terribly vulnerable. Due to problems of grazing and subsequent crop loss, the locals started killing the blackbucks, but after rigorous protection measures by the sanctuary guards and efforts of environmental friendly organiza the number of blackbucks here has been consistently increasing. Now, the blackbuck population in the sanctuary numbers around 2000, a considerable increase from the lowly 100 in 1981.

Other Attractions Dihaila Jheel (lake) in the Karera Sanctuary is the only water source for its inhabitants. Entirely rainfed, the size and depth the lake depend on the monsoons each year. Across the waters lies the Dihaila village whose inhabitants own and use the forming the lakebed and whose crops have benefited from the guano deposits of the birds.

Places Nearby Karera Wildlife Sanctuary: Madhav Shivpuri National Park, at a distance of 45 km from Karera, offers abundant opportunities of sighting a variety of wildlife. One of the prime reasons of this park's popularity is the tiger. Other inhabitants of the Shivpuri forests include leo striped hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, chitals, sambhars, nilgais, four-horned antelopes, wild boars, gazelle, sloth bears, lan and crocodiles. Avian inhabitants include bar-headed geese, ducks, spoonbills, demoiselle cranes, cormorants, painted sto white ibises, falcons, purple sunbirds, paradise flycatchers and golden orioles. Apart from these, the other attractions here the George Castle, Sakhya Lake, Madhav Vilas Palace, and Bhadaiya Kund.

The town of Shivpuri at a distance of 55 km from Karera still maintains its old world charm. Its royal past still lives in the f of its majestic palaces, hunting lodges, and exquisitely adorned chhatris (cenotaphs) built by the Scindia's.

Jhansi is known more for its connection with immortal warrior queen of 1857, Rani Laxmi Bai. Situated at a distance of aro 44 km from Karera, the major attractions in the city include the Jhansi Fort and a museum. Sanjay Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Borivali, Mumbai, Maharahstra

Coverage Area: 104-sq-kms

Main Attraction: The Kanheri Caves, Lion Safari, Tiger Safari, The gardens, And Trekking

Best Time To Visit: Throughout the Year. About Sanjay Gandhi National Park: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, better known as "Borivali National Park" is set in hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali in Mumbai. Notified in 1974, it offers a pleasant change from the usual sights and attractions of the big city. It is hence common to see the park teeming with school picnics, college picnics and other organized excursions.

The undulating green lands of the Borivili National Park are just the kind of surroundings to which one would love to retreat for some moments of quiet introspection or meditation. The great panoramic views of hills, valleys, lakes and open expanses can actually have a therapeutic effect on mind, body and soul.

Flora in Sanjay Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary: The forest cover in the park can be divided into two main categories i.e. South Indian moist deciduous and Semi Evergreen. These two types can be further classified into four subcategories and they are moist teak-bearing forest, mangrove scrub, southern moist mixed deciduous forest, and western subtropical hill forest. The region has good biodiversity and major trees and plants include kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, and species of acacia, ziziphus, euphorbia, flame of the forest, red silk cotton and many more varieties of flowers. During the monsoon, almost the entire park is awash with the rainbow hues of the flowers that bloom here and all over the Western Ghats.

Fauna in Sanjay Gandhi National Park: One can have encounters with several species including Spotted Deer, Black Naped Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Bounet Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox, and Sambhar.

The reptilian world has 38 species to show off. Tourists can see crocodiles in the Tulsi Lake, and Pythons, Cobras, Monitor Lizards, Russell's Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snake here. Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Orissa

About Chilka Lake Sanctuary, Puri The Chilka Lake in Orissa is Asia's largest inland salt-water lagoon. Studded with small islands- including the picturesquely-named Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island- the lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. The pear-shaped lake spreads across 1,100 sq km, and has a unique ecosystem with a range of aquatic flora and fauna found in and around its brackish waters. An impressive array of bird life, both native and migrant, makes Chilka one of the best places in India for a bit of satisfying bird- watching. White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana, herons and flamingos are among the many species which make the lake a bird watcher's delight: Chilka, in fact, is home to one of the world's largest breeding colonies of flamingos.

Other than the birds, Chilka's shores are home to blackbuck, spotted deer, golden jackals and hyenas, and the lake is rich in aquatic life- its waters harbour around 160 species of fish, crustaceans and other marine creatures, including the famous Chilka dolphin. Prawn, crab and mackerel fishing are an important source of livelihood for the local people, and hundreds of small fishing boats set sail each morning to bring in the day's catch from the lake. he Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours India’s second largest pachyderm population, and the chances of seeing elephant herds is pretty high, especially during the dry season.

Places to see (Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary): Nalabana: It is a forest of reeds and is famous for the long-range migratory birds in winter.

Birds Island: It is heaven for the resident and migratory birds. One can watch the birds in their natural habitat here. Sambhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Rajasthan

Sambhar is India's largest saline lake, 190 sq km in extent at full capacity, and lays some 60 km west of Jaipur, just outside prosaically named Salt Lake City. This vast body of glacial saline is on average just 0.6 cm deep and never more than 3 m even just after the monsoon. It stretches in length for 22.5 km, its width varying between 3 and 11 km. Several seasonal freshwater streams, two of the major ones being the rivers Mendha and Rupangarh, feed it. The vast, roughly elliptically shaped lake has been divided into two sections by a 5-km long stone dam. The eastern section contains the reservoirs for salt extraction, canals and saltpans. Water from the vast shimmering western section is pumped to the other side via sluice gates when it reaches a degree of salinity considered optimal for salt extraction. The waters here are glacially still, edged with a glittering frost of salt. Flies abound, drawn by the blue-green algae in the water, and queue up in order to crawl into your mouth and ears. There is a sharp briny tang in the air that takes one straight back to coastal fish markets. An indigenously developed rail trolley system-the lines were laid by the British-takes one across the dam and to various far-flung points in the salt works.

Climate: Like most other north Indian places, Sambhar too has a tropical climate. The summers can be very hot with mercury crossing 45°C, whereas winters are moderately chilled and the temperature can fall below 10°C. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Tamilnadu

The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a reservoir of tranquil greenery ensconced in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala. The areas hilly and rocky, drained by several rivers, including the Parambikulam, the Sholayar and the Thekkedy.

Thickly forested with stands of bamboo, , rosewood and teak, the sanctuary has some marshy land and scattered patches of .

Parambikulam was once home to some of 's finest stands of teak. Little remains of the original teak forests, other than the famous Kannimari teak tree, the largest in Asia as most of these have now been replaced by teak plantations. The tree is about 5 km from Thunakadavu, and is one of Parambikulam's prime attractions.

There are two watchtowers one at Anappadi, 8km from Thunakadavu, and other at Zungam, 5km from Thunakadavu.

Parambikulam has one of the largest population of gaur (bison). It is also a home to elephants, sloth bears, wild boars, sambhars, chital tigers, panthers and crocodiles. There are also bonnet macaques, spectacled cobras, kraits, vipers, turtles, darters, little cormorants and black eagles.

Parambikulam is open throughout the year, but is best avoided during the monsoon. Between June and August, the monsoon rains lash, making hillsides unstable and causing slush, mosquitoes, drippy roofs and other nuisances. Boat cruises can be arranged in the Parambikulam Reservoir. The rest house of the state forest department at Thoonakkadavu, Thellikkal and Elathode offer comfortable lodging facilities. A tree - house in the reserved forest area in Thoonakkadavu has to be booked in advance. Kishanpur Sanctuary

Kishanpur Sanctuary was founded in 1972 over 227 sq. kms of terai forests and open meadows. It is home to the tiger, leopard and swamp deer.

How to get there

Rail: Nearest railhead is Mailani, 3 kms on North-Eastern Railway's metre gauge section

Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary

Location: 40 kms west of Dehradun, in the west of Dehradun valley on Dehradun-Paonta Road

Famous Activity: Bird Watching

Popularly Known As: Dhalipur Lake

Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary- A Bird Watchers Paradise The Asan Barrage, popularly known as Dhalipur lake, was created in the year 1967 as a result of the construction of Asan barrage at the confluence of the river Yamuna & Asan through Dhalipur power house. Asan Barrage is famous for bird watching.

About Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary: The Asan reservoir attracts 53 species of water birds of which 19 are winter migrants from Eurasia. During winter months 90% of the waterbird population comprises the following 11 migratory species, namely Brahminy Duck, Pintail, Red Crested Pochard, Gadwall, Common Pochard, Mallard, Coot, Wigeon, Common Teal, Tufted Duck, and Shoveller.

Topography of Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary The Asan Reservoir is a small man-made wetland of ca. 4 sq km area, located 40 km west of Dehradun, in the west of Dehradun valley on Dehradun-Paonta road. Geographically it is situated between latitude 30o 24'-30o 28' N and longitude 77o 40'-77o 44' E, near the confluence of the rivers Asan and Yamuna. The barrage is 287.5 m long, the river bed being 389.4 m above sea level, with minimum and maximum water levels respectively at 402.4 m and 403.3 m asl.

The Asan reservoir exists throughout the year and is fed from the river Asan and the discharge channel of Yamuna through Dhalipur powerhouse. Although the water level is controlled, it often goes down, and swampy islands in the middle become visible, attracting a variety of marsh-loving birds like Egrets, Herons and Lapwings, etc.

Climate (Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary): The reservoir has a typical North Indian monsoon climate, with distinct summer and winter months. Temperature: summer, max.38o C, min. 14o C; winter max. 21o C, min. 2o C; Average Rainfall 250 cm; South West monsoon during June to September.

Vegetation & Flora in Assan Barrage Bird Sanctuary: The aquatic vegetation of the reservoir consists of Eichhornia crassips, Potamogeton pectinatus, Typha elephantina, and Ceratophyllum demersum. The surrounding bushes include Xanthium strumarium, Eclipta prostrata, Ipomoea sp., Mimosa pudica, Achyranthus aspera, Polygonum glabrum, P. lanigerum, Aeschynomene sp., Ageratum conyzoides, phyllanthus sp., Monochoria hastata, Mosla dianthera, and Lantana camara. On the southern side, agricultural fields surround the barrage. Further south there is mixed forest in Siwaliks comprising principally Shorea robusta, Anogeissus Latifolia, Lannea coromandelica, Dalbergia sissoo, and Bombax ceiba.

Satkosia Basipalli Sanctuary West Bangal

Total Area 1330 sq kms Best time to visit September and March Accommodation Hotels & Restaurants Nearest Town Kolkata How to get there Train to Bhubaneshwar (0 kilometres); Air Port

Kolkata ( kilometres) Species found tigers, elephants, sambar, bears, wild dogs, pea fowls and pythons. This Satkosia Basipalli Sanctuary is famous for its Gharial breeding project. This is beautifully gifted from flora and fauna. A stay there and trekking in the long gorge is a fascinating experience

The pristine beauty of nature is made alive by the variety of the flora and fauna. The Fleming Red flowers of Genwa, the crab like red flower of Khalsi add to the dazzling display of nature. This 'fairyland' is made fascinating by the millions of micro organism found on the fringes of the islands.

Prominent Fauna Leopard, gaur or mithun, elephant, Himalayan black bear, takin, the wild goat, Patkoi range, musk deer, slow loris, binturong and the red panda. Species like the Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque and the hoolock gibbon.

India has over 500 animal sanctuaries, referred to as Wildlife Sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV ). Among these, the 28 Tiger Reserves are governed by Project Tiger, and are of special significance in the conservation of the tiger. Some wildlife sanctuaries are specifically named Bird Sanctuary, eg. before attained National Park status. Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Wildlife sanctuaries of national importance to conservation, usually due to some flagship faunal species, are named National Wildlife Sanctuary, like: Karakoram

Great Indian Bustard

Dandeli Karnataka • India

Palamau National Park

Sloth Bear

Great Indian Bustard

Great Indian Bustard is a large ground dwelling bird. It has a long neck and long bare large like that of an ostrich. It stands at about a meters high and is a large, brown and white bird, the male is about 122 cm in length and its weight is 8- 14.5 kg. The female is 92 cm in length and its weight is 3.5-6.75 kg.

karakoram

It is one of the Greater Ranges of Asia. Karakoram is a mountain range. It is spanning the borders between Pakistan, China, and India. It is located in the regions of Gilgit, ladach and balisten.

Dandeli can be recognised as a national integrated city, since it boasts of people from all over India. Because there are people from all parts of country, one can speak here in any language . Hindi (a mix of Urdu) is a commonly known language. Other languages spoken are Kannnda, Hindi, Marathi,Konkani, Telugu, Tamil, and Nepalese. Palamau National Park

The district is home to the famous Palamau National Park () known for its wild life. The park is spread over a core area of 250 square kilometers. The area is rich in flora and fauna but also prone to severe droughts. The Palamau National Park was brought under Project Tiger in the year 1973 and is among the original . Sal and bamboo are the main vegetation. World's first tiger-census was done in the Palamau forests in the year 1932. Counting was based on pugmarks. There were around 44 tigers when the last census was done. There are several other wildlife found in the sanctuary — chital, chinkara, common langur, dhole (wild dogs), elephants, gaur, hares, Indian porcupine, nilgai, monkey, mouse deer, leopard, pangolin, panther, sambar, sloth bear, wild boar and wolves. Peafowl, red junglefowl and partridges are the common birds found here.

The tourists can drive through dense patches of sal and bamboo in the park. A guide and jeep can be hired from the forest department. Watch towers are there to observe the wildlife in relative safety.There are tree houses which can be rented out for stay and food arrangement is also there.

The wildlife sanctuary can be reached by train from Daltonganj or by air from Ranchi.