Abstract:

 Through the following article, it is possible to get a detailed view of various wildlife sanctuaries in India along with a list of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India that is a definite must-visit. 

Introduction

India consists of one of the richest biodiversity along with vast natural resources around the world. This also consists of a unique range of flora and fauna that roam around free in protected natural wildlife sanctuaries in India. These sanctuaries in India are the true haven for both wildlife and nature lovers such that a huge amount of people flock to watch these green terrains and thick jungles in India. To understand more about wildlife sanctuaries in India here is a list of wildlife sanctuaries in India along with details of the national park. Right from giant squirrels in the south to Asiatic lions in the west these are the abodes to a plethora of wild species that cannot be spotted anywhere else in the world.

What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A wildlife sanctuary can be referred to as an area where animal habitats and their surroundings are protected from any type of disturbances. The killing, capturing, and poaching of animals in these areas is highly prohibited. It is also a secure environment for animals with the base objective being to provide a healthy life to these animals with ease since they tend to be an important part of the ecosystem.  

Multiple wildlife sanctuaries in India are home to huge mountains, lengthy rivers, and thickly forested areas that provide home and nutrition to animals. Such sanctuaries in India were created with the idea of wildlife conservation, enhancement, and development of wildlife being kept in mind.

10 best wildlife sanctuaries in India

Since we already know what wildlife sanctuaries are, here is a list of wildlife sanctuaries in India along with one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India that most people do add to their bucket lists. These top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India are a must-see for all those people who are not only residing in India but also for other people around the globe.

 

 1. Ranthambore National Park

The first on the list of wildlife sanctuaries in India is Ranthambore National Park which is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India apart from also being the most renowned national park in Northern India. It is one of the most historic national parks as well due to its major popularity among hunters during the periods of Maharajas of Jaipur. Today the Ranthambore national park has attracted not just tourists but also many wildlife photographers from around the world. The national park is also an abode to the nation’s pride, the majestic tiger. Apart from this, it is also a home to other animals such as leopards, hyenas, wild boars, and jaguars.

  Fauna

Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar Deer, Chital Nilgai, Jackal, Jungle Cats, Hanuman or Common Langurs, Chinkara, Common Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Black Bucks, Sloth bears

  Location

Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, India

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Sanganer Airport in Jaipur

Nearest railhead – Sawai Madhopur Railway Station

By road – Cabs can be booked from Sawai Madhopur to the national park.

  Best time to visit

 October to March

2. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous tiger reserves apart from being the oldest and largest wildlife sanctuary in India. This home to several herbivore and carnivore species is evergreen which owes to the geographical topography of the location. Apart from a ton of species of animals, there are also several rare plant species such as axle wood which are a part of fire-resistant plant species.

  Fauna 

Leopards, Bengal Tigers, Sloth bears, striped hyenas, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Jungle cats

  Location

Chandrapur, Maharashtra

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Nagpur airport

Nearest railhead – Chandrapur Railway Station

By road – State-run bus from Chandrapur to Chirmur or via taxis

  Best time to visit

October to March

3. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary

Apart from being on the list of wildlife sanctuaries in India with a majestic collection of rare species of animals and plants, this sanctuary is also rightly said to be a bird sanctuary and is also quite a famous place for birdwatchers. Such a protected area exhibits a wide range of rare and exotic plant species along with various species of amphibians, reptiles, and insects.  Adventurers also go here for river rafting, trekking, and other such adventurous trails.

  Fauna 

Crocodiles, Blue throated barbet, Great Pied Hornbill, Peregrine Falcon, Tigers, Black Panthers

  Location

Solad Complex, J N.Road, Dandeli, Gokarna, Uttara Kannada

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Hubli Airport

Nearest railhead – Alnavar and Londa railway stations

By road – Buses and private cabs from Bangalore, Karwar, Hubli, Dharwad, and Belgaum

  Best time to visit

March to October

4. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

A wildlife sanctuary is not always all about tiger reserves or just plants, they can also be about pink flamingos dotted all over a wide stretch of white desert. Kutch Desert wildlife sanctuary is one of the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India that consists of pink flamingos that migrate during certain seasons. Apart from being one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries in India, this place is also considered to be one of the largest seasonal saline wetland areas. The 0.5 to 1.5-meter depth of water tends to attract and preserve an enormous population of flamingos.

  Fauna 

Flamingos, Greater Flamingos, Indian Porcupines, Spiny Tailed Lizards, Black-necked Storks, Wild Ass, Indian Cormorant

  Location

Rann, Dholavira, Kutch, India

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Bhuj Airport

Nearest railhead – Bhuj railway station

By road – Bus or taxis from Rajkot or Ahmedabad

  Best time to visit

November to March

5. Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary

Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the sanctuaries in India that is listed in the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is also home to a variety of animal and plant species which lure in a lot of birdwatchers from far away. It is also home to fascinating snow leopards and is also considered to be a major tourist hotspot. With a snowy mountain view along with sparkling streams and thick jungles, this is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries that everyone needs to visit at least once.

  Fauna 

Sclater’s Monals, Blyth’s Tragopan, Snow Leopards, Mishmi Takin, Clouded Leopards, Red Pandas, Musk Deer, Asiatic Black Bear, Tigers

  Location

Dibang Valley, Roing, Arunachal Pradesh

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Dibrugarh Airport

Nearest railhead – Tinsukia railway station

By road – Taxi services from Roing, Anini, and Tinsukia along with State-run buses.

  Best time to visit

November to February

6. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in India is quite famous for its gorgeous landscapes, abundant flora, and a plethora of bird and animal species. It is also considered to be a bird sanctuary for several bird species. It is also home to King Cobras and Royal Bengal Tigers and is hence also called as a tiger reserve. This wildlife sanctuary in India also has a perfectly cool climate with an altitude ranging between 600 to 1000 meters above sea level. The main source of water in this sanctuary is via rivers Kandati, Koyna, and Solashi. Due to its abundant beauty and heritage site within the sanctuary, this protected area has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

  Fauna 

Royal Bengal Tiger, King Cobra, Barking Deer, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Rufous Woodpecker, Crested Goshawk, Bison, Sambar Deer, Indian Giant Squirrels, Sloth Bears, Indian Leopards.

  Location

Koyna Nagar, Koyna, Maharashtra

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Pune Airport

Nearest railhead – Kolhapur railway station

By road – Cabs or buses from Pune and Kolhapur

  Best time to visit

October

7. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Apart from being the largest wildlife sanctuary in India, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an amazing sanctuary that is home to several birds and animals. The green grasslands tend to get their water source from Periyar Lake which also gives the name to this wildlife sanctuary in India. Apart from wonderful wildlife habitat, there is also a spice garden which is home to an array of spices such as clove, cardamom, nutmeg, and pepper.

  Fauna 

Lion Tail, King Cobra, Mouse Deer, Indian Elephants, Barking Deer, Sambar Gaur, Foxes, Bison, Nilgiri Langur

  Location

Periyar, Kerala

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Madurai Airport

Nearest railhead – Kottayam Railway Station

By road – Take a bus or cab via NH 220 to reach Kumily from where the sanctuary is located at just a distance of 4 km

  Best time to visit

March to May

8. Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary

Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is considered to be one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India and has an area spread around 1100 square kilometers in Odisha. It is one of the most famous picnic spots for both friends and families and is a fantastic place to witness sunsets or sunrise. Apart from being home to a large number of wildlife species, it is also home to aquatic wildlife with around 225 species of fish.

  Fauna 

Open Billled Stoek, Golden Jackals, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Ehret, Kingfisher, Spot Billed Pelican, Brahminy Kite, Dolphin, Wigeon, Ibis, Avocet, Hyenas, Spotted Deer, Pintail

  Location

Near Kalijai Temple, Puri, Odisha

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Bhubaneswar Airport

Nearest railhead – Balugaon Railway Station

By road – Catch a cab from Bhubaneswar

  Best time to visit

November to February

9. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary listed among the top 10 wildlife sanctuaries in India gets its name from the Manas River that flows near this sanctuary. Though it might not be one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, it is still home to project tiger reserve, biosphere reserve, and elephant reserve. It was initially established in the year 1985 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With the sanctuary being located under the foothills of the Himalayas, one   can enjoy a favorable climate throughout the year.

  Fauna 

Capped Langurs, Black Panthers, Gaurs, Macaques, Asian Golden Cat, Indian Rhinoceros, Hoolock Gibbons, Red-headed Trogon, Bengal Florican, Finn’s Weaver, Asian Water Buffaloes, Chital, Otters

  Location

Manas Road, Barangabari Gyati Village, Dist Baksa, Gobardhana, Assam

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Guwahati Airport

Nearest railhead – Barpeta Railway Station

By road – This sanctuary can be easily reached via major towns such as Guwahati, Johrat, Barpeta, and more. Buses and taxis can also be easily accessed.

  Best time to visit

October to February

10. Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary

Also formerly known as the Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, this wildlife sanctuary located in India was renamed as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1987 in memory of the Prime Minister. This sanctuary in India is spread over a wide area of 950 square kilometers and consists of deciduous forests, grasslands, and dry scrub forests which shows its ever-changing topography.  

  Fauna 

Nilgiri, Tahr, Bonnet, Common Langur, Malabar Hornbill, Dollar Bird, While Bellied Woodpecker, Painted Bush Quail, Great Pied Hornbill, Hill Myna, Grey Jungle Fowl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Lion Tailed Macaque.

  Location

Pollachi, Tamil Nadu

  How to reach

Nearest airport – Coimbatore Airport

Nearest railhead – Pollachi Railway Station

By road – Public transport will be available from both Pollachi and Coimbatore.

  Best time to visit

December to April

Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries

Wildlife sanctuaries provide a lot of benefits not only just for people but also for nature. These serve as a natural resource that needs to be protected at all costs. Here are some of the reasons why a wildlife sanctuary is important.

  1.  It helps preserve wildlife

It costs a lot to relocate endangered species, however, with the help of such protected areas it is possible to preserve the wildlife and can be watched over with close supervision. By visiting these sanctuaries, biologists can also take a look at how these animals behave in their natural habitat.

  1.  Wildlife sanctuaries help with landscape protection

Trees are being cut and nature is losing its beauty, however, with the help of wildlife sanctuary, it is possible not just to provide shelter to wildlife but also to preserve the beauty of these landscapes.

  1.  Helps preserve history and culture

Some of the sanctuaries also consist of tribes that have been living in these areas for a long time. Such tribes can also be protected with the help of wildlife sanctuaries being set up.

Protection of Wildlife Sanctuaries

To protect the wildlife sanctuaries, the following steps have been taken:

  1.   To save both animal and plant species the government implemented the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972.
  2.  This law focused on forbidding the killing of animals for sport while also enabling the legal preservation of their habitats.
  3.  There have also been various initiatives that have been taken by the government to protect threatened species such as one-horned rhinos and tigers.
  4.  The Bombay Natural History Society which was founded in the year 1883 is still engaged in the study and preservation of wildlife.
  5.  The National Tiger Conservation Authority was set up in the year 2005 in December to improve the Tiger Project in India and protect the declining population levels along with preserving its natural ecosystem.

Conclusion

As the wildlife sanctuaries in India have always provided several benefits to both people and nature while also helping the animals to survive it has become essential to keep these sanctuaries protected. Wild animals being dangerous to people needs to be isolated and such wildlife sanctuaries are the perfect places to keep them in their natural habitat while maintaining peace.

FAQs

  1. How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in India?

There are in total 543 wildlife sanctuaries in India that were established between the years 1936 to 2016.

  1. Which is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in India?

The smallest wildlife sanctuary in India is Bor Tiger Reserve which was established in the year 1970 near Hingani in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. The Bor Tiger Reserve covers an area of approximately 121.1 square kilometers.

  1. Which is India’s first Wildlife sanctuary?

The first wildlife sanctuary in India was established in the year 1936 as protection for the endangered Bengal Tigers and is named Jim Corbett National Park.

 

 

Related tags :