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WLS |
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of AssaM |
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| Wild West |
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Weekend Getaway |
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Wild Life Sanctuaries in India
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India is unique in the richness and diversity of its
vegetation and wildlife. Almost 350 mammal species, over a
thousand and two hundred species of birds in nearly 2100
forms and more than 30,000 species of insects - provide
evidence to the wealthiness of wildlife in India. Besides,
there are a number of species of fish, amphibians and
reptiles. With over 4.5% its geographical area covered by
more than 75 national parks and 425 sanctuaries, the range
and diversity of India's wildlife heritage matches the
grandeur and magnificence of her civilization.
India's national parks and wild life sanctuaries
(including bird sanctuaries) are spread from Ladakh in
Himalayas to Southern tip of Tamil Nadu. These parks,
reserves, sanctuaries and forests are vital to the
conservation of endangered species, such as Bengal tiger,
the Asiatic Elephant, Lion, the Snow Leopard and Siberian
Crane. India's first national park, the Corbett was
established in the foothills of Himalayas. It supports a
great variety of mammals and over 585 species of birds.
The Wild Elephant population is on the increase and both
tiger and leopard are regularly seen.
Kanha National Park is the largest of the original tiger
reserves. The park is noted for its local herd of swamp
deer. Also in Kaziranga is found a species of the swamp
deer. A third subspecies (and the largest population) of
swamp deer is at the Dudhwa National Park in the
northeastern UP.
The magnificent bird sanctuary at Bharatpur provides a
vast breeding area for the native water birds. During the
winters (November-March) migratory birds arrive in large
numbers, including the Siberian Crane. In the Indian
deserts, the most discussed bird is the Great Indian
bustard. In western Himalayas, one can see birds like
Himalayan Monal pheasant, western tragopan, koklass, white
crested khalij cheer pleasant, griffon vultures,
lammergiers, choughs, ravens.
In the Andaman and Nicobar region, about 250 species and
sub species of birds are found, such as rare Narcondum
hornbill, Nicobar pigeon and megapode. Here are also other
birds like white-bellied sea eagle, white-breasted
swiftlet and several fruit pigeons. All these could be
observed in Andaman's six national parks and over ninety
wildlife sanctuaries.
The Himalayas (foothills) are known for big mammals like
elephant, sambar, swamp, deer, cheetal, wild boar tiger,
panther, hyena, black bear and sloth bear, porcupine,
Great Indian one horned rhinoceros, wild buffalo, gangetic
gharial, golden langur. Wild ass, sheep, deers, smaller
mammals, snow leopards, wolf, cats and brown beers are in
plenty in the western Himalayas.
Contrary to the experiences of African Safari, the
vegetation and terrain in India is such that wild animals
are often solitary or in small herds, elusive and shy. The
thick forest and dense grassland with openings for streams
and rivers provide the cover for Indian wildlife.
Things to carry:
Binoculars, personal medicines, insect repellent, camera
with spare batteries, flashlight, clothing in Jungle
colors such as beige, brown, khaki and green as they are
least disturbing to the environment, shoes made for easy
walking, sweaters and heavy jackets for the winter months,
light cottons for the summer months, rain gear for
monsoons.
Brief on few wildlife animals
LARGE ANIMALS:
ASIATIC ELEPHANT (Elephas maximus)
In spite of its Latin name, the Indian elephant is not the
biggest: the African bush elephant is larger, the maximum
known weight being over six tons compared with the Asian
elephant’s five tons. Adult Asiatic males average nine
feet at the shoulder and females eight feet.
Fifty years ago wild elephants were common in Chitwan. Now
the chances of seeing a wild elephant in the valley are
slim. The total population in Nepal is thought to be only
between thirty and fifty.
BARKING DEER (Mantiacus muntijak)
This reddish coloured deer, seen singly or in pairs, is
the smallest of the four kinds of deer. It prefers densely
forested hills but is sometimes found in the lowlands. The
antlers are small, consisting of a short brow-tine and an
unbranched beam. In does, tufts of bristly hair replace
the horns. The name is derived from its alarm call, which
sounds rather like a hoarse dog’s bark.
GAUR (Bos gaurus)
This is the largest of the world’s wild oxen and loves to
stay in densely forested hills. A bull may stand six feet
tall at the shoulder and weigh nearly a ton. Found in
small herds, this animal is very shy and wary. Mainly
found in the hills, they descend to the flood plain in the
spring to feed on the fresh grasses.
HOG DEER (Axis procinus)
Related to the spotted deer but smaller and less graceful.
The name is derived from its squat appearance and habit of
running with the head down instead of bounding like other
deer. Sometimes found in groups, they prefer grassland
margins of river-beds. They are wary animals with acute
sense of sight, smell and hearing.
GANGETIC DOLPHIN (Platanista
gangetica)
This fresh water dolphin, up-to eight feet in length is
present in the Narayani River on the west side of the
park. It surfaces to breathe every minute or so. The jaws
of the animal are well adapted for browsing on bottom
living crustaceans. The colour ranges from dark lead to
sooty black, the older individuals having a few lighter
patches on the sides. Normally one young is born after a
gestation period of eight to nine months.
GREAT ONE-HORNED RHINOCEROS
(Rhinoceros unicornis)
This is the largest of the three species of Asiatic
rhinoceri. Approximately 1500 are left in the Indian
Sub-continent, and this constitutes the world population
of the species. Folds in the thick skin of rhino give the
impression of armour plating. The horn is formed of
closely matted mass of fibers issuing from the skin. The
horn grows throughout life and if lost is reproduced.
Habitat destruction and heavy poaching for its horn,
believed by the Chinese to be of great medicinal value,
have been largely responsible for the decline in
population. Gestation period is about sixteen months with
the young weighing around 130 pounds at birth.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
Although less common than in former times, because of its
great adaptability, the leopard has been able to hold its
own. In areas of tiger density, however, leopards are
scarce. The leopard will kill and eat anything it can
overpower with safety such as deer, monkeys, smaller
beasts of prey, larger rodents, birds, reptiles. Being
more tolerant of the sun they frequently hunt by day.
ROYAL BENGAL TIGER (Panthera
tigris tigris)
An endangered animal, there are about three thousand
tigers of this sub-species remaining in the Indian
sub-continent. Secretive and essentially solitary this big
cat is less strictly nocturnal than formerly due to the
protection it has received in the park. Nevertheless, it
is difficult animal to see in the wild. The park contains
about forty tigers of breeding age (about hundred of all
ages), part of a larger population including about seventy
breeders, extending eastward from the park within Nepal
and south into India. Deer and to a lesser extent wild
pigs form the bulk of the tiger’s diet but this cat is an
opportunistic hunter, occasionally killing larger animals
such as gaur and baby rhinos, as well as a variety of
small prey.
SAMBER (Cervus unicolor)
This is the largest of the deer in the sub-continent and a
big stag may scale 600 to 700 pounds. It has a shaggy
brown coat and the stags possess thick antlers with three
times the full number of points being reached in the
fourth year. Forested hillsides are their preferred
habitat and their diet consists of grass, leaves and wild
fruits. Their powers of sight is moderate, but scent and
hearing acute. Rarely found associating in large numbers,
stags leave the hinds after the mating season in the fall
to lead a solitary life.
SLOTH BEAR (Melursus ursinus)
This shaggy black bear with an elongated muzzle and short
hind legs is rather uncouth in appearance Despite the
weight (may weigh 300 pounds or more) this bear can be
very agile on its feet. Like the Himalayan Black Bear, the
Sloth Bear has a white ‘V’ on its chest. Fruit, honey and
insects, especially termites are he most important food.
The young are born after seven months and stay with the
mother until they are two or three years old.
SPOTTED DEER or CHITAL (Axis axis)
Perhaps the most graceful and most beautiful of all deer,
easily identifiable by the white spots on its brown coat.
The stags have long antlers with three tines. This is the
only big mammal in park that is found in large herds. They
prefer open forest and the margins between the forest and
grassland. They are prolific breeders and the most common
deer in the park. The peak of the mating season is in the
late spring. Young are born after eight months.
THE GOLDEN JACKAL (Canis aurcus)
A smaller relative of the wolf, the jackal coloration
varies from tawny brown to grey. Generally found in pairs
they hunt small mammals and birds but are also scavengers.
They are mainly nocturnal and the jackal’s howl may often
be heard at night.
WILD BOAR (Sus Scrofa)
With its sparse black coat and bristled mane a large boar
may stand three feet at the shoulder and weigh 300 to 400
pounds. The males have razor sharp tusks. The wild boar is
omnivorous and its diet includes roots, tubers, insects,
snakes and carrion. They feed normally in the early
morning or the late evening. Four to six young are born at
one time and the mother shelters them in a heaped-up mass
of grass or branches, which she builds before she gives
birth.
WILD DOG (Cuon alpinus)
A handsome reddish hunting dog, with a dark muzzle and a
black tipped tail that normally hunts in packs.
SMALL MAMMALS
These include:
Langur Monkey (Presbytis entellus)
Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis)
Large Indian Civet (Veverra zibetha)
Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica)
Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
Himalayan Palm Civet (Paguma larvata)
Spotted Linsang (Poriondon pardicolor)
Jungle Cat (Felis chaus)
Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis)
Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata)
Common Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi)
Crab-eating Mongoose (Hespestes urva)
Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)
Rufoustailed Hare (Lepus nigricollis)
Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus)
Indian Porcupine (Hystrix indica)
Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista)
Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger)
Great Eastern Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus luctus)
Fulvous Fruit Bat (Rousettus leschenaulti)
Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta)
Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla)
Ratel (Mellivora capensis)
Grey Musk Shrew (Suncus murinus).
REPTILES
GHARIAL (Gavialis gangeticus)
This fresh water species, the most endangered of all the
world’s crocodiles is found on the main rivers where
suitable habitat still exists. Their long thin snout has
evolved for catching fish on which they feed almost
exclusively. Gharials of over twenty feet have been
recorded.
MARSH MUGGER (Crocodilus palustris)
The Marsh Crocodile is a common sight along the banks of
ox-bow lakes and occasionally on the rivers. An
opportunistic predator, it also feeds on carrion. A large
Mugger may grow to twelve feet.
SNAKES
Largest is the Indian Python, here recorded to a length of
seventeen feet. Usually found in marshy areas, this
constrictor has been known to kill and devour small deer.
Poisonous snakes include the King Cobra, rivaling the
python in length; the Common Cobra; the Banded Krait, the
Common Krait; and the Green Pit Viper.
- Bandhavgarh National Park
- Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chitwan National Park
- Gir National Park
- Corbett National Park
- Dudhwa National Park
- Great Himalayan National Park
- Hemis National Park
- Kanha National Park
- Kaziranga National Park
- Keoladeo Ghana National Park
- Manas National Park
- Namdapha Tiger Reserve
- Pench National Park
- Panna National Park
- Periyar National Park
- Ranthambore National Park
- Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Sunderbans National Park
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© 2008, Banjara Camps & Retreats Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. All rights reserved.
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