The most ancient in the history of man, dating to the Vedic age, Indian traditions have stressed the importance for all forms of life. The total area of India’s protected wilderness is approximately 90,000 sq. km. and constitutes 3 per cent of the country’s total land area. Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350 mammal and 1,200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent. A number of these species are not found elsewhere on earth. In a land once famous for its White Tiger, Snow Leopard, Asiatic lion, Lion Tailed Macaque, Great Indian Bustard, Himalayan Tahr, Andaman Teal and the Monal Pheasant are just a few animals and birds that are peculiar to the region. Wildlife tourism in India is designed to give the best opportunities of exploring the country’s rich natural heritage without disturbance to the fragile ecosystem. The country’s protected wilderness consists of 53 National Parks and 247 Sanctuaries.

Mentioned below are certain National Parks & Sanctuaries, which have been chosen based on their tourist facilities.

One of India’s finest tiger reserves, Corbett National Park is located in the south patlidum valley at the base of the Himalayas. It has been named after a famous British hunter Jim Corbett. Covering an area of 520 sq. km., the park supports a variety of vegetation. Corbett’s forest is dense and lush, and its savannah grasslands have almost 33 species of bamboo and grass apart from 110 species of trees, which include Sal, Shisham, Khair, Bakli and Pine. Besides the tiger, Corbett’s faunal assemblage includes 50 species of mammals, 580 species of birds and 25 species of reptiles.

It includes mammals like –Tiger, Elephant, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, Chital, Deer, Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Sloth Bear, Birds – Kings Vulture, Shikra, Kingfisher and reptiles – Indian Python, Viper, Cobra, Turtle, Gharial and Mugger.

Ramganga River is the main source of water in the park which runs through Corbett to form the Ramganga Lake. The best way to see wildlife at Corbett is on elephant back. Trained elephants can be hired from the tourist complex at Dhikala.

Best time to visit: December to May.

Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur has as many of 350 species of birds in an area of just 29 sq. km. referred to as a “Bird Paradise”. Created by the Maharaja of Bharatpur as a hunting preserve in the late 19th century, the area was declared a Sanctuary in 1956, a National Park in 1981 and named after the local Shiva Shrine of Keoladeo. It is home to migratory birds especially the Siberian Crane and the protected breeding ground of hundreds of species of birds.

Located in the Aravalli range of hills that cut across the princely state of Rajasthan, Sariska is spread over an area of 800 sq. km. A tiger reserve under Project Tiger, It was declared a Forest Reserve in 1955. Most of Sariska’s wildlife can be viewed from well concealed hides at Kalighatti, Salopka and Pandhupool - the main water holes. Tigers and leopards also visit these sites.

Best time to visit: February to June.

Sprawled on the Aravalli and Vindhya Ranges of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National park encompasses an area of 410 sq. km. in which live a healthy population of about 40 tigers. Once it was reputed as the hunting ground of Maharaja of Jaipur. A large numbers of deer inhabit the area and leopards are occasionally sighted. The Padam Taloa lake, located adjacent to the Jogi Mahal hunting lodge, is the park’s favourite water source.

Best time to visit: October to April. S

Chail Sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near Chail Town in Shimla. It covers an area of 10,854. 36 hectares. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are abode of wildlife.Visitors are welcome to Chir Pheasant breeding centers at both Blossom and Jhajja.One can see Goral, Red Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Sambar, Silver-white Oak, Barking Deer, Indian Hare, Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Yellow Throated Martin, Indian Porcupine, Kashmiri Flying Squirrel.