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Plateau and
the Western Ghats with their dense, luxuriant forest provides
fascinating variations in habitats. In India, the total area
covered by wildlife is approximately 90,000 square km and
constitutes 3 per cent of the country’s land area. India is a
paradise for bird-watchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Deciduous
forests, desert plains, grasslands, wetlands and coastal and
marine locations have made India one of the most pleasant
place for bird watching and wildlife viewing.
India has a long tradition of protecting and preserving
wildlife. The need for conservation of the environment and the
forests was felt by the Indian rulers from the ancient times.
In the 3rd century BC, the Emperor Ashoka issued edicts to
protect forests and natural wealth. Later during the reign of
the Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, "forests free from fear" were
identified and protected. In more recent times, the
administrators and princely rulers demarcated and reserved
forests as private preserves. Today many of these form the
nucleus of India’s wildlife sanctuaries and parks. Indian
literature also has references regarding earth, forests and
its inhabitants. Earlier, British rulers and the Indian
Maharajas hunted various wildlife animals, but later the
Government of India took certain steps to protect these
animals. Since 1970, wildlife has been protected by the
Central and the State Government through legislation. Various
Indian leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi also
took a keen interest in the protection of wildlife. Due to
their efforts only, the species which were on the verge of
extinction have survived. The emphasis has been not only on
protecting wildlife in reserved forests, but also on creating
the harmony between man and animal. The demands of a rapidly
increasing population continue to put pressure on surviving
forests in India. Vast herds of black buck, that roamed the
northern and western plains 50 years ago, are now found only
in sanctuaries and around the villages of the Bishnoi tribes,
who protected them.
In 1973, India launched a major conservation project called
Project Tiger with a grant of US $ Two Million from the World
Wildlife Fund and from the Government of India. Initially,
there were nine areas designated as Project Tiger, but now
there are 15 areas covering a total area of 24,712 square km.
As a result of the Project Tiger, there has been a tremendous
increase in the number of tigers. It covers 23 National Parks
and Sanctuaries. Some of the popular Project Tiger Reserves in
India are the Kanha National Park, Corbett National Park,
Ranthambore National Park, Dudhwa National Park and
Bandhavgarh National Park. Each one of these wildlife
sanctuary is home of rare animals, birds, reptiles, insects
and plants.
There are about 80 National Parks and 441 Sanctuaries in
India. Several national parks and sanctuaries of India are
conveniently accessible by car and also have good
accommodation. More than 350 mammals and 1,200 species of
birds and reptiles are found in India, some of which are
unique to this subcontinent. Some of these unique wild animals
and birds are the white tiger, the royal Bengal tiger, the
snow leopard, the Asiatic lion, the lion-tailed macaque, the
Himalayan Tahr, one horned rhinoceros, the Andaman teal, the
great Indian bustard and the Monal pheasant. Sighting of
animals in India has a thrill of its own. Various animals like
deer and elephants can be seen in small herds in dense forests
and in isolated places, except the tiger. You can view the
animals by either having an elephant safari, jeep safari or
canter safari.
Things to remember while visiting Wildlife Sanctuaries in
India
1. The best time to visit the wildlife sanctuaries is from
October to March.
2. The best time to watch wildlife is in the early morning or
evening.
3. Binoculars, Cameras, Measuring tape, notebook, etc. are the
various things that you can carry on your visit.
4. Avoid heavy footwear and clothes that hinder easy movement.
Ideally wear colours that match with the surroundings. Dress
in Khaki, or brown or olive green to merge with the
surroundings.
5. Maintain silence while you are in the sanctuary. Avoid
radios, transistors and music in the jungle. It disturbs the
animals.
6. Do not run when you see the bigger animals. Usually an
animal sight us before we see it and moves away.
7. Do not smoke or wear perfumes on your visit.
8. Do not go very close to carnivores. Dangerous animals
should not be approached on foot.
9. Be alert at all times.
10. Do not litter the sanctuaries and surroundings.
11. Avoid pollution of air, soil or water.
12. You can also use the services of a local guide /
Naturalist to take you around and to explain about the various
wildlife animals. |
