Ski locations, snow-capped mountains, and seashore resorts are typical decisions for a winter break trip. Nonetheless, envision this various — encountering an impressive leopard sprawled throughout a moss-covered department in Kerala’s Periyar or monitoring the elusive paw prints of a snow leopard in Ladakh’s Hemis. With 106 nationwide parks, India’s various wildlife affords the proper recipe for an adventurous winter getaway.
This yr, think about bypassing the traditional choices and embark on a nationwide park safari to delve into India’s uncharted wilderness. We guarantee you that the expertise will likely be properly price it!
Beneath is a compilation of eight magnificent nationwide parks that stand out as preferrred locations in the course of the winter season.
1. Jim Corbett
Positioned in Uttarakhand’s Ramnagar, Jim Corbett is without doubt one of the oldest and most well-known nationwide parks in India. Named after the famend British hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett, the park was established in 1936, spanning throughout the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal.
Residence to a major inhabitants of Bengal tigers, Jim Corbett Nationwide Park additionally hosts quite a lot of wildlife — together with elephants, leopards, deer, langurs, crocodiles, and a various vary of fowl species.
Past its pristine wildlife, the park affords breathtaking views of various landscapes, that includes grasslands, riverine belts, and dense forests. The panorama and wildlife come to life notably throughout October to June.
2. Keoladeo Nationwide Park
This nationwide park is a must-visit for bird-watching lovers. Positioned in Rajasthan, it was beforehand referred to as Bharatpur Hen Sanctuary. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Website, the park is greatest visited from October to February to witness the varied migratory birds.
Migratory birds from locations like Siberia, Central Asia, and Europe flock to the park, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Generally noticed species embrace cranes, geese, geese, pelicans, and numerous waders. The park is crisscrossed by a community of synthetic lakes and wetlands, and guests can discover it by means of boat safaris, bicycle rides, and rickshaw excursions.
3. Kanha Nationwide Park
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha Nationwide Park is famend for its profitable conservation efforts, notably relating to the Bengal tiger. With a major tiger inhabitants, guests stand a terrific probability of recognizing these majestic creatures of their pure habitat.
The park’s various landscapes, starting from dense forests to open grassy meadows, contribute to its picturesque attract. The Banjar and Halon valleys, together with the Banjaar river, additional improve its magnificence.
Along with tigers, Kanha is residence to quite a lot of wildlife, together with leopards, deer, wild canine, and Indian bison (gaur), offering a wealthy and rewarding safari expertise.
4. Pench Nationwide Park
Stated to be an inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s well-known work ‘The Jungle Ebook’, Pench Nationwide Park is a paradise for nature lovers. Unfold throughout the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh, the park is called after the Pench river that gracefully flows by means of it.
Residence to a various vary of wildlife — together with Bengal tigers, leopards, wild canine, Indian bison (gaur), numerous deer species, langurs, and a wide selection of fowl species, this nationwide park is a haven for wildlife lovers.
The favored zones for wildlife safaris in Pench embrace Turia, Karmajhiri, and Jamtara, providing a mixture of grasslands, forests, and water our bodies that present various habitats for numerous wildlife species.
5. Ranthambore Nationwide Park
Located 130 km away from Jaipur, Ranthambore Nationwide Park in Rajasthan stands as a favorite spot for wildlife photographers from around the globe. Nestled within the Sawai Madhopur district, it has gained fame for its pivotal position in tiger conservation.
Inside the park, the historic Ranthambhore Fort provides a cultural and historic dimension to the wildlife expertise. Past the majestic Bengal tigers, Ranthambhore is residence to a various vary of wildlife — together with leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, sambar deer, noticed deer, langurs, and a vibrant array of fowl species
6. Kaziranga Nationwide Park
One other UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Kaziranga Nationwide Park shelters the world’s highest variety of one-horned rhinos. The Brahmaputra river flows by means of the park, creating riverine habitats and giving a picturesque panorama.
Additionally a birdwatcher’s paradise with a wealthy avian range, the park has over 500 species of birds. Moreover, it’s residence to a various vary of mammals — together with wild boars, Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, hog deer, and numerous species of untamed cats, akin to leopards and jungle cats.
7. Gir Nationwide Park
Located in Gujarat, Gir Nationwide Park is the only real place within the nation the place you have got the chance to come across Asiatic lions. Moreover, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the normal lifetime of the Maldhari tribal communities who reside in and across the park.
The nationwide park has 38 species of mammals, round 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, and greater than 2,000 species of bugs, as per studies.
Whereas the Asiatic lion takes centre stage, Gir can be residence to a various vary of wildlife — together with leopards, jungle cats, Indian gazelles (chinkaras), noticed deer, sambar deer, wild boars, in addition to numerous species of reptiles and birds.
8. Sundarbans Nationwide Park
The Sundarbans Nationwide Park — located within the delta area of the Padma, Meghna, and Brahmaputra river basins within the Sundarbans Reserve Forest in West Bengal, India — holds the celebrated title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
The Sundarbans stands as one of many largest mangrove ecosystems globally. The ecosystem is characterised by a community of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands fashioned by the confluence of a number of rivers.
Past its famed inhabitants of tigers, the Sundarbans boast wealthy biodiversity — together with numerous species of deer, crocodiles, snakes, turtles, and an abundance of birdlife. This distinctive area additionally serves as a significant habitat for endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Edited by Pranita Bhat