National Parks and sanctuaries of India

India's wildlife is both rich and diverse. More than 4% of India's land is under forest cover- there are at least 90 national parks and 482 wildlife sanctuaries. 

Jim Corbett National Park

Established in 1936, Corbett national park covers an area of about 520 sq. Kms whish includes, the vast reservoir formed by the Kalagarh dam across the river Ramganga. It is India's first national park and the first sanctuary to come under Project Tiger. The first ever National Park in India and Asia is also known for its breathtaking landscapes and the thick cover of Sal forests surrounding the park. The Corbett National Park is spread in two districts of Uttaranchal - Nainital and Pauri - in north India. It is famous for its wild population of Tigers, Leopards and Elephants.

Ranthambore National Park

The home of Royal Bengal tigers, Ranthambore National Park is just 14 kms from Sawai Madhopur in Eastern Rajasthan. The Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and as a National Park in 1980. Ranthambore has a wide variety of dazzling landscape to offer. It has a magnificent 10th century fort. Apart from the tiger, the tourists can also observe Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Porcupines and Jackals, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Marsh Crocodile, Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds. Most of these wild animals can be spotted near the lakes and water holes during the evening. A good time to visit between November and May.

Keoladeo National Park

Bharatpur bird sanctuary was given the status of national park in 1981. It is one of the finest bird parks in the world. It is a best place to watch variety of migratory birds. The major tourist attractions of the park include the numerous migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia, who spend their winters in Bharatpur bird sanctuary. The other migratory birds at the Bharatpur bird sanctuary include several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails and Pipits, etc. Keoladeo Ghana was created by one of the Maharajas of Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Extended to an area of 437 sq. km, Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Vindhya Hills, in Madhya Pradesh. Dominated by a large fort, Bandhavgarh is famous for its tigers. The fort and the adjacent hills have a large number of caves belonging to the pre-historic period. It was declared a National Park in 1968. 

Sariska Tiger Reserve

The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the "Project Tiger" as a tiger reserve in 1979. It covers a large area of 800 sq km in total, with a core area of approximately 500 sq km. It is located in the contemporary Alwar district. The landscape of Sariska Tiger Reserve comprises of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravali hill range. The Sariska Tiger Reserve is home to a number of carnivores including Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, and Tiger. The herbivore category in Sariska includes Sambhar, Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur. Sariska wildlife sanctuary is also known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys. 

Panna National Park

Panna National Park is 32 km away from Khajuraho. The region is rich in wildlife and its highlights are Leopards, Wolves, Gharials, Wild Boars, Sloth Bears, Cheetals, Chowsinghas, Indian Foxes and Porcupines. On the road to Panna are the spectacular Padav Falls. Due to the hot summers, this national park remains close from June to October. Alternate picnic sites are Benisagar Dam, Raneh Falls and Ranguan Lake, while interesting trips can be made to Rajgarh Palace, now being converted into a Heritage Hotel, and Dhubela Museum. Further away is Bandhavgarh National Park and tranquil Chitrakoot. 

Ken Gharial Sanctuary

24 km from Khajuraho, Ken Gharial sanctuary is the best place to see the crocodiles with long-snouts living in their natural home. The Sanctuary is at the confluence of the Ken and Khudar rivers further down Raneh Falls and Nature Trail. 

Kaziranga National Park

The Kaziranga National Park in India located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River encompassed by a large part of Mikir Mountain Ranges; it is covered with tall elephant grass, marshes, and dense tropical forests in the state of Assam. It covers an area of 430-sq-kms making an ideal habitat for the Indian One-Horned Rhino. The Kaziranga National Park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940 and in 1974 it was given the status of a national park. The national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. 

Kanha National Park

Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha national park cum Tiger reserve extends over an area of over 1,940-sq-kms. The national park is the sole habitat of the rare species of barasingha. There are 175 varieties of birds in Kanha National Park. It has the honour of being one of the well-maintained National Parks in Asia. Bamni Dadar, the popular Sunset Point is the most beautiful section of the park to view the dusk. The ideal time to visit Kanha National Park is in the months of April - June and November - January. The park is closed from July - Mid-November i.e. the monsoon season. 

Gir National Park

Gir National Park is the only remaining habitat of the Asiatic lion, which has been confined to this forest, since 1884. Located in the south-west fringes of the Saurashtra Peninsula, The Gir National Park is a haven to about 300 Asiatic Lions which is their last surviving population. The chinkara, wild boar, striped hyena, jackal, common langur, porcupine, hare, black buck, are the other animals, that can be found in this sanctuary. There are over 200 bird species including the peafowl, grey partridge, Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, jungle bush quail, painted sandgrouse, common green pigeon and several species of doves.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 777 sq km, out of which 360 sq km is under thick and dense evergreen forests. Surrounded by the dense forests, it is quite popular for the Periyar Lake. An ideal home for Indian Elephant, you can see this mighty herbivore living in accord with the wild carnivore - Tiger - in the national park. Besides the elephant and tiger, the other animals commonly seen in the Periyar National Park are Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambhar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole and Indian Wild Dog. The best season to visit Periyar wildlife sanctuary is from the months of October and June. 

The Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's largest estuarine sanctuary is really worth a visit. With a series of densely forested islands and saline water channels, Sundarbans is home to 270 Royal Bengal Tigers along with the spotted deers, wild pigs, monkeys, herons, kingfishers and white-bellied eagles. The Park is also famous for its conservation of the Ridley Sea Turtles. The other wild animals found in the Sundarbans National Park are estuarine terrapins, Olive Ridley turtles, estuarine crocodiles, Ganges dolphins, water monitors and a wide variety of birds, fish and crustaceans. One of the major tourist attractions is the Sajnekhali Visitors' Centre, which has a crocodile enclosure, a shark pond, a turtle hatchery, and a Mangrove Interpretation Centre. 
Sources... Internet