Jim Corbett National Park – An Unmatched Option For the Wildlife Trip

Corbett has always attracted heaps of wildlife lovers from all over the world. The magical charm and exotic wildlife species can be explored by the visitors coming here. The Corbett National Park with the unique eco system, covering almost 500 sq kms in the foothills of the legendary Himalayas, is best known for its tigers.

Enjoy the mesmerizing mid water location from the machaans (Observatory towers), an outstanding spot to unwind in the secret world of wild animals, especially the Royal Bengal tigers. If you are so much keen on exploring the denser areas of the jungle and look out for some beastly creatures, than elephant safari is an ideal option. The ride can be best enjoyed in the morning when you have best possible chances to spot the tigers. Besides animals also get a chance to explore the flora of the park.

Bird watching is another popular pastime for wildlife lovers coming to Jim Corbett National Park. Take a nature walk at the edge of the jungle near to the banks of the River Ramganga to spot some of the country's domestic and migratory species such as Stork billed and crested Kingfisher, Great Hornbill, Black winged Kite, Owls, Parakeets, Cuckoos, Indian Alpine Swift and many more.

Date With Royal Bengal Tiger

TOP FIVE TIGER RESERVES IN INDIA

Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttaranchal

Corbett Tiger Reserve is one of the most renowned Wildlife Sanctuary in India. Situated in the newly formed state of Uttaranchal, Corbett Tiger Reserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttaranchal holds the prestigious honor of being the starting point of Project Tiger in India. The park featured among the nine Tiger Reserves created at the launch of the project. The location of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttaranchal at the foothills of the Central Himalayas results in the abundance of both Himalayan and peninsular flora and fauna in the region.
The Corbett Tiger Reserve is famous for the Tigers inhabiting the park. The park is a happy hunting ground for Tiger, as well as its preys including four kinds of Deer, Wild Boar and others. Leopards are a commonly found in the hilly terrain of Corbett Reserve.
Named after the fearless hunter Jim Corbett, Corbett Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest scanturies in India. The park extends over a vast area of 1,318 square kms. The Ramaganga river flows through its entire length. The park can be explored by open jeep or elephant rides. In fact, a sight of Tiger from an open jeep is a experience to relish for a lifetime. The best time to visit Corbett Tiger Reserve is from December to April. The preserve opens from 16 November to14 June.
The Corbett Tiger Reserve is also very rich in fauna. It has been recorded that over 585 species of native and migratory birds thrive in the region. The varieties include Peacock, Jungle Fowl, Partridges, Kaleej, Crow, Vulture, Parakeets, Laughing Thrush, Orioles, King Fishers, Drongo, Doves, Woodpeckers, Ducks, Teals, Storks, Cormorants and Seagulls.
The vegetation at Corbett National Park comprises Northern Moist Deciduous, Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous, and Himalayan Subtropical Pine Forests. The trees commonly found include Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Ber, Kuthber, Bel, Chbilla, Dhak, Semal, Khingan, Kharpat, Rohini, Bakli, Pula and Bamboo.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is one of the famous tiger reserves in India. Located amidst the Vindhyan Range and the Aravallis in rajasthan, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve holds the heritage history of being the hunting resort of the erstwhile Jaipur royalty. The reserve spans over an area 392 sq km Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan is the home to the ferocious predator - Tiger. Ranthambore is the ideal destination for photographers who wish to click a few snapshots of the spotted predators of this National Park in India. There are around 36 tigers and 40 leopards in the Ranthambore Forests. Bakaula, Lakarda, Nal Ghati, Semli, Anantpura and Kachida are the most popular spots in Ranthambore from where you can watch tiger in action. There are six man made lakes are the central focus of the park and many perennial streams criss-cross the entire park. Enjoy breathtakingly beautiful views of this wildlife sanctuary of Rajasthan on your tour to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The forests of Ranthambore are intersected by rivers and lakes and rivulets.
Ranthambore National Park shows a rich diversity of flora and fauna here. About 300 species of trees, 50 species of aquatic plants, 272 birds species, 12 reptiles species 30 species mammals. Other than tiger, other animals found in Ranthambore are Nilgai, Sambhar, Chital, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Porcupine, Jackal, Leopard, Jungle Cat and marsh Crocodile.

Sunderbans
The world’s largest delta and mangrove swamp – Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, is situated in West Bengal. Sprawled over an area of 2,585 sq. km, Sunderbans is the largest estuarine sanctuary in the world, and home to some of India’s most interesting animal – the Royal Bengal Tiger. The littoral forest at Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal marks the only ecological habitat of the royal bengal tiger in the world except in Bangladesh. The tidal forms and mangrove forests in Sunderbans Tiger Reserve provide habitats suitable for animals inhabiting tidal swamp areas. Several aquatic and semi-aquatic animals inhabit these forests and their life-systems are inter-related with the animals inhabiting the land areas. Sprawled over a vast expanse of densely forested islands and saline water bodies, Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal is home to about 270 Royal Bengal Tigers.
The tigers of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal are known to be mostly man-eaters. The uniqueness of the habitat and the lack of suitable prey are believed to have contributed to such unique behavioral trends of Sunderbans tiger. The man-eating trait is considered to have been hereditarly acquired over a period of generations in the process of consumption of saline water.
The forests at Sunderbans Tiger Reserve also provide habitations to the Estuarine Crocodile, Salvator Lizard (Water Monitor), River Terrapin and Horse Shoe or King Crab. Endangered marine turtles like Olive Ridley, Green Turtle and Hawk's Bill Turtles are also found here. A number of Trans-Himalayan migratory birds can also be spotted at Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal. A visit to Sunderbans is a perfect date with Royal Bengal Tiger in India.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

The Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the most visited parks in India. Situated among the Aravalli hills in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Sariska Tiger Reserve is a renowned Wildlife Sanctuary. Sariska National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the "Project Tiger" as a tiger reserve in 1979. Tourists flock to the reserve in large numbers.
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan spreads over a total area of about 800 sq. km, with the core area being approximately 500 sq. km. The Northern Aravali Hills form an enchanting backdrop, featuring sharp cliffs and long valleys. The abundant occurrence of a wide variety of wildlife at Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan is an excellent example of ecological adoption and tolerance, for the climate here is variable and erratic.
Sariska is prime tiger country, with the terrain chiefly comprising of undulating plateau lands and wide valleys. The topography of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan supports scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses. The flora growing at the park includes Dhok – found predominantly in the region, Bamboo, Boswellia serreta, Lannea coromandelica, Kattha and a host of other varieties.
Besides tiger, the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan is home to an enchanting variety of fauna, namely Spotted Deer, Sambar, Blue Bull, Tiger, Leopard, Caracal, Rusty Spotted Cat, Jungle Cat, Four-horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Jackal, Hyena, and others. Sariska is also well known as the habitat of Rhesus Monkeys, which are commonly found around.

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is famous undoubtedly for the TIGER. Kanha Tiger Reserve has the most frequent appearance of t h tiger as compared to other tiger reserves in india. You can easily spot the ferocious beast, roaming freely in the wilderness of its natural habitat. The river-valley basins, open parkland meadows and grasslands at Kanha form the perfect grazing ground for a wide variety of wild animals.
The Kanha Tiger Reserve civers parts of the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is is located in the Maikal hills of the Satpura Ranges. Acclaimed as one of the finest national parks in Asia, Kanha Tiger Reserve is renowned worldwide for its rich floral and faunal bounty. Kanha attained the status of a National Park in 1955, and forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh created in 1974 under Project Tiger.
The wildlife spotted at Kanha Tiger Reserve include Leopards, Dholes (Indian wild dog), Indian Bisons, Sambar, Chital, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Chausingha, Nilgai, Monkeys, Mongoose, Mouse Deer, Sloth Bear, Jackal, Porcupine, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Hare, Rock Pythons, and a host of other animals. The park is the only habitat of the near-extinct hard-ground Swamp Deer (‘Barasingha’), and with a little luck, you can even spot this rare species.
Wildlife in Kanha Tiger Reserve also comprises of a wide variety of birds, making the park a much sought-after destination for bird-watchers and ornithologists. Some of the birds spotted commonly are Pea fowls, Storks, Pond Herons, Egrets, Peacock, Partridges, spotted Parakeets, Green Pigeons, Cuckoos, Drongos, etc.

Rickshaw Safari of 'Birds Paradise'

KEOLDEO NATIONAL PARK

Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park is situated at Bharatpur in Rajasthan. Keoldeo National park is primiralily known to be a prime stoppage of thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made this National Park their home. The wide variety of species in this National Park is truly exceptional, ranging from indigenous water- birds to migratory water birds and waterside birds along with animals like Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and BoarIt. It is also a major tourist center with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It is also a declared World Heritage Site.

The sanctuary traces its existence way back in time, around 250 years ago and is named after a Keoladeo (Shiva) temple within its boundaries. The park has a very rich history of its own. Initially it was affected with floods. After a span of time, the 'Maharajas' of Bharatpur, used the park as a hunting ground to cater their interests. During the British rule, annual duck shoots were organized in honor of the British viceroys. In one shoot alone in 1938, over 4,273 birds such as mallards and teals were killed by Lord Linlithgow, the then Governor-General of India.

It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. The rulers of the princely states were allowed shooting rights until 1972. In 1982, grazing was banned in the park, leading to violent clashes between the local farmer and Gujjar communities and the government.

Journey Inside

Keoldeo National Park will provide you a memorable encounter with wildlife. Here is a summary of different modes to enjoy the experience :

Foot/ Cycle

You can easily cover the well-defined forest trails, on foot or on a cycle relishing the sceneric beauty and exceptional species of birds and animals.

Rickshaw

You can hire a rickshaw inside the national park to or you can also hire a rickshaw. Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching and are quite knowledgeable.

Boats

A journey of Keoldeo National park at early morning or a late evening in a boat is a spell bounding experience. Nobody can miss this opportunity to explore the secrets of Keoldeo.

Visiting Season

Keoldeo National Park is open throughout the year, still the ideal visiting months are from August-November for resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant birds.

How to Reach

Road : Keoldeo National Park in Bharatpur is connected to all the inportant cities of Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana through an excellent road network. Here is some detail information to reach Keoldeo National Park.

Agra, 56-kms, 1 hour

Delhi, 176-kms, 5 hours

Jaipur, 176-kms, 6 hours

Air : You can board a flight to Agra which is the nearest airport to Bharatpur. From Agra take an hour long road journey to Keoldeo National Park.

Rail: The easiest way to reach Keoldeo National Park is by train. Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra. From Bharatpur railway station, a stretch of only 6 kms will lead you to one of the mos exotic

examples of nature preservation in India.

Keep In Mind

> Do not forget to carry a binoculars for watching the birds.

> Choose the right season to visit the park as bird watching depends greatly on season, timing, and patience, so its better to visit the sanctuary during the visiting period.

What If TIgers Start Protesting??

What is up with people of India? On one side they are so concerned about depleting wildlife resources and on the other, they themselves are standing in way of any development procedures taking place. Recently more than 15000 people took to streets in Tamil Nadu, protesting against the increase in area of Madumalai wildlife sanctuary.

I really don't know what the protest is all about. The forest officials have assured the villagers living around the sanctuary that they will not be evicted from the area. It is not the core area that is being increased but the buffer region. This does not mean that tribals and villagers will be moved out. In fact it only increases the chances of a better livelihood as it is these villagers who will be recruited as guides, trackers and government informants.

Madumalai Wildlife sanctuary was earlier this year declared as a tiger reserve and included in an initiative called 'Project Tiger'. The population of tigers in wildlife parks across India has been decreasing significantly. And this is just a small step to reverse this trend and is opposed at the very start itself.

Not only citizens, representatives from all political parties were a part of this protest. Only if they could show this unity and solidarity for some good cause.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Situated in the same state as Kanha national Park, Bandhavgarh is another heavyweight in the list of Indian wildlife parks. This time I was all prepared to make it a memorable trip and no goof ups. I really didn't want a comparison between Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh to creep into my mind as both are famous for the king of the jungle, Tigers; so i kept a few days gap between my visit to these national parks. I felt it was not necessary afterwards as both are totally different from each other.

Bandhavgarh National Park is known to have the highest density of tigers in the country. Even though this was a Hunting ground of Maharajas till late 1960s, the wildlife protection policies since, have ensured that it remains the best national park in the country for tigers. This high density almost ensures a sighting at all times. You can either take a jeep safari or a two hour elephant safari through the dense forests. I took both and I think elephant safari is far more better way. Watching a beast from top of another beast, one gentle and one ferocious .

Which all animals can you expect in Bandhavgarh. Foremost is the Tiger and if you have a well trained guide, in all probability you will get to see one. Cheetal, sambar, rhesus macaque, leopard, wild boar and Indian civet are other animal species found here. This time I carried a binoculars and I can proudly say that I saw some magnificent bird population. I saw Steppe eagles and warblers, which I heard are quite rare. Sarus crane black ibis, Malabar pied hornbill, little grebe and Egyptian vulture are other migratory birds that are found here. Most of these are generally seen in and around Bandhavgarh Fort so head there for serious bird watching. Oh yes....Bandhavgarh Fort is an attraction situated right in the center of oddly shaped Bandhavgarh National Park. Also visitable are the sandstone caves, Baghel Museum and a souvenir shop.

Where To Stay – There are ample resorts inside and outside the park. Apart from basic amenities, there are few accommodations that give you a video presentation about the park and rules.

Safari Timings
Winters (October-March) - 7.30 AM to 10.30 AM (Morning) & 3 PM to 5.30 PM (Evening)

Summers (March-October) - 6.30 AM till 9.30 AM (Morning) & 4 PM till 6.30 PM (Evening)

The park is closed from July 1 to September 30.

Best Time To Visit – Soon after it opens in October till March

How To Reach – Jabalpur is the nearest airport at 200 km. Umaria is the nearest railhead at a distance of 32 Km.

Kanha National Park

I am in Madhya Pradesh and have just completed my trip to Kanha National Park. I am slightly disappointed with this trip of mine. There are two sure shot reason and one 'may be' reason for my disappointment. First sure shot reason is that I expected too much and second reason is that I was very ill-equipped. And the 'may be' reason is, may be my luck was not with me today. Any ways, I still I had some moments that I could carry with me for a while, till better ones replace them.

Now about Kanha National Park, It is no doubt a really wonderful national park, very well maintained and densely populated. Kanha National Park is the only habitat of rarest of rare Hardground Barasinghas. I did not see any (aahhhhh) coz' i was more eager to see the tigers. After my short and sweet encounter in Ranthambore, I just couldn't wait to sight another one. My guide told me, that this is the best time to see a tiger in the woods and took our jeep to a very secluded spot where he thought the chances were pretty high. After some time, we did see a tiger but he was too far away. This is where I was ill equipped. I had forgot to bring my binoculars along (aahhhhhh). Though one of the guys with us on the jeep lend me his, but for how long do you think he let me keep it? I also missed my binoculars when it came to bird watching.

Bird Population here includes Cattle Egret, Black Ibis, Hawk Eagle and Red Wattled Lapwing. Sambhars, Barking Deer, four horned Antelopes and Gaur are what some of the mammals I saw today. I was told that there are 22 species of mammals and more than 220 species of birds in Kanha National Park. There is tiger tracking also done in Kanha National park using elephants.


Where To Stay – Kanha Safari Lodge, Bhagira Log Huts of Kisli and Tourist Hostel In Kisli, all of which are run by Madhya Pradesh Tourism, are the best options.

Safari Timings -
Oct. 1 - Feb. 15 – 6 AM to 12 Noon (Morning), 3 PM to 5.30 PM (Evening)
Feb. 16 - Apr. 15 – 5. 30 AM to 12 Noon (Morning), 4 PM to 6 PM (Evening)
Apr. 16 - Jun. 30 – 5 AM to 11 AM (Morning), 4 pm to 6.30 PM (Evening)

Best Time To Visit – February To June (I know I came early!!!!). The park is closed from July 1 till October 31.

How To Reach – Jabalpur is the nearest railway head which is nearly 170 Km from here. There are regular bus service to Kanha National Park. One can also hire a taxi.

Ranthambore National Park

This was among the first national Parks that I visited as a serious enthusiast. Enthusiasm to learn more, see more, understand more.

Ranthambore is the main Wildlife park in India and is situated in the state of Rajasthan. It has only 400 sq km under its belt and has a great variety of wildlife. So the chances of spotting the rare and exotic animals is pretty good.

Ranthambore is home to 30 mammals and 272 bird species. So people who are bird watching enthusiasts, Ranthambore is a perfect destination. Red Vented Bulbul, Indian Greenpie and Kingfisher are the most common ones. There are three lakes in the park vicinity named Padam Talao, Rajbagh, and Malik Talao. It is here I found the ferocious tiger. Ah! The deadly beast straight looking through my eyes, a stunning moment for both of us. Thousand thoughts gone passed my closed head and definitely same must have happened across the lake, as the ‘Lord of the Jungle’ took an early retreat. These three lakes are the main reason why this wildlife sanctuary is so closely associated with tigers. They are spotted very often near these lakes and that too at short distances. Follow what your guide says and you will get as close as I was, an experience I have never thought of.

Where To Stay.– There is Ranthambore Bagh that is perfect for camping. There are more resorts available in the Park. However it is advised to book yourself accommodation well in advance if you are coming During tourist season

Best Time to visit (Tourist Season) - February To April

Safari Timings – Timings differ in Summers and winters. A safari can be taken twice in a day in morning and evening.

Summer
Morning – 6.30 AM – 9.30 AM
Evening – 4 PM – 6.30 PM

Winters
Morning: 7.30 AM – 10.30 AM
Evening: 3 PM – 5.30 PM


How To Reach – Sawai Madhopur Railway Station which is the nearest Railway station to the sanctuary. From Delhi it is around 450 Km away. You will have to drive down Delhi-Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur Route.