The land of India is full of natural resources and vegetation spread across the entire territory. This allows wildlife species of various types to flourish in this land. The Government of India has made provisions for preserving many endangered species through wildlife sanctuaries, and the writer discusses these places.
There is a unique appeal in discovering the various wildlife sanctuaries of India. Be it the royal beasts or the timid ones that live in the jungles, it is always a pleasurable experience to watch them enjoy their life in their natural habitat, where they are at their highest comfort levels. Most of the wildlife sanctuaries have succeeded in preserving the flora and fauna of the region in a very smooth way. These places are perfect sites for a holiday amidst the beauty of nature. Moreover, you get the opportunity to witness wild beasts live in person, which is an experience worth remembering. Here are the 10 most visited wildlife sanctuaries that you can plan to visit on your next vacation.
List of 10 Most Popular National Parks in India
1. Jim Corbett National Park
- Location: Uttarakhand, northern India.
- Established: 1936, India’s first national park.
- Famous for: Bengal tigers and wildlife conservation.
- Area: 520 square kilometers.
- Attraction: Jeep safari, bird watching, and Corbett Waterfall.
The ‘Corbett National Park’ is the oldest and most visited national park in this country. This place was established in the year 1936 to protect the endangered species of Royal Bengal tigers. It is situated in the Himalayan foothills within the state of Uttarakhand. Wildlife enthusiasts make this place a must-visit on their list. The park is dedicated to the famous wildlife writer, Jim Corbett, under whose name this place was started. The Corbett National Park has also been documented several times to raise awareness about the growing concern over the disappearance of Bengal tigers.
2. Gir Forest National Park
- Location: Gujarat, western India.
- Established: 1965, the only place in the world for Asiatic lions.
- Area: 1,412 square kilometers.
- Famous for: Asiatic lions, leopards, and striped hyenas.
- Attraction: Lion safaris and birdwatching.
It is a known fact that Asiatic lions are found only in the famous Gir National Park and the Sasan Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat. The ideal time for visiting this national park is between October and June, when you can see these majestic creatures loitering in their respective territories within the perimeters of this sanctuary. This park was secured on 18th September 1965. It is the largest preservation area for Asiatic lions, where they live elegantly and with much comfort. The streams and rivers that flow within the park’s perimeters are essential to the wild beasts dwelling here.
- Suggested Tour Dwarka Somnath Gir Tour Package
3. Ranthambore National Park
- Location: Rajasthan, northern India.
- Established: 1980, a Tiger Reserve.
- Area: 392 square kilometers.
- Famous for: Bengal tigers and historic Ranthambore Fort.
- Attraction: Tiger safaris and ruins of the fort within the park.
This park is considered royal among all the national parks of India. It also ranks among the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in India. Tigers are what the national park takes pride in. The place is surrounded by the Chambal and Banas rivers and is ideal for these predators as well as other wild beasts, including wild boar, leopards, hyenas, and sambar. You can explore the park using the Tiger Safari, which is highly popular among tourists in this region.
- Check out: Ranthambore Weekend Tour Package
4. Kaziranga National Park
- Location: Assam, northeastern India.
- Established: 1905, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Area: 1,032 square kilometers.
- Famous for: One-horned rhinoceros and tigers.
- Attraction: Elephant-back safaris and bird watching.
Kaziranga National Park is the sole keeper of the one-horned rhino, an endangered species worldwide. This national park is situated in the Golaghat district of Assam and is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Northeast India. It also ranks among the most visited national parks in the country. The park is not only home to rhinos but also tigers and other animal species. Due to the rise in the tiger population in this national park, it was declared a Tiger Reserve Forest in 2006. Other species found here include wild buffaloes, elephants, and swamp deer. Migratory birds are also visible in the winter months.
5. Kanha National Park
- Location: Madhya Pradesh, central India.
- Established: 1955, a Project Tiger Reserve.
- Area: 1,949 square kilometers.
- Famous for: Barasingha (Swamp Deer) and Royal Bengal tigers.
- Attraction: Safari tours and sunset point at Bamni Dadar.
Kanha National Park is a sought-after tourist destination among the wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh. It was secured in 1955 and has been noted for its efforts to save the almost extinct species of Swamp Deer, more popularly called Barasingha in India. It has been credited as one of the most well-maintained parks in Asia. Another interesting feature that beckons tourists to this national park is the sunset point known as Bamni Dadar. You can get an almost full view of the park from here.
6. Bandipur National Park
- Location: Karnataka, southern India.
- Established: 1974, a Project Tiger Reserve.
- Area: 874 square kilometers.
- Famous for: Elephants, tigers, and leopards.
- Attraction: Wildlife safaris and dense forest landscapes.
Apart from the north, west, and east of India, you will also find prominent wildlife sanctuaries in South India, among which Bandipur National Park is quite popular. Here, elephants, as well as other species, find a natural home, allowing them to thrive and grow in population. You will be able to view the dense forests of the Deccan Plateau, along with those of the Western Ghats, making this place attractive and beautiful in its own way.
7. Pench National Park
- Location: Madhya Pradesh, central India.
- Established: 1975, inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
- Area: 758 square kilometers.
- Famous for: White tigers and diverse wildlife.
- Attraction: Safari tours and birdwatching with over 170 species.
The world-famous novel, The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling, was inspired by Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Most of the descriptions of wildlife in this novel were based on actual park sites. It is often referred to as Mowgli Land. Although the dominating species in the park is the White Tiger, you will also come across sloth bears, leopards, barking deer, and wild dogs. Other attractions in this park include more than 170 aviary species, making it one of the best places for bird-watching.
8. Bandhavgarh National Park
- Location: Madhya Pradesh, central India.
- Established: 1968, a Tiger Reserve.
- Area: 1,533 square kilometers.
- Famous for: High tiger density and white tigers.
- Attraction: Tiger safaris and Bandhavgarh Fort.
This national park also ranks among the 10 best wildlife sanctuaries in India. Established in 1968, it is known for the number of tigers it preserves. Other animals that find shelter in this park include deer and leopards. White tigers, however, remain the main source of attraction for Bandhavgarh National Park, which is situated in Madhya Pradesh.
9. Periyar National Park
- Location: Kerala, southern India.
- Established: 1982, a Tiger Reserve.
- Area: 925 square kilometers.
- Famous for: Elephants, tigers, and Nilgiri tahr.
- Attraction: Boat rides on Periyar Lake and wildlife photography.
Kerala, in South India, shelters Periyar National Park, which is the only national park in the entire country to have an artificial lake within its perimeters. It is situated on the forest belt of the Western Ghats and is one of the prime Tiger Reserve Forests in the country. If you plan on boating in the artificial Periyar Lake, you will be able to enjoy the vast animal population of the park as they gather around the lake to drink water. This animal population includes Nilgiri Tahrs, langurs, and elephants, among others.
10. Keoladeo National Park
- Location: Rajasthan, northern India.
- Established: 1982, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Area: 29 square kilometers.
- Famous for: Migratory birds, especially the Siberian Crane.
- Attraction: Bird watching and cycling tours around the park.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a man-made wetland within India that has been declared a National Park. This place was previously known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, as it houses several aviary species, making it a great place to observe migratory birds as well as other bird species present in India.
With all the above information, you will have no difficulty in selecting your next vacation spot where you can encounter wildlife in its most authentic version.
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