Southern Indian Wildlife Unique and Endemic

While the focus in Indian Wildlife is on tiger Southern India offers much more. It is home to some endemic wildlife and birds.

South India encapsulates  enchanting wildlife some of them are:

Nilgiri Thar

Lion Tailed Macaque

Nilgiri Langur

 Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

Some of the famous national Parks are

Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole is situated in Karnataka State of India It was declared a tiger reserve in the year 1999. The 

Some of the animals and birds found here are:

 The land of the snaking stream is home to Indian elephants, gaur, and tigers. The charismatic landscape is alluring as are the megafauna and spectacular birds. The network of rivers and streams forms a living ecosystem in which thrives life in innumerable forms. Slender loris, bonnet macaque, striped-necked mongoose, giant squirrels, and chevrotain are some of the rare inhabitants that you will come across apart from the tiger. Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied tree pie, blue-winged parakeet, white-cheeked barbet, Malabar trogon, and Malabar whistling thrush are exciting to checklist from among the large species of avian that dwell here.

Eravikulum National Park

Eravikulum National Park in Kerala is surrounded by a large number of wildlife havens forming an extensive green patch. The rugged terrain consists of high-altitude grasslands and shola forests amidst a network of rivers and streams that are the lifeline of this fragile ecosystem in India. Nilgri Tahr, Nilgri langur, marten, leopards, and tigers inhabit this paradise. You will have the chance to see unique features of the shola forests on excursions in the National Park.       

PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE

Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady in Kerala is home to the Indian elephant, tiger, gaur, and the ubiquitous but elusive leopard. Made up of tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests along with extensive grasslands it supports myriads of life forms some of which are endemic to Western Ghats. Apart from safaris, a Thekkady boat ride is another alternative to see the wildlife of the park. We will make sure that you enjoy your stay at this magnificent reserve in South India.

 MUKURTHI NATIONAL PARK

Mukurthi National Park part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve the protected area in Western Ghats was established for the conservation of endangered animals like the Nilgiri Tahr. Other animals that inhabit this little paradise are the Indian elephant, tiger, mouse deer, and leopard among many others. The bird species comprise of Nilgiri flycatcher, black and orange flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, wood pigeon, and man

BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK

Bandipur National Park is located in Gundelpet Taluka of  Chamrajnagar District. It is part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. With around 190 tigers it is the second largest tiger reserve in India after Jim Corbett National Park. The park is a long stretch of dense forest as it is contiguous with Naagarhole, Wyanad and Mudumalai National Park. The park is home to wild elephants tiger, sambar,dhole, leopard, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear and four horned deer.  

Those interested in rare and endemic wildlife should go to Southern India  on wildlife safari after booking the permits. They will not be disappointed.

Why Visit Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Central India

 Do you wish to see tigers?

Well, tigers are found in many reserves but the best place to see the big cats is Bandhavgarh National Park in Central India or the State of Madhya Pradesh. Being the most panoramic park, it is exciting to see the big cats in enchanting surroundings. Not only the ensconced beauty, but the park also

Tiger

comprises many ancient structures built by the tribal.

A tiger safari is a beautiful experience as you move through dense forests and see ancient structures. The Tala Range is full of idols, caves with ancient scripts that date back centuries, and tigers galore. The ancient artifacts are as amazing as the wildlife that you see on a jeep safari. The most interesting place in Tala range is Sesh Shaiyya or reclining  Vishnu. It is a 20 feet long reclining idol that is 2000 years old. It lies adjacent to a pond encircled by a stone wall. Water trickles down from the fern-infested forests and inundates the pond. Sesh Shaiyya is a charismatic sight and is in a state of preservation for centuries. Tribal and locals pray here on special occasions.

Sesh Shaiyya is one of the most preferred breeding grounds for tigresses and on a visit, it won't be a big surprise if you get a glimpse of a big cat. Above the reclining Vishnu is the fort at a distance of 2 km. But being out of the tourism area you cannot visit the fort.  But for the lucky ones who have seen the fort, it is a memorable sight. There are idols of Lord  Vishnu in zoomorphic forms besides a large idol that faces the forest below. The fort is situated at  Bandhavgarh Hill at a height of 800 MSL. From the fort complex, you can see the whole Sal forest which is a mesmerizing sight.

Wildlife of Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh is home to tigers, sloth bears, bison, deers, langurs, rhesus macaques, wild boars, leopards, and many small predators like civet cats, jungle cats, and ratel. The rare pangolin is also found here. The reserve is home to more than 250 birds including the Palearctic migrants that arrive in the winter.

Tiger Safari

Bandhavgarh is an excellent place for wildlife photography especially for the tiger. You need a permit for safaris issued by the MP Government. The safaris are conducted two times a day one in the early morning and the other in the evening time. The rides are conducted on open jeeps and canter which have to be hired in advance.

The reserve is situated in the Umaria district. The park is 170 km from Jabalpur Airport in Madhya Pradesh or Central India. It is closed on Wednesday evenings and during the monsoons. The destination has an excellent tourism infrastructure and is full of hotels and lodges. Thus, you can stay there for an extended period if you are a wildlife photographer or a filmmaker. Tourism is regulated and you have to follow the rules and regulations strictly.   

How to Enjoy Wildlife in India?

India is a vast land comprising 32 hundred thousand sq. Km. It has a unique topography comprising of tallest mountains to plain hot and cold deserts. Abundant rivers flow throughout the country inundating vast lands. The topography creates a tortured terrain and amazing ecosystems.

India is the only country that is home to five big cats :

Tiger

Lion

Cheetah

Snow Leopard

Clouded Leopard

It is home to wild elephants, Rhino, water buffalo, bison, sloth bear, Himalayan Black Bears, Himalayan Brown Bear, Malayan Sun Bears several species of deer, and exotic animals like red panda, takin, goral, and more.

There are more than 1300 species of birds and the number increases to 2000 when subspecies are taken into account. The seas are full of aquatic creatures simply put there is no wilderness like India in the World.

The Tiger

Most tourists arriving in India come to see the tiger. While some come here to watch birds. Tiger is the most coveted species and there are 52 tiger reserves where you can see them. The most popular reserves are:

Kanha

Bandhavgarh

Pench

Corbett

Tadoba

But the big cats are seen everywhere in all reserves. So you can choose whichever you want. For tiger safari, a permit is required without which you cannot take part in game rides. So before making travel arrangements, you should book a tiger safari permits. You can book a tiger safari permit through a tour agent. You can also book through MPOnline and Field Officers at respective tiger reserves.

Likewise, you can book a tour for the red panda, snow leopard, or clouded leopard. The booking should be done through a tour operator in India or one in your country. Making a wildlife trip to India is not easy because of the distance and scant facilities. Always book through a tour agent.    

 

 

Tiger Safari at Kanha National Park in India

 

Kanha National Park is one of the most popular parks in India and receives over 100,000 domestic and overseas visitors. It is a tiger reserve and a National Park. The park is a conservation unit focused on saving the big cats, the ecosystem, and other life forms.

Although the park is for the conservation of critically endangered tigers its major success has come from the conservation of the Barasingha or the hard-ground swamp deer. From 66 heads to more than 500 heads the success was remarkable. George Schaller and the team played a crucial role in saving the species. The campaign was carried out in the late sixties and seventies. 

Kanha National Park

Situated in Central India near Jabalpur Airport the park is home to over 100 tigers and other wild animals. Some of the major fauna that inhabits the park are:

Tiger

Leopard

Swamp Deer

Sloth Bear

Bison

Axis Deer

Barking Deer

Mouse Dear (Rare)

Jackal

The mouse deer was seen and photographed after a gap of 14 years. It was thought to be extinct but the re-discovery was a big surprise. Small and nocturnal animals are the porcupine, civet cats, and foxes.

There are more than 250 avian species that include Palearctic migrants that arrive in the winter. Some of the popular species are Malabar Pied Hornbill, Shama, Racket Tailed Drongo, Spangled Drongo, Alexandrine Parakeet, and Orange Headed Rock Thrush.

Safari at Kanha 

The park is divided into four zones in the core area that comprises 940 sq. km. They are;

Kisli Zone

Kanha Zone

Sarhi Zone

Mukki Zone

The area of each zone is roughly 25 sq. km and each offers wonderful sightings of wild animals. Tigers are seen in every zone while Kanha and Mukki are the favorites for big cat sightings. The birds are all over the place. The tourism area has also been carved out in the buffer zone that comprises 1000 sq. Km.

Khatia (Kisli Gate)

Khapa (Mukki Gate

Phen (Micro Core)

Sijora (Sarhi Gate)

The excursions are possible on safari permits and there is a limit to park entry of vehicles. You should thus book the tiger safari in advance.  You can book a safari online at MPOnline Portal and also book at the respective gates. But it is better to book online since entry permits get sold out fast.   

  

      

Panna National Park Abode of The Tigers

 Panna National Park Abode of The Tigers

Panna National Park

Situated in the District of Chhattrpur and Panna in Madhya Pradesh the park is home to amazing biodiversity in India. A large part of the reserve encompasses Panna District famous for its diamond mines. 

It is both a tiger reserve and a National Park in Central India. It was declared the 22nd tiger reserve of India under the aegis of the Project Tiger Program. The latter is a conservation initiative for saving critically endangered tigers. In the process, the Panna ecosystem and its biodiversity have been saved for eternity. It is also known as a protected area. The National Park has two core zone divided between the districts Panna and Chhattarpur. Along with South and Northern Panna the National Park is the chunk of forests remaining in North Madya Pradesh. The reserve lies in the Vindhya Range which converges with Satpura Range at Maikal Hills. 

The park is divided into an inviolate core and a buffer. The latter is a multiple-use area with a forest cover and supports wildlife including the tigers. In the buffer agriculture, tribal settlement, and livestock rearing in permitted. No heavy industry or major commercial activity is allowed except wildlife lodges pertaining to certain rules and regulations. Most of these lodges have been created before the establishment of the protected area.    

Waters from Ken River Sanctuary are the lifeline of Panna National Park. The river sanctuary is home to gharial, marsh crocodiles, and freshwater fishes. 

Panna Wilderness

Wild animals found in the reserve are the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, chinkara, axis deer, sambar, fox, hyena, jackal, and Nilgai. The smaller animals found here are the jungle cat, civet cat, porcupine, and pangolin. The park is home to more than 200 species of birds including the Himalayan Vulture, red-headed vulture, shama, orange-headed ground thrush, racket-tailed drongo, red jungle fowl, black-naped monarch, verditor flycatcher, serpent eagle and changeable hawk-eagle and more can be seen on the game rounds.  

Safari is organized at Panna National Park in the core zone and the buffer zone. You can book a tiger safari at Panna on the MPOnline Website. Since the entry of safari jeeps is limited you should book much in advance.  

Bird Watching at Desert National Park

Famous for avians of all types, Desert National Park is part of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.  It covers an area of 3162 sq. km and is full of sand dunes and vast stretches of short-crop grasslands. It has been notified as a National Park and all life forms are protected. There are intermediate ponds and lakes as a crucial water sources in this vast desert land.   Despite the fragile ecosystem, there is fantastic birdlife in the park.  The region is heaven for migratory, and resident birds some of which come from far off land. The destination is famous for Great Indian Bustard, and Houbara bustards which are critically endangered.

The Desert Park is home to 180 million-year-old fossils of animals, and plants. Some of them date back 60 million years back that is the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The destination encompasses Jaisalmer and Barmer. 1900 km² is in Jaisalmer district and the remaining 1262 km² is in BarmerDesert National Park covers an area of 3162 km² of which 1900 km² is in Jaisalmer district, and the remaining 1262 km² is in Barmer. The park was gazetted in 1980. The  Indian Gazelle is a common antelope of Desert National Park. Other animals found here are the desert fox, wolf, and desert cat.

Some birds of Desert National Park are:

Common Kestrel

Asian Woolly-necked Stork

Asian Desert Warbler

Striolated Bunting

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Asian Desert Warbler 

Plain Leaf Warbler

Spotted Sandgrouse

Oriental Skylark

Eurasian Hobby

Northern Pintail

Pied Cuckoo

Tree Pipit

White-Tailed Lap Wing

Egyptian Vulture

Common Snipe

Himalayan Griffon

Great Grey Shrike

Grey Francolin

Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse

Tawny Eagle

White-eared Bulbul

Black Vulture

Long-legged Buzzard

Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark

Red Vented Bulbul

Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark

Greater Short-toed Lark

Rock Dove

Variable Wheater

House Sparrow

Indian Silver Bill

Desert Wheatear

White Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Black Kite

Black Drongo

White Breasted Kingfisher

Stork Billed Kingfisher

Isabelline Shrike

Long Tailed Shrike

Pallid Harrier

Black Ibis

White Necked Ibis

Cream Colored Courser

Bimaculated Lark

Graceful Prinia

Peregrine Falcon

Jeep Safaris are organized in the park for tourism purposes. Winter is the best season for watching avian species. The park can be accessed from Jaisalmer and Barmer in the State of Rajasthan. Entry is limited book a desert safari in advance and make arrangements at Dasada near Patdi.  

Bird Watching at Bharatpur

 

Bharatpur National Park or Keoladeo Ghana is situated near Agra in Uttar Pradesh. It is in the state of Rajasthan. It is a well-known bird heaven with more than 300 species of avians found in 28 sq. km of the sanctuary. It is world-famous bird heaven, and birders from all over India, and overseas visit the destination. But more than fifty percent of the visitors are from overseas. 

   

The destination is known as Keoladeo Ghana because of a Shiva Temple in the middle, and a patch of scrub forest. It is a manmade wetland dug at the behest of the local king.  The terrain comprises a large stretch of shallow wetlands, some forest patches, and swampy grasslands, and the rest is scrub.

Keoladeo is on the periphery of Bharatpur town. It is a small town with Lohgarh Fort and many Hindu Temples. It is a historical town that now draws water from the Chambal River. The sanctuary was created 250 years back as a source of water for the local public of the town. The construct proved to be ideal for the avian species, and in the past massive bird, shoots took place. But all that stopped after the wildlife protection act came into the picture. Now only tourism is allowed for bird lovers from all over the World. There is an entry fee applicable, and you get the services of the finest bird guides for a charge set between the tourists, and the guides. The timings are from early morning to evening. And breakfast or lunch is allowed only at the center point. Bird watching is carried out on foot, and in peddling rickshaws. You can also hire a bicycle.

Birds of  Bharatpur   

Some years back, a flock of Siberian cranes visited Bharatpur, but they all been shot down during the migration.  Some popular birds of Bharatpur are migrants and some are local residents like the Sarus Crane, Common crane, spot-billed duck, sparrow hawk, and red avadavat. Among the raptors, birds found at the sanctuary are honey buzzard, Steppe Eagle, King Vulture, Indian eagle, shikra, and Greater spotted eagle to name a few.

The destination teems with migrant ducks, and teals in thousands in the winter. It is home to many other kinds of avian that make up 300 numbers. The migrants start departing in February end.

Bharatpur is accessible from Agra at a distance of 50 km. It is at a distance of 227 km from New Delhi. To go birding at Bharatpur you should take a taxi from New Delhi to Agra, and then to the destination.   There are many accommodations from star properties to budget for a stay. A three-night stay is ideal for birding at Keoladeo. The nearest destination is Chambal River Sanctuary another great birding destination In Rajasthan, MP, and Uttar Pradesh.