Wildlife sanctuaries in India are a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors and wildlife because the country is home to some unusual plant and animal species. India is home to various animal species whose habitats are provided by the country’s terrain, which is covered in dense forests. Asiatic Lions, Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopards, One-Horned Rhinoceros, and many other rare and exotic animals may be seen on Indian soil.
25 Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
1. Sasan Gir Sanctuary and Gir National Park, Gujarat
Only two wildlife sanctuaries in India are home to Asiatic Lions: Gir National Park and Gujarat’s Sasan Gir Sanctuary. October to June is the perfect time to visit and observe these beautiful animals strolling around their surroundings.
The park, which was established on September 18th, 1965, is one of the largest and best-preserved locations for Asiatic Lions. The rivers and streams that flow through the national park are still used by the locals. Undoubtedly, pictures of the lone Asiatic Lion in India will become viral on WhatsApp!
2. Sariska National Park, Rajasthan
Rajasthan’s Alwar district is home to Sariska National Park. Despite being designated as a wildlife reserve in 1955, it was subsequently designated as one of the Tiger Reserve Forests in 1978 because of the park’s significant population of tigers.
The majestic Royal Bengal Tigers successfully adapted Sariska National Park to serve as their natural home, making it the first-ever national park in the whole world. This national park is also home to leopards, jungle cats, striped hyenas, and golden jackals.
3. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Corbett National Park is the oldest and India’s top 10 national parks out of all the national parks in the country. It was founded in 1936 to save the powerful Bengal Tigers. Corbett National Park, one of the top destinations for wildlife enthusiasts, is located on the foothills of the Himalayan range in Uttarakhand.
This park bears Jim Corbett’s name, a well-known author of animal tales. It draws admirers from all around the world due to its beauty and solitude. In order to increase public knowledge of the powerful and magnificent Bengal Tigers, this Indian wildlife tourism attraction has also been highlighted in several nature films.
4. The Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
This national park is located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, among the dense coniferous woods and snow-capped high peaks. It is one of India’s national parks at a high elevation. The emerald meadows in some areas of the park make it one of the most beautiful parks in India.
The most often encountered creatures in this park include the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, musk deer, blue sheep, and Himalayan Thar. Along with 181 bird species, it is home to several more reptiles, annelid, amphibian, and insect species.
5. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
One of India’s royal national parks is the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan. It is considered to be one of India’s top 10 wildlife sanctuaries.
This park provides a perfect environment for predators and other creatures because it is bordered by the Banas and Chambal Rivers. Some of the main creatures that may be found here are the leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, and hyena. The Ranthambore National Park’s visitors love going on tiger safaris.
6. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
Of all the national parks in South India, the Bandipur National Park is the most visited. Elephants and numerous other endangered animals have a natural habitat there. This park is stunning because of the lush forest of the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats. The park is around 215 kilometers from Bangalore and 80 kilometers from Mysore.
7. Keoladeo Ghana National Park Bharatpur, Rajasthan
One of the artificial wetlands in India designated as a national park is Keoladeo Ghana National Park. It is also known as the “Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.”
This park, which is considered one of the best national parks to watch exotic migrating birds and other species of India, is home to a high number of avifauna throughout the summer. It also acts as a major hub for zoological research and ornithologists.
8. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka
The second-largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka is the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. The black panther, flying squirrel, tiger, elephant, and leopard are easily visible in this refuge.
The major attraction among the many amphibians is the crocodiles. Additionally, it is a great location for hiking, river rafting, bird viewing, and tiger and crocodile sightings.
9. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
One-Horned Rhinos are an endangered species, and Kaziranga National Park is their sole remaining natural home in both India and the rest of the globe. Kaziranga National Park, one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries to study the wildlife of Northeast India, is situated in the Golaghat region of Assam. It is also one of India’s top 10 most visited national parks.
The abundance of tigers and other animal species in this park is another point of pride. Since 2006, Kaziranga National Park has been designated as a Tiger Reserve Forest due to the notable quantity of tigers there. Elephants, wild buffaloes, and swamp deer make up the rest of the animal kingdom. The park also attracts a large number of migrating birds in the winter.
10. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa
In the Goan town of Mollem sits the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is encircled by lovely trees and is situated in the Western Ghats. This is one of those Indian wildlife preserves of both geographic and historical value.
Given its vast vegetation and wildlife, it serves as a mecca for bird watchers. The gaur, sambar, leopards, spotted deer, slender toris, jungle cats, Malayan giant squirrels, pythons, and cobras are simply a few of the creatures that call this sanctuary home.
There is a Devil’s Canyon Viewpoint where visitors may get a good view of the park’s fauna. Early morning or late night are the best times to visit this place.
11. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Another popular site on the list is Kanha National Park. The uncommon and almost extinct species of Swamp Deer, commonly known as “Barasingha,” has been the focus of many studies since this park was founded in 1955. Additionally, it is one of Asia’s most well-kept parks.
The Bamni Dadar sunset point is another landmark of the Kanha National Park. From here, you can view almost the whole park. The most arresting views of the animals in their native habitat are provided here.
12. Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal
One of India’s largest and oldest national parks is Sunderbans. This park, which is situated in the deltaic area of India, also borders Bangladesh. The magnificent Royal Bengal Tigers’ native home is the Sundarbans, an area covered in mangrove forests.
There are also saltwater crocodiles in this park. Avifauna, aquatic fauna, and reptiles can be found in abundance in the Sunderbans. The Gangetic Dolphin, River Terrapin, Hawks Bill Turtle, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab are a few of the park’s other endangered species.
13. Periyar National Park, Kerala
The Periyar National Park in Kerala is the only national park in all of India that has an artificial lake that runs through the trees. Located atop the evergreen Western Ghats highlands, this wildlife sanctuary, one of India’s Tiger Reserve Forests, is a protected area.
While on a boat on the Periyar Lake, visitors may see the strong creatures of this park quenching their thirst. Elephants, deer, tahrs from the Nilgiri Mountains, langurs, and other animals are present in the park as well.
14. Nagarhole National Park
The Nagarhole National Park is a well-known location to watch tigers in the Mysore district of Karnataka state. It is also called “Rajiv Gandhi National Park.” The Tiger population in this park is considerable, and there are also sizeable numbers of Indian Bison, leopards, Sloth bears, and elephants.
There are several different species of very valuable commercial trees found in the park’s extraordinarily diversified woods. Silver oak, teak, and sandalwood make up the majority of the park’s trees. Along with the endangered Mugger Crocodile, this park is home to more than 250 distinct bird species, 96 different dung beetle species, and 60 different ant species.
15. Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand
In the Rajaji National Park, you may see 49 different kinds of animals, including Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, leopards, Himalayan black bears, barking deer, wild boar, goral, Rhesus macaques, yellow-throated martins, and many more. This park, situated on the foothills of the Himalayas, is a paradise on earth and one of India’s most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries.
It includes a variety of tropical and subtropical woodlands, including subtropical pine forests, sal forests, riverine forests, scrub forests, and grasslands. Numerous tourists are drawn to the Rajaji National Park by its stunning open spaces and cool temperature, which has further elevated the destination.
16. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
A majority of tourists will see their childhood dreams being realized. The idea for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” came from this national park, sometimes referred to as “Mowgli Land.”
The most recognized animals in the park are tigers, although there are also leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and barking deer. This is one of the best places for birdwatchers because it is home to more than 170 different bird species.
17. Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh
One of India’s best-kept national parks is Panna National Park. Since being designated as an Indian Tiger Reserve Forest in 1994, poaching has significantly reduced the population of tigers in this park.
Chital, Chinkara, Sambhar, and Sloth Bear are just a few of the many creatures that can be seen in this park. Among its 200 species of avifauna, the Bar-headed Goose and King Vultures are the two most often encountered birds.
18. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Another intriguing name is the Bandhavgarh National Park. It is one of the state’s biggest national parks and is situated in the Umaria district. This park was established as a national park in 1968 and is home to a notable number of tigers in India.
Deer and leopards are abundant in this park as well. White Tigers are the most impressive feature of Bandhavgarh National Park’s attractions.
19. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-see location since it is encircled by semi-evergreen woods as well as dry and damp deciduous woodlands.
A broad range of flora and animals may be found there. The Bhadra River is one of this sanctuary’s most popular features. It serves as a nexus for photographers and wildlife adventurers. Adventurers must participate in the park’s wildlife safari to experience the variety of God’s creations.
Bison, gaur, leopard, elephant, tiger, sambar, boar, chital, deer, porcupine, and muntjac are just a few of the numerous creatures that may be seen there. Species, including the emerald dove, southern green imperial pigeon, great black woodpecker, Malabar parakeet, and hill myna, are found in this region’s bird kingdom.
20. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala
The second-largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala after the Periyar National Park is the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Annamalai Hills, which form the sanctuary’s shared boundary with Tamil Nadu, are part of the Western Ghats. Panthers, spotted deer, Indian elephants, tigers, and Nilgiri tahr are among the 34 species of animals present in this sanctuary, and they are also among the most impressive.
More than 240 kinds of exotic birds live there as well as Mugger Crocodiles. The existence of Thoovanam Waterfalls within the forests has elevated this sanctuary to the status of one of Kerala’s most well-liked hiking and camping locations.
21. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
The Silent Valley National Park in the Kundali Hills, close to the Western Ghats, is a highly well-known wildlife refuge in India. This location offers a mesmerizing view due to its proximity to the reserve forests of the Nilgiri, Nilambur, Palghat, and Attappadi.
This national park, which is situated around 3600 feet above sea level, is endowed with a wide diversity of vegetation and animals. This park is graced by the majestic River Kunthi, which only enhances its attractiveness and draws more and more tourists.
The Nilgiri wood-pigeon, Malabar parakeet, broad-tailed grassbird, rufous babbler, white-bellied short-wing, and great Indian hornbill are just a few of the uncommon bird species that may be seen. Tigers, leopards, sambars, and other large animals also inhabit this area.
22. Manas National Park, Assam
One of India’s newest national parks is the Manas National Park, aka the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in Assam. Several rare and endangered animals call it home. In this park, the Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Hispid Hare, and Assam Roofed Turtle are a few of the most endangered species.
The 380 bird species, 55 mammal species, and significant collection of reptiles and amphibians in this park are all something to be proud of. Asian Elephants, Indian Rhinos, Water Buffaloes, Leopards, and Assamese Macaques are some of the other animals that call this park home. Additionally, it’s a popular spot for river rafting.
23. Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which includes the Dudhwa National Park, is located in Uttar Pradesh. This park’s history dates back to 1958, when it was designated as a Swamp Deer nature refuge. As a result of the area’s significant population of tigers, it was later designated a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
24. Hemis National Park, Jammu and Kashmir
The Hemis National Park, also known as the Hemis High Altitude Wildlife Sanctuary, is located at a height that varies roughly between 3300 M and 6000 M above sea level. The Hemis National Park is reportedly the highest in the world.
This park is encircled and beautifully landscaped by a variety of steppe and alpine trees, including Caragana, Artemisia, Stachys, and Ephedra, as well as alpine trees like Anemone, Gentiana, and Lloyd. Animals, including snow leopards, Ibex, bharal, and many others, are housed at the sanctuary.
There are 73 species of birds and roughly 16 species of mammals. This park is home to a variety of animals, including about 73 kinds of birds, including the snow cock, chukar, magpie, Himalayan whistling thrush, great grey shrike, red mantled rosefinch, etc.
25. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
The biggest and oldest National Park in Maharashtra is the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project, a Tiger Reserve in the Chandrapur district. In this park, predators, including Bengal Tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, and jungle cats, are frequently spotted. The herbivores include sloth bears, gaur, nilgai, and spotted deer.
Because of the park’s location and physical topography, its forests are always green. In this park, axle wood, a fire-resistant type of tree, is frequently encountered. The three other species that predominate are Black Plum, Arjun, and Palas.
Conclusion
Regardless of the location of the vacation, every nature and wildlife enthusiast has to visit wildlife sanctuaries. Make the most of your trip by using every opportunity to explore. The nation is renowned for its abundant natural riches, great biodiversity, and diverse mountains and deserts.
