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Wildlife
in South India Wildlife in South India
Bandipur National Park
In Karnataka lies one of India's best-known wildlife reserves - Bandipur National
Park. It is situated where the Deccan Plateau rises to meet the wrinkled folds
of the Western Ghat Mountains. It is situated within Chamarajanagar district in
the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the finest habitats of the
Asian elephant. Drained by the Moya River, its open forest makes it easy for visitors
to see the elephant and gaur in natural surroundings. There is another attractive
wildlife park nearby at Nagarhole. Though separate entities, these are part of
a larger contiguous wildlife reserve that includes the Mudumalai Sanctuary in
Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad Reserve in Kerala. Both the parks are easily accessible
from Mysore.
More About Bandipur
National Park....
Bhimeshwari
National Park
The Bhimeshwari lies between the twin falls of Barachukki
and Gaganachukki, with yet another set of falls called Mekedatu fall is about
35 kms downstream is yet another set of falls called Mekedatu (Goat's Leap). Lying
between these breathtaking cascades is Bhimeshwari. The nature has created a home
for a variety of exciting animals. It is also the natural habitat for the Mahseer
fish and is also known as fishing game or angling destination in India. Bhimeshwari
in Manday district is an ideal place not only for the wildlife but also for people
on a holiday spree. It is perfect picnic spot for the nature lovers.
More About
Bhimeshwari National Park....
Calimere Wildlife
Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 17.26 Sq.Kms and is situated
90-km southeast of Thanjavur in a wetland which juts out into the Palk Strait
into the sea taking a sharp turn to the west separating India and Sri Lanka.
It is surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen
forests of mangroves, this coastal sanctuary is also known as "Kodikkarai".
It is noted for the vast flocks of migratory waterfowl, especially flamingos,
which congregate here every winter. The sanctuary is vast, mostly shrub-land,
shaped by the violent monsoon winds and treated mercilessly by feral cattle,
horses and the graceful buck. At present cultivation of lobster has been started
as the number of birds is decreasing.
More About Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary....
Crocodile
Bank
Located 42-km from Chennai (Madras) is a farm where several species
of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity, in the
open air. This crocodile bank is on the way to Mahabalipuram and is run by Romulve
Whittaker. A countrywide crocodile conservation programme was launched to save
these ancient reptiles that have survived the passing of dinosaurs. The species
found here other than the Indian varieties have been donated by foreign zoos and
croc farms. The Crocodile Bank occupies an area of 3.2 hectares and has been established
with an aim to protect and conserve the endangered reptiles such as Crocodiles,
Alligators, etc. About 5,000 species are kept in their natural surroundings in
open pools.
More
About Crocodile Bank....
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the southern state of India, Kerala, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is situated
at a distance of 40 kms from Thodupuzha. This sanctuary extends over the Thodupuzha
and Udumpanchola taluks of Idukki district spreading over 77sq. kms, at 450 -
748m above sea level. Located in the southern state of India, Kerala, Idukki National
Park is one of Kerala's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of
Elephants, bisons, bear, wild boars, sambar wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, wild
boar and has a very large concentration of various species of snakes including
cobra, viper, kraits and numerous non-poisonous ones.
More About Idukki Wildlife
Sanctuary....
Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, situated on the picturesque banks
of the Vembanad Lake is known for its varied avian population. Known as an ornithologist's
paradise, the bird sanctuary spreads over an area of 14 acres. Set amidst the
lush wooded land, the sanctuary provides the close view of the variety of migratory
birds that come from Himalayas or far places like Siberia. Local varieties such
as waterfowls, cuckoos and owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can
be viewed here. The natural beauty and varied activities of native Kingfishers,
Egrets, Herons, Golden-Backed Woodpeckers and acrobatics of the paradise Fly-catchers
fascinate the visitors.
More About
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary....
Kunthakulam
Bird Sanctuary
Kunthakulam bird sanctuary is one of the delights for the
ornithologists. The sanctuary is situated 33-km south of Tirunelveli in Nanguneri
Taluk. Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village, which is covered with
natural forests and ponds. Tourists who are keenly interested in adventure and
trekking will enjoy visiting the place. During the season January to April every
year more than 10 thousand birds from various near and far off countries like
Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, and Australia migrate here. But as soon as
the season is over, the birds return to their respective native places. Every
day more than 5,000 people come here and enjoy. Ariyakulam, 13-km east of Tirunelveli
has another bird sanctuary.
More About Kunthakulam
Bird Sanctuary...
Nagarhole National
Park
The Nagarhole national park lies at a distance of 96 kms
from Mysore. Nagarahole is derived from the combination of two Kannada words-'nagar'
meaning snake and 'hole' meaning streams and true to its name a number of streams
snake through its rich tropical forests. The Nagarhaole National Park in Karnataka
shares its boundaries with the famous Bandipur National Park in Karanataka, which
together form a part of the Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad
Reserve in Kerala. Once an exclusive hunting preserve of the erstwhile rulers
of Mysore, the terrain of this Park is gently undulating with lush green vegetation,
swamps and numerous water resources, rendering it an ideal habitat for a wide
variety of wildlife. Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the tiger along with
the other wild life species and around 250 bird species.
More About
Nagarhole National Park....
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the well known and oldest wildlife sanctuaries
in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every
year. Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve was established in the verdant stretches
of Kerala in 1895 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Also called the Thekkady
Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural
habitat. The forest slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This
lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or take
a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambar and even tigers can be spotted here.
More About Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary....
Viralimalai
Sanctuary
Viralimalai is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock
sanctuary. The small and nondescript kind of town, Viralimalai is situated at
a distance of 30-kms from Tiruchirapalli and 40-kms from Pudukottai. The highlight
of the town is that it is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks. All varieties
of peacock roam majestically around the Murugan temple. The area is a notified
sanctuary and is one of the best places to watch peacocks.
More About
Viralimalai Sanctuary....
