Major Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

Incredible wildlife sanctuaries can be found throughout India, each providing a distinct ecology and a safe home for a variety of animal and plant species. These protected areas, which range from the dense forests of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala to the expansive grasslands of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, serve as examples of the nation's dedication to conservation and give wildlife enthusiasts the chance to see and appreciate the wonders and beauty of India's natural heritage.

Features of Major Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

Here are the descriptions of major wildlife sanctuaries of India −

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

The Uttara Kannada District of the Indian state of Karnataka is home to the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. The extent of the sanctuary is 866.41 km². The sanctuary was designated a component of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in 2006 along with the nearby (339.87 square kilometres) Anshi National Park. With approximately 200 different bird species housed there, the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is a birdwatcher's heaven. The great hornbill (also known as an Indian or pied hornbill) and the Malabar pied hornbill are the species most well-known for. Additionally, it is the only tiger reserve in India that is known to regularly report sightings of the elusive black panther.

Additionally, recognized residents are the Indian pangolin, Indian sloth bear, huge Malabar squirrel, dhole, Indian jackal, and muntjac (barking deer). Indian elephant and peafowl sightings are relatively frequent. The two main reptiles of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary are the king cobra and the mugger crocodile (Indian crocodile). Bamboo and teak plantations are scattered throughout the vast deciduous forests near Dandeli. Both plant and animal life abound in the refuge. The main natural attraction in this reserve is crocodiles.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

With an area of 344.44 km² and four hill ranges—Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat, and Tholpetty—Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, India. There are several different large wild species to be found there, including tigers, deer, gaurs, and Asian elephants. The refuge is home to several exotic birds as well. Particularly prevalent in the area are Indian peafowl. The second-largest wildlife refuge in Kerala is Wayanad Wildlife refuge. It has abundant fauna and lovely, verdant woodlands. Some uncommon and endangered plant and animal species can be found in this wildlife region. The sanctuary was founded in 1973 and is now an essential component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

In the district of Chikkamagaluru, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and tiger reserve that is a part of Project Tiger. The Bhadra River, the sanctuary's lifeblood, gave the place its name. After the nearby village, it is also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary and was designated as a Project Tiger reserve. Other mammals, reptiles, and more than 250 kinds of birds, many of which are native to the Western Ghats, can also be seen and seen there, in addition to the tiger. The Bhadra sanctuary is a well-liked destination for day trips because of its diversity of flora and animals. Hebbe Giri is the sanctuary's highest peak, rising 1,875 meters above mean sea level.

National Chambal Sanctuary

The National Chambal Sanctuary, also known as the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 5,400 km² tri-state protected area in northern India for the preservation of the Critically Endangered gharial, the Red-crowned Roof Turtle, and the Endangered Ganges River Dolphin. It was first designated in Madhya Pradesh in 1978 and is today a long, narrow eco-reserve that is jointly maintained by the three states. It is situated on the Chambal River close to the tripoint of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. The beautiful Chambal River flows through the sanctuary's labyrinth of ravines, hills, and numerous sandy beaches.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 18 kilometres north of Marayoor on State Highway 17 in the Marayoor and Kanthalloor panchayats of Devikulam taluk in the Idukki district of Kerala state in South India. It is one of the 18 wildlife sanctuaries found in Kerala's protected regions. It has gained notoriety for being India's only facility for the rehabilitation of Indian star tortoises. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is considering designating the entire Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, as a World Heritage Site.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

In Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India, there is a well-known avifauna sanctuary called Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which once went by the name of the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and is home to a large number of birds, particularly in the winter. There are known residents of more than 350 bird species. It is also a significant tourist destination, attracting a large number of ornithologists during the hibernation season. On March 10, 1982, it became a national park after being designated as a protected sanctuary in 1971. In 1985, Keoladeo National Park received a similar designation from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its extraordinary bird richness.

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

In the Western Ghats of West India, in the Dharbandora taluk of Goa State, close to the eastern boundary with Karnataka, is the 240 square kilometre Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. The initial name of this region was Mollem Game Sanctuary. It was renamed Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary after being designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969. 1978 saw the designation of Mollem National Park for the sanctuary's 107 square kilometres central region.

Govind Wildlife Sanctuary

Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary was first established in 1955 as a wildlife sanctuary and then transformed into a national park. It is located in the Supin Range, close to the town of Uttarkashi in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It bears the name of the well-known Indian politician and freedom fighter Govind Ballabh Pant, who rose to the position of Home Minister in 1955 and is most known for his success in making Hindi India's official language. The Park, which is located in the Uttarkashi district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, was founded on March 1st, 1955. The Park is located in the upper Garhwal Himalayas. Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary spans 958 km² in total.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Kerala, India's Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts, Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected region. It is noteworthy for having a tiger reserve and an elephant reserve. The Periyar National Park was established in 1982 and now covers 305 km² of the protected region's 925 km² total area. The Park serves as the primary watershed for the Periyar and Pamba, two significant rivers in Kerala, and is a repository for uncommon, endemic, and endangered plants and animals. Along the boundary with Tamil Nadu, the park is situated high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills in the south Western Ghats.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

The Manas sanctuary, located on a gradual slope in the foothills of the Himalayas, is home to a wide diversity of animals, including several endangered species like the tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros, and Indian elephant. Wooded slopes give way to alluvial grasslands and tropical forests in this area. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is another name for Manas National Park. This national park in Assam is a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve, and a biosphere reserve in addition to being a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. It is well-known for its efforts to conserve tigers. The wild water buffalo population in Manas is another reason for its fame.

List of Major Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

Here is a table showcasing major wildlife sanctuaries in India and their locations −

Wildlife Sanctuary	Location
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary	Karnataka
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary	Kerala
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary	Karnataka
National Chambal Sanctuary	Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary	Kerala
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary	Rajasthan
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary	Goa
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary	Uttarakhand
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary	Kerala
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam

Conclusion

India is home to a large number of wildlife sanctuaries, each of which offers a distinctive and varied assortment of flora and fauna. These protected areas demonstrate the nation's dedication to conservation and biodiversity, from the avian paradise of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary to the tiger-inhabited landscapes of Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, and from the lush greenery of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to the crocodile-filled Chambal River at National Chambal Sanctuary. Discovering these wildlife sanctuaries offers the chance to take in the wonder and beauty of India's natural heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India?

The largest wildlife sanctuary in India is the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, spanning an area of 866.41 square kilometers.

Where can I spot tigers in India?

Tigers can be found in various wildlife sanctuaries across India, including Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.

Which wildlife sanctuary is renowned for birdwatching?

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, also known as Keoladeo National Park, is famous for its diverse bird species and is a paradise for birdwatchers.

Which state in India is home to the largest floating grasslands?

The state of Manipur in India is home to the largest floating grasslands, known as Phumdis, located in Loktak Lake.