SUNDERBANS NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS

SUNDERBANS NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS

The vast swampy delta of the two great Indian rivers, Brahamaputra and the Ganges extends over areas comprising of mangrove forests, swamps and forest island all interwoven in a network of small rivers and streams. The Sundarbans National Park, home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, covering an area of approximately 1330.10-sq-kms and the largest mangrove forest in the world, form the core of this area. The Sundarban region has got its name from Sundari trees, once found in abundance here.

The Ganges and the Brahmaputra form this alluvial archipelago of 54 islands watered by the Bay of Bengal. The islands Goasaba, Sandeshkali and Basanti form the northern boundary of the Sundarbans; on the south is the sea; to the west side of the Sunderbans park is the Matla and Bidya Rivers and to the east is the international boundary of Bangladesh.

Climate
Due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, Sunderban experiences very high humidity. Rainfall is quite heavy during monsoon, which last from mid-June to mid-September. After the monsoons, fair weather prevails until mid-March.

Flora
Fascinating life forms await you in this largest estuarine delta in the world, Sunderbans. In April and May the flaming red leaves of the Genwa, edge the emerald islands. The crab like red flowers of the Kankara and the yellow blooms of Khalsi add to the dazzling display. As you penetrate into the forests of Sundarbans, this fairyland unfolds its mysterious beauty.

Fauna
The Sundarbans forest is home to more than 400 tigers. The Bengal Tigers have adapted themselves very well to the saline and aqua environs and are extremely good swimmers. As you enter the adventurous wild land of the Sundarbans you'll be thrilled to see the Chital Dear and Rhesus Monkey. The aqua fauna of Sundarbans include variety of fishes, red Fiddler Crabs and Hermit Crabs.

There are crocodiles, which can be often seen along the mud banks. Sundarbans national park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtle. There's is a incredible variety of reptiles also found in Sundarbans, which includes King Cobra, Rock Python and Water Monitor. The endangered river Terrapin, Batagur Baska is found on the Mechua Beach, while the Barkind Deer is found only in Holiday Island in Sunderbans.

Travel Tips
Permit is required For Foreigners

Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit the Sundarbans national park is during the months of September and May. Winter make the time to see the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger sun-bathing on the river banks.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS 

Nameri National Park is located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalaya in the Sonitpur District of Assam, India. It is one of the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life in the world. The Pakhui (Pakke) Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh adjoins the Park on its Northeastern side. The Park extends up to east and south west bank of the river Bor Dikorai from interstate boundary at Sijussa to the left bank of Jia Bharali River up to the south bank of Balipara Reserve Forest. The area is drained by the Jia Bharali and its tributaries namely the Diji, Dinai, Doigurung, Nameri, Dikorai, Khari etc. The Park covers an area of 200 sq. km. and is augmented by parts of the Balipara Reserve Forests Area, which acts as a 64 sq. km. buffer on the opposite side of the Jia Bharali and 80 sq. kms. of the Nauduar Reserve Forests. The terrain is uneven with altitudes ranging from 80 meters along the river banks to 225 meters in the central and northern parts.

The eco-region is part of the North Bank Landscape and is an Eastern Himalayan Mega Biodiversity Hotspot. It is one of the richest areas in the world in terms of Plant Functional Type and Plant Functional Complexity. The area is influenced by the tropical monsoons, which cause rainfall to be seasonal and heavy with an average 3,400 mm of rain falling between May and September.

Climate
The climate is tropical. Summers are hot and winters cold. Take cotton clothes for summers and do not forget to pack woolens during winters.

Flora
Most parts of Nameri are covered by 'Moist Mixed, Deciduous Forests' (3C/ 2.S.I.) and over 600 species of plants can be found in the area. Tropical evergreen and Semi-evergreen forests mingle here with the moist deciduous forests while cane and bamboo brakes and narrow strips of open grassland can be found along the many rivers. Key plant species include: Albizzia lucida, Albizzia procera, Amoora wallichii, Artocarpus chaplasha, Baccaurea sapida, Bischofia javanica, Bombax ceiba, Canarium strictum, Castanopsis indica, Cordia dichotoma, Cinnamomum cecicodaphnea, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dillenia indica, Duabanga grandiflora, Duabanga sonneratoides, Dysoxylum procerum, Endospermum chinense, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae, Litsea sebifera, Mesua ferrea, Morus roxburghii, Premna bengalensis, Pseudostachyum polymorphum, Pterospermum acerifolium, Sapium baccatum, Shorea assamica, Sterculia hamiltonii, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia citrina, Terminalia myriocarpa, Trewia nudiflora and Vatica lanceaefolia.

Fauna
Nameri is also extremely rich in faunal resources. Over 30 species of mammals have been recorded here and the Park is an important conservation area for tiger and elephants.  Bird life is varied and abundant with nearly 400 species finding their way into an ever-expanding checklist.  Key birds: Nameri's most important avian residents are the White-winged Ducks. A sizeable population is known to affect the forest pools here and they form an important core of the Indian population of the remaining 150 odd pairs of this highly endangered species. Other key birds include White-cheeked Partridge, Great, Wreathed, and Rufous-necked Hornbills, Ruddy, Blue-eared, and Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, Oriental Hobby, Amur Falcon, Jerdon's and Black Baza, Pallas's, Grey-headed, and Lesser Fish Eagles, Silver-backed Needletail, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Blue-naped Pitta, Slender-billed Oriole, Hill Blue Flycatcher, White-crowned Forktail, Sultan Tit, Black-bellied Tern, Jerdon's Babbler, Rufous-backed Sibia, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Red-throated Pipit, Long-billed Plover and Ibisbill.

Travel Tips
Light cotton clothing in summer and woollen clothes are essential during winter if you are visiting Nameri National Park.

Best Time to Visit
Nameri’s visiting season is from November to March months.

SASAN GIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS OF INDIA

SASAN GIR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY WILDLIFE DESTINATIONS  OF INDIA 

Gir National Park is the only remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion, which has been confined to this forest, since 1884 (about 239 lions were reported in 1985).The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin, nevertheless, a large male lion of the Gir is quite a sight to behold. The best way to observe the big cats is, of course, in their natural surroundings, at dawn and dusk, when they are on the prowl. The Forest Department does arrange lion shows every Sunday, where the spectators can watch prides of lions on the hunt. There are guided trips available, to watch these magnificent animals from a very close range. Wildlife viewing in the Gir is best done, by driving around the forest. The best drives from Sasan are, to Baval Chowk and Kankai, to Chodavdi and Tulsishyam, and to Kamaleshwar dam. Though a sturdy car would do, a jeep is definitely more appropriate.

Climate
The Gir Forests are usually dry and arid. The greenery in the forests can be seen during the monsoon season. The summers, from April to June, are harsh with temperatures rising to 40°C. the winters, from December to February are cool and comfortable. The tourists need to carry light woolens during the summers and heavy woolens during the winters.

Flora
Acacia and Banyan trees. A distinct belt of vegetation is found along the main rivers and streams. Species like the Jambu, Karanj, Umro, Vad, Kalam, Charal, Sirus and Amli are found here. These trees are mostly broad leaved and evergreen, giving the area a cool shade and the moisture content.


Fauna
In India the Lion population is spread across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But Gir is not just about Lions, the second most commonly found predator in the Gir is Leopard. Infact, Gir national park is also home to one of the largest Leopard populations in any park in India, and especially in the hotter season they can sometimes be seen at night close to the lodges.

Other animal residents of the Gir national park are Sambar Deer, Chital Spotted Deer, Nilgai Antelope, Chowsingha Four-Horned Antelope, Chinkara Gazelle, Wild Boar, Langur Monkey, Jackal, and Hyena and numerous birds like Paradise Flycatcher, Bonneli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Woodpeckers Flamingo etc.

Travel Tips
Do not disturb the animals during day time as most of the nocturnal animals sleep during day time.

Best Time to Visit
Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Gir park throughout the year, but the best period to visit the Gir Sanctuary is between the months of November and June.

PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY WILDLIFE DESTINATION OF INDIA

PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY WILDLIFE DESTINATION  OF INDIA 

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in God’s Own Country, Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a permanent source of water for the local wildlife. Though it’s a Tiger Reserve, tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in the act of ablution and playfulness by the Periyar Lake. Apart from Elephants, the other animals to be seen in the Periyar sanctuary are Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog and very rarely, a Tiger.

In the lap of the mountains, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary's environ is like a canvas of many shades. The fresh air of the moist deciduous forest gives one a chance to experience the peace and serenity and long to return for more.

Climate & Rainfall
The temperatures vary depending upon the altitude and it ranges between 15° Celsius in December and January and 31° Celsius in April and May. The annual amount of precipitation lies between 2000 and 3000 mm. About two thirds of the rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon between June to September. A smaller amount of precipitation occurs during the northeast monsoon between October and December.

Flora
Around three fourth of the sanctuary area is covered with evergreen and semi evergreen rain forests while a part of the remaining area is covered by damp leaves forest Eukalyptus plantation and grassland. The rest of the area is covered by Periyar River and Pamba River. The floral attractions of the park are approximately 2000 species of flowering plants, 171 grass species and 143 species of orchids. The tall trees of the forest rise upto a height of 130 to 140 feet!

Fauna
Mammals
Approximately 62 species of mammals await to welcome visitors on their trip to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The most ferocious of these, undoubtedly is the Tiger. Many tourists visit Periyar just in order to get a glimpse of the Tiger that according to estimates number between 35 and 50. However, there is still a larger number of tourists who come here because of the Indian Elephants. The huge mammal is found in pretty large number in Periyar Sanctuary - around 1000.

Other mammals that manage to make their presence felt quiet decently amidst these two are Leopards, Otters, Nilgiri Langurs, Common Langurs, Bonnet Macaques, Lion Tailed Macaque, Malabar Squirrel, Wild Boar, Sambar deer, Barking deer, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Dhole (Indian wild dogs), porcupines, Gaur and Sloth Bears.

Birds
The birds of the park include around 180 species. Prominent among these are Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes. Tourists interested in spotting a large number of birds need to carry along their binoculars.

Reptiles
Reptile population of the park is also commendable with around 45 species found. Out of these, a majority (30) of them are snakes. The rest of them comprise of 2 turtle species and 13 lizard species. Frequent sighting of King Cobras and Python, two extremely poisonous snakes is also an attraction for the visitors to the park.

Fishes
There are 38 different fish types live in the water of protected area, out of which four are endemic to the Western Ghats. Salmon and Trout are some of the fish found here.

How to Reach
Periyar Tiger Reserve is located in Thekkady, about 4 km from Kumili in Idukki district of central Kerala and is well connected by road transport from all the major towns of Kerala.

By Air
Nearest airports are Madurai (140 Kms.), Cochin International Airport (190 Kms.) and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (267 Kms.)

BY RAIL
Kottayam is the nearest railway station from Periyar National Park which is only 114 Kms. away. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way to Periyar that includes tea estates and spice gardens. Other nearest railway stations are Changanassery (120 Kms.), Madurai: (135 Kms.) and Ernakulam (190 Kms ) etc.

BY ROAD
Direct buses are available from Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Kottayam, Munnar & Madurai.

Travel Tips
Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.

Best Time to Visit
March and April are the driest months of year, because of which the animals spend a lot of time near the lake. Even the tiger may be spotted near the waters in the Reserve during this period. June, July and August is the rainy season, during this period you can enjoy the greenery of the park at its best under the showers of monsoon.