Wild India

India, a home to a variety of animals and birds including the majestic tigers, the illustrious tuskers, the superlative peacocks and the massive rhinoceros, offers natural habitat to these wild animals in its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, indeed a pleasure for all eyes.

The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks spread across the country offer a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna and provide ample opportunities to visitors to have close encounters with Indian wildlife. India has a network of 80 national parks and 441 wildlife sanctuaries dotted around the country. While some are inaccessible, most of them have various facilities for visitors. Depending on the area and terrain, wildlife watching provides its own excitement. It may be done from an elephant's back or from watch towers, a jeep or even a boa - the thrill of spotting herds of wild elephants, deers, rhinos or the ruthless tigers, in their natural environment, is very difficult to match.

There is an assortment of animals that exist in the wildlife of India ranging from Blackbucks, (which are among the swiftest animals, covering up to 80 km per hour), Asiatic lions (now only found in the Gir sanctuary in Gujarat), Nilgiri tahrs (living in the higher elevation of the western ghats), Wild boars (are very aggressive and are common in most deciduous forests), Tigers (an endangered species and numbering only 3,500 in the country are found across peninsular India), Crested serpent eagles (are large raptors with a distinctive pattern of black and white bands on their under wings), Gharial (also called Gaviallis gangeticus is mostly found on the banks of rivers), Common Mongoose( this ferret-like animal is a fierce fighter, known for its mastery combats with snakes), Black Ibis( this bird with glossy plumage is often found at the edges of waterholes), Estuarine( saltwater crocodiles known as "salties", grow up to a length of 8 m. They feed on small mammals and have been occasionally known to attack humans), Royal Bengal Tiger (The Indian stretch of the Sunderbans has 270 of them, they are expert swimmers and believed to survive on salt water), Asiatic Wild Buffalo (mammoth-horned buffalo which likes to wallow in the park's swamps), The Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (an endangered species that was close to extinction at the beginning of the 20th century), Hog Deer (they are closely related to the spotted deer and can be found in large numbers), Narcondam hornbill (a bird, which is found very rarely), Indian Giant Squirrel (can make amazing leaps that cover about 20 ft). These are just a few animals that exist in the wildlife of India.

As they say, 'If you can't stand the heat, you will miss out on the treat!' Wildlife sighting, in most Indian National Parks, is best done in hot and dry months. Few of the various sanctuaries one can visit are:

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
	This sanctuary is located on the border of Goa. It abounds in flora and fauna. The topography is generally undulating with steep slopes, picturesque river valleys and rich hilly forest terrain. The breath taking valleys, regal looking meandering rivers and the splendid scenic beauty of the syntheri rock make it an awe-inspiring experience. This place is an ideal getaway for people living in Goa.

Corbett National Park
	Situated along the valley of the Ramganga River and fringed by the Himalayan foothills in the north, Corbett is considered one of India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries. The park encompasses varied terrain, from savannah grassland to hilly ridges of deciduous forests with chir pine and sal (Shorea robusta)

The Little Rann of Kutch Sanctuary
	An expanse of salt flats and grasslands in northwest Gujarat, the Little Rann of Kutch has a stark and unforgettable beauty. The sanctuary also has a large population of blue bulls, black bucks, Indian Gazelle, Wolves etc. Bird life includes migratory demoiselle cranes, pelicans and flamingoes that come to the salt marshes during the winter months.

National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
	The large area of this sanctuary is shared by the three states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the best places to see the Indian Skimmer. The best time to visit this sanctuary is November to February.

Bandhavgarh National Park
	One of India's most important Tiger Reserves, the park sprawls across an area of 625 sq km. Apart from some 50 tigers; the park's wildlife includes 250 species of birds.

Van Vihar National Park
	The most famous inhabitants of this large park, near the Upper Lake, are the white tigers. A good time to see these rare creatures is at about 4pm, when they come to the edge of their enclosure for their evening meal.

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
	Located in the sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravallis some 200 km from Delhi. The Aravalli Range branches out at Sariska, forming low plateaux and valleys that harbour a wild spectrum of wildlife in the dry jungles. Within the sanctuary there are the ruins of medieval buildings and one can also visit a 17th century castle on a sharp hilltop at Kankwari.

Melghat Tiger Reserve
	The Project Tiger Reserve of Melghat, which means "Meeting Place of the Ghats" , spread across the Gawilgarh Hills in the southern part of the Satpura Mountains. Its highest altitudes are approximately 3,865 ft above sea level. Along with its exclusive tigers, the reserve is home to about 80 leopards, four-horned antelope, hyenas, jungle cats and a rich variety of birds.