Wildlife Sanctuaries in India for Endangered Species

A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area meant to preserve specific animal species and their habitats. Activities like poaching and hunting are strictly prohibited in such sanctuaries. Safeguarding endangered species is of paramount importance in these places. There is little to no human interference, and it is ensured that these animals get the best care they need. India has some beautiful wildlife sanctuaries that are dedicated to endangered species. These sanctuaries stretch over a myriad of landscapes, including mountains, lakes, forests, and more. The presence of such sanctuaries in India truly furthers its goal of conservation of nature.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Sprawling over 777 sq. km of forest land, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several species of flora and fauna. It is located in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala and is primarily dedicated to tigers. Thirty-five species of mammals have been identified here, including several endangered species like the Nilgiri Langur and the lion-tailed macaque. It has also been recognized as one of the best places in the country to research the life of elephants. As many as 265 species of birds are found here as well, including darters, kingfishers, golden orioles, and Brahminy kites. A boat ride on the Periyar Lake is the best way to observe the animals.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

It is a protected area in the Idukki district of Kerala and is renowned for its diversity of landscapes, ranging from deciduous and scrub forests to grasslands. The sanctuary is bordered by the Pambar and Chinnar rivers, providing important water resources to the animal species found here. The place has over 144 species of animals, of which the most special is the Grizzled Giant Squirrel, seldom found in any other places in India. Another special species found here is the Gaur or Manjampatti White Bison.  You can also spot Little Cormorants, Rusty-Spotted Cat, Nilgiri Tahr, and Bonnet Macaques, while bird species include Black Eagle, Yellow-throated Bulbuls, and Grey Heron. The stunning Thoovanam Waterfalls are also located within the sanctuary.

Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand

The sanctuary is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is nestled amongst the Garhwal Himalayas and covers an area of 958 sq. km. It mainly focuses on conserving snow leopards under the Snow Leopard Project initiated by the Government of India because the species was seriously threatened by hunting and poaching. A wide variety of birds and animals are present in Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of them are bearded vulture, tahr, musk deer, tragopan, gold eagle, and kalij pheasants. The sanctuary also has smaller animals like the European otter, the Sikkim mountain vole, and the masked palm civet. It is regarded as an excellent place for bird-watching.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, the sanctuary is truly one of a kind. The park is the natural home to more than 300 bird species, around 50 species of fish, 25 reptile species, along with more than 370 plant species. The total area of the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is around 29 sq km, of which approximately 11 sq km is the swampland, while the rest of the area consists of big grasslands and scrublands. The main attraction at the sanctuary is that you can witness exotic migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia during the winter season. The prime species of migratory birds that visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are different species of cranes, geese, pelicans, larks, flycatchers, etc. It was given the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. This is a man-made sanctuary, unlike other sanctuaries, which were often developed from natural forests. It was created by the Maharaja of Bharatpur for the endangered species of birds.

Mudumalai Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

It resides on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills and is divided into five ranges- Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi, and Nellakota. It acts as a Wildlife corridor between several other protected areas in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is home to several endangered species like the Indian elephant, Bengal Tiger, Gaur, and Indian Leopard. Interestingly, 13% of all mammal species in India are present in Mudumalai Sanctuary. It also has 266 species of birds, including the Indian White-rumped Vulture and the long-billed vulture. Madumalai Reserve has three major types of forests in the sanctuary: tropical moist deciduous in the west, tropical dry deciduous forest in its middle, and southern tropical dry thorn forests in the east. The Moyar River runs through this forest, and animals can be spotted quenching their thirst in this river.

Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Odisha

The Chilka Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. It boasts a vibrant birdlife due to its unique ecosystem, which is a blend of freshwater and saltwater. It is a crucial wintering ground for migratory birds from Central Asia. The lake is home to over 359 species of birds, and the numbers increase during the peak migratory season. The endangered Asian houbara bustard can be seen here during the migratory season. Other birds found here include pelicans, herons, raptors, and songbirds; the latter two are found in the surrounding forests. The Chilka Lake is one of the world’s largest breeding grounds for flamingos, and the sanctuary is renowned because of the beautiful, pink-feathered flamingos that seek refuge here. If you are lucky, you could also catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy dolphins here.

Wildlife sanctuaries that are meant to protect endangered species are essential for biodiversity conservation. Providing a safe refuge to such animals in our country is truly the need of the hour, given the rapid decline of various species due to environmental factors. We are meant to maintain a balance with other species of the ecosystem to create a sustainable global environment.