Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

The Ranthambore National Park is one of the last sanctuaries where the Royal Bengal Tiger roams free. Spread over 392 sq kms and located just 130 kms.

Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Keoladeo (Bharatpur) National Park is a World Heritage Site situated in eastern Rajasthan. The Park is spread over approx 29 square kilometer.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Kaziranga national park is approximately 40 km in length from east to west, and 13 km in breadth from north to south..

Gir National Park, Gujarat

The Gir Forest National Park is of the sanctuaries .

Nanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Kanha National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. This makes it the largest National Park in Central India.

Saturday 27 October 2012

Ranthambore National Park Gallery

Monday 22 October 2012

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national park in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Being considered as one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot.
Ranthambore National park is spread over an area of 1,334 sq km along with its nearby sanctuaries like - the Mansingh Sanctuary and the Kaila Devi Sanctuary.The park is majorly famous for its tigers and is one of the best locations in India to see the majestic predators in its natural habitat. The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day time busy at their ordinary quest- hunting and taking proper care of their young ones.
Ranthambore is also counted as the famous heritage site because of the pictorial ruins that dot the wildlife park. Certainly, a visit to Ranthambore National Park is a treat for every wildlife and nature lover. The time spend on watching tigers roaming around, verdant greenery, a gamut of other species of chirpy birds and animals is priceless and worth enough to be explored at least once in a life.
Ranthambore is best known for its large tiger population. As tourism in the park increased, so did the population of neighbouring villages. This led to increasing amounts of fatal human-tiger interactions and poaching. The Indian Government started Project Tiger in 1973 with an allotted area of 60 mi2. It was later expanded to become what is now called, the Ranthambore National Park. Besides tigers, the reserve has thriving bird population with more than 270 different species of birds here.

Ranthambore National Park Animals:

Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose.

Birds in Ranthambore:

  Ranthambore, due to its varied terrain and abundance of water bodies, has an excellent population of birds, resident and migrant. In total, a list of 272 species have been documented. Some of the best locations to watch birds are Malik Talao, the Ranthambore Fort, Rajbagh Talao, Padam Talao and in the Jhalra area. The most important birds in Ranthambore include's Graylag Goose, Woodpeckers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Common Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Cuckoos, Parakeets, Asian Palm Swift, Owl, Nightjars, Pigeon, Dove, Crakes, Snipes, Sandpipers, Gulls, Terns, Great Crested Grebe, Eagles, Darters, Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, Bitterns, Flamingos, Ibis, Pelicans, Storks, Pittas, Shrikes, Treepies, Crows, Orioles, Cuckoo-Shrikes, Minivets, Drongos, Flycatchers, Ioras, Wood Shrikes, Pipits, Bayas, Sparrows, Finches, Wagtails, Munias, Bulbul, Mynas, Falcons etc.

Flora in Ranthambore:

The vegetation in the park is mostly of the dry deciduous type with a large variety consisting of nearly 300 species. The majority of the tree cover is however mainly made up of :
1. Am (Magnifera iIndica)
2. Imli (Tamarindicus indica)
3. Babul (Accasia nilotica)
4. Banyan (F icus benghalensis)
5. Ber (Zizyphus mauritania)
6. Dhak or Chila (flame of the forest){Butea monosperma}
7. Dhok (Anogeossis pendula)
8. Jamun (Syzygium cumini)
9. Kadam (Authocephalus cadamba)
10. Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris)
11. Khair (Accacia catechu)
The forests of Ranthambore have a lot of contrasting vegetation
12. Karel (Capparis decidua)
13. Khejda (Prosopis specigera)
14. Kakera (Flacourtia indica)
15. Mohua (Madhuca indica)
16. Neem (Azadirachta indica)

Friday 21 September 2012

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuaries


Changthang Wildlife Sanctuaries 

KashmirThe Changtang is a high altitude plateau in western and northern Tibet extending into southeastern Ladakh,with vast highlands and giant lakes. From Eastern Ladakh Changtang stretches approximately 1600 km east into Tibet, as far as the state of Qinghai. All of it is geographically part of Tibetan Plateau. It is the home of the Changpa nomads.

Climate-


The climate of Changtang is harsh and unpredictable. The summers are warm but short and thunder storms can occur at any time of year, often with hail. The winters are cold and Arctic-like, despite the latitude, due to the high elevation.
Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary
The Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary (or the Changtang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary) is a high altitude wildlife sanctuary located in the Ladakhi adjunct of the Changtang plateau in the Leh District, Jammu and Kashmir. It is important as one of the few places in India with a population of the kiang or Tibetan wild ass, as well as the rare Black-necked Crane.
The altitude of the sanctuary varies from 14,000 to 19,000 feet, and the topography is formed of deep gorges and vast plateaus. There are around 11 lakes and 10 marshes in the Changtang Cold Desert Sanctuary, and the majestic River Indus dances through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
The cold desert vegetation of this wildlife Sanctuary though quite sparse but the ecological marginal conditions have employed some remarkable characteristics in these vegetation, which has high medicinal properties.
The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is a house for many rare Flora and Fauna of Ladakh, which are well cared for in this wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is located at a high altitude in Ladakh district of Jammu Kashmir.Changthang wildlife sanctuary is surrounded by two large and world famous water lakes that are Tsomoriri and Pangong Tso.Tso-Moriri is one of the huge mountain lakes in the southeastern part of Ladakh. Karzok village is situated on the South West bank of this lake and it's the world's highest inhabited village.The flora and fauna of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary has natural grasslands and a wide variety of more than two hundred species of wild plants that grow in higher pasture of this area and most of which is edible by animals.

Fauna:

Dachigam is considered home to some of the unique Himalayan range of flora and fauna. Primary amongst them is the Hangul or Kashmir stag, the most endangered species of red deer in the world. Some birds and animals found during this time of the year include the cinnamom sparrows, black and yellow grosbeak, black bulbuls, monal pheasant and the Himalayan gray langur. The main predator in the park is the leopard and other scavengers, which also feed on the prey of the leopard, are the jackal, hill fox, yellow-throated marten and the wild boar. Himalayan griffon, lammergeier, leopard cat, long tailed blue magpie, jungle cat and Himalayan weasel can also be sighted during this period.

Friday 14 September 2012

Wildlife Destinations in India

Wildlife Destinations in India


Wildlife Destinations in IndiaBangalore: India is blessed with a number of adventurous wildlife tourist destinations. The unique wildlife tourism in India attracts tourists from worldwide to visit the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India embedded with beautiful and natural surroundings. These parks are decked naturally with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Listed below are the top five wildlife destinations in India.




Ranthambor National Park

Ranthambor National Park
Ranthambore National Park is known for its tigers and is one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in the jungle. Tigers can be easily spotted even during the day time. A good time to visit Ranthambore National Park is in November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India. The park covers an area of 392 km², and is known for its tiger population, and is one of India's Project Tiger reserves. Other major wild animals include leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital. It is also home to wide variety of trees, plants, birds and reptiles. Ranthambore is also the site for one of the largest banyan trees in India.

Sundarbans National Park


Sundarbans National ParkThe Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile. The present Sundarbans National Park was declared as the core area of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. On May 4, 1984 it was declared a National Park.The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 400 tigers. The Royal Bengal Tigers have developed a unique characteristic of swimming in the saline waters, and are famous for their man-eating tendencies. Tigers can be seen on the river banks sunbathing between November and February.Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger; Fishing Cats, Leopard Cats, Macaques, Wild Boar, Indian Grey Mongoose, Fox, Jungle Cat, Flying Fox, Pangolin, Chital, are also found in abundance in the Sundarbans.

Kanha National Park


Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. In the 1930s, Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 km² . Kanha National Park was created on 1 June 1955. Today it stretches over an area of 940 km² in the two districts Mandla and Balaghat. Together with a surrounding buffer zone of 1,067 km² and the neighboring 110 km² Phen Sanctuary it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve."Kanha Tiger Reserve". Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Retrieved 14 April 2010. This makes it the largest National Park in Central India.
At Kanha the majestic tiger is the keystone species. The big cats tigers and leopards are tertiary carnivores in the food chain. Besides the big cats wild dogs, wild cat, fox and the jackal are carnivores commonly seen at Kanha.Among the deer species Swamp Deer or Hard Ground Barasingha is pride of the place as it is the only sub species of swamp deer in India (Cervus Duavcelli Branderi). The animal is adopted to hard ground unlike swamp deers of the North which live in marshy swamps. Kanha National Park has been instrumental in rescuing the “Swamp Deer” from extinction. Indian Gaur (Bos guarus) is in reality an ox race it is found in Kanha.

Pench National Park


Pench National Park
The Pench National Park is situated in the north-western state of Maharashtra in India, and is located at a distance of 70 kilometers from the city of Nagpur. The Pench National Park spreads over a vast area of 275 square kilometers, and the park stretches out into the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh. The flora of the Pench National Park in Maharashtra is typical of the southern tropical deciduous forest. The best time to visit the Pench National Park is between the month s of February and April. The wildlife park is very popular for its deer and leopards.

Thursday 13 September 2012

National Parks India

National Parks India


peacockIndia is unique in the richness and diversity of its vegetation and wildlife. India's national parks and wild life sanctuaries (including bird sanctuaries) from Ladakh in Himalayas to Southern tip of Tamil Nadu, are outstanding  and the country continues to "wow" the tourists with its rich bio-diversity and heritage.  Wildlife sanctuaries in India attracts people from all over the world as the rarest of rare species are found here. With 96 national parks and over 500 wildlife sanctuaries, the range and diversity of India's wildlife heritage is matchless. Some of the important sanctuaries in India are The Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve – Uttaranchal, Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Ranthambhor National Park - Sawai Madhopur, Gir National Park - Sasangir (Gujarat) etc. Supporting a great variety of mammals and over 585 India has unmatched variety of flora and fauna that makes it extensively different from the rest of the world. Tourists visiting for wildlife tour in India, will enjoy during any season, but to experience migrating birds, tiger, leopard, barasingha and other rare species, then winter is the best season to visit sanctuaries especially for those tourists coming for wildlife tour in India. Due to water scarcity in the hot weather, animals come out in herd in search of water.
Popular Willdife Parks of India

Bandhavgarh National Park



The thick forest of Bandhavgarh National Park sits in a bowl encircled by cliffs and wooded Vindhyan mountains, and its plains have a number of grass and reed covered wetlands where Kingfishers dive and Egrets sit poised, hunch-backed, in the shallows. Up above, vultures nestle in holes in the sheer cliffs.
Flora In Bandhavgarh
Initially just 105.40-sq-kms in area, Bandhavgarh with 25 resident tigers, was noted for its high-density tiger population. Today, it has been extended to an area of 437-sq-kms. About half the Bandhavgarh park is covered with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main wildlife viewing is still done in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills.

Ranthambore National Park


The landscape is dotted with ancient Banyan Trees, Dhok & Pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of Savannah. The terrain of Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree.
Major Wildlife Attractions - Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is famous for its Tigers and is a favorite with photographers. For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals.
For the wildlife savvy, Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride makes it one of the best places in the country to observe them. Apart from that a large numbers of Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds.

Corbett National Park


Nestling in the foothils of the Himalayas, the tiger reserve extends over an area of 1200 sq. km. The Ramganga River flows through the park and little forest streams tumble through the ravines. While dense stands of sal cloak the higher ridges, mixed deciduous forests are found throughout the park
"Project Tiger" was launched here in 1973. In addition to tigers, leopards and elephants, four species of deer - hog deer, sambar, chital and barking deer - are found here. Besides these, Corbett is a haven for 50 mammals, 580 kinds of birds and 25 reptile species. Basking along the banks of the Ramganga are the fish-eating gharial and the mugger or marsh crocodile. The river is rich in the golden mahaseer.

Eravikulam National Park


The Idukki district of Kerala is the perfect place to admire the Western Ghats mountain range, preferably from the confines of Eravikulam National Park. Another potential UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park has some impressive animal residents, from golden jackals to gaurs, porcupines to jungle cats.



Kaziranga National Park


A Unesco World Heritage Site in the remote, northeastern state of Assam, Kaziranga National Park has many significant claims to fame. For one, the park is home to two-thirds of the planet’s Great One-horned Rhinoceros population. Another feather in the park’s proverbial cap is that it contains the highest density of tigers of any conservation area in the world.

Kudremukh National Park


Though conservationists worry about the potential harmful effects of iron ore mines in the Kudremukh mountain range of Karnataka state, the national park still has a bevy of impressive attractions. Sloth bears, wild dogs, Malabar civets.

Nagarhole National Park


Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole is less than 100 km from Mysore in Karnataka. The tropical conservation area teems with elephants, macaques, leopards, wild dogs, bison and has a notable tiger population as well.

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Nelapattu Bird SanctuaryAndhra Pradesh

Nelapattu Bird SanctuaryAndhra Pradesh


Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is in Nelapattu village. It is located on the East Coast about 20-km north of the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary in the Nellore district. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is just 50-km from Chennai. The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is one of the largest pelican habitats in Southeast Asia. The total area of the sanctuary is 404-kms. Pulicat Lake near Nellore is the second largest brackish water lake in India and attracts thousands of migratory birds this world-renowned sanctuary on the banks of Pulicat lake, is spread over 486 sq.km. In Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary you can sopt the well-known Siberian Cranes and nearly 160 species of birds from as far away as the USA, China, Antarctica among others. Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is the breeding gound for rare and endangered species like Grey Pelicans, Open-Billed Storks, Little Cormorants, Spoon Bills, White Ibises and Night Herons. Egrets, Terns and Ducks also find it an ideal roosting place.

Wild life in the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary:


As the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of Pulicat lake, this bird sanctuary is the breeding ground for numerous rare and endangered bird species like Grey Pelicans, Open-Billed Storks, Little Cormorants, Spoon Bills, White Ibises and Night Herons. Egrets, Ducks, to name only a few. Other bird species like Babblers, Pelicans, Flamingos, Open Billed Stork, Coot, Night Heron and Waders are readily seen birds in the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. This bird sanctuary also provides habitats to many mammals like jackals, slender loris and reptiles like monitor lizard, tortoises and snakes. Migratory birds all across the world find the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary a best visiting place for perching and nesting every year.

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary Gujarat

Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary Gujarat

This sanctuary with area of 7506.22 sq.km. is the largest in the state, encompasses a true saline desert where thousands of Flamingoes nest and breed in the world famous Flamingo City while a 5000-year-old city lies buried in an eternal silence close by. This area was declared a sanctuary in February 1986.
The Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary of Gujarat comprises of forest area, revenue wasteland and territorial water of the Arabian Sea. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the north-eastern part of Kutch district that borders Pakistan and Wild Ass Sanctuary.
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary represents one of the largest seasonal saline wetland areas having water depth between 0.5 to 1.5 metres. But, after October-November, water dries up and the entire area turns into saline desert. The sanctuary supports wide variety of water birds and bewildering range of mammalian wildlife.

About the Sanctuary

The sanctuary has some other attractions as well. Embedded below the Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks on Khadir, Kuvar and Pachchham bets, are plenty of fossils of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. There are records of recovery of fossils of dinosaurs, crocodiles (of Dinosaurian period) and whales (of tertiary period). Fossilised forests have also been found in the rocks belonging to Jurassic and Cretaceous eras. The fossils of invertebrates include those of amonites, sea urchins and such othersThe sanctuary has some other attractions as well. Embedded below the Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks on Khadir, Kuvar and Pachchham bets, are plenty of fossils of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. There are records of recovery of fossils of dinosaurs, crocodiles (of Dinosaurian period) and whales (of tertiary period). Fossilised forests have also been found in the rocks belonging to Jurassic and Cretaceous eras. The fossils of invertebrates include those of amonites, sea urchins and such others.

Important animals-

Wolf, hyena, jackal, chinkara, wild ass, bluebull, wild boar, Indian porcupine, pale hedgehog, mongoose, rufous-tailed hare, desert fox, spiny tailed lizard etc.

Important birds:

Greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, pelicans, black-necked storks, cormorant, Indian cormorant, brahmini duck, pintail, spotbill, shoveller, pochard, sandpiper, gulls, terns, stints, plovers etc

Monday 10 September 2012

Great Indian Bustard Maharashtra

Great Indian Bustard Maharashtra

Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary (established in 1979, also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary of Maharashtra) is a wildlife sanctuary for the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) at Solapur, Maharashtra, India. The land is drought-prone and semi-arid.
Maharashtra is one of the six states of India where Great Indian Bustards (Ardeotis nigriceps) are still seen . The Great Indian Bustard at Nannaj and Karmala was first identified By Mr B.S.Kulkarni in 1972 and with his constant efforts to save the bird had resulted in Dr. Salim Ali visiting Nannaj and starting a research project. Mr Kulkarni wrote exentsively in local newspapers and made people aware of its existence and he is still active in trying to protect the bird and its habitat at Nannaj, near Solapur. In former days the bustard was a common bird in the dry districts of Maharashtra.

Description:-

The Great Indian Bustard is a large ground bird with a height of about a metre. It is unmistakable with its black cap contrasting with the pale head and neck. The body is brownish with a black patch spotted in white. The male is deep sandy buff coloured and during the breeding season has a black breast band. The crown of the head is black and crested and is puffed up by displaying males. In the female which is smaller than the male, the head and neck are not pure white and the breast band is either rudimentary, broken or absent.

Distribution and habitat:-

This species was formerly widespread in India and Pakistan but is increasingly restricted to small pockets.They make local movements but these are not well understood although it is known that populations disperse after themonsoons.Males are said to be solitary during the breeding season but form small flocks in winter. Males may however distribute themselves close together and like other bustards they are believed to use a mating system that has been termed as an exploded or dispersed lek.The male is polygamous.
The habitat where it is most often found is arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation. It avoids irrigated areas.[3] The major areas where they are known to breed are in central and western India and eastern Pakistan. The dry semi-desert regions where it was found in parts of Rajasthan has been altered by irrigation canals that have transformed the region into an intensively farmed area.

Behaviour and ecology:-

The Great Indian Bustard is omnivorous. Apparently, insects, consisting mainly of Orthoptera, but also beetles, particularly Mylabris sp.Are preferred in the diet. Alternately, they will take grass seeds, berries (largely of the genera Ziziphus and Eruca), rodents and reptiles (in Rajasthan they are known to take Uromastyx hardwickii. In cultivated areas, they feed on crops such as exposed groundnut, millets and pods of legumes.
Breeds during March to September during which time the inflated fluffy white feathers of the male are inflated and displayed. Territorial fights between males may involve strutting next to each other, leaping against each other with legs against each other and landing down to lock the opponents head under their neck. During courtship display, the male inflates the gular sac which opens under the tongue, inflating it so that a large wobbly bag appears to hang down from the neck.The tail is held cocked up over the body.The male also raises the tail and folds it on its back.The male periodically produces a resonant deep, booming call that may be heard for nearly 500m.The female lays a single egg in an unlined scrape on the ground.Only the females are involved in incubation and care of the young.The eggs are at risk of destruction from other animals particularly ungulates and crows.Females may use a distraction display that involves flying zigzag with dangling legs.

Friday 7 September 2012

Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary Assam

Hoollongapar Gibbon SanctuaryAssam

History

 The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary derives from a patch of forest once part of the Hollongapar Reserve Forest in the state area of Jorhat in Assam . Set aside as a Reserve Forest on 27 August 1881, it was named after its dominant tree species, Hollong or Dipterocarpus macrocarpus. At the time, it was considered an integral part of the foothill forests of the Patkai mountain range. Although the sanctuary is currently completely surrounded by tea gardens and a few small villages, it used to connect to a large forest tract that ran to the state of Nagaland. The protected area started with 206 ha and then shrank in 1896 as sections were de-reserved. As tea gardens began to emerge between 1880 and 1920, and villages were established during the 1960 to rehabilitate people from Majuli and adjoining areas who had lost their lands to floods, the forest became fragmented and the reserve became isolated from the foothills.

faunae:-


The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity.Also found at the sanctuary are elephants, tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), three types of civet, four types of squirrel, and several other types of mammal. At least 219 species of bird and several types of snake are known to live in the park

Mammals:


1. western hoolock gibbon
2. stump-tailed macaque
3. northern pig-tailed macaque
4. eastern Assamese macaque
5. Bengal slow loris
6. Indian Rhesus macaque
7. capped langur
8. hog deer
9. sambar
10.porcupine
11.tiger
12.common leopard
13. jungle cat

Reptiles:


1.Indian python
2.cat snake
3.Indian cobra
4.common rat snake

Birds:


1. RED JUNGLEFOWL, Gallus gallus,
2. KALIJ PHEASANT, Lophura leucomelanos,
3. RUDDY SHELDUCK, Tadorna furruginea
4. COMMON TEAL, Anas crecca.
5. COMMON POCHARD, Aythya ferina.
6. SPECKLED PICULET, Picumnus Innominatus.
7. WHITE-BROWED PICULET, Sasia ochracea.
8. RUFOUS WOODPECKER, Celeus brachyurus.
9. GREY-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER, Dendrocopos canicapillus.
10.FULVOUS-BREASTED WOODPECKER, Dendrocopos macei.
11.LESSER YELLOWNAPE, Picus chlorolophus
12.GREATER YELLOWNAPE, Picus flavinucha.
13.STREAK-THROATED WOODPECKER, Picus xanthopygaeus
14.GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER, Picus canus
15.HIMALAYAN FLAMEBACK, Dinopium shorii
16.COMMON FLAMBACK, Dinopium javanense.
17.GREATER FLAMEBACK, Chrysocolaptes lucidus.
18.LINEATED BARBET, Megalaima lineata.
19.GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET, Megalaima franklinii.
20.BLUE-THROATED BARBET, Megalaima asiatica
21.BLUE-EARED BARBET, Megalaima australis.
22.COPPERSMITH BARBET, Megalaima haemacephala.
23.ORIENTAL PIED HORNBILL, Anthracoceros albirostris
24.GREAT HORNBILL, Buceros bicornis.
25.COMMON HOOPOE, Upupa epops

Thursday 6 September 2012

Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

Wildlife Sanctuaries of India


Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
India has over 441 animal sanctuaries, referred to as Wildlife Sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV Protected Area). Among these, the 28 Tiger Reserves are governed by Project Tiger, and are of special significance in the conservation of the tiger. Some wildlife sanctuaries are specifically named Bird Sanctuary, eg. Keoladeo National Park before attained National Park status. Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Wildlife sanctuaries of national importance to conservation, usually due to some flagship faunal species, are named National Wildlife Sanctuary, like National Chambal (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary for conserving the Gharial (1978)


Year  Name  State  Area (km²)
1997 Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary  Assam  2098.62
1979 Great Indian Bustard  Maharashtra  8496.44
1986 Kutch Desert  Gujarat  7506.22
1973 Wild Ass  Gujarat  4953.7
1972 Nelapattu  Andhra Pradesh  4040
1991 Dibang Valley  Arunachal Pradesh  4149
1987 Changthang  Jammu & Kashmir  4000
1978 Nagarjunasagar Srisailam  Andhra Pradesh  3568
ND  Karakoram  Jammu & Kashmir  1800
2008 Sathyamangalam  Tamil Nadu  1411.6
1978 Kaimur  Bihar  1342.22
ND  Gundlabrahmeswaram  Andhra Pradesh  1194
1965 Gir  Gujarat  1153.42
1975 Noradehi  Madhya Pradesh  1034.52
1972 Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary  Uttar Pradesh  975.24
1965 Kawal  Andhra Pradesh  893
1952 Pakhal  Andhra Pradesh  879.3
1977 Pakhui  Arunachal Pradesh  861.95
1979 Simlipal  Orissa  845.7
ND  Dandeli  Karnataka  834.16
1953 Eturnagaram  Andhra Pradesh  803
1987 Lachipora  Jammu & Kashmir  800
1976 Satkosia Gorge  Orissa  795.52
1989 Kamlang  Arunachal Pradesh  783
1976 Palamau  Jharkhand  767
1981 Narayan Sarovar (Chinkara)  Gujarat  765.79
1976 Ratapani  Madhya Pradesh  688.79
1976 Bhimbandh  Bihar  681.9
1983 Keladevi  Rajasthan  676
1963 Kolleru  Andhra Pradesh  673
1977 Kinnerasani  Andhra Pradesh  655.41
1962 Sechu Tuan Nala  Himachal Pradesh  655.32
1979 National Chambal  Uttar Pradesh  635
ND  Rollapadu  Andhra Pradesh  614
1978 Tamor Pingla  Madhya Pradesh  608.52
1982 Schoolpaneshwar  Gujarat  607.7
1988 Sunabema  Orissa  600
1986 Askot  Uttarakhand  599.93
1985 Melghat  Maharashtra  597.23
1978 Papikonda  Andhra Pradesh  590.68
1971 Kumbhalgarh  Rajasthan  578.26
ND  Mundanthurai  Tamil Nadu  567.38
1974 Sitanadi  Madhya Pradesh  553.36
1975 Vikash Kumar Pandit  Madhya Pradesh  551.55
1989 Balaram-Ambaji  Gujarat  542.08
1987 Biligiri Rangswamy Temple  Karnataka  539.52
1977 Bori  Madhya Pradesh  518.25
1981 Ghatigaon  Madhya Pradesh  512
1983 Phulwari  Rajasthan  511.41
1987 Cauvery  Karnataka  510.51
1986 Andhari  Maharashtra  509.27
ND  Srivenkateshwara  Andhra Pradesh  506.94
1982 Kaimoor  Uttar Pradesh  500.75
1985 Dampa  Mizoram  500
1976 Pulicat  Andhra Pradesh  500
1983 Todgarh Rawali  Rajasthan  495.27
1974 Bhadra  Karnataka  492.46
ND  Srivilliputhur  Tamil Nadu  485.2
1954 Govind Pashu Vihar  Uttar Pradesh  481.04
1978 Bagdogra  Madhya Pradesh  478.9
1950 Periyar  Kerala  472
ND  Srilanka Malleswara  Andhra Pradesh  464.42
1977 Pachmarhi  Madhya Pradesh  461.85
1978 Valmikinagar  Bihar  461.6
ND  Pulicat  Tamil Nadu  461.02
1987 Sohagabarwa  Uttar Pradesh  428.2
1987 Overa-Aru  Jammu & Kashmir  425
1985 Koyna  Maharashtra  423.55
1979 Sita Mata  Rajasthan  422.94
1962 Tundah  Himachal Pradesh  419.48
1974 Sharavathi Valley  Karnataka  413.23
1976 Kateraniaghat  Uttar Pradesh  400.09
1981 Kotgarh  Orissa  399.05
1974 Shettihally  Karnataka  395.6
1928 Manas  Assam  391
1988 Gumti  Tripura  389.54
1958 Radhanagiri  Maharashtra  371.88
1974 Gandhi Sagar  Madhya Pradesh  368.62
1975 Sanjay (Dubri)  Madhya Pradesh  364.69
1976 Singhalila  West Bengal  362.4
1986 Kalsubai Harishchandra  Maharashtra  361.71
ND  Kaundinya  Andhra Pradesh  357
1982 Rupi Bhabha  Himachal Pradesh  354.14
1983 Sardarpur Florican  Madhya Pradesh  348.12
1985 Debrigarh  Orissa  346.91
ND  Kuno - Palpur  Madhya Pradesh  345
1981 Palpur - Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary  Madhya Pradesh  344.68
1973 Waynad  Kerala  344.44
1986 Jaikwadi  Maharashtra  341.05
1978 Samarsot  Madhya Pradesh  340.35
1962 Kugti  Himachal Pradesh  330
1986 Painganga  Maharashtra  324.62
1983 Pong Dam Sanctuary  Himachal Pradesh  322.7
ND  Mudumalai  Tamil Nadu  321.55
1978 National Chambal  Madhya Pradesh  320
1985 Chandoli  Maharashtra  308.97
1982 Ramgarh Bundi  Rajasthan  307
1988 Badrama  Orissa  304.03
1987 Sonanandi  Uttar Pradesh  301.18
1982 Jamwa Ramgarh  Rajasthan  300
1980 Marine (Gulf of Kutch)  Gujarat  293.03
1960 Mountabu  Rajasthan  288.84
1976 Singhori (Sindhari)  Madhya Pradesh  287.91
1973 Parambikulam  Kerala  285
1980 Mehao  Arunachal Pradesh  281.5
1983 National Chambal  Rajasthan  280
1972 Gomardah  Madhya Pradesh  277.82
1984 Kuldiha  Orissa  272.75
1955 Darah  Rajasthan  265.83
1983 Pamed Wild Buffalo  Madhya Pradesh  262
1986 Gautala Autramghat  Maharashtra  260.61
1976 Gautam Buddha  Bihar  259.48
1986 Buxa  West Bengal  251.89
1988 Kanji  Jammu & Kashmir  250
1983 Udanti Wild Buffalo  Madhya Pradesh  247.59
1974 Mukambika  Karnataka  247
1983 Panpatha  Madhya Pradesh  245.84
1976 Barnawapra  Madhya Pradesh  244.66
1962 Nargu  Himachal Pradesh  243.13
1962 Bandli  Himachal Pradesh  239.47
1978 Coringa  Andhra Pradesh  235.79
1977 Ranipur  Uttar Pradesh  230.31
1983 Bhensrodgarh  Rajasthan  229.14
1972 Kishanpur  Uttar Pradesh  227.12
ND  Kalakkadu  Tamil Nadu  223.58
1989 Eaglenest  Arunachal Pradesh  217
1990 Jaldapara  West Bengal  216.51
1987 Spike Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  211.7
1978 Lawalang  Bihar  211.03
1985 Nakti Dam  Bihar  206.4
1986 Kabar  Bihar  204
1981 Karera  Madhya Pradesh  202.21
1975 Intanki  Nagaland  202.02
ND  Krishna  Andhra Pradesh  194.81
1976 Dalma  Jharkhand  193.22
1985 Baretha  Rajasthan  192.76
1979 Barda  Gujarat  192.31
1978 Hadgarh  Orissa  191.06
1978 D'ering Memorial  Arunachal Pradesh  190
1975 Abohar  Punjab  188.24
1976 Hazaribagh  Jharkhand  186.25
1987 Gulmarg  Jammu & Kashmir  186
1985 Lakhari Valley  Orissa  185.87
1989 Yagoupokpi Lokchao  Manipur  184.8
1974 Bramhagiri  Karnataka  181.29
1978 Jessore  Gujarat  180.66
1985 Koderma  Jharkhand  177.95
1969 Yawal  Maharashtra  177.52
1982 Chandaka Dampara  Orissa  175.79
1934 Sonai Rupai  Assam  175
1987 Trishna  Tripura  170.56
1981 Baisipalli  Orissa  168.35
1990 Purna  Gujarat  160.84
1970 Nagzira  Maharashtra  152.81
1991 Ngengpui  Mizoram  150
1967 Bhagwan Mahavir  Goa  148.52
1992 Karlapat  Orissa  147.66
1978 Itanagar  Arunachal Pradesh  140.3
1983 Bhairamgarh  Madhya Pradesh  138.95
1985 Nameri  Assam  137.07
1980 Pranahita  Andhra Pradesh  136.02
1986 Chaprala  Maharashtra  134.78
1985 Interview Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  133
1985 Bhimashankar  Maharashtra  130.78
1990 Jambughoda  Gujarat  130.38
1952 Pocharam  Andhra Pradesh  130
1958 Neyyar  Kerala  128
1976 Murti Wildlife  West Bengal  127.22
1958 Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary  Kerala  125
1955 Kheoni  Madhya Pradesh  134.778
1969 Nal Sarovar  Gujarat  120.82
1962 Gobind Sagar & Naina Devi  Himachal Pradesh  120.67
1974 Ranebennur  Karnataka  119
1982 Khalasuni  Orissa  116
1987 Chautala  Haryana  113.96
1983 Fensatallite  Madhya Pradesh  110.24
1976 Chail  Himachal Pradesh  110.04
1987 Hirpora  Jammu & Kashmir  110
ND  Sundha Mata  Rajasthan  107
1949 Gamgul Siahbehi  Himachal Pradesh  105.46
1987 Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary  Karnataka  105
1984 Chimmony Wildlife sanctuary  Kerala  105
1968 Bhagwan Mahavir  Goa  105
1975 Badankhoh  Madhya Pradesh  104.35
1984 Sawai Mansingh  Rajasthan  103.25
1987 Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary  Karnataka  102.59
1984 Shenduruny  Kerala  100.32
1986 Nandpur Madmeshwar  Maharashtra  100.12
1989 Sessa Orchid  Arunachal Pradesh  100
1980 Jawahar Sagar  Rajasthan  100
1983 Shergarh  Rajasthan  98.71
1962 Darlaghat  Himachal Pradesh  98.71
1984 Chinnar  Kerala  90.44
1974 Someswara  Karnataka  88.4
1986 Aner Dam  Maharashtra  82.94
ND  Mukkurthi  Tamil Nadu  78.46
1957 Chandra Prabha  Uttar Pradesh  78
1976 Idukki  Kerala  77
1988 Katepurna  Maharashtra  73.69
1985 Orang  Assam  72.6
1984 Balukhand Konark  Orissa  71.72
1962 Shikari Devi  Himachal Pradesh  71.19
1979 Laokhowa  Assam  70.14
1975 Bhitarkanika  Orissa  70
1986 Phansad  Maharashtra  69.79
1976 Tirthan  Himachal Pradesh  68.25
1976 Mahuadaur  Bihar  63.25
1954 Kanawar  Himachal Pradesh  61.57
1970 Bor  Maharashtra  61.1
1955 Van Vihar  Rajasthan  59.93
1974 Narsingarh  Madhya Pradesh  57.19
1985 Churdhar  Himachal Pradesh  56.59
1982 Ratanmahal  Gujarat  55.65
1991 Kane  Arunachal Pradesh  55
1984 Aralam  Kerala  55
1983 Peppara  Kerala  53
1956 Jaisamand  Rajasthan  52
1984 Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary  Sikkim  51.76
1984 Fambong Lho  Sikkim  51.76
1980 Nahargarh  Rajasthan  50
1974 Melkote Temple  Karnataka  49.82
1984 Parasnath  Bihar  49.23
ND  Pabha  Assam  49
1988 Binsar  Uttarakhand  45.59
1981 Ken Gharial  Madhya Pradesh  45
1982 Harike Lake  Punjab  43
1981 Sone Gharial  Madhya Pradesh  41.8
1991 Khawnglung  Mizoram  41
1989 Dipor Beel  Assam  40
1989 Paniya  Gujarat  39.63
1981 Surinsar-Mansar  Jammu & Kashmir  39.58
1976 Senchal  West Bengal  38.88
1987 Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary  Assam  38.83
1962 Raksham Chitkul  Himachal Pradesh  38.27
1976 Lothian Island  West Bengal  38
1962 Naina Devi  Himachal Pradesh  37.19
1978 Siwaram  Andhra Pradesh  36.29
1962 Talra  Himachal Pradesh  36.16
1978 Rajgir  Bihar  35.84
1987 Meanam  Sikkim  35.34
1981 Nandini  Jammu & Kashmir  33.72
1984 Shingba Rhododendron  Sikkim  32.5
1987 Overa  Jammu & Kashmir  32.37
1962 Majathal  Himachal Pradesh  31.64
1954 Manali sanctuary  Himachal Pradesh  31.27
1949 Kalatop & Khajjiar  Himachal Pradesh  30.69
1970 Tansa  Maharashtra  30.41
1974 Nugu  Karnataka  30.32
1974 Ghataprabha  Karnataka  29.78
1962 Lippa Asrang  Himachal Pradesh  29.53
1987 Landfall Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  29.48
1987 Malvan Marine  Maharashtra  29.12
1981 Nongkhyllem  Meghalaya  29
1962 Daranghati  Himachal Pradesh  27.01
1980 Barnadi  Assam  26.22
1987 Limber  Jammu & Kashmir  26
ND  Sukhna  Chandigarh  25.42
1983 Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary  Kerala  25
1983 Crocodile (Lohabrrack)  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  22.21
1986 Hastinapur  Uttar Pradesh  20.73
ND  Tongri  Jammu & Kashmir  20
1978 Manjira  Andhra Pradesh  20
1987 Sepahijala  Tripura  18.53
1954 Khokhan  Himachal Pradesh  17.6
ND  Point Calimere  Tamil Nadu  17.26
1958 Simbalbara  Himachal Pradesh  17.2
1987 Chilka Lake (Nalaban)  Orissa  15.53
1988 Rampura  Gujarat  15.01
1985 Arabithittu  Karnataka  13.5
ND  Indira Priyadarshini  Delhi  13.2
1983 Sailana Florican  Madhya Pradesh  12.96
1981 Ramnagar  Jammu & Kashmir  12.9
1954 Kais  Himachal Pradesh  12.2
1975 Bir Shikargarh  Haryana  10.93
1985 Sagershwar  Maharashtra  10.87
1987 Defence Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  10.49
ND  Hokarsar  Jammu & Kashmir  10
1987 Cinque Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  9.51
1987 Flat Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  9.36
1987 Buchaan Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  9.33
1977 Barren Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  8.1
1987 Kyd Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  8
1972 Bondla Wildlife  Goa  8
1987 Shearme Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  7.85
1987 Paget Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  7.36
1985 Tilanchang Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  6.83
1977 Narcondum Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  6.81
1987 West Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  6.4
1987 East Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  6.11
1976 Halliday Island  West Bengal  5.95
1987 Ranger Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  4.26
1987 Swamp Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  4.09
1987 East (Inglis) Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  3.55
1977 North Reef Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  3.48
1987 Benett Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  3.46
1987 Talabaicha Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  3.21
1987 Point Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  3.07
1987 Baltal  Jammu & Kashmir  3
1987 Bondoville Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  2.55
1987 Table (Delgarno) Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  2.29
1985 Battimalve Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  2.23
1987 James Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  2.1
1979 Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary  Goa  1.8
1987 Reef Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.74
1987 Table (Excelsior) Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.69
1977 South Sentinel Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.61
1987 Sandy Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.58
1987 Roper Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.46
1987 Pitman Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.37
1987 South Brother Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.24
1987 South Reef Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.17
1987 Bluff Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.14
1987 Sir Huge Rose Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.06
1987 Temple Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.04
1987 Ross Island  Andaman & Nicobar Islands  1.01
ND  Ranganthittu  Karnataka  0.67
ND  Bir Motibagh  Punjab  ND
ND  Bhagmara  Meghalaya  ND
ND  Tal Chappar  Rajasthan  ND
ND  Renuka  Himachal Pradesh  ND
ND  Shilli  Himachal Pradesh  ND
ND  Bir Bunnerheri  Punjab  ND
ND  Bassi  Rajasthan  ND
ND  National Garhial  Rajasthan  ND
ND  Khijadiya  Gujarat  ND
ND  Bir Gurdialpura  Punjab  ND
ND  Asan Bradge Bird Watching  Uttar Pradesh  ND
ND  Chilla  Uttar Pradesh  ND
ND  Mahavir Swamy  Uttar Pradesh  ND
ND  Nawabganj  Uttar Pradesh  ND
ND  Samaspur  Uttar Pradesh  ND
ND  Dhakna Kolkaz  Maharashtra  ND
ND  Gandhari  Maharashtra  ND
ND  Wainganga  Maharashtra  ND
ND  Dhumkhal  Gujarat  ND
ND  Ushakothi  Orissa  ND
ND  Chandra Prabha  Bihar  ND
ND  Topchanchi  Bihar  ND
ND  Bibhutibhushan  West Bengal  ND
ND  Bethudahari  West Bengal  ND
ND  Ballabhpur  West Bengal  ND
ND  Chapramari  West Bengal  ND
ND  Gorumara  West Bengal  ND
ND  Jore Pokhri  West Bengal  ND
1959 Mahananda  West Bengal  159
ND  Parnadhan  West Bengal  ND
ND  Ramnabagan  West Bengal  ND
ND  Raiganj  West Bengal  ND
ND  Kyongasia Alpine  Sikkim  ND
ND  Garampani  Assam  ND
ND  Siju  Meghalaya  ND
ND  Pulebatze  Nagaland  ND
ND  Fakim  Nagaland  ND
ND  Charilam  Tripura  ND
ND  Lanjamadugu  Andhra Pradesh  ND
ND  Karikili  Tamil Nadu  ND
ND  Vedantangal  Tamil Nadu  ND
ND  Vettangudi  Tamil Nadu  ND
ND  Vallanadu  Tamil Nadu  16.41
ND  Kumarakom  Kerala  ND
1989 Okhla Bird Sanctuary  Delhi/NOIDA  4
1990 Sandi Bird Sanctuary  Uttar Pradesh  3.09
2010 Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary  Kerala  74.21