Kanziranga Wildlife Sanctuaries
Best Season Mid-November To Early April
Most of Assam's magnificent wildlife reserves are in the Brahmaputra valley,
where the large tracts of grasslands on the flood plains are home to the Indian
one-horned Rhino and other beasts. On such terrain, as opposed to the thick
jungle cover of most other Indian Parks, sightings of animals are all but
assured. Kaziranga, the greatest park of all, is renowned for its elephant
grass and Rhino, but also incorporates some forest areas. Covering an area
of 430-sq-kms on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra, Kaziranga National
Park, 217-km east of Guwahati, occupies the vast valley floor against a backdrop
of the forest-covered Karbi Anglong hills.
Kaziranga's One-Horned Rhino
With a population of over a thousand, the one-horned Rhino's are the largest
concentration in the subcontinent and are best seen from the back of an elephant,
early on a winter's morning. These Elephant rides last around one hour, and
should be booked the previous evening at the park offices in Kohora. Although
the elephants do not penetrate far into the sanctuary, merely travelling in
a three or four kilometre circle, it is incredible how much wildlife can be
seen in this small area; the dawn ride is the best - if one can get up that
early. The rhinos seem oblivious to camera-clicking tourists, although like
the unpredictable wild buffalo, they are equipped with lethal horns and potentially
ferocious. Although jeeps penetrate deeper into the forest than elephants,
they cannot get nearly as close to the wild animals.
Bheemeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Season December to March
Bheemeshwari in Mandya district is an ideal place wildlife lovers. The sparkling
blue waters of Cauvery wind through rocks and ravines and fall off the Deccan
Plateau to form the Twin Falls of Barachukki and Gananachukki.
About 35 Kms downstream is yet another set of falls called Mekedatu (Goat's
Leap). Lying between these breathtaking cascades is Bheemeshwari. It is a
perfect picnic spot, where nature has created a natural habitat for the Mahseer
fish and variety of exciting animals.
The lush forest sheltered by steep valley and scattered by little streams,
invite large groups of animals and birds.
The Wild Population
One can see herds of elephants amongst thick trees. Deer springing in the
air, wild boars, monkeys, jackals, crocodiles, otter and leopards and many
other animals inhabit the place. There are plenty of birds too. Heron, ibis,
cormorant, kingfishers have all made their home here.
Enjoy Angling
Angling is an exiting option here as there is a fishing camp nearby. The banks
of River Cauvery provide enthusiastic anglers a chance to try their luck at
fishing. The river Cauvery abounds with Masheer- the finest game fish (weighing
100 lbs) that can fight like a tiger! So do not forget to take your fishing
rods. Because, it may be catch of your lifetime.
The Fishing Camp
The Fishing Camp here has comfortable log huts and tents equipped with all
basic facilities like cots, mosquito nets, showers, toilet and even a kitchen.
Food is served in the ' Gol-Ghar', the open-air dining room.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Season Ocrober to June
One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary
attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady
Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their
natural habitat. The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom
of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come
here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can
be spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor around the
lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June. Spread
over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary
is located 137 km from Madurai. Although an excursion on the splendid artificial
lake is the standard way to experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around
with the local guide in a small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake
to frolic in the water. Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar,
Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked
Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri
Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes
and Fly Catchers.
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Season November to March
Located 107 kms from Jaipur, the Sariska National Park is in a wooden valley,
surrounded by barren mountains. The dry deciduous forests of the ancient Aravalli
range cover the area of the Sariska National Park and Tiger Reserve. The main
fauna in the park includes the Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Civet, Sambhar,
Chinkara, Nilgai and Four-Horned Antelope. Declared a Sanctuary in 1955, it
became a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1979. The other great predator
of Sariska's forests is the leopard besides the ferocious tiger. Sariska has
a healthy porcupine population, and this tiny creature often pits itself against
the tiger, which is particularly fond of porcupine flesh. Click here for Wildlife
Tours in Rajasthan The 'Chowsingha' (four horned antelope) is commonly found
at Sariska; exclusively Indian, it is the world's only wild creature, which
has two pairs of horns. The Park's terrain is also congenial to the Chinkara
(Indian Gazelle) and Nilgai. Remarkable for their lack of timidity are the
Rhesus and Langur, which, at Sariska tolerate human closeness with astonishing
equanimity. The birdlife comprises of the Pea Fowl, Gray Partridge, Quail,
Sandgrouse, Tree Pie, White-Breasted Kingfisher, Golden-Backed Woodpecker,
Crested Serpent, Eagle and Great Indian Horned Owl.
Viewing the Wild
The best way to visit the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep and these
can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road. Booking a `hide',
overlooking one of the waterholes, can provide an excellent opportunity for
viewing and photographing wildlife. So, pick up your sleeping bag and some
food and settle down to watch.
Nelapattu Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Season October to March
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.
It is just 50-km from Chennai. The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary is one of the
largest pelican habitats in Southeast Asia. The total area of this bird sanctuary
of India is 404-kms.
A Breeding Centre For Endangered Species
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary provides fine breeding ground for rare and endangered
species like Grey Pelicans, Open-Billed Storks, Little Cormo- Rants, Spoon-Bills,
White-Ibises and Night Herons. It is a small fresh water irrigation tank with
Barringtonia trees spread in the water, which can withstand inundation for
longer periods in the tank bed. The birds for perching and nesting prefer
the foreshore areas. It is a best visiting place for the migratory birds for
a long time apart from it more than 1,500 pelican's breed here every year.
It is also considered as an ideal roosting place for many birds like egrets,
terns and ducks.
Other Attractions
Barringtonia trees and people young and old, of surrounding villages take
it as their responsibility and protect them from any kind of disturbance.
The reserve forest area has mammals like jackals, slender loris and spotted
deer and reptiles like snakes, tortoises and monitor lizards. Nelapattu has
an environmental education centre, museum, library and an auditorium with
audio-visual equipment.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Best Season November to April
Manas, also known for its Rhinos and Elephants, is Assam's one of the two
Tiger projects of Assam (second one is Nameri Tiger Reserve) and extends over
varied territory, taking in hills and river valleys on the border with Bhutan.
The scenic beauty and rare wealth of wild life combine with this unique world
heritage site to offer one of the most enthralling experiences. The reserve
forest of 1928 Manas had been declared as a tiger project in 1973. Of the
present 18 Indian Tiger Projects, Manas is the ninth one. The area is 391-sq-km
and the area of the tiger project being 540-sq-km. Manas and its armlet Benki
and Hakua draw a front line between India and Bhutan, on the west is Sankosh,
and on the east Dhansiri River.
