Indian Wildlife: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

As rightly said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka is one such place which does justice to the above statement. The Sanctuary is rich in diverse flora and fauna.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka, India

A mixture of typical moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests, this place is the ideal place for nature lovers to visit. The Sanctuary is a home to a variety of animals such as Deer, Sloth bear, Elephant, panther, Tiger, Wild dog, Bison, jackal, Giant flying squirrel etc, to name a few.

Malabar Giant Flying Squirrel

The Sanctuary has become a paradise for a large number of migratory as well as native birds. It has around 400 species of rare and old birds including the magpie robin, golden backed woodpecker, crested serpent eagle, green Imperial pigeon, Indian White Rumped vulture, Green bee eater; Green dove, thus earning the name, ‘Birding Paradise.’ Ah, the sound of those exotic birds singing! The Malabar pied Hornbill is the most sighted bird in this sanctuary. Tourists also come here to look at the most famous animals in the Sanctuary, being the Black panthers, Slender Loris and King Cobra.

Black Panther - Anshi National Park

Deer – Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

Bird - Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

A variety of wildflowers are also seen in the Sanctuary. Lotus, the National flower of India, scientifically known as ‘Nelumbo Nucifera’ is one of the famous flowers sighted here. The Sanctuary is also famous for its tea, rose trees and unidentified medicinal plants.

Lotus – The State Flower

Many reptiles also find their home in this Sanctuary. Snakes, turtles, tortoises, Water Monitor lizards, Mugger crocodile are a few such reptiles. No wonder crocodile spotting is one of the sought after activities in the Sanctuary!

We have already seen how Dandeli wild life Sanctuary adds to the beauty of Karnataka. But there’s another important place which draws a lot of tourists to the beautiful state of Karnataka, The Kali River. The Kali River is close to the Sanctuary and is famous not only in Karnataka, but in India as a whole for rafting. A coracle ride down the River Kali is a memorable experience. The White Water rafting is a once in a life time because one can encounter large crocodiles, turtles and also go fishing. Thus, Dandeli offers kayaking, canoeing, water rafting on the Kali River. What more can a tourist ask for?

Rafting-Kali River

Tourists can also opt for trekking in the jungles of the Sanctuary and thus explore the steep slopes, hilly forests and beautiful river valleys. What’s more amazing is that there is more fun to come! Tourists can also go on other adventures like cycling, mountain biking, crocodile spotting, nature walks, bird watching, safari and the list goes on and on. Wouldn’t feel like going back home would you? Ah, how can I forget the night camping, where you can stay in beautiful tents, cook your own food, dance around the bonfire and sleep outside staring at the beautiful stars. Sounds wonderful to me!

Jungle Safari - Dandeli Wildlife Reserve

A section of the Sanctuary was carved out to form the Anshi National Park, which also has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Dandeli Sanctuary and Anshi National Park were together granted the status of tiger reserve by Project Tiger. The saddest thing is that there are just 13 tigers left now. Dandeli is also famous as an educational and industrial hub in Karnataka. But, the rapid expansion of various industries here is causing a lot of damage to the forests.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Karnataka

Dandeli is called the backbone of Karnataka. Even foreign tourists are drawn to this state because of the beauty of Dandeli. I wouldn’t be shocked if many of you have already packed your bags and left for Dandeli! Ciao.

Uttarakhand Tourism: My Day at Rajaji National Park

I walked in early to the bus stop and sat quietly in a corner, observing life returning to its activity on a new day. My bus was to arrive only at 8.30 and I had nearly 90 minutes at my expense. Morning fog was clearing up slowly, but still managing to keep the sun hidden behind it. A couple of chai shops were open and the few people who were seen at the bus stop were gathered around the shops. Noisy auto-rickshaws arrived and departed occasionally, bringing in more people who would walk up to the chai shop or taking away some out of there. Once in a while, some one wandered next to me asked where I was headed. “Chilla”, I would say and they would move on as if satisfied with the response. A few helpful would go on to say that my bus should arrive at 8.30.

I decided to take a walk, trying to fight the sleepy morning creeping into my body and mind. The Barrage across Ganga was close by and I could see the bridge on it fade into the mist and beyond. Mysterious and deep waters of the Ganges lay still on one side of the barrage, with a layer of fog protecting it from the sun. Concrete walls of the barrage restricted the flow into steady trickle. Wooded banks of the river were occupied by bold and noisy alexandrine parakeets, seemingly proud of their green camouflage. A bunch of jungle babblers wandered on the ground searching for insects. A pair of restless pied mynas kept moving from branch to branch.

Jungle-Babblers-in-Rajaji-National-Park

Fog was making its way out by the time my bus arrived. Earth was still covered by a thin invisible layer of wetness, as a reminder of the dew accumulated through the night. Distant hills remained faintly visible, blocked by residual fog. Soon the bus sped past the barrage and we passed the gates of Rajaji National Park. We drove along the canal that carried the water out of the barrage. A few Gujjar herdsmen entered into the bus from the villages that dotted the periphery of the park. It was 9am when I reached Chilla, a village in the heart of Rajaji national park.

Late February is not exactly the best time of the year to visit the wilderness in these parts. The migratory birds would have gone back by then, and the mammals would still be spending most of their time deep inside the forest. I was not exactly hoping to see much either – I was there just to get a feel of the park and enjoy its landscape and the forest. I hired a jeep from the first jeep-owner who approached me. We finished the entry formalities quickly and were on our way in the jungle very soon.

Dust went up freely as we drove through the forest. The amount of dust on the road was a good indication of the traffic on it and the number of tourists who visit the place. We encountered thick forest as soon as we moved out of Chilla. My driver did mention that we can’t expect to see any big mammals on our way. I did not bother.

Sandpiper-in-Rajaji-National-Park

Parakeets dominated the canopy of the park. There was hardly a moment when I did not hear them scream or whizzing above us as if they are in a real hurry. A few minutes of drive and our road merged into a dry riverbed and we continued driving right on the river! As we drove on, a sandpiper went looking around for food in the puddles formed by the leftover water on the riverbed. A herd of chitals, stomach full with the grass that grew on the riverbed were resting quietly in a corner. A pair of them playfully fought with their antlers as we watched. Moving further, our noisy jeep caused commotion among an unusually large gathering of peacocks. An eagle looked at us with its sharp and watchful eyes. Indeed, we did not sight any big mammals as the driver we predicted. Short hills with thick forest cover, and river running in the middle of them makes up the landscape of the park area. It is a beautiful drive, which always makes the visit worthwhile.

Indian-Roller-Rajaji-National-Park

I spent rest of the day chatting with the naturalists and other residents of Chilla. As I kept looking for a barbet hiding in the canopy of a tree, some one walked into me and asked the question that I always get to hear

“So you are interested in birds?”

I nodded, and he turned out to be one of the naturalists with a wealth of information on the birds in the park. We discussed birds for a while, and then he gave me a good lot of information on Corbett, where I was heading next. I soon moved on to the elephant stables, hoping to have a peek at them.

Elephant-Dust-Bath-at-Rajaji-National-Park

The safari elephant enjoys a private moment

A youngling, Jogi was walking around the stable freely, under the watchful eyes of the caretaker. He had every feature of a young and naughty kid, agile and restless, walking all over. Baby elephants are a treat to watch, their presence seems evoke a soft happiness from inside. He walked into his drinking water tank, dipped his trunk and sipped a few bucketful to quench his thirst. He saw me approaching, and to my surprise, turned around and started walking towards me! He looked friendly and I stood and waited. He came close and stretched his trunk, as if to shake my hands! I wished I could speak to Jogi at that moment and make friends. I did the next best thing – I spoke to the caretaker..

Jogi-Elepahant-Quenching-his-Thirst-at-Rajaji-National-Park

“Wo kya chahta hai?“, What does he want?

“Khana maang raha hai!” came the reply. Jogi was looking for food. He must have been used to travellers falling in love with him and offering goodies till he is pleased. I did not want to fall behind. I quickly came back with some edibles for Jogi and thrusted them to his stretched trunk. I massaged his forehead gently and he seemed to be mighty pleased. Of course, I was pretty pleased too.

Sun was already moving towards the horizon and it was time for me to leave. I took the first bus to Haridwar and made my way out, carrying memories of noisy parakeets and the naughty Jogi.

RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION

The park is located between the towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar, and is a 20 to 30 minute drive from either of the towns. It is a 6-7 hour drive from Delhi. The forest department reception is at Chillawali village, often called Chilla. This serves as the gateway to the park where you can get permissions and hire jeeps for going into the forest or book your elephant safari. A typical 30km jeep safari lasts for two to three hours and sets you short by Rs.500 to 700. To know about other places of interest around here, see my post on Rishikesh.

Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam(GMVN) has a guesthouse in Chilla, which is the ideal place to stay for park visitors. Book in advance in the weekends. The next option is to stay in Rishikesh or Hardwar and drive to Chill a early in the morning.

The park is a tiger reserve, but sightings are not common. Elephants, wild boar, a few type of deer are commonly seen fauna of the park. The park is spread over an area of 820 square kilometers in Shivalik range of hills.

The Great Himalayan National Park

With a lush bio-diversity, India is not just seen as a culturally rich destination but has also increasingly become popular for its wildlife. Tiger saving initiatives in particular have highlighted attention on India’s national parks in recent years.

Mount Kailash

Latest on the list of hot-spots for wildlife, is the Great Himalayan National Park.

About The Great Humalayan National Park

Located in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, the park is spread over an impressive 1171 sq km. It has about 375 fauna species and a wide array of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects, including snow leopards.

Snow Leopard

Cradled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Great Himalayan National Park is replete with rivers, camping spots, trekking trails and wildlife watching locations.

How to Get There

The Park is accessible by over-night buses from Delhi or flights that land in Bhuntar in Himachal Pradesh. Make Kullu your base and then enter the park for wildlife spotting.

Birdwatching-Himalayan-National-Park

Entry Fees

There are separate fees for Indian and Foreign Nationals for the park entry at Rs 10 and Rs 200 per head, respectively. You also have to pay charges for carrying still and video camera. Students can get discounted prices.

Season

The best weather conditions for wildlife spotting are summers. This is the time when the animals step out of their verdant surroundings in search for water. If visiting Kullu, it is best to use this as a gateway for other places in Himachal and also Ladakh. Avoid the monsoon season due to road blocks and landslides.

Things to do

Apart from the key activity of wildlife spotting, the Great Himalayan National Park allows for some more interesting activities as the park lies in the heart of Himachal and there are plenty of opportunities to mingle with the locals. Some of the things that you may want to include:

Trekkers_in_Himalayan-National-Park

Treks – There are 7 serious treks that you can do in addition to numerous smaller hikes. Sainj Valley, Tirthan, Gushaini, Jiwi Nala, Rakistar and Pin Parvati are some of the names that many adventure lovers reckon with. Book ahead to get a place on the treks with experts from the region.

Local Architecture – There has been a huge effort to retain and preserve the old Himachali architecture in the region. See the old wooden, mud and stone houses preserved by the Ecozone of GHNP, which blend in seamlessly with the environment.

Local-Himalayan-People

Festivals – The Eco Tourism wing of the park gives you the opportunity to mix with the locals, especially at the times of the festivals. It is a great way of adding a unique experience to your visit and to get an understanding of the local lifestyle. Be a part of Fagli in winter, village fairs in April and the much celebrated Dusherra in October.

There are a number of pilgrimage sites close to the park. Local deities and Gods command great reverence. Raktisar, Hanskund and the Sirikhand Mahadev Lake are three places that one can visit.

Watch educational films and documentaries at the Larji Information Centre built for the benefit of the tourists. This is a great place to engage children with some knowledge based activities.

Taking a deep breath

Explore the region

There are many reasons to visit this part of Himachal Pradesh and a variety of experiences for travellers. Make your base in the non touristy areas, and explore the hills and the frothy rivers. Camping, rafting, climbing, fishing and getting up close to village life should all be part of the itinerary.

Great destinations to explore in Himachal Pradesh include Manali which is just 32km from Kulla and a good place to base yourself for a few days.

Himachal Tourism: Things to do in Matiana

Location

It is located at about 2400 meters height above the sea level. And is about 45 kilometers from Shimla. The location falls under Tehsil Theog. 

History

Matiana is basically a small village. The local people are basically Rajputs and worship Goddess Durga (Ma Maheshwari or Bhagvati). They are devout followers of the Goddess. Many believe that people from the upper part of Himachal are the natives while the rest are migrants. 

Language

Pahari is the local language but hindi is spoken by virtually everyone. 

Cuisine

Much like everything else in the hills, even the cuisine of Matiana is simple and unadulterated. Fresh fruits are grown in many orchards around which also produce fresh jams, jellies etc. vegetables are grown locally and therefore are fresh when cooked. 

Attractions

In Matiana one must sit for a cup of tea, bite of an apple from the local orchards or click a photograph of the beautiful landscapes. Offering a view of high peaked mountains, with fresh breeze airing through the local village, Matiana offers to be one of the most mesmerizing and soul invigorating locations in the lap of nature. Trekking, horse riding, driving, picnics, golfing etc. are popular activities.

Apple orchards stretch over the length and breadth of this small town on NH 22, between Shimla and Narkhanda in Himachal Pradesh. Perpetually pleasant weather, a strong connection with the Goddess Durga and businesses rooted in apple farms, makes this a verdant and relaxed place to visit.

A small town feel and easy pace of life makes Matiana an ideal base for travellers who wish to relax and explore the region away from the tourist crowds. Matiana has a number of things to offer for those who like to walk around and soak in the atmosphere.

Here are our favourite things to do in Matiana.

1. Birdwatching 

This small town of Himachal gives a vast opportunity for birding enthusiasts to see plenty of different species. The varieties are distinctly different from that of other parts of India. Birds like Drongo, fly catcher, bar tailed tree creeper, black bulbul and Grosbeak can be spotted here.

Birdwatching-in-Matiana

2. Walking Trails 

The hills are a perfect place to explore and there are plenty of local trails to follow. Small village settlements, old-towering trees and local life are found along some of the most beautiful trails here. A good way to see the destination and get acquainted to the local culture, this is highly recommended.

Trekking-in-Matiana

3. Explore the Apple Farms

You can’t escape the importance of the apple farms in the region. Most people here have small or big farms and the conversations invariable leads to the season’s production and other issues. Visit an apple orchard and enjoy the freshness of apples right off the tree. While most of the harvest is sent to local or larger distributors, many people have diversified into small units of chutneys (Indian condiment) and juices. Perfect souvenirs to take home!

Juicy-Apples

4. Hatu Peak

A little over 15 kms from Matiana, the Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town. It takes about an hour from the town to drive up to this serene spot with oak stands and bright green pastures in the middle. From here, you can get a good look at the Himalayas on a clear day. Try not to visit on a weekend – the number of visiting cars and bikes often end up in a jam.

Hatu peak towers over the Narkhanda town

5. Local Temples

Matiana has always been associated with its devotion to the Goddess Durga. Apart from her, the destination is also sprinkled with other smaller temples. You will find temples tucked away in nooks and crannies, below trees, by the road and some elaborate ones. The religious zeal in the people is commendable here.

Jai Mata Bhawani!

When to go

As Matiana is high up in the hills it is pleasant all year round. Summers are usually not crowded by the hottest part of the year. Snow can be found in places like Hatu even in March.

How to reach

Getting in:  Bikers usually pass through Matiana using National Highway-22. Narkanda is one of the main stops for people travelling to Leh and Ladakh taking the route from Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Narkanda, NH-22 is also a good way to drive down to Matiana. Trains aren't well connected. And direct trains are hard to find.

Getting around: Taxis can be rented through hotels and homestays. There's no better reliable mode of transport around. Hikes, treks and walks are fun for some people.

Distance to other cities

Shimla....................47 Km

Chandigarh............167 Km

Manali...................215 Km

Dharamsala............283 Km

Delhi......................411 Km

Corbett..................498 Km

Ranikhet................610 Km

Tourism Ladakh : Hemis National Park

The stunningly beautiful Hemis National Park is located in the Eastern part of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir. It is the only national park in India north of the Himalayas and lies at an altitude of up to 6,930m above sea level, covering an area of 600 sq kms.

Hemis-national-park-Ladakh

History

The park was founded in 1981 and is currently the largest national park in South Asia. Hemis was a destination and stopping point on the silk routes of Tibet and the park includes the famous 400-year old Hemis Gompa Monastery, for which it was named, within it’s boundaries.

Hemis_Gompa_India

Flora and Fauna

The park has been dubbed the “Snow Leopard Capital of India” and wide variety of flora and fauna can be seen here. The park is receives little rain fall and contains many dry forests, alpine grasslands and scrub lands. Wildlife lovers are drawn to this remote location are the park’s many endangered animals. Some of its inhabitants include the snow leopard, ibex, serow, Tibetan antelope and red fox. There have been 16 mammal species and 73 bird species recorded in the park so far.

Yak-hemis-national-park-wildlife

Natural Beauty

Views overlooking the Indus River and the surrounding area make Hemis National Park photographer’s delight. The park offers a number of routes for trekking from mid-June to mid-October.

Indus-River

When to Visit

Visitors should plan their trip from May to October. During winters the temperature goes well below zero and heavy snowfall is seen.

Jammu & Kashmir Tourism: Dachigam National Park

The Northern most state of India is by far one of the most mesmerising in terms of its natural wonders. A mixture of of cold desert, verdant hills and the Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir is truly a travellers delight.

Amongst many other things to see in J & K, try the Dachigam National Park, just 22 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of the state.

Dachigam-National-Park-location

Spanning a lifetime of over 100 years and an impressive coverage of 141 sq kms, Dachigam can be translated into meaning ‘ten villages’. With the mighty Himalayas as the backdrop of the National Park, the park is not only rich in flora and fauna but also makes a great place to just take in the varied landscapes of the region.

Sarband-kashmir

The terrain of the park ranges from grasslands to cliffs, making it uneven and exciting to traverse. Even amongst the flora, the forest is a mix of coniferous trees and grassy meadows. The forest opens out into the famous Marsar Lake which is the starting point of the Dagwan River. The river flows through a large part of the forest and is famous for its population of trout.

Formosan-Black-Bear

Wildlife: 

Where animal sightings are concerned, be prepared to look out for the famous endangered Hangul, or Kashmir stag. The Himalayan black bear, grey langur, weasel, jungle cat, musk deer, the elusive leopard, fox, marmot and musk deer are seen in plenty. The park also has a notable population of birds.

Moschustier

The national park makes for a good weekend getaway or day trip from Srinagar. It also gives you the opportunity to see the wide array of natural delights in the region without having to travel a large distance. Great for photography and wildlife enthusiasts, this is highly recommended. Try and explore this wonderful National Park on foot with a guide to get the best experience.

Timings: 

The Park is opened between 5.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m.

Fees: 

There are no fees to enter the park. However, the rules are subject to change, so please find out earlier.

Best Season: 

Dachigam cannot be visited during the winters due to heavy snow and windy climate. The best time to go is during the summers.

Things To Do in Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park has long been the favored getaway for explorers and wildlife lovers in India. Here are nine things that attract people to the wild adventure that is Corbett.

1. Jeep safari

Jim Corbett National Park is most famous for its flora and fauna. The park houses many endangered species such as tigers, chital, sambar and even the humble deer. A great way to explore the landscape and see these animals going about their daily life is on a jeep safari. Ask your driver to go off the fixed route and you’ll get some rare insights into the animals’ lives.

Jeep safari in corbett national park

2. On the shoulders of giants

An elephant safari lets you have an adventure within an adventure. The size of the creature deters predators from coming too close for comfort. They maneuver the grasslands with ease and in silence, with only the occasional sound of their trumpet aimed at a bully trying to intimidate the gentle giants.

elephant safari corbett national park

3. Camping in Corbett

There are plenty of resorts in Corbett, but camping is a great experience for those who like to rough it out – though they do have basic amenities.

resorts in corbett national park

4. Click away

Corbett is a favourite of wildlife photographers, who spend days looking for the illusive tiger, often in vain. But the region’s majestic terrain offers great landscape shots as well, like panoramic views of the Shivalik and the Himalayas. The lesser discovered Terai region is a great place to capture views that go beyond the frequently seen compositions.

bird watching corbett national park

5. Far away festivals

The resorts and campsites usually offer fantastic packages on festivals. Particularly around New Year and Christmas they offer plenty of holiday packages, complete with champagne, feasts and safaris. The music here isn’t played from giant speakers. Rather, the chirping birds and rustling leaves take on that role. For some, this is a luxurious and intimate way to enjoy the festivities, far from the hustle and bustle of the big, bad, cities.

Festive stay @ Corbett

6. Take the wheel

The rivers in and around Corbett are spectacular places to drive or walk by. If you can get the permission, you can have a cozy little picnic set to the sound of serene water flowing by. The rivers are rich in many forms of minerals and sand. The result of this is a vibrant location with countless hues of gold, brown, and rust.

rivers in and around corbett national park

7. See creatures

To spot Corbett’s exotic marine life you should dedicate a few hours to The Ramganga. This is home to the exotic mahseer fish, the endangered gharials, mugger crocodiles, otters and turtles amongst others.

crocs  corbett national park

8. Bird watching

Many species of rare birds call the Corbett their home. And owing to the Ramganga’s rich marine life, you can spot many birds feasting here. Kingfishers, fish-eagles, storks and many other birds are seen here in large numbers swooping down to grab a bite. In winters, this reservoir is visited by many migratory birds and the bird lovers that follow them. The birds come from as far away as Europe and Central Asia.

kingfisher corbett national park

9. Star gazing

The best part about places away from the big cities and their bright lights is gazing at a sky full of stars. For those who spend all their days in the urban world, this is a rare and welcome sight. You can spend hours spotting the different constellations. Some are visible with remarkable ease and unexpectedly bring out the child in you as you gaze in wonder.

night in corbett national park

Wildlife Sanctuary of South India - Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Nature park is the most popular biosphere reserves in India and the major National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary of South India. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve area is located at the foothills of the famous Nilgiris hills or blue mountains at the meeting point of two majestic mountain ranges the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats and shares boundaries with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala states. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve includes many National parks and wildlife sanctuaries and also declared a Tiger Reserve. The reserve is home to fauna includes over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of butterflies.

Mudumalai National Park and Sanctuary

The famous Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to endangered Indian elephants,Royal Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopards and vulnerable Gaur along with Indian Giant Squirrel and Red Giant Flying Squirrel and critically endangered species of birds such as Indian White-rumped Vulture,Malabar grey Hornbill and unique near threatened Black-and-orange Flycatcher.

Elephant at Mudumalai Park

Mudumalai wildlife Park is divided into five sub ranges Masinagudi,Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota. Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries is one of the first wildlife park established in India and declared a Tiger Reserve, It is an important wildlife habitat and Wildlife Corridor between Bandipur National Park,Nagarhole National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The Reserve forests offers shelters to four big cats of India Bengal tiger, Indian leopard,deers, Jungle cat and Leopard cat along with Bonnet Macaque, Gray langur, Sloth Bear,Indian wild dogs Dhole and the Striped Hyena.

Deer at Mudumalai National Park - South India

Mukurthi National Park

The Mukurthi National Park is situated western part of Nilgiris Plateau in the Western Ghats mountain range. Mukurthi National Park is the major protect area of ungulate The Nilgiri tahr,the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Mukurthi protected area is provide Habitat for sholas and Montane grasslands Wildlife and the flora are numerous endemic plants scapigerous, Alchemilla indica and Impatiens. Fauna includes mostly the grassland mammal species including Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri langur,Sambar deer, Barking deer and Wild water buffalo. Avifauna consists mostly of hill birds includes Whistling Thrush,Nilgiri Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit along with predatory birds the Black Eagle, Black-winged Kite and Kestrel.

Mountain Goat - Mukurthi National Park -South India

Silent Valley National Park

The Silent Valley National Park is the core area of the Nilgiri International Biosphere Reserve and part of World Heritage Site,the Western Ghats. The high diversity of Silent Valley National Park support wide range of wildlife and home to the largest population of endangered species Lion-tailed Macaque, Malabar Giant Squirrel and Indian Flying-fox or Greater Indian Fruit Bat. One of the best place to spot rare and endangered species of birds like Long-legged Buzzard,Red winged crested cuckoo,Malabar Pied Hornbill,Nilgiri Wood-pigeon,the Black bulbul and Pale harrier.

Monkey looking - Silent Valley National Park - South India

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and a major wildlife corridor between Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of the Western Ghats and Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary of the Eastern Ghats. Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary is a notable wildlife corridor, mix of flat land, grass land and mountain peaks between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. Its is fourth Project Tiger Tiger Reserve of India and a notable sanctuary to diverse populations of the animals of two habitats such as great Indian Elephants,royal Bengal Tigers,Indian leopards and other wild boar, Sloth bear and striped hyenas.

Striped Hyena - Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary - South India

Bandipur National Park 

The Bandipur National Park is a tiger reserve located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka and know for its Biomes and dry deciduous forest. The tiger reserve is one of the most famous national park in south India and along with Mudumalai,Wynad and Nagarhole it is the largest protected area of south India. Bandipur National Park is home to many species of India’s endangered wildlife such as Indian giant squirrels, muggers, Indian rock pythons, Spectacled cobra, four-horned antelopes,Indian monitor lizards and the large bovine Gaur or Indian bison.

Wild Cow - Bandipur National Park - South India

Nagarhole National Park 

The Nagarhole National Park is located between the Kodagu and Mysore district in Karnataka state. Nagarhole National Park is heavily forested Project Tiger tiger reserve and cover with small water streams, big mountain hills, deep valleys and spectacular waterfalls. Its is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park ranges from foothills of the Western Ghats to down the Brahmagiri hills towards Kerala. Nagarhole National Park is home to Purple heron,darter,Indian rock python, stripe-necked mongoose along with tiger, leopard,wild dogs and striped hyena.

RedFox - Nagarhole National Park - South India

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an second largest wildlife park in Kerala and declared a Project Elephant, Elephant Reserves. Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary is situated between the Mysore and a small town Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district of Kerala. Wayanad Animal sanctuary support a wide range of flora includes maruthi, bamboos, rosewood, karimaruthi and fauna such as panthers, jungle cats, deer and bears along with AviFauna few wild birds owls, woodpeckers, jungle fowls,Peacocks and Peafowl.

Vulture at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary - South India