4 Not To Miss National Parks In Western India

In India the presence of hundreds of National Park, Wildlife Parks and Sanctuaries is best to exemplify the importance it lies in nature and wildlife conservation. This diverse land is popular amongst the tourists for its ancient monuments, culture and heritage and also for featuring an incredible wildlife. The wide landscape of the country changes frequently after traveling every few miles bringing a change in the climatic condition and the rich flora and fauna. It would be best to decide upon the particular types of wildlife one would love to see on a wildlife adventure trip.

* Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is located to the southeast of Junagadh, at a distance of 65 km, and southwest of Amreli at a distance of 60 km.There are almost 300 species of birds (native and migratory), enjoying shelter in the Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of the birds in the park are Crested Hawk-Eagle, Black-Headed Oriole, Crested Serpent Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Pygmy Woodpecker, Bonelli's Eagle, Indian Eagle-Owl, Vultures, Rock Bush-Quail, Indian Pitta, Crested Treeswift, etc. The Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is praised for its count of distinct fauna species, which was recorded to be 2,375. This count included 38 species of mammals, 37 species of reptiles, 300 species of birds (native and migratory), and 2,000 species of insects.

* Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park or the Borivali National Park is located in Borivali to the east of the Thane district and at distance of 40 km north from Mumbai. The park extends from the latitude 190°21' in the North to the longitude 720°58' in the East. This Park boasts of being the only National Park in Mumbai.

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park was notified in the year 1974. the park is an abode for host of wildlife species like the Antelope, Mouse Deer, Panther and Wild Bear. The park is the perfect place for the bird watchers of Mumbai. according to the wildlife expert, there are 251 species of birds found in the park including the water and land birds. The park has a large number of bird species like Bulbuls, Golden Orioles, Hornbills, Jungle Owlets, Minivets, Magpies, Peacock, Racket-Tailed Drongos, Robins, Sunbirds, and Woodpeckers. At several occasions, migratory and resident birds like Egrets, Gulls, Herons, Kingfisher, Mynas, Swifts, and Paradise Flycatcher have also been spotted here. The park has a thick cover of South Indian Moist Deciduous and Semi Evergreen Forest including the Moist Teak-Bearing Forest, Mangrove Scrub, Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest and Western Subtropical Hill Forest. The major trees and plants include Euphorbia, Flame of the Forest, Kadamba, Karanj, Red Silk Cotton, Shisam, species of Acacia, Teak, Ziziphus and many varieties of flowers. During the monsoon, almost the entire park is awash with the rainbow hues of the flowers that bloom here and all over the Western Ghats.

* Wild Ass Sanctuary

The name 'Wild Ass Sanctuary' may sound a bit odd but in the Rann of Kutch this distant wild cousin of the tamed donkey has a huge area just to itself. A safari of the Wild Ass Sanctuary in the vast Rann of Kutch is a unique experience. The Rann of Kutch, in the north west of Gujarat is dry land full of thorny scrub. The area has many kinds of grass, which serve as food for Wild Asses.

Wild Ass Sanctuary is not only home to the wild ass but the sanctuary also has a number of other animals. Some of the wild animals that you may come across on your tour to the Wild Ass Sanctuary include chinkara, desert fox, jackal, nilgai, blackbucks and desert cat. The sanctuary has about 350 species of birds. Some of the species of birds you may come across are common crane, flamingo and pelican.

* Tadoba National Park

Tadoba National Park, situated at a distance of 45 kms from Chandrapur is a large park bounded by lush green bounded forestland. It is one of the largest and oldest National Park located in Maharashtra. Spread across the wide area of 623sq.Kms in the area the park provides shelter to the a large number of tigers and also features a complete variety of unique Indian wildlife. It is also a paradise for ornithologist’s as its wide landscapes inhabits a wide variety of raptors and aquatic bird life.

The major highlight of the park is the lake that traverses through this mixed deciduous forest and rolling hills. The Tadoba National Park is home to some of the rare Indian wildlife including Gaur, Wild Dogs, Hyenas, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Civet, Jungle cats along with many species of Indian deer like Barking deer, Nilgai, Sambar and cheetal.