Diversity in India extends far beyond the cultural and the religious, it includes wildlife too. Wildlife conservation though introduced long ago is now at its high and efforts are being made to preserve and protect many species which are indigenous to the sub-continent. Here we introduce you to the diversity that India has to offer in terms of its fauna, which includes many rare, exotic species in their natural habitats.

Indian tradition perhaps the most ancient in the history of man, dating back to the Vedic age and documented as early as 3rd century BC in the edicts of Emperor Ashoka, have stressed importance for all forms of life.

India, a unique subcontinent has vast variations in geography, climate and vegetation. As a consequence there is exciting diversity in habitat and wildlife. The mighty Himalayas, the highest mountains in the world, offer a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife. Tropical forest in its eastern extremity contrasts with the pine and coniferous wooden of the western Himalayas. Natural cover varies with altitudes and these evergreen forests are bounded with high alpine meadows nearer the snowline and temperate forests of short trees in the lower elevations. In the foothills are deciduous trees, with shrubs, bamboos, fern and grass.

The northern plains, the course of the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna: the great Thar desert in the west; the Sunderbans; the marshy swamplands in the delta of the Ganga and Brahmputra in the east; the ancient volcanic rock of the Deccan plateau lying the rain shadows of the hills and the western Ghats with their dense, luxuriant forests - all provide fascinating variations in habititats. These sustain over 350 species of mammals, 2,100 kings of birds - local and migratory, nearly 350 species of reptile and countless insects.


The need for conservations of the environment and the forests has exercised the minds of Indian rulers from the earlier times. In the 3rd century BC, the Emperor Ashoka issued edicts to protect forests and natural wealth.

Later during the reign of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya 'forests free from fear' - were identified and protected. In more recent times, it was the administrators and princely rulers who demarcated and reserved forests as private preserves. Today many of these form the nucleus of India's wildlife sanctuaries and parks.

The demands of a rapidly increasing population continue to put pressure on surviving forests in India. Vast herds of black buck, that roamed the northern and western plains 50 years ago, are now found only in sanctuaries and around the villages of the Bishnoi tribe, who protect them/

The Project Tiger initiated in 1973, is today a massive attempt at the conservation of the tiger and its total environment. It covers 23 National parks and sanctuaries and its success in India has gone up significantly since it was launched.

India, currently has around 80 national parks and 441 sanctuaries dotted around the country. While some are inaccessible many have excellent facilities for visitors. Depending on the area and terrain, wildlife watching provides it sown excitement. It may be done from elephant back, from watch towers or even a boat - and the thrill of spotting herds of wild elephant, deer, a rihno or even a tiger, in its natural environment, is very difficult to match.

Name Of The National Parks / Sanctuary
Dachigam National Park - Jammu and Kashmir
Corbett National Park - Uttar Pradesh
Dudhwa National Park - Uttar Pradesh
Desert Sanctuary - Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Barmer)
Sariska National Park - Rajasthan -Alwar
Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Rajasthan - Bharatpur
Ranthambhore National Park - Rajasthan - Sawai Madhopur
Manas Tiger Reserve - Assam - Barpeta
Kaziranga National Park - Assam - Jorhat
Namdapha National Park - Arunachal Pradesh - Margherita
Keibul Lam Jao National Park - Manipur Central
Wild Ass Sanctuary in & around the little Rann of Kutch - Gujarat Surendranagar
Bandhvgarh National Park - Madhya Pradesh
Black Buck National park
Kanha National Park - Madhya Pradesh
Gir National Park and Sanctuary - Gujarat
Simlipal National Park - Orissa
Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Valley of Flowers
Sunderbans National Park - West Bengal
Hemis Wildlife Sanctuary
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary - Andhra Pradesh
Ranganthitoo Bird Sanctuary - Karnataka
Vedanthangal Water Bird Sanctuary - Tamil Nadu
Nagarhole National Park - Karnataka
Banipur National Park - Karnataka
Mudumalai Sanctuary - Tamil Nadu
Pench Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar National Park - Kerala