The history of Bharatpur dates back to 5th century BC, when the Matsya kingdom flourished here. The Matsyas were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. Legends say that the origin of the name Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram. Laxman, the other brother, was given the most prestigious position as that of the family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur. His name also appears in the state seals and coat-of-arms.
NAMDAPHA, a Tiger Reserve and National Park, a true wilderness and enchanting beauty of lush green vegetation, impenetrable pristine and virgin forests covered an area of 1985.23 square kilometres having diverse flora and fauna lies in the international border between India and Myanmar(Burma) within Changlang District in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast India.
In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
Karnataka has been declared as No.1 State in Tiger Population in the country. At present the Tiger population is estimated around 300. As per India Tiger estimate 2010 conducted by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. The State has 5 Tiger Reserves namely, Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarahole, Dandeli-Anshi and BRT Tiger Reserves which is headed by Additional Pricipal Chief Conservator of Forests (Project Tiger), Mysuru & Shivamogga.
Sariska Tiger Reserve, the first tiger reserve in the world to have successfully relocated tigers, is just 200 kilometres from Delhi and 107 kilometres from Jaipur. It was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and became a National Park in 1979.
Spread across 940 sq.km, Kanha National Park is one of the largest parks in Madhya Pradesh where the majestic royal Bengal tigers are found in good numbers.
The Park is respected globally for saving the Barasingha from near extinction. No doubt, it is one of the best managed parks in Asia and a part of Project Tiger. National Geographic's award winning 'Land of the Tigers' was shot here, but the park is home to leopards, wild dogs and Barasingha as well.
Bhitarkanika National Park - Considered one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries of Asia, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha (Orissa) is special due to reasons more than one. Housing the dynamic and salt tolerant species of trees, the Mangroves that generally grow in tropical and sub-tropical inter-tidal regions; Bhitarkanika has a luxuriant green, rich and pulsating eco-system.
The Sanctuary harbours the world’s highest density of One horned Rhinoceros, located in Morigaon district, but close to Guwahati City. The habitat comprises of Assam alluvial grassland with hilly forests for an area of 38.81 sq. kms. This is also an Important Bird Area.
Chilika Lake - Asia's largest brackish water lagoon with water spread ranging from 1165 sq km m the rainy season to 906 sq km in the dry season is nestled in the heart of the coastal Odisha (Orissa). It extends from Bhusandpur in Puri district in the North to Rambha-Malud in Ganjan district in the South, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a 60 km long narrow strip of marshy islands and sand-flats.
The Silent Valley National Park is a unique pereserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237.52 Sq.Km. it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats.
The most sought after destination in Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, the first of its kind in Kerala, where the endangered Nilgiri Thar is protected. Spread over 97 sq. km., this park holds the largest viable population of Tahr, several other species of rare animals, birds and butterflies.
The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert and its rich fauna. The Sudashri forest post is the most ideal place for observing wildlife in the Desert National Park. Sand dunes form less than 20 percent of the Park, which consists of craggy rocks, pavements and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.
Located in the Himalayan foothill bhabar area in the western Assam, Manas was originally a game reserve since 1928 and became a Tiger Reserve in 1974, a World Heritage Site in 1985, a Biosphere Reserve in 1989. Then declared as a National Park in 1990 with an area of 500 sq. kms. and also the core area of 2600 sq. kms. of Chirang Ripu Elephant Reserve. The park harbours more than 20 endangered species and is famous for its unique scenic beauty. It is also an Important Bird Area. White Winged Wood Duck was recently recorded in the Park. Conveyance
Attractions - Close look at Rhino, Swamp deer etc. on ‘Elephant Safari’ every morning. Sighting variety of wildlife by ‘Jeep Safari’, thousands of local and migratory birds flocking in wetlands and the scenic beauty of Karbi Anglong Hills.
Significance : Largest undivided representative area of Brahmaputra valley flood plain grassland, complex eco-system of grassland, where various stages of biotic succession in grassland eco-system are explicit.
The Sundarbans a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located at the South eastern tip of the 24 Paraganas district about 110 km from Kolkata. It got its name from one of the mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor). Sundarbans are a part of the world's largest delta, formed by the mighty rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Situated on the lower end of Gangetic West Bengal, the Sundarbans is...
Be prepared to see more than birds, and there are plenty of those too, if you are planning to visit the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. TANUSHREE PODDER in the pages of THE HINDU newspaper.
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam is a beautiful natural haven located in Southern Kerala. It was established in 1984 and covers a total area of 171 sq. km. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in the district and is renowned for its biodiversity and beauty.
The tiger reserve in Maharashtra is still relatively unknown to the tourist. A visitor can spend many undisturbed hours observing fauna....IN the heart of the central Indian wilderness is a lesser-known tiger reserve. Tadoba Located in the eastern corner of the state of Maharashtra and in the geographic centre of India in the district of Chandrapur, it is home to nearly 100 Royal Bengal Tigers. A protected area since 1955, the Tadoba National Park became a tiger reserve in 1995.
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/06/05/stories/2005060500430800.htm
Left high and dry...by DIONNE BUNSHA in Kuno. From the pages of FRONTLINE magazine.
The villagers moved out of the Kuno forest to make way for Gir lions complain that they have got little of the rehabilitation package they were promised.
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2211/stories/20050603002308300.htm
A kingdom too small by DIONNE BUNSHA in the FRONTLINE magazine in Sasan, Gir forest. Lions in Gir look for new territories as the sanctuary is not large enough for their population. Yes, small groups of the world's last surviving Asiatic lions have moved out of the Gir sanctuary in Gujarat's Saurashtra region towards the coastal forests of Diu.
... N. Shiva Kumar. Located 120 km northwest of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh at an altitude of 3000 ft, Arraku Valley is an ideal getaway beckoning ...
www.blonnet.com/2001/09/24/stories/102472a4.htm
... N.Shiva Kumar. Diwali is usually a deafening experience for most of us, but this year we doctored it to be different. We decided to celebrate the ...
www.blonnet.com/2000/12/18/stories/101872m7.htm
...Every time I visit Corbett National Park, I am reminded of episodes from the Indian epics -- the Ramayana and Mahabarata,'' I told my ...
www.blonnet.com/2000/11/13/stories/101372a3.htm
Taking an elephant ride in the Kaziranga National Park and see the Rhino eye to eye.
www.blonnet.com/life/2003/03/17/stories/2003031700060300.htm
Ten years ago, when I first set foot in Shimla to escape the heat and dust of Delhi, I was surprised to see the place packed with people ...
www.blonnet.com/2001/06/25/stories/102572m3.htm
Thanks to its rulers, Shivpuri's majestic past has been transformed into an effervescent and hopeful present for tourists, making it a desired destination for history hunters, motorists and nature-lovers, says N. Shiva Kumar. Published in the LIFE magazine of the HINDU BUSINESS LINE dated 7th January 2002.
www.blonnet.com/life/2002/01/07/stories/2002010700170300.htm
