Wildlife of India

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Wildlife of India

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The most endangered Indiantop predator of 2010, the dhole is on edge of extinction. Less than 2500 mem ers of the species remain in the !orld.

The !ildlife in India is a mix "tiof species of different types of organisms. #1$#clarification needed$%part from a handf"l of the ma&or famed animals s"ch as co!s, "ffaloes, goats, po"ltry and sheep, India has an ama'ingly !ide (ariety of animals nati(e to the co"ntry. It is home to lions,tigers, leopards, sno! leopards, lack panthers, cheetahs, !ol(es, foxes, ears, crocodiles, rhinoceroses, camels, dogs, monkeys, snakes,a ntelope species, deer species, (arieties of ison and not to mention the mighty %sian elephant. The region)s rich and di(erse !ildlife is preser(ed in *+ national parks, 1, -io reser(es and .00/ !ildlife sanct"aries across the co"ntry. #2$ 0ince India is home to a n"m er of rare and threatened animal species, !ildlife management in the co"ntry is essential to preser(e these species. #,$ %ccording to one st"dy, India along !ith 11 mega di(erse co"ntries is home to a o"t 203104 of the !orld)s iodi(ersity.
#.$

India, lying !ithin the Indomalaya eco'one, is home to a o"t 1.24 of all mammalian, 12.24 of a(ian, 2.24 of reptilian, and 2.04 of flo!ering plant species.#5$ 5any ecoregions, s"ch as the shola forests, also exhi it extremely high rates of endemism6 o(erall, ,,4 of Indian plant species are endemic. #2$
#1$

India)s forest co(er ranges from the tropical rainforest of the %ndaman Islands, Western 7hats,

and 8ortheast Indiato the conifero"s forest of the 9imalaya. -et!een these extremes lie the sal3 dominated moist decid"o"s forest of eastern India6 teak3dominated dry decid"o"s forest of central and so"thern India6 and the a "l3dominated thorn forest of the central :eccan and !estern 7angetic plain.#*$ Important Indian trees incl"de the medicinal neem, !idely "sed in r"ral Indian her al remedies. The pipal fig tree, sho!n on the seals of5ohen&o3daro, shaded the 7a"tama -"ddha as he so"ght enlightenment. 5any Indian species are descendants of taxa originating in 7ond!ana, to !hich India originally elonged. ;enins"lar India)s s" se<"entmo(ement to!ards, and collision !ith,

the La"rasian landmass set off a mass exchange of species. 9o!e(er, (olcanism and climatic change 20 million years ago ca"sed the extinction of many endemic Indian forms.#+$ 0oon thereafter, mammals entered India from %sia thro"gh t!o'oogeographical passes on either side of the emerging 9imalaya.
#*$

%s a res"lt, among Indian species, only 12.24 of mammals and ..54 of irds are endemic,

contrasting !ith .5.*4 of reptiles and 55.*4 of amphi ians. #5$ 8ota le endemics are the 8ilgiri leaf monkey and the ro!n and carmine -eddome)s toad of the Western 7hats. India contains 112, or 2.+4, of I=>83designated threatened species.#10$ These incl"de the%siatic lion, the -engal tiger, and the Indian !hite3r"mped ("lt"re, !hich s"ffered a near3extinction from ingesting the carrion of diclofenac3treated cattle. In recent decades, h"man encroachment has posed a threat to India)s !ildlife6 in response, the system of national parks and protected areas, first esta lished in 1+,5, !as s" stantially expanded. In 1+12, India enacted the Wildlife ;rotection %ct and ;ro&ect Tiger to safeg"ard cr"cial ha itat6 f"rther federal protections !ere prom"lgated in the 1+*0s. %long !ith o(er 500 !ildlife sanct"aries, India no! hosts 15 iosphere reser(es, fo"r of !hich are part of the World 8et!ork of -iosphere ?eser(es6 25 !etlands are registered "nder the ?amsar >on(ention. The (aried and rich !ildlife of India has had a profo"nd impact on the region)s pop"lar c"lt"re. The common name for !ilderness in India is @"ngle, !hich !as adopted into the Anglish lang"age. The !ord has een also made famo"s in The Jungle Book y ?"dyard Bipling. India)s !ildlife has een the s" &ect of n"mero"s other tales and fa les s"ch as the Panchatantra and the Jataka tales.
Contents
[hide]

1 Fauna

o o

1.1 Conservation 1.2 Recent extinctions 2 Fungi of India F!ora of India " #ationa! s$%&o!s of India ' (ios)here reserves * +ee a!so , References

- Externa! !in.s

[edit]Fauna

Main article: Fauna of India

The endangered -lack "ck at the 7"indy 8ational ;ark !ithin the >hennai metropolis

India is home to se(eral !ell kno!n large mammals incl"ding the %sian Alephant, -engal Tiger, %siatic Lion, Leopard, 0loth -ear andIndian ?hinoceros, often engrained c"lt"rally and religio"sly often eing associated !ith deities. Cther !ell kno!n large Indian mammals incl"de "ng"lates s"ch as the rare Wild %sian Water "ffalo, common :omestic %sian Water "ffalo, 8ilgai, 7a"r, and se(eral species of deer and antelope. 0ome mem ers of the dog family, s"ch as the Indian Wolf, -engal Fox and 7olden @ackal, and the :hole or Wild :ogs are also !idely distri "ted. 9o!e(er, the dhole, also kno!n as the whistling hunter, is the most endangered top Indian carni(ore, and the 9imalayan Wolf is no! a critically endangered species endemic to India.#citation needed$ It is also home to the 0triped 9yena,5aca<"es, Lang"rs and 5ongoose species.
[edit]Conservation

Cne of the !orld)s rarest monkeys, thegolden lang"r typifies the precario"s s"r(i(al of m"ch of India)s megafa"na.

The need for conser(ation of !ildlife in India is often <"estioned eca"se of the apparently incorrect priority in the face of direct po(erty of the people. 9o!e(er %rticle .* of the >onstit"tion of India specifies that, DThe state shall endea(o"r to protect and impro(e the en(ironment and to safeg"ard the forests and !ildlife of the co"ntryD and %rticle 513% states that Dit shall e the d"ty of e(ery citi'en of

India to protect and impro(e the nat"ral en(ironment incl"ding forests, lakes, ri(ers, and !ildlife and to ha(e compassion for li(ing creat"res.D#11$ Large and charismatic mammals are important for !ildlife to"rism in India and se(eral national parks and !ildlife sanct"aries cater to these needs. ;ro&ect Tiger started in 1+12 is a ma&or effort to conser(e the tiger and its ha itats.#12$ %t the t"rn of the 20th cent"ry, one estimate of the tiger pop"lation in India placed the fig"re at .0,000, yet an Indian tiger cens"s cond"cted in 200* re(ealed the existence of only 1,.11 tigers. The passing of the Forest ?ights %ct y the Indian go(ernment in 200* has een the final nail in the coffin and has p"shed the Indian tiger on the (erge of extinction. Eario"s press"res in the later part of the 20th cent"ry led to the progressi(e decline of!ilderness res"lting in the dist"r ance of (ia le tiger ha itats. %t the International =nion for the >onser(ation of 8at"re and 8at"ral ?eso"rces FI=>8G 7eneral %ssem ly meeting in :elhi in 1+2+, serio"s concern !as (oiced a o"t the threat to se(eral species of !ildlifeand the shrinkage of !ilderness in India. In 1+10, a national an on tiger h"nting !as imposed, and in 1+12 the Wildlife ;rotection %ctcame into force. The frame!ork !as then set "p to form"late a pro&ect for tiger conser(ation !ith an ecological approach. La"nched on %pril 1, 1+1,, ;ro&ect Tiger has ecome one of the most s"ccessf"l conser(ation (ent"res in modern history. The pro&ect aims at tiger conser(ation in specially constit"ted )tiger reser(es) !hich are representati(e of (ario"s io3geographical regions falling !ithin India. It stri(es to maintain a (ia le tiger pop"lation in their nat"ral en(ironment. Today, there are ,+ ;ro&ect Tiger !ildlife reser(es in India co(ering an area more than of ,1,121 kmH. ;ro&ect Alephant, tho"gh less kno!n, started in 1++2 and !orks for elephant protection in India.
#1,$

5ost of India)s rhinos today s"r(i(e in the Ba'iranga 8ational ;ark.

%siatic Lion

-rahminy Bite

-ro!n Fish3o!l

?ed ;anda

Indian >o ra

Indian 7a'elle

Indian ;eafo!l

Indian ?hinoceros

Indian Wild :og

Lion3tailed 5aca<"e

;ariah Bite

?ing3necked ;arakeet

?oyal -engal Tiger

0hikra

[edit]Recent

extinctions

Ill"stration of a 9imalayan I"ail from %. C. 9"me)s !ork. Last seen in 1*12

The exploitation of land and forest reso"rces y h"mans along !ith h"nting and trapping for food and sport has led to the extinction of many species in India in recent times. These species incl"de mammals s"ch as the IndianJ%siatic >heetah, Wild Ke ", @a(an ?hinoceros, and 0"matran ?hinoceros.#1.$ While some of these large mammal species are confirmed extinct, there ha(e een many smaller animal and plant species !hose stat"s is harder to determine. 5any species ha(e not een seen since their description. Hubbardia heptaneuron, a species of grass that gre! in the spray 'one of the @og Falls prior to the constr"ction of the Linganamakki reser(oir, !as tho"ght to e extinct, "t a fe! !ere redisco(ered near Bolhap"r.#15$ 0ome species of irds ha(e gone extinct in recent times, incl"ding the ;ink3headed :"ck FRhodonessa car oph llaceaG and the9imalayan I"ail F!phr sia superciliosaG. % species of !ar ler, "crocephalus orinus, kno!n earlier from a single specimen collected y%llan Ccta(ian 9"me from near ?amp"r in 9imachal ;radesh, !as redisco(ered after 1,+ years in Thailand. #12$#11$
[edit]Fungi

of India

The di(ersity of f"ngi#1*$ and their nat"ral ea"ty occ"py a prime place in the iological !orld and India has een a cradle for s"ch organisms. Cnly a fraction of the total f"ngal !ealth of India has een s" &ected to scientific scr"tiny and mycologists ha(e to "nra(el this "nexplored and hidden !ealth. Cne3third of f"ngal di(ersity of the glo e exists in India. The co"ntry has an array of 10 di(erse iomes incl"ding Trans39imalayan 'one, 9imalaya, :esert, 0emi3%rid 'one, Western 7hats, :eccan ;enins"la, 7angetic ;lain, 8orth3Aastern India, >oasts and Islands !here (aried dominating regimes manifest. This ena les the s"r(i(al of manifold f"ngal flora in these regions !hich incl"de hot spot areas like the 9imalayan ranges, Western 7hats, hill stations, mangro(es, sea coasts, fresh !ater odies etc. 5any f"ngi ha(e een recorded from these regions and from the co"ntry in general comprising thermophiles, psychrophiles, mesophiles, a<"atic forms, marine forms, plant and animal pathogens, edi le f"ngi and eneficial f"ngi and so on. The n"m er of f"ngi recorded in India exceeds 21,000 species, the largest iotic comm"nity after insects. The tr"e f"ngi elong to the

Bingdom#1+$ F"ngi !hich has fo"r phyla, 10, orders, .*. families and .+1+ genera. % o"t 205 ne! genera ha(e een descri ed from India, of !hich ,24 !ere disco(ered y >. E. 0" ramanian of the =ni(ersity of 5adras#20$#21$. These feat"res indicate a ten3fold increase in the last 10 years.

National wildlife conservation projects

NATIONAL WILDLIF CON! R"ATION PRO# CT! PRO# CT TI$ R Pro/ect Tiger is a wi!d!ife conservation )ro/ect initiated in India in 10,2 to )rotect the (enga! Tigers. It was !aunched on 1)ri! 12 10, and has &eco%e one of the %ost successfu! wi!d!ife conservation ventures. The )ro/ect ai%s at tiger conservation in s)ecia!!$ constituted tiger reserves re)resentative of various &io3geogra)hica! regions throughout India. It strives to %aintain a via&!e tiger )o)u!ation in their natura! environ%ent. In 244,2 there were 2- Pro/ect Tiger wi!d!ife reserves covering an area of ,2,*1 .%5. Pro/ect Tiger he!)ed increased the )o)u!ation of these tigers fro% 12244 in the 10,4s to 2'44 in 1004s. 1t the turn of the 24th centur$2 one esti%ate of the tiger )o)u!ation in India )!aced the figure at "42444. The first ever a!!3India tiger census was conducted in 10,2 which revea!ed the existence of on!$ 1-2, tigers. Various )ressures in the second ha!f of the 24th centur$ !ed to the )rogressive dec!ine of wi!derness resu!ting in the distur&ance of via&!e tiger ha&itats. 1t the Internationa! 6nion for Conservation of #ature and #atura! Resources 7I6C#8 9enera! 1sse%&!$ %eeting in :e!hi in 10*02 serious concern was voiced a&out the threat to severa! s)ecies of wi!d!ife and the shrin.age of wi!derness in India. In 10,42 a nationa! &an on tiger hunting was i%)osed and in 10,2 the ;i!d!ife Protection 1ct ca%e into force. 1 tas. force was then set u) to for%u!ate a )ro/ect for tiger conservation with an eco!ogica! a))roach. The )ro/ect was !aunched in 10, 2 and various tiger reserves were created in the countr$ &ased on a <core3&uffer< strateg$. The core areas were freed fro% a!! sorts of hu%an activities and the &uffer areas were su&/ected to <conservation oriented !and use<. =anage%ent )!ans were drawn u) for each tiger reserve &ased on the )rinci)!es out!ined &e!ow> 3 E!i%ination of a!! for%s of hu%an ex)!oitation and &iotic distur&ance fro% the core area and rationa!i?ation of activities in the &uffer ?one. 3 Restricting the ha&itat %anage%ent on!$ to re)air the da%ages done to the eco3s$ste% &$ hu%an and other interferences so as to faci!itate recover$ of the eco3s$ste% to its natura! state. 3 =onitoring the fauna! and f!ora! changes over ti%e and carr$ing out research a&out wi!d!ife.

Initia!!$2 0 tiger reserves were esta&!ished in different +tates during the )eriod 10, 3,"2 &$ )oo!ing the resources avai!a&!e with the Centra! and +tate 9overn%ents. These nine reserves covered an area of a&out 1 241,.%5 33 vi? =anas 71ssa%82 Pa!a%au 7(ihar82 +i%i!i)a! 7@rissa82 Cor&ett 76.P.82 Aanha 7=.P.82 =e!ghat 7=aharashtra82 (andi)ur 7Aarnata.a82 Rantha%&hore 7Ra/asthan8 and +under&ans 7;est (enga!8. The )ro/ect started as a Centra! +ector +che%e with the fu!! assistance of Centra! 9overn%ent unti! 10,03-4> !ater2 it &eco%e a <centra!!$ +)onsored +che%e< fro% 10-43-12 with eBua! sharing of ex)enditures &etween the center and the states. The ;or!d ;i!d!ife Fund For #ature has given Pro/ect Tiger assistance in the for% of eBui)%ents2 ex)ertise and !iterature worth 6+ C 1 %i!!ion. The various

+tates have given u) forestr$ o)erations in the reserves !eading to a !oss of revenue. Pro/ect Tiger was a )et )ro/ect of Indira 9andhi2 the then Pri%e =inister of India. Re)orts of wides)read )oaching of tigers in two of the )re%ier Tiger Reserves of #orth India 3 +aris.a and Rantha%&ore have )ro%)ted a high !eve! inBuir$ &$ C(I and a!so the constitution of a #ationa! !eve! su)ervisor$ co%%ittee to su)ervise the i%)!e%entation of the )ro/ect. +enior wi!d!ife scientists and conservationists have &een chosen for this co%%ittee to &e headed &$ the Pri%e =inister hi%se!f. The %ain achieve%ents of this )ro/ect are exce!!ent recover$ of the ha&itat and conseBuent increase in the tiger )o)u!ation in the reserve areas2 fro% a %ere 2*- in 0 reserves in 10,2 to a&ove one thousand in 2- reserves in 244*. Tigers2 &eing at the a)ex of the food chain2 can &e considered as the indicator of the sta&i!it$ of the ecos$ste%. For a via&!e tiger )o)u!ation2 a ha&itat shou!d )ossess a good )re$ &ase which in turn wi!! de)end on an undistur&ed forest vegetation. Thus2 <Pro/ect Tiger< is &asica!!$ the conservation of the entire ecos$ste% and a)art fro% tigers2 a!! other wi!d ani%a!s )o)u!ation have a!so increased in the )ro/ect areas. In the su&seBuent Five Dear P!ans2 the %ain thrust was to en!arge the core and &uffer ?ones in certain reserves2 intensification of )rotection and eco3 deve!o)%ent in the &uffer ?ones of existing tiger reserves2 creation of additiona! tiger reserves and strengthening of the research activities.

PRO# CT L P%ANT Pro/ect E!e)hant 7PE82 a centra!!$ s)onsored sche%e2 was !aunched in Fe&ruar$ 1002 to )rovide financia! and technica! su))ort to %a/or e!e)hant &earing +tates in the countr$ for )rotection of e!e)hants2 their ha&itats and corridors. It a!so see.s to address the issues of hu%an3e!e)hant conf!ict and we!fare of do%esticated e!e)hants. The Pro/ect is &eing i%)!e%ented in 1 +tates E 6Ts 2 vi?. 1ndhra Pradesh 2 1runacha! Pradesh 2 1ssa% 2 Fhar.hand 2 Aarnata.a 2 Aera!a 2 =egha!a$a 2 #aga!and 2 @rissa 2 Ta%i! #adu 2 6ttrancha! 2 6ttar Pradesh and ;est (enga!. 2' E!e)hant Reserves 7ERs8 extending over a&out '-2444 sB .% have &een for%a!!$ notified &$ various +tate 9overn%ents ti!! now. The esti%ated )o)u!ation of wi!d e!e)hants in 2442 was 2*"1 . =ain activities of the Pro/ect are as fo!!ows> 3 Eco!ogica! restoration of existing natura! ha&itats and %igrator$ routes of e!e)hantsG 3 :eve!o)%ent of scientific and )!anned %anage%ent for conservation of e!e)hant ha&itats and via&!e )o)u!ation of ;i!d 1siatic e!e)hants in IndiaG 3 Pro%otion of %easures for %itigation of %an e!e)hant conf!ict in crucia! ha&itats and %oderating )ressures of hu%an and do%estic stoc. activities in crucia! e!e)hant ha&itatsG 3 +trengthening of %easures for )rotection of ;i!d e!e)hants for% )oachers and unnatura! causes of deathG 3 Research on E!e)hant %anage%ent re!ated issuesG 3 Pu&!ic education and awareness )rogra%%esG 3 Eco3deve!o)%ent

Veterinar$ care

PRO# CT %AN$&L The Aash%ir stag 7Cervus affinis hanglu8 a!so ca!!ed Hangu! is a su&s)ecies of Centra! 1sian Red :eer native to northern India. This deer !ives in grou)s of two to 1- individua!s in dense riverine forests2 high va!!e$s2 and %ountains of the Aash%ir va!!e$ and northern Cha%&a in Hi%acha! Pradesh. In Aash%ir2 it<s found in :achiga% #ationa! Par. at e!evations of 24 ' %eters. These deer once nu%&ered fro% a&out '2444 ani%a!s in the &eginning of the 24th centur$. 6nfortunate!$2 the$ were threatened2 due to ha&itat destruction2 over3gra?ing &$ do%estic !ivestoc.2 and )oaching. This dwind!ed to as !ow as 1'4 ani%a!s &$ 10,4. However2 the state of Fa%%u I Aash%ir2 a!ong with the I6C# and the ;;F )re)ared a )ro/ect for the )rotection of these ani%a!s. It &eca%e .nown as Pro/ect Hangu!. This &rought great resu!ts and the )o)u!ation increased to over "4 &$ 10-4.

INDIAN CROCODIL CON! R"ATION PRO# CT The Indian Crocodi!e Conservation Pro/ect is considered a%ong the %ore successfu! of conservation initiatives in the wor!d. It has )u!!ed &ac. the once threatened crocodi!ians fro% the &rin. of extinction and )!ace the% on a good )ath of recover$. The Pro/ect has not /ust )roduced a !arge nu%&er of crocodi!es2 &ut has contri&uted towards conservation in a nu%&er of re!ated fie!ds as we!!. The &road o&/ectives of activities under crocodi!e )ro/ect were as fo!!ows > 3 To )rotect the re%aining )o)u!ation of crocodi!ians in their natura! ha&itat &$ creating sanctuaries. 3 To re&ui!d natura! )o)u!ation Buic.!$ through Jgrow and re!ease< or Jrear and re!ease< techniBue 3 %ore than seven thousand crocodi!es have &een restoc.ed 3 a&out "444 gharia! 7Gavialis gangeticus82 1-44 %ugger 7Crocodylus palustris8 and 1'44 sa!t3 water crocodi!es 7Crocodylus porosus8 3 To )ro%ote ca)tive &reeding2 3 To ta.e3u) research to i%)rove %anage%ent. 3 To &ui!d u) a !eve! of trained )ersonne! for &etter continuit$ of the )ro/ect through training i%)arted at )ro/ect3sites and through the 7erstwhi!e8 Centra! Crocodi!e (reeding and =anage%ent Training Institute2 H$dera&ad. 3 To invo!ve the !oca! )eo)!e in the )ro/ect inti%ate!$

The Himalayan Musk Deer Ecology and Conservation Project, Project ion, the !no" eopard Project and several Pheasant Projects have also #een initiated$

PROT CT D AR A N TWOR' Protected 1rea networ. has increased fro% 1. !a.h sB. .%. to 1.'* !a.h sB. .%. adding a&out 2 402 sB. .%. The Protected .1rea networ. now co%)rises '-* Protected 1reas 7-0 #ationa! Par.s and "0, sanctuaries8 as against "2* Protected 1reas 7* #ationa! Par.s and * sanctuaries8 in 100, to. The )resent P.1. networ. re)resents a&out ".'K of tota! geogra)hica! area of the countr$. It a!so inc!udes " additiona! Tiger Reserves under Pro/ect Tiger. #ationa! Par.s and sanctuaries have &een )rovided grants under the sche%e of J:eve!o)%ent of #ationa! Par.s and +anctuariesL. 6nder this sche%e a tota! of Rs.,2.2- crores have &een )rovided to the +tates during IM P!an )eriod. For %ore than 244 Protected 1reas2 scientific %anage%ent )!ans have &een )re)ared which )rovide the &asis for financia! assistance. This sche%e )rovides 144 )ercent Centra! assistance to +tates for non3recurring ite%s of wor.. However2 for se!ected ite%s of recurring nature '4 )ercent assistance is a!so )rovided in case of #ationa! Par.s on!$. The funding )attern under the sche%e of :eve!o)%ent of #ationa! Par.s and +anctuaries has &een u)graded during 244432441 and a )rovision has &een %ade for rei%&urse%ent of &oth the ca)ita! cost and recurring cost inc!uding sa!ar$ of incre%enta! staff in res)ect of the Protected 1reas in coasta! areas2 deserts and high %ountain regions su))orting endangered s)ecies. There has &een an increase in the ca)acit$ of the #ationa! Par.s and sanctuaries for carr$ing out various deve!o)%enta! wor.s and an a%ount of Rs. - .44 crores has &een s)ent during the IMth P!an as against an a%ount of Rs. "0.'4 crores during the VIIIth P!an. 1nother stri.ing feature has &een the deve!o)%enta! activities in the #orth3Eastern +tates. :uring the VIIIth P!an tota! ex)enditure in #orth3Eastern +tates was Rs. .44 Crores which has gone u) to Rs.1 .44 crores during the IMth P!an . 1nother i%)ortant ste) ta.en during this )eriod has &een to i%)rove hu%an interface &$ introducing sche%e of Eco3deve!o)%ent in and around the #ationa! Par.s and sanctuaries. Rs."1 crores were )rovided for this )ur)ose. In addition2 a ;or!d (an.3funded India Ecodeve!o)%ent Pro/ect has a!so &een i%)!e%ented in , )rotected areas in , +tates with a tota! out!a$ of Rs.20".0 crores2 out of which Rs.1 " crores were )rovided during the IMth P!an )eriod. 1 tota! of 1- vi!!ages were shifted outside the Protected 1reas during this )eriod invo!ving 044 fa%i!ies.

$OI ( &NDP ! A T&RTL PRO# CT 1 significant )ro)ortion of wor!dLs @!ive Rid!e$ Turt!e )o)u!ation %igrates ever$ winter to Indian coasta! waters for nesting %ain!$ at eastern coast. ;ith the o&/ective of conservation of o!ive rid!e$ turt!es and other endangered %arine turt!es. =inistr$ of Environ%ent I Forests initiated the +ea Turt!e Conservation Pro/ect in co!!a&oration of 6#:P in #ove%&er2 1000 with ;i!d!ife Institute of India2 :ehradun as the I%)!e%enting 1genc$. The )ro/ect is &eing i%)!e%ented in 14 coasta! +tates of the countr$ with s)ecia! e%)hasis in +tate of @rissa. Tota! financia! a!!ocation for the )ro/ect is Rs.1.20 crores. The )ro/ect has he!)ed in )re)aration of inventor$ %a) of &reeding sites of +ea Turt!es2 identification of nesting and &reeding ha&itats a!ong the shore !ine2 and %igrator$ routes ta.en &$ +ea

Turt!es2 deve!o)%ent of guide!ines to safeguard and %ini%i?e turt!e %orta!it$2 deve!o)%ent of nationa! and internationa! coo)erative and co!!a&orative action for +ea Turt!e Conservation2 deve!o)ing guide!ine )!ans for touris% in sea turt!e areas and deve!o)ing infrastructure and hu%an resources for +ea Turt!e Conservation. @ne of the i%)ortant achieve%ents have &een de%onstration of use of +ate!!ite Te!e%etr$ to !ocate the %igrator$ route of @!ive Rid!e$ Turt!es in the sea and sensiti?ing the fisher%en and +tate 9overn%ent for the use of Turt!e Exc!usion :evice 7TE:8 in fishing traw!ers to chec. turt!e %orta!it$ in fishing net.

$OI)&NDP WILDLIF PROT CT D !ANCT&AR+, W !T B N$AL

AR A

*ANA$ * NT

IN

#ALDAPARA

=inistr$ a!so initiated another s%a!! )ro/ect in co!!a&oration with 6#:P entit!ed ;i!d!ife Protected 1rea =anage%ent in Fa!da)ara +anctuar$2 ;est (enga! with the tota! financia! out!a$ of Rs.-* !a.hs. The o&/ectives of the )ro/ect are u)dating and i%)!e%enting an integrated %anage%ent and ecodeve!o)%ent )!ans2 enhancing ca)acit$ of +tate wi!d!ife authorities to integrate and i%)!e%ent %anage%ent and ecodeve!o)%nt )!an a!ong with strengthening and su))orting the conservation %easures ta.en &$ +tates &$ invo!ving )eo)!e. This )rogra%%e has successfu!!$ i%)!e%ented and has contri&uted in ca)acit$ &ui!ding of wi!d!ife staff as we!! as training of co%%unit$ re)resentatives inc!uding wo%en. It has a!so he!)ed in )re)aration of %icro3)!ans for - vi!!ages in the )rotected areas and initiating the sa%e in other 24 vi!!ages. It has &rought genera! awareness a%ong the )eo)!e for the wi!d!ife conservation and have sensiti?ed the% for the wi!d!ife conservation. Har%onious re!ationshi) &etween the wi!d!ife staff and !oca! )eo)!e wou!d ensure !ong ter% conservation of &iodiversit$. @nce successfu!!$ i%)!e%ented2 it cou!d &e re)!icated in other )rotected areas a!so.

ACTION PLAN FOR "&LT&R CON! R"ATION IN INDIA India has nine s)ecies of vu!tures in the wi!d. These are the @rienta! ;hite3&ac.ed Vu!ture 7Gyps #engalensis82 +!ender &i!!ed Vu!ture 7Gyps tenuirostris82 Nong &i!!ed Vu!ture 7Gyps indicus82 Eg$)tian Vu!ture 7%eophron percnopterus82 Red Headed Vu!ture 7!arcogyps calvus82 Indian 9riffon Vu!ture 7Gyps fulvus82 Hi%a!a$an 9riffon 7Gyps himalayensis82 Cinereous Vu!ture 7&egypius monachus8 and (earded Vu!ture or Na%%ergeier 7Gypaetus #ar#atus8. The )o)u!ation of three s)ecies i.e. ;hite3&ac.ed Vu!ture2 +!ender &i!!ed Vu!ture and Nong &i!!ed Vu!ture in the wi!d has dec!ined drastica!!$ over the )ast decade. The dec!ine of 9$)s genus in India has &een )ut at 0,K &$ 244'. The )heno%enon of O#ec. droo)ingL2 where &irds wou!d exhi&it this &ehaviour for )rotracted )eriods over severa! wee.s &efore co!!a)sing and fa!!ing out of trees2 is the on!$ o&vious &ehavioura! indication that &irds are i!!. Ex)eri%ents showed that ca)tive vu!tures are high!$ susce)ti&!e to :ic!ofenac2 and are .i!!ed &$ .idne$ fai!ure !eading to gout within a short ti%e of feeding on the carcass of an ani%a! treated with the nor%a! veterinar$ dose. The eco!ogica!2 socia! and cu!tura! significance of vu!tures in India %a$ &e su%%ed u) as>

scavenging on ani%a! carcasses of ani%a!s and there&$ he!)ing .ee) the environ%ent c!eanG and the dis)osa! of dead &odies as )er the re!igious )ractices of the Parsi co%%unit$. In so%e areas the )o)u!ation of fera! dogs2 &eing the %ain scavenging s)ecies in the a&sence of vu!tures2 has &een o&served to have increased. (oth increases in )utref$ing carcasses and changes in the scavenger )o)u!ations have associated disease ris.s for wi!d!ife2 !ivestoc. and hu%ans. (ecause of the evidence of wides)read and ra)id )o)u!ation dec!ine2 a!! three vu!ture s)ecies were !isted &$ I6C#2 the ;or!d Conservation 6nion2 in 2444 as OCritica!!$ EndangeredL. 6nfortunate!$2 the current ca)tive )o)u!ations in India are a!so not via&!e for an$ of the s)ecies and2 therefore2 co%)!ete extinction is !i.e!$ to occur if no action is ta.en i%%ediate!$. India a!so %oved a I6C# %otion in 244" for vu!ture conservation2 which was acce)ted in the for% of the I6C# reso!ution which Pca!!ed u)on 9$)s vu!ture Range countries to &egin action to )revent a!! uses of dic!ofenac in veterinar$ a))!ications that a!!ow dic!ofenac to &e )resent in carcasses of do%estic !ivestoc. avai!a&!e as food for vu!turesG esta&!ish%ent of I6C# +outh 1sian Tas. Force under the aus)ices of the I6C#G Range countries to deve!o) and i%)!e%ent nationa! vu!ture recover$ )!ans2 inc!uding conservation &reeding and re!ease.Q The wor.sho) to )re)are an 1sian Vu!ture Recover$ P!an he!d at Parwanoo in Hi%acha! Pradesh2 India in Fe&ruar$ 244" reco%%ended the esta&!ish%ent of ca)tive ho!ding and ca)tive &reeding faci!ities for three s)ecies of 9$)s vu!tures at six different )!aces in +outh 1sia2 &esides i%)!e%enting a &an on veterinar$ use of :ic!ofenac. These centres wou!d serve as source for reintroduction of the &irds after re%ova! of the cause of %orta!it$ fro% the environ%ent.

INDO)R&!!IAN COOP RATION =inistr$ has a!so signed a )rotoco! with Russian counter)art for conservation of %igrator$ &ird s)ecies &etween the two countries. It has &een agreed to deve!o) /oint )ro/ects of %utua! interest on %igration and nesting &ehaviour of +i&erian Cranes and co%%on cranes and a!so to exchange scientific and officia! infor%ation on issues re!ating to wet!and %anage%ent2 conservation of avi3fauna etc.

BANDHA !ARH NA"I#NA$ %AR&

$ocation' =maria, 5adhya ;radesh %ar( Area' ..* s< km. Fa)ous For' The density of tiger pop"lation is among the highest in India. Best "i)e "o isit' 8o(em er to @"ne.

*+% !uide

Cnce part of the old ?e!a state, -andha(garh national park is set amidst the Eindhya ranges !ith a series of ridges r"nning thro"gh it. Initially this park !as the royal h"nting gro"nd for the r"lers of ?e!a. -"t in 1+2* it !as declared a park !ith an area of only 105.. s<. km. %t present, ho!e(er, the -andha(garh ;ark co(ers ..* s< km.

The density of tiger pop"lation is among the highest in India. The tigers once roamed freely here "t d"e to extensi(e h"nting F5ahara&a Eenkat ?aman 0ingh shot 111 tigers y 1+1.G, their pop"lation came do!n drastically. 8"mero"s steps !ere taken to conser(e the !ildlife here !itho"t spoiling the nat"ral ea"ty of the park. A(en today, the -andha(garh national park has retained its "nspoilt look.

The -andha(garh 8ational ;ark is the place !here the famo"s !hite tigers of ?e!a !ere disco(ered. The last kno!n capt"re of the !hite tiger !as in 1+51. 9e is elie(ed to ha(e fathered many a c" in Indian 'oos and o"tside. )5oh"n) is no! st"ffed and on display in the palace of the 5ahara&a of ?e!a.

-andha(garh is densely pop"lated !ith other animal species too. The great ga"r, Indian isons can e easily spotted !hen they come to gra'e on the meado!s at d"sk. The sam ar, arking deer and nilgai are also common sights in the open areas of the park.

The ancient fort of -andha(garh adds grace to the park. >lim the fort to get a ird)s eye (ie! of the park. :o not miss the small pop"lation of na"ghty lack "cks that li(e here, protected from the predators elo!.

Band,avgar,

National

%ar(

%opulation

'

The (egetation of the park is dry decid"o"s. % o"t half of the park is co(ered !ith sal trees. There are mixed forests in the higher reaches of the hills. 0tretches of -am oo and grasslands extend to the north of the park. 7rassy meado! patches occ"r in the (alley and along the nalas. The park s"stains all those species !hich are typical to >entral India.

There are 22 species of mammals !hich incl"de lang"rs and rhes"s maca<"e as the primary gro"p. The &ackal, angal fox, ears, ratel, mongoose, hyena, &"ngle cat, leopard and tiger form the core carni(ore pop"lation. The animals fre<"ently sighted are !ild pig, spotted deer, sam ar, dhole, the small Indian ci(et, palm s<"irrel and lesser andicoot rat are seen occasionally. %mong the her i(ores, the ga"r is the only coarse feeder.

The national park holds some 250 odd species of irds along the streams and marshes. ?eptilian fa"na incl"de co ra, krait, (iper, rat snake, python, t"rtle and a large n"m er of li'ard (arieties, incl"ding (aran"s.

$ocation of Cor-ett' 2,3km 0o"th!est Cf 8anital, =ttranchal .sta-lis,ed B/' @im >or ett 0pecialt/' ;ro&ect Tiger Was La"nched 9ere in 1+1, *ain 0pecies' Tigers, Alephant

1ttaranc,al !uide

The >or ett Tiger reser(e has <"ite a history. It is India)s First 8ational ;ark and one of the finest, nota le for its indi(id"alistic scenic charm and magnificent s" montane and ri(erine (istas, and also for its richly (aried !ildlife, still interestingly in the process of change, and the site of the la"nching of pro&ect Tiger.

Aarly this cent"ry its exceptional potential as a !ildlife reser(e !as recogni'ed and there !ere mo(es to ha(e it officially declared a sanct"ary, li erating it from the exploitation of its tree forests and h"man occ"pation of the ri(erside land. Finally, in 1+,2 it !as set "p as the first a"thentic national park of the co"ntry "nder the =nited ;ro(inces 8ational ;arks %ct.

A %ea( Inside ",e Histor/ #f ",e %ar(

The >or ett Tiger reser(e has <"ite a history. It is India)s First 8ational ;ark and one of the finest, nota le for its indi(id"alistic scenic charm and magnificent s" montane and ri(erine (istas, and also for its richly (aried !ildlife, still interestingly in the process of change, and the site of the la"nching of pro&ect Tiger. Aarly this cent"ry its exceptional potential as a !ildlife reser(e !as recogni'ed and there !ere mo(es to ha(e it officially declared a sanct"ary, li erating it from the exploitation of its tree forests and h"man occ"pation of the ri(erside land. Finally, in 1+,2 it !as set "p as the first a"thentic national park of the co"ntry "nder the =nited ;ro(inces 8ational ;arks %ct.

",e Rena)ing %rocess

Criginally, it !as named the 9ailey 8ational ;arks %ct after 0ir 5alcolm 9ailey, the 7o(ernor of the "nited pro(inces, !ho took s"ch a keen interest in its de(elopment as a preser(e. %fter Independence it !as renamed the ?amganga 8ational ;ark, and later still the name !as again changed to the >or ett 8ational ;ark this last change, it sho"ld e noted, !as not solely in commemoration of the late @im >or ett, the famo"s slayer of man eaters in the s" 9imalayan forests, "t also in recognition of his ser(ices in determining the location and limits of the proposed national park efore it !as set "p he had een cons"lted o(er this as an expert. @im >or ett3 h"nter of man3eating Tigers, photographer, conser(ationist and a"thor !as orn in 8ainital of Anglish and Irish parentage. % childhood spent aro"nd the >or ett !inter home of Baladh"ngi ro"ght yo"ng @im >or ett into close comm"nion !ith nat"re, and to an instincti(e "nderstanding of &"ngle !ays. %fter !orking on the rail!ays, he &oined the Indian army in 1+11 at the age of forty6 he rose to the rank of Lie"tenant >olonel, and sa! action in Flanders at the head of the 10th B"maon >ompany.

",e 0avior 2 3i) Cor-ett

Bno!n locally as D>arpet 0ahi D, a mispron"nciation of his name, @im >or ett !as called "pon time and time again to rid the hills of B"maon of man eating Tigers and Leopards. 8ormally shy of h"man contact, s"ch animals ecome man eaters !hen infirmity ro"ght "pon y old age or !o"nds renders them "na le to h"nt their "s"al prey many of those killed y @im >or ett !ere fo"nd to ha(e s"pp"rating !o"nds ca"sed y ;orc"pine <"ills em edded deep in their pa!s6 Tigers al!ays seem to fall for the ;orc"pine)s simple defensi(e trick of !alking ack!ards in line !ith its lethal <"ills.

Adventures #f 3i) Cor-ett

Cne of >or ett)s most memora le exploits !as the killing of the ?"draprayag Leopard, !hich acco"nted for 125 h"man li(es et!een 1+1* and 1+22, and !as old eno"gh to steal its (ictims from the midst of h"man ha itation6 he also terminated the careers of the >ho!garh Tigress, the Talla :es and the 5ohan man eaters. @im >or ett descri ed his ad(ent"res in ooks s"ch as my India, @"ngle Lore and 5an Aaters of B"maon6 5artin -ooth)s >arpet 0ahi is an excellent iography of a remarka le man. %!arded the order of the -ritish Ampire in recognition of his lifelong !ork !ith nat"re, @im >or ett !as "nhappy in post Independence India, and left to settle in Aast %frica.

%roject "iger 2 3i) Cor-ett %ar(

Cn %pril 1, 1+1,, ;ro&ect Tiger !as ina"g"rated here. This am itio"s pro&ect aims at sa(ing and re(i(ing the alarmingly d!indled Indian Tiger F;anthera Tigris TigrisG y setting "p specially selected reser(es of ade<"ate area in !hich not only the Tiger "t also all other animals and the !ild flora, !o"ld e totally conser(ed, s"ch total conser(ation !ith no selecti(e ias, depending on the a ility of nat"re of maintain its o!n alance, eing m"ch the est !ay to reha ilitate any animal, as part of a !hole !ildlife complex. In 1+1, there !ere * s"ch reser(es "nder the pro&ect, and the >or ett Tiger ?eser(e !as the first of these. %s in all other reser(es of the pro&ect, here too the main part is constit"ted into a core area meant excl"si(ely for the !ild fa"na and flora, !here there is no h"man dist"r ance and aro"nd this core is the ins"lating "ffer 'one, in !hich a part is allotted to to"rism. ;rior to 1+1, :hikala had een de(eloped to pro(ide accommodation and facilities to see the !ildlife, to (isitors to the 8ational ;ark6 it is still the main centre of to"rism.

",e $argest .art, Da) #f Asia

In recent years the ?amganga m"lti p"rpose 9ydroelectric ;ro&ect)s :am at Balagarh and the reser(oir of this dam ha(e had a marked infl"ence on the >or ett national reser(e. When the reser(oir is filled to capacity, one tenth of the reser(e is s" merged, and !hile the area of the reser(e so in"ndated nat"rally fl"ct"ates !ith the seasons, the s" mersion is still there and has res"lted in percepti le changes in the flora and fa"na.

To some extent this is a depleti(e infl"ence, for it is the lo! lying past"re land that has een s" merged, "t this depletion is more than offset y the (ariety of plants and animals that the !ater spread has added to the original !ildlife of the reser(e, partic"larly in the s"dden infl"x of (ast n"m ers of !ater irds and the raptorial irds that follo! in the !ake of migratory !aterfo!l.

0ARI0&A 4I$D$IF. 0ANC"1AR5

$ocation' 21 km From %l!ar, ?a&asthan. Area' 125.*0 s<.km. 0pecialt/' Tiger, 0potted :eer %nd Wild -oar Notified In' 1+55

"H.
range co(er

Rajast,an !uide

4I$D
the area of

IN
the 0ariska

"H.
8ational ;ark

4##D.N
and Tiger

A$$.5
?eser(e.

Located 101 kms from @aip"r, the 0ariska 8ational ;ark is in a !ooden (alley, s"rro"nded y arren mo"ntains. The dry decid"o"s forests of the ancient %ra(alli

The main fa"na in the park incl"des the Tiger, ;anther, 9yena, @"ngle >at, >i(et, 0am har, >hinkara, 8ilgai and Fo"r39orned %ntelope. :eclared a 0anct"ary in 1+55, it ecame a Tiger ?eser(e "nder ;ro&ect Tiger in 1+1+.

The other great predator of 0ariska)s forests is the leopard esides the ferocio"s tiger. 0ariska has a healthy porc"pine pop"lation, and this tiny creat"re often pits itself ;ark)s against terrain is the also tiger, !hich congenial to is the partic"larly >hinkara fond FIndian of 7a'elleG porc"pine and flesh. 8ilgai. The )>ho!singha) Ffo"r horned antelopeG is commonly fo"nd at 0ariska6 excl"si(ely Indian, it is the !orld)s only !ild creat"re, !hich has t!o pairs of horns. The

?emarka le for their lack of timidity are the ?hes"s and Lang"r, !hich, at 0ariska tolerate h"man closeness !ith astonishing e<"animity. The irdlife comprises of the ;ea Fo!l, 7ray ;artridge, I"ail, 0andgro"se, Tree ;ie, White3-reasted Bingfisher, 7olden3-acked Woodpecker, >rested 0erpent, Aagle and 7reat Indian 9orned C!l.

I.4IN!
The est !ay to (isit the 0ariska Wildlife 0anct"ary is

"H.
y &eep and these can

4I$D
e arranged at the Forest ?eception Cffice on @aip"r ?oad.

-ooking a Lhide), o(erlooking one of the !aterholes, can pro(ide an excellent opport"nity for (ie!ing and photographing !ildlife. 0o, pick "p yo"r sleeping ag and some food and settle do!n to !atch.

01ND.RBAN 4I$D$IF.6 CA$C1""A

$ocation ' Aast Cf India Capital ' >alc"tta "ourist Attractions ' Fort William, Eictoria 5emorial, ?a& -ha(an Best "i)e "o isit ' Thro"gho"t the year.

Towards the south of Ca!cutta2 the rivers 9anga and Hoog!$ divide itse!f into %an$ disti&utaries. The s)eed of water is reduced and the river de)osits its si!t /ust as it is a&out to %erge into the sea. In due course2 the accu%u!ated si!t ta.es the sha)e of is!ands on the %outh of the rivers. These are the fa%ous 9angetic de!tas. The$ )rovide an idea! at%os)here and environ%ent for the +undari trees to grow. +)read over an area of a!%ost 142444 sB .%s 7now shared &$ (ang!adesh and India82 the +under&ans are ho%e to %an$ exBuisite ani%a!s and &irds. The Indian 9overn%ent has dec!ared this 1 4 sB .%s of area as a nationa! )ar.. The )ristine &eaut$ of nature is %ade a!ive &$ the variet$ of the f!ora and fauna. The F!e%ing Red f!owers of 9enwa2 the cra& !i.e red f!ower of Aha!si add to the da??!ing dis)!a$ of nature. This <fair$!and< is %ade fascinating &$ the %i!!ions of %icro organis% found on the fringes of the is!ands. @nce this area was a )aradise for tiger hunters. (ut the ra)id fa!! in the Ro$a! (enga! Tiger )o)u!ation forced the govern%ent to dec!are tiger )oaching as i!!ega! and the area ca%e under the Project Tiger. Tigers in +under&ans is .nown to swi% a record distance of 14 .%s. The$ a!so hunt fish if hungr$ or stea! hone$ fro% the &ee hives. Though +under&an tigers are descri&ed as %an3eaters2 s)ecia!ists sa$ the$ rare!$ attac. hu%an &eings. Tigers are not the on!$ attraction in +under&ans2 there are estuarine crocodi!es and sh$ /ung!e cats or the fishing cats. The re)ti!es found in the forest inc!udes the Aing Co&ra2 Roc. P$thon and ;ater =onitor. :uring the winters the o!ive rid!e$ turt!es descend to nest the shores of Aana. is!and. The tigers can &e easi!$ s)otted at the water ho!es at +a/ne.ha!i2 +udhan$a.ha!i2 #etidho)ani and Ha!di. #o )er%ission is reBuired for a genera! river cruise outside the core area and sanctuar$ . (ut there are )articu!ar )!aces where )er%ission wi!! &e reBuired. The &est ti%e to visit +under&ans is during winters &etween +e)te%&er and =arch. There

are regu!ar &us services fro% Ca!cutta to this )!ace. (ut the %ain areas of the sanctuar$ can on!$ &e accessed on!$ &$ riverine waterwa$s. The &est and the safest wa$ to visit +under&ans is on conducted tours. @ne can a!so avai! the services of the )rivate vesse!s fro% Canning2 9osa&a or (asanti. 1cco%%odation in the sanctuar$ is avai!a&!e2 in the co%forta&!e tourist !odges. +a/ne.ah!i has a *4 &ed tourist !odge. @vernight faci!ities are a!so avai!a&!e at (a..ha!i and Pi$a!i.
0earch

AN3A$ 4I$D A00 0ANC"1AR5

$ocation ' Little ?ann Cf Bachchh, 7"&arat. Area ' .+5, 0< Bms. "o Conserve ' Wild %sses. Best 0eason ' Ccto er To 5arch.

!ujarat !uide

7"&arat is as famo"s for its large !ild ass herds as it is for its lions. To protect these rare animals, a sanct"ary co(ering an area of o(er .,+5, s<. kms. !as created to offer protection to more than 2,100 !ild asses inha iting this area. In the Little ?ann of Bachchh, the asses are attracted y the flat green grass co(ered expanse kno!n as ets Fislands !here coarse grasses springs "p d"ring the monsoonG.

"H.
long as t!o ho"rs, reaching

A!I$.
a top speed of 10 km

4I$D
per ho"r o(er short

A00
distances.

Fe! animals in the animal kingdom can match the !ild ass in terms of speed and stamina. They are capa le of marathon r"ns at a pace of a o"t 2. kmJh for as

#"H.R
-esides the !ild ass, the 0anct"ary has a large pop"lation of l"e "lls, lack "cks, chinkaras, !ol(es

INHABI"AN"0
and &ackals.

"H.
fo"nd, partic"larly at :hola(ira. %n exc"rsion of

A IAN
the ?ann of Bachchh can ena le yo" to see many

%#%1$A"I#N
species of irds.

The area is also !ell kno!n for its irds the most nota le eing the flamingoes from 0i eria. :"ring !inter, tho"sands of these magnificent pink irds can e

%t the Little ?ann, yo" can see n"mero"s irds ranging from the incredi ly ea"tif"lly colored Indian ?oller to the ma&estic stat"re of the demoiselle cranes, n"mero"s falcons, "stards and )saras) cranes. Cf e<"al &oy is a chance to ride a camel decked in its finest riding apparel.

!.""IN! Air' The Rail' 8e!

"H.R.
nearest airport -h"& is located 150 kms. a!ay is at -h"&, 1 connected kms. y reg"lar north flights of from 5"m ai . -h"&. ?ail!ay 0tation

Road' 0tate transport, l"x"ry coaches, a"to3ricksha!s and taxis are a(aila le from -h"&.

&A7IRAN!A NA"I#NA$ %AR&

$ocation ' 2113km Aast Cf 7"!ahati, %ssam *ain Attractions ' Alephant 0afari M Cne39orned ?hino Best "i)e "o isit ' 5id38o(em er To Aarly %prile year

Assa) !uide

5ost of %ssam)s magnificent !ildlife reser(es are in the -rahmap"tra (alley, !here the large tracts of grasslands on the flood plains are home to the Indian one3 horned ?hino and other easts. Cn s"ch terrain, as opposed to the thick &"ngle co(er of most other Indian ;arks, sightings of animals are all "t ass"red.

",e !reat R,inoland

Ba'iranga, the greatest park of all, is reno!ned for its elephant grass and ?hino, "t also incorporates some forest areas. >o(ering an area of .,03s<3kms on the so"thern ank of the -rahmap"tra, Ba'iranga 8ational ;ark, 2113km east of 7"!ahati, occ"pies the (ast (alley floor against a ackdrop of the forest3co(ered Bar i %nglong hills.

Flora

And

Fauna

?i("lets and -hils, and the semi3e(ergreen forested D9ighlandsD, &"st o"t of reach of the -rahmap"tra)s ann"al floods, lend into marshes and flood plains co(ered !ith tall elephant grass. %nimal sightings are g"aranteed, !ith ?hinos, :eer and herds of Wild -"ffalo gra'ing close to the park entrance not far from the %dministrati(e >entre of Bohora.

The rich ird life incl"des Agrets, 9erons, 0torks, Fish3Aating Aagles and a 7rey ;elican colony settled among the red cotton trees. Fe! tracks penetrate this sea of grass, ho!e(er, and the Wild Alephants seldom (ent"re into it, preferring to remain in the forested 9ighlands, !hile Tigers are incredi ly el"si(e. With the grasslands ordering onto c"lti(ated fields and domestic cattle encroaching "pon the sanct"ary and introd"cing epidemics, the !ild animals are "nder increasing threat. ;oaching is rife, !ith rhino horns fetching astronomical prices as aphrodisiacs.

&a8iranga9s

#ne2Horned

R,ino

With a pop"lation of o(er a tho"sand, the one3horned ?hino)s are the largest concentration in the s" continent and are est seen from the ack of an elephant, early on a !inter)s morning. These Alephant rides last aro"nd one ho"r, and sho"ld e ooked the pre(io"s e(ening at the park offices in Bohora.

%ltho"gh the elephants do not penetrate far into the sanct"ary, merely tra(elling in a three or fo"r kilometre circle, it is incredi le ho! m"ch !ildlife can e seen in this small area6 the da!n ride is the est 3 if one can get "p that early. The rhinos seem o li(io"s to camera3clicking to"rists, altho"gh like the "npredicta le !ild "ffalo, they are e<"ipped !ith lethal horns and potentially ferocio"s. %ltho"gh &eeps penetrate deeper into the forest than elephants, they cannot get nearly as close to the !ild animals.

!IR NA"I#NA$ %AR& 2 "H. A0IA"IC $I#N HABI"A"

$ocation' 7"&arat. Flora' Teak, Bhair, 0adad, Timr", -a "l, %mla, 5oledi, :ha(do, Badayo M -ahedo Trees. Best "i)e "o isit' Ccto er To 5arch

!ujarat !uide

0pent a night atop the !atchto!er near the Bamlesh!ar dam !here the ho!l of the &ackals signals the eginning of the dark phase. The >hital)s p"nct"ate the silence of the night !ith inn"mera le alarm calls. The !ater in the lake makes rippling so"nds, of crocodiles on the pro!l. The first rays of the s"n are greeted !ith the deep roar of a male Lion some distance a!ay. Welcome to 7ir, the nat"ral treas"re of the state of 7"&arat.

"opograp,ic ariations
7ir exhi its great (ariation in topography, incl"ding flat, gently "nd"lating to hilly tracts6 and ele(ation ranges et!een 152m at Easadhol to 5,0m a o(e the sea le(el at 8andi(ela hills.

The 7ir forest area is extremely r"gged and hilly. 0lopes are generally moderate, hills are of (olcanic origin and the soil (aries from one area to another. While most of the soil is generally lack, the other types one may come across !ill e red, yello!ish, !hite clay and sandy. Aach soil type s"pports a different kind of plant life and hence the !ildlife too differs ased on (egetation types.

Cli)ate
C"t of the three prominent seasons of s"mmer, !inter and monsoon, the longest stretching is the s"mmer, in !hich the a(erage minim"m and maxim"m temperat"re ranges et!een 10N> to nearly .5N>. %pril and 5ay are the hottest months. The erratic monsoon is eagerly a!aited, !ith its acti(e period et!een middle of @"ne and 0eptem er. The maxim"m rainfall in the area is recorded aro"nd 1,*22 mm and the minim"m recorded eing 1++mm.

The !ater al!ays remains a critical factor in the !ell eing of the forest. %t times the !aterholes are re<"ired to e replenished thro"gh !ater tankers from o"tside at great expense. %ro"nd ,50 of s"ch !aterholes are maintained y the park staff.

River And 4ater Courses

7ir has se(en main ri(ers. They are :atardi, 0hingoda, 5acch"ndri, 0aras!ati, ?a(al, %rdak, and 9iran of !hich only 9iran has perennial flo!, the rest eing seasonal. 5any of these seasonal streams ha(e permanent !aterholes, called )7h"nas) and )Eirdas), !hich pro(ide precio"s !ater to animals and irds. 7ir also has fo"r dams and that has made possi le to store !ater in large reser(oirs.

9iran ?i(er is the main lifeline of Western 7ir. It originates from Bansa hills of 7ir, and flo!s close to 0asan, :adhia, ?a&asthali, 7idadiya ness and close to Talala (illage. It meets 0aras(ati and Bapila ri(ers near ;ra has ;atan to reach the %ra ian 0ea. 0aras(ati originates from :ipada38o3:"ngar in 7ir to meet 9iran hillocks of :hali -akini :"ngari near >hanchai hills. It crosses 7ir near Bardapan, 5and(i, Bodila, 7hoda(adi and near =na 8a(a "ndar and meets the %ra ian 0ea. 0hingoda ?i(er originates from the >hasa hillocks and Badi Eadli hillocks and crosses 7ir near -"ntel, >hhoda(adi, @am!ala and Bansaria38o38ess. It meets the %ra ian 0ea near Bodinar. The :ataedi ri(er passes close to the @am!ala ness to meet at @am!al, !hile the ri(er ?a(al originates from :h"ndhia hills of 7ir, goes to =na and near 5anekpor, meets the %ra ian 0ea.

!ir egetation

Eegetation in 7ir can e looked at in fo"r !ays. The first is the Teak forest and nearly half of the protected area has this kind of a ha itat. The main tree species that occ"py this ha itat are Bhair, 0adad, Timr", -a "l, %mla, 5oledi, :ha(do, Badayo and -ahedo.

The non3Teak forests, !hich comprise the remaining forest consists of tree species like the Bhair, :ha(do, 0adad, Timr", %mla, 5oledi, Badayo, 0alai, 0imal, Bhakhro, -er and %s"ndro.

% distinct elt of (egetation is fo"nd along the main ri(ers and streams. 0pecies like the @am ", Baran&, =mro, Ead, Balam, >haral, 0ir"s and %mli are fo"nd here. These trees are mostly road lea(ed and e(ergreen, gi(ing the area a cool shade and the moist"re content. Finally, ;rosopis and >as"arina ha(e een planted in the coastal order as part of the aforestation plan. 5odad, Bakad, Balam, 7armalo, Limdo, %pto, :"dhlo, 0iras, and :hraman are trees that form the top part of the forest. The "nderstory is formed y 5indhol, -ordi, Banthar, 9ingori, Baramda and %ntedi. 7ro"nd co(er has her aceo"s gro!th of :esmodi"m, Tephrosia, Indigofera and Eernonia.

7rasses mostly incl"de -hagor", ?atad, Kin&a(o, 0aniyar and Bagadiy". Important )Lianas) F!oody clim ersG incl"de Bher(elio -a(al, and 5al(elo. %ro"nd 7ir there are some grasslands, locally kno!n as )Eidis). ?eser(e Eidis ha(e etter palata le grass species and are !ell protected.

The moist, shady ri(erine ha itats sho! presence of more e(ergreen type of trees like Balam, 0a&ad, Baran&, @am ", %mli, =m ro, to name a fe!.

*ANA0 NA"I#NA$ %AR&

$ocation ' 1123km From 7"!ahati, %ssam Coverage Area ' ,+1 s<.kms Also &nown As ' 5athang"ri Best "i)e "o isit ' 8o(em er To %pril

Assa) !uide

5ana, also kno!n for its ?hinos and Alephants, is %ssam)s one of the t!o Tiger pro&ects of %ssam Fsecond one is 8ameri Tiger ?eser(eG and extends o(er (aried territory, taking in hills and ri(er (alleys on the order !ith -h"tan. The scenic ea"ty and rare !ealth of !ild life com ine !ith this "ni<"e !orld heritage site to offer one of the most enthralling experiences.

The reser(e forest of 1+2* 5anas had een declared as a tiger pro&ect in 1+1,. Cf the present 1* Indian Tiger ;ro&ects, 5anas is the ninth one. The area is ,+13 s<3km and the area of the tiger pro&ect eing 5.03s<3km. 5anas and its armlet -enki and 9ak"a dra! a front line et!een India and -h"tan, on the !est is 0ankosh, and on the east :hansiri ?i(er.

Fauna
The core area of 5anas ;ark is ,203km. 9ispid 9are, ;igmy 9og and 7olden Lang"r are some of the rare species of animals to e fo"nd in the park apart from Tigers, Alephants, ?hinoceros, Wild -"ffalo, Wild -oar, 0am har, 0!amp :eer, and 9og :eer, !hich are easily spotted at this park. >ome !inter and 5anas is f"ll of 5igratory irds like the ?i(erchats, Forktails, >ormorants and :"cks like the ?"ddy 0hell3:"ck. There are reg"lar !oodland irds like the Indian 9orn ill and ;ied 9orn ill also fo"nd o(er here. les of the 5anas ?i(er are an missed.

-"tterflies and reptiles are also fo"nd aplenty in 5anas. In the ri(er !ater, yo" can en&oy oating and fishing as !ell. >olo"red pe added attraction not to e

Facilites

4it,in

",e

0anctuar/

%rrangements are there in 5anas to (ie! animals from elephant)s ack. From 5athang"ri in the morning, elephants go o"t !ith to"rists for , hrs ride. %long !ith entry fee, camera is also chargea le according to its standard. >oncession is pro(ided to the st"dents (isiting the park.

#"H.R A""RAC"I#N0

&ANHA NA"I#NA$ %AR&

$ocation' 5andla, 5adhya ;radesh %ar( Area' 1+.0 s< km Fa)ous As' Cne of the 5ost 0cenic and -ea"tif"l Wildlife ?eser(es in %sia. Best "i)e "o isit' Fe r"ary %nd %pril.

*+% !uide

This is the place that has een descri ed y ?"dyard Bipling in his great ook DThe @"ngle -ookD. ;ict"re this thick sal forests, long am oos, s!aying grasslands and meandering ri(ers. This is !hat Banha is all a o"t. Located in the 5andla district of 5adhya ;radesh, Banha national park is a tiger reser(e that extends o(er an area of o(er 1+.0 s< km. % horse3shoe shaped (alley o"nded y the sp"rs of the 5ekal presents an interesting topography. 0teep rocky escarpments along the edges offer reathtaking (ie!s of the (alley.?eali'ing the danger on the Tiger pop"lation in the co"ntry, the 7o(ernment started the D;ro&ect TigerD at Banha and in 1+1. the area !as declared a Tiger reser(e. The park is also the ha itat of the high gro"nd -arasingha.

The park !as created in 1+55 y a special la! and since then it has dedicated itself in preser(ing a (ariety of animal species. 5any endangered species ha(e indeed een sa(ed here. Today Banha is among the fe! most scenic and ea"tif"l !ildlife reser(es in %sia.. This )Tiger >o"ntry) is the ideal home for oth predator and prey.

%ar( %opulation
It !as at the Banha national park that the first e(er scientific st"dy of the tiger !as "ndertaken y the eminent 'oologist 7eorge 0challer. %nother landmark at Banha is the preser(ation of the hard gro"nd -arasingha .This !as achie(ed y extending the grasslands, relocating (illages and y increasing ha itat.There are 22 species of mammals in the park. These are the three3stripe s<"irrels, (ariety of monkeys and apes, hyena, !ild pigs, deers and lack "cks. The Indian &ackal, &"ngle cat, leopard, l"e "ll can also e spotted here.

The mixed forests and am oo forests are good reeding and nesting gro"nds for many feathered species. There are almost 200 species of irds in Banha. 5any of them are fo"nd on the grasslands too. 0ome of them can e spotted aro"nd !ater holes. The gro"nd opposite the 5"se"m is also a good place to !atch the irds at play. Take inoc"lars to !atch them closely. -est time to o ser(e the irds is in the morning and e(ening. The park also s"stains a si'ea le n"m er of reptiles !hich are (ery diffic"lt to spot.

Near-/ Attractions
The Banha national park in itself is so ea"tif"l and f"ll of ad(ent"re that no other local attraction is needed.-"t -amni :adar is one place !hich is (isited y e(ery to"rist !ho come to the national park. This also kno!n as the s"nset point. The Banha national park is at it scenic est at this point. The s"nset from this spot is mesmeri'ing. The eminent nat"ral splendor of the park comes to the fore here. The gra'ing sam ars, arking deer, ga"rs and other animals make the am ience magical.

%ar( "rips
Take a forest department g"ide to go aro"nd the park. 7"ides take yo" to the exact locations !here animals can e seen at their nat"ral est. to"ring is "s"ally on &eeps. These &eeps can e hired from the 5;T:>. Alephant safaris are mainly to spot tigers . @eeps can e hired from the 5;T:> manager at Bisli and 5"kki. ?emem er to ook the &eep one day efore the &o"rney. If there are more to"rists then hiring &eeps can e tro" lesome. 0o reser(e the (ehicle !ell in ad(ance d"ring the peak season.

Cli)ate
The climate of the park is (ery tropical. The s"mmers are !arm and !inters cold. Cne sho"ld carry !arm clothes d"ring !inters specially !hile tra(elling on &eep.

B,aratpur Bird 0anctuar/ :&eoladeo !,ana National %ar(;

$ocation ' Nearest Access ' *ain 4ildlife Found ' Coverage Area ' -haratp"r To"r ;ackages -haratp"r Lodges M ?esortsBest -haratp"r, ?a&asthan -haratp"r 0am ar, >hital, 8ilgai, -oar, 5igratory -irds 2+3s<3kms

Bird 4atc,ing 0ite in India 2 B,aratpur

"ravel B,aratpur National %ar(

Cne of the finest ird parks in the !orld, -haratp"r -ird 0anct"ary FBeoladeo 7hana 8ational ;arkG is a reser(e that offers protection to fa"nal species as !ell. 8esting indigeno"s !ater3 irds as !ell as migratory !ater irds and !aterside irds, this sanct"ary is also inha ited y 0am ar, >hital, 8ilgai and -oar.

Flora in B,aratpur
5ore than ,00 species of irds are fo"nd in this small wildlife par( of 2+3s<3kms of !hich 113s<3kms are marshes and the rest scr" land and grassland. Beoladeo, the name deri(es from an ancient 9ind" temple, de(oted to Lord 0hi(a, !hich stands at the centre of the park. )7hana) means dense, referring to the thick forest, !hich "sed to co(er the area.

B,aratpur Bird 0anctuar/ Best "i)e to isit'

%"g"st to 8o(eme er

A *an *ade Natural 4orld

While many of India)s parks ha(e een de(eloped from the h"nting preser(es of princely India, Beoladeo, pop"larly kno!n as -haratp"r Wildlife 0anct"ary, is perhaps the only case !here the ha itat has een created y a mahara&a. In earlier times, -haratp"r to!n "sed to e flooded reg"larly e(ery monsoon. In 1120, an earthen dam F%&an :amG !as constr"cted, to sa(e the to!n, from this ann"al (agary of nat"re. The depression created y extraction of soil for the dam !as cleared and this ecame the -haratp"r Lake.

Boo(ing Infor)ation<Reservation
%t the eginning of this cent"ry, this lake !as de(eloped, and !as di(ided into se(eral portions. % system of small dams, dykes, sl"ice gates, etc., !as created to control !ater le(el in different sections. This ecame the h"nting preser(e of the -haratp"r royalty, and one of the est d"ck 3 shooting !etlands in the !orld. 9"nting !as prohi ited y mid320s. The area !as declared a national park on 10 5arch 1+*2, and accepted as a World 9eritage 0ite in :ecem er 1+*5.

*ajor 4ildlife Attractions

The ma&or attractions of to"rists (isiting the park are the n"mero"s migratory irds, !ho come from as far a!ay as 0i eria and >entral %sia and spend their !inters in -haratp"r, efore ret"rning to their reeding gro"nds. 5igratory irds at -haratp"r ird sanct"ary incl"de, se(eral species of >ranes, ;elicans, 7eese, :"cks, Aagles, 9a!ks, 0hanks, 0tints, Wagtails, War lers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, -"ntings, Larks and ;ipits, etc.

%eri/ar 4ildlife 0anctuar/

$ocation ' Nearest Access ' *ain 4ildlife Found ' Coverage Area ' ;eriyar To"r ;ackages ;eriyar Lodges M ?esorts B"mily, Berala B"mily F.3kmsG Alephants, Tiger, 8ilgiri Tahr, 8ilgiri Lang"r 1113s<3kms

A-out %eri/ar 4ildlife 0anctuar/

Ads -/ !oogle Arala) 4ildlife 0anctuar/ BeralaTo"rism.orgJ%ralam =nd"lating Forested 9ighland Cn The 0lopes of The Western 7hats. wildlife p,otograp,/ ,olida/s toehold.inJphototo"rs.php Learn from 5asters !hile yo" tra(el to %frica on ;hotography To"rs 0et high in the ranges of the Western 7hats, in 7odOs C!n >o"ntry, Berala, is the ;eriyar 8ational ;ark and Tiger ?eser(e. ;eriyar !ildlife sanct"ary has a pict"res<"e lake at the heart of the sanct"ary. Formed !ith the "ilding of a dam in 1*+5, this reser(oir meanders aro"nd the conto"rs of the !ooded hills, pro(iding a permanent so"rce of !ater for the local !ildlife. Tho"gh its a Tiger ?eser(e, to"rists come here to (ie! the Indian elephants in the act of a l"tion and playf"lness y the ;eriyar lake.

*ajor 4ildlife Attractions in %eri/ar National %ar(

%part from Alephants, the other animals to e seen in the ;eriyar sanct"ary are 7a"r, Wild ;igs, 0am ar, -arking :eer, 5o"se :eer, :ole or Indian Wild :og and (ery rarely, a Tiger. There are, no!, an estimated .0 tigers here. Fo"r species of primates are fo"nd at ;eriyar 3 the rare lion3tailed maca<"e, the 8ilgiri Lang"r, >ommon Lang"r %nd -onnet 5aca<"e. ;eriyar also happens to e the ha itat of the el"si(e 8ilgiri Tahr, !hich is rarely to e seen. The irdlife comprises of :arters, >ormorants, Bingfishers, the great 5ala ar 9orn ill and racket3tailed :rongoes. The reptilian pop"lation oasts Cf 5onitor Li'ards that can e spotted asking in the s"n, on the rocks along the lakeshore. Eisitors !ho trek into the ;eriyar national park often see a ;ython and sometimes e(en a Bing >o ra. In the lap of the mo"ntains, the ;eriyar !ildlife sanct"ary)s en(iron is like a can(as of many shades. The fresh air of the moist decid"o"s forest gi(es one a chance to experience the peace and serenity and long to ret"rn for more.

Boo(ing Infor)ation<Reservation

#t,er Attractions in %eri/ar 4ildlife 0anctuar/

&u)il/ ' 0it"ated &"st .3kms from ;eriyar, B"mily is a gro!ing to!n !here to"rism is fastly catching "p &"st like the spice trade, the ma&or occ"pation of this small
to!n. The to!n is also !ell e<"ipped !ith the excellent hotels and resorts for accommodation.

Crado)o) Hills ' ;eriyar and B"mily are the most con(enient points from !hich (isitors can easily explore Berala)s ea"tif"l >ardamom hills. 7"ide !ill
approach yo" at offers of trips (ia &eep or taxi to the hills and if yo" can get a gro"p together, these trips !ork o"t as a good tra(el (al"e.

Boat Cruises ' -oat cr"ises make the est option to check o"t the !ilds of ;eriyar 0anct"ary.Today the ;eriyar lake presents an excellent oating spot for
to"rists. %ltho"gh it is "n"s"al to see many animals from the oats, still yo" spot a family of Alephants, Wild -oar, and 0am ar :eer y the !ater)s edge. The "pper deck is est for !ildlife (ie!ing !hen taking a oat cr"ise, "t etter t"rn "p half an ho"r early to get the est seat. To maximise yo" chances, take the 1.00 am oat. Po" can also consider renting yo"r o!n oat.