wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of india

Located in the Gulf of Mannar, The marine national park comes under the jurisdiction of the state of Tamil Nadu and lies between India and Sri Lanka. The Gulf of Mannar National Park contains over 3600 species of marine fauna and several other endangered species. Sharks, Dugongs, Dolphins, Coral, Whales and Sea Cucumbers etc. can be found here. The famous glass bottom boat rides attract a huge number of tourists here.

The Betla National Park is located in the Indian state of Jharkhand and was established as Indias first tiger reserve. The park is covered with a canopy of tropical and mixed deciduous forests and temperate alpine forests in the upper reaches. Tiger, Leopard, Pangolin, Jackal, Brown bear, Hyena and mongoose etc. can be spotted here.

The Desert National Park is located amidst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. The national park was established in 1992 and comprises mainly of grasslands and sand dunes. It is the best place to observe and spot the rare and endangered desert animal and plant species. Desert Fox, Bengal Fox, Spiny Tail lizard, Monitor lizard, Russells viper, Desert cat, Saw scaled viper and the great Indian bustard can be spotted here.

Covering an area of 8600 hectares, the Harike Wetland is a manmade lake and wetland formed by the headworks built in 1953 on the confluence of the Beas and the Sutlej rivers. The wetland is characterized by the Harike freshwater lake and is a home to over 200 species of birds along with a rich marine flora and fauna. The endangered Indus dolphin was recently sighted in the Beas River is also found in the Harike freshwater lake.

The South Button Island National Park is located towards the south west of Havelock islands in the Andaman Islands of India. The marine sanctuary is a famous scuba diving spot famous for its coral reefs and the marine life that they harbor. The Dugong and the Hydrosaurus lizards are also few of the many endangered species found here.

The wildlife sanctuary is located in the state of Telangana and is spread across an area of 812 sq kilometers. The Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is split in have by the Godavari rives and comprises of a forest covered hills with grassy slopes. The species like Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Dhole, Jackals, Sloth bear, Mugger crocodiles, Cobra and Chinkara etc. can be spotted here.

The Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the state of Bihar and was established in 1976. The place derives its name from a dam said to be constructed by Bhima in Mahabharatha and is spread across and area of 681.99 sq kilometers. Leopard, Tiger, Mongoose, Monitor Lizard, Grey headed Fish eagle, Owls, Falcons and Sloth bear etc. can be found here.

Located in the Indian state of Jharkhand, the Palamau Tiger Reserve is one of the famous tiger reserves in India. It is spread across 1,014 sq kilometers of area and was established in 1947. The forests are a home to several rare and endangered species of wildlife such as the Leopard, Tiger, Indian Bison, Sambhar deer and the Indian wild dogs etc.

The Mudumalai National Park is located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and was established in 1940. The wildlife reserve is located amidst the Nilgiri hills of the Western Ghats and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Indian Bison, Leopard cat, striped hyenas, Jackal, Sloth Bear and Asiatic Elephants etc. can be spotted in this nature reserve along with several endemic and migratory bird species and reptiles.

The Gir National Park and the Sasan Gir Sanctuary of Gujarat are the only wildlife sanctuaries in India that have Asiatic Lions. October June is the ideal time to visit the place and watch these majestic beasts strolling in their territories.