TOP 5 NATIONAL PARKS IN INDIA

 

The varied topography of India and the unique featured ecosystems ranging from rainforest to swamps, from deserts capes to meadows and mountains, makes it home to a humongous variety of flora and fauna. Be it the serenity of the wild, or making eye contact with a big cat, or listening to the elusive bird calls, the national parks of India have something adventurous in store for everyone.

 Let us have a look at the top 5 National parks in India to plan the next holiday in the wild.

1. BANDHAVGARH:

Bandhavgarh National Park, also known as the White Tiger Reserve is known for its highest density of Tiger population. It is spread over Vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. The park consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer of approximately 400 sq km. This park finds its mention in Indian mythology as it is believed to have been built by Lakshman for his brother Ram to keep a watch on Lanka.

The park has unique biodiversity as it comprises of hills, valleys, rivers, marshes, and meadows. Apart from the white tiger and the Bengal tiger as many as 34 species of mammals like striped hyena, leopard, sloth bear, dhole, chinkara, spotted deer, etc.  And 260 species of birds including sarus crane, Egyptian vulture, grebe, crested serpent eagle, grey hornbill, Indian roller, are listed along with a wide variety of reptiles.

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Apart from enjoying the forest by the jeep or elephant safari, the places worth visiting in Bandhavgarh national park are the caves called Badi Gufa and the Three Cave point and the Sheesh Shaiya, a magnificent 65ft tall statue of Lord Vishnu, nestled in the mid jungle which is the originating point of Charganga river.

2. JIM CORBETT:

         Established in the year 1936 as Hailey National Park, Corbett has the glory of being India’s oldest and most prestigious National Park. Covered with Sal trees and 600 specimens of distinct plants, it spans over 520 sq km. It is among the few Tiger reserves in India that allow overnight stay for the wildlife enthusiast in the core of National Park, in the Dhikala zone.

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           Apart from Bengal tigers, the park is home to many animals, including the Asian elephant, Indian hog deer, otter, Asiatic black bear, reptiles such as crocodiles, Alligators, king cobra and birds like Pallas fish eagle, golden oriole, white-backed vulture, etc., which can be viewed in Safari on an open jeep or an Elephant back. The park is also a hub of adventurous activities like river rafting, rock climbing, rappelling, and more.

          Durga Devi zone of the park is recommended for bird watchers. Various other park zones are Bijrani, Sitabani, and Dhela andJhirna zone which remain open throughout the year.

3. RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK:

          The most famous National Park of India situated in the vicinity of Aravalli Hills and Vindhya Plateau spreads over an area of 1334 sq km from which 392 sq km is the area of the park. This park is famous for its diurnal Tigers which mean that these Tigers are active during day time. The vegetation of Ranthambhore is tropical dry deciduous and thorn type.

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Other animals like nilgai, spotted deer, leopard, leopard cat, caracal, striped hyena, desert fox, sloth bear etc., are also found in the forest. The Park is also a paradise for bird watchers, nesting exceptional species like the painted spurfowl, painted sand grouse, great horned owl, large cormorant, etc.

          This park not only boasts of its populous tiger reserve but also the heritage sites like the Ranthambhore Fort which was built in 944 A.D and had been considered as a hunting ground for the royals. It has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. And the Jogi mahal which was the resting abode for the hunting parties. Also, the park houses numerous picturesque lakes like the Padam Talao, Malik Talao, Rajbagh Talao, etc. enriching the landscape of the forest.

4.SASAN GIR NATIONAL PARK:

          Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only place besides Africa where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. It covers a total of 1412 sq km of which 258 sq km forms the core area of the national park. From a population of approximately 20 lions in 1913, they have risen to 674 according to the 2020 census which includes male, female, sub-adults, and cubs. The Gir forest is also known for Chowsingha, the world’s only four-horned antelope.

          Apart from these two animals, the park is home to other animals like leopard, jackal, Indian fox, reptiles such as marsh crocodiles, Russel's viper, saw-scaled viper, krait, etc., and more than 200 species of birds including critically endangered white-backed and long-billed vultures.

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If you miss out on the permit for the main park another option is at Devalia safari park, a 4.12 sq km fenced off part of the sanctuary where the chances of seeing leopards and lions are guaranteed.

          The fascinating thing about the park is that about 1000 people of a tribe, Maldhari still live in the jungle setting a marvellous example of the man and wild co-existence.

          Other places of interest around the park are the crocodile breeding farm, Zamzir waterfall, and Tulsishyam temple.

5. KANHA NATIONAL PARK:

          Spread over Maikal hill, lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, and the ravines, which inspired Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel “Jungle Book”, Kanha national park is considered to be one of the best-administered parks in Asia. It is spread over 1945 sq km of which the park area comprises 940 sq km. This park is an ideal home for a wide range of wild animals from the Bengal tiger to barasingha. Barasingha or the Swamp Deer was very close to extinction when a successful breeding program at the park brought the animal back due to which it is known as ‘the jewel of Kanha’.

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Other animals found in the forest are gaur, wild dogs, golden jackal, leopard, jungle cat, wild pigs, and many more. Approximately 300 species of birds are also found in the park including shikra, lesser golden back, rufous treepie, Malabar pied hornbill, Indian thicknee, etc.

          Apart from the lush fauna and flora, the heightened attraction in the park is Bamni Dadar or the sunset point. It offers the most awe-inspiring backdrop of the sunset against grazing sambhars and gaurs, magnifying the natural splendour of the area.