Subhasis Banerjee

SASAN GIR NATIONAL PARK Situated in the south-western half of the state occupying 1422 sq km in the Kathiawar Peninsula, Sasan Gir is the last home of the Asiatic Lion. The Asiatic Lion is slightly smaller in size, having a smaller mane than its African cousin. It is primarily a mixed deciduous forest consisting of Teak, Flame of The Forest, Acacia, Banyan trees and thorn bushes. The other fauna of the sanctuary include Leopard, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Jackal and Hyena. A Crocodile Sanctuary and a hot spring are the two other added attractions of the sanctuary. Accessibility : A 59kms drive from Junagarh takes one to Sasan Gir village, the entry point to the Park. Junagarh is well connected by road and rail with Rajkot , which in turn is well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses and a Tourist Lodge are available at Sasan Gir village. Season : December to May.

Satpura National Park Dense forests, wide valleys, dark mountains, serpentine rivulets and majestic waterfalls spreading over an area of 52 5sq km on the Satpura Range in central India constitutes this spellbinding National Park. The captivating natural beauty of Panchmari with its Sal, Teak and Bamboo forests give this Park a unique variation which stupefies its visitors with its grace, modesty and splendour. The inhabitants of the Park include Tiger, Panther, Wild Boar, Bison, Nilgai, Barshingha, Four Horned Antelope and a rich variety of avian species. Accessibility : A 47kms drive from Piparia railway station on the Kolkata-Mumbai railway line transports one to the Park. Accommodation : Tourist Lodge, Resorts and Hotels afford excellent accommodation to the visitors. Season : November to June.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park A sprawling stretch of 1,938 sq km of predominantly Sal forests, today’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the extended version of the erstwhile Dubari Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in the Sirdhi district of Madhya Pradesh, this fabulous Park abounds in Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Wolf, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital and Nilgai. Accessibility : A 105kms drive north from Satna transports one to this Park. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available inside the Park. Season : November to June.  

PANNA Only 28kms from the ancient ruins of Khajurao along the banks of the River Ken, this National Park of 542 sq km of natural Teak forests harbours a variety of wildlife. Alternating valleys, steep gorges, grassy meadows and cascading waterfalls forms the ecosystem of the Park. It is home to a variety of wildlife species like the Tiger, Panther, Wolf, Caracal, Dhole, Black Buck, Chowsingha, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambar and a variety of primates. A Gharial Sanctuary has also been formed in the River Ken near the beautiful Raneh Falls . The avian population includes Paradise Flycatcher, Common Pochard, Teal and a variety of Geese. Accessibility :   The Park is only 28kms drive from Khajuraho and 87kms drive from Satna. Khajuraho is connected by air and Satna is well connected by rail and road. Accommodation : A Forest Rest House is available inside the Park. The state Tourism Department also runs a Tourist Lodges at Panna. Season : November to June.  

PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK Situated on the banks of the artificial Periyar Lake created by a dam on the Periyar River flowing through, this National Park is the pride of Kerala. Located at Thekkady in the Idukki district of central Kerala, the Park spreads over the high ranges of the Western Ghats covered by dense evergreen and moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. The Park is a natural habitat of Elephant, Sambar, Gaur, Tiger, Nilgiri Langur and Lion Tailed Macaque with an equally impressive birdlife. Cruising on the lake offers unique opportunity to watch wildlife at close quarters. Accessibility : The Park is easily reached by an 114kms drive from Kottayam. Accommodation : Forest Rest House and Tourist Lodges are available inside the Park and standard Hotels at Kumili. Season : November to June.

DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK Stretching over 151 sq km at an altitude bracket of 1700meters to 4300meters, the Park is divided into Upper and Lower Dachigam and forms a sublime admixture of splendid forests and spectacular scenery. Pressed within two steep ridges, the Park provides a variant topography of deep ravines, rocky outcrops, steep wooded slopes and rolling alpine pastures. Oak, Willow , Poplar, Burch, Cherry, Peach and Apple trees along with thorn bushes forms the flora of the Park. The Masrar Lake at an altitude of 4300meters at Upper Dachigam gives birth to the Dachigam River that meanders through Lower Dachigam . Crimson Tragopan, Monal Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant, Ruby Throat, Golden Oriole, Red Browed Finch, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and Bearded Vulture constitute the main avian population of the Park. Other fauna of the Park includes Ibex, Murkhor, Musk Deer, Himalayan Marmot, Himalayan Black Bear and Snow Leopard. This Park is also the last destina...

GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK The largest protected area in the state, this National Park is carved out of the grand terrain of the Kullu district. The fascinating panorama of the Park is a juxtaposition of rich coniferous forests, beautiful alpine meadows carpeted with brightly coloured flowers, rare orchids and snow capped peaks and glaciers. The secluded Sainj and Tirthan Valleys harbour a variety of fauna typical of the area – Bharal, Goral, Serow, Himalayan Brown Bear and Snow Leopard. Varieties of Pheasants and high altitude Himalayan birds swarm the Park in numbers. Accessibility : A 60kms drive in the southeast from Kullu towards Larji takes one to the Tirthan Valley, which is where the Park exists. Accommodation : There are Forest Rest Houses inside the Park to accommodate visitors. Season : April to July and September to October.

NAMERI NATIONAL PARK On the Tejpur - Bomdila road on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh lies the Nameri National Park , spilling into both the states. The best way of roaming inside the Park is on elephant back as there is no car track inside. The thick jungle with swampy patches supports a variety of wildlife and avifauna. Elephant, Leopard, Indian Bison, Chital, Chinkara, Langoor, and Minivet and Pheasants of various types and the endangered White Winged Wood Duck are found here in numbers. The Jia Bharali River , flowing across the Park, is an anglers’ delight as its waters are replete with the highly endangered Golden Mahasheer. A must see is the world’s largest orchidorium at Tipi in Arunachal Pradesh, only 7kms away, hosting over 7500 varieties of orchids. Accessibility : The Park is approached by road, which is 50kms away from Tejpur. Accommodation : There is an Eco-Camp inside the Park and a Government Guest House at Bhalukpong. Season : October to April...

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK Lying along the mighty Brahmaputra River is the Kaziranga National Park , famous for its population of One-Horned Rhinos. Covering an area of over 430 sq km, it is the most prestigious National Park of the state. The vegetation is a medley of grassland, cane and tall evergreen trees interspersed by a number water bodies. The teeming wildlife population of the Park includes One-Horned Rhino, Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Water Buffalo, Python and Water Monitor Lizard. The avifauna includes Crested Serpent Eagle, Pallal’s Fishing Eagle, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle and Swamp Partridge. Accessibility : The Park can be approached by road from Jorhat, which is 89kms away. Travellers from Guwahati will have to travel 215kms by road to reach the Park. Accommodation : Inside the Park, there are Forest Rest Houses and Tourist Lodges for the visitors. On the outskirts of the Park, there is a luxury resort. Season : November to April.

ITANAGAR NATIONAL PARK With over 140 sq km of alliance of evergreen, mixed deciduous and alpine forests, the Itanagar National Park swaddle an outstanding bionetwork with altitude variation from 200 feet to 4000 feet with a wide range of flora, fauna and milieu varying with the changing altitude. This beautiful Park preserves a sizable population of Chital, Chinkara, Langoor, Bison, Elephant, Leopard Cat and Tiger, accommodating as well, a handsome population of a variety of Himalayan avifauna. Accessibility : The Park is only 15kms from the capital city of Itanagar and is approached by road. The nearest airport and railway station is 218kms away at Tejpur in the neighbouring state of Assam . One can also take the 385kms road route from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam , which is also very well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : There are Forest Rest Houses inside the sanctuary. One can also stay in Hotels, Youth Hostel and Government Rest Houses in Itanagar. ...

MOUNT HARRIET Founded in 1979 AD, this National Park in the archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands covers an area of the 47 sq km and is the only home of the highly endangered Andaman Wild Pig. This emerald island is also encompassed on three sides by greenish-blue sea and hooded by the azure sky. Accessibility : Only 15kms north of Port Blair, this sanctuary is approached by car. Accommodation : A Forest Rest House is situated inside the Park. Visitors can also stay in Hotels and other Government Rest Houses and Tourist Lodges in Port Blair.   Season : October to March.

MIDDLE BUTTON Founded in 1979 AD, this National Park is famous as a Dolphin, Dugong and Water Monitor Lizard reserve. Encompassed by the sea on all sides, this Park with a few rocky islands along with its azure surroundings hosts a number of other reptiles and aquatic fauna. The park will be a fascinating experience for those with a fetish for adventure. Accessibility : The sanctuary, which is 65kms away into the sea from Long Island, can be reached by boat. Accommodation : There is no available accommodation inside this sanctuary as well. Forest Rest House at Long Island is the only available accommodation. Season : October to March.

SIROHI NATIONAL PARK On the Indo-Burmese border lies the 200 sq km of mixed deciduous forests of the Sirohi National Park. The Park is a bird watchers’ paradise with over 200 species of birds. Probably, this is the only Park in the world where almost all the varieties of Pheasants are found together. Wildlife of the Park includes Leopard, Wild Boar, Hog Deer and a large variety of Langoor. Accessibility : About a 100kms drive southeast from Imphal transports one to this Park. Accommodation : There is a Government Guest House in Moreh. One can also make a day trip to the Park from Imphal. Season : December to April. N.B.:- FOREIGNERS REQUIRE “RESTRICTED AREA PERMIT” FROM THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, GOVT. OF INDIA, TO VISIT MANIPUR.

MOLEM – BHAGWAN MAHAVIR NATIONAL PARK The extensive 332 sq km of dense forests in the Western Ghats of the state has been administratively divided into Molem Wildlife Sanctuary (225 sq km) and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park (107 sq km). The combined emerald stretch is immeasurably scenic and hosts a number of stunning waterfalls. The major among them, the Doodhsagar Falls , has a fall of 603meters. The game of the Park includes Bison, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Leopard, Squirrel and a large variety of reptiles, birds and butterflies. Accessibility : The Park is reached by a 60kms drive from Panaji, the capital of the state. Accommodation : There are Tourist Lodges inside the Park and Standard Hotels outside at Molem. Season : October to June.

 SINGHALILA NATIONAL PARK Founded in 1986, this 79 sq km of mixed deciduous and alpine forests in the Indo-Nepal border is a pristine National Park with an average rainfall of 3,300mm. The wide variety of vegetation varies with the variant altitude which includes stately Oak, Hemlock, Deodar, Silver Fir and Burch. The temperatures here vary in the summer between 7ºC to 1ºC and in the winters between 0ºC to minus10ºC with the upper reaches of the Park receiving heavy snowfall. From its position in Sandakphu and Phalut in the northern most end of West Bengal, the forests extend into Rimbik and Rammam of south Sikkim. The rivers Little Rangit and Rammam flows through the Park along with a number of smaller streams, namely, Shirikhola, Lodhamakhola, Singhpratapkhola and Rikhukhola. The Park is dotted with a number of big and small waterfalls. In the summers, Rhododendrons, Junipers and Primulas of innumerable varieties lend a rich hue to the Park which is further enhanced by varietie...

SIMLIPAL NATIONAL PARK AND TIGER RESERVE One of the premier Tiger Reserves of the country, the Simlipal National Park with an extensive area of over 2,700 sq km spreads over hills, valleys and grasslands in the Keonjhar district of north-east Odisha. The thick deciduous forest is intervened by the Polpola and Buribalam rivers and doted by a number of waterfalls of which the Joranda and the Barehipani Falls require special mention. Meghasini, the highest peak in the Park and the grasslands of Dudhrichampa are awfully spectacular. The venomous King Cobra, Banded Krait, Viper and Indian Python roam freely inside the Park. The teeming birdlife of the Park includes Pea Fowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Rose Finch, Racket Tail Drongo, Hill Myena, Leaf Warbler, Alexandria Parakeet, Sikra, Grey Wagtail and Merlin. Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Indian Wolf, Sloth Bear, Elephant, Bison, Deer, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cat are the prominent members of the abounding wildlife population of the reserve. Accessibi...

  TRISHNA NATIONAL PARK The natural beauty of this National Park with 190 sq km of dense evergreen forests combining cluster of big trees and heavy undergrowth of herbs and climbers is simply astonishing. A number of large water bodies inside the Park attract a huge variety of avifauna as well as facilitates good game viewing. The Park harbours a good population of Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Wild Boar, Muntjack, Hog Deer, Langoor and Macaque. Accessibility : A 110kms drive from Agartala, the capital of the state, takes one to the Park. Agartala is well connected by air and road. Accommodation : There is a Forest Rest House inside the Park. Season : October to April.

  DUMPA TIGER RESERVE Sprawling over 300 sq km of dense semi-evergreen and a variety of Bamboo forests on the north-western portion of the stunningly beautiful Mizo Hills, Dumpa is a premier Tiger Reserve. The Dumpa and the Dhaleswari rivers flow through the Park. Along with the Tiger, other members of the cat family found in the Park are Leopard, Panther, Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat and Fishing Cat. The rest of the fauna includes Elephant, Wild Boar, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Muntjac, Slow Loris, Common Langoor and Hoolok Gibbon. Accessibility : A 70kms drive from Aizwal, the capital of the state, transports one to the reserve. Aizwal is connected by road to Silchar, 180kms north in the neighbouring state of Assam , which is considered to be the gateway to Mizoram. Silchar is very well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available inside the reserve. Season : October to April. N.B.:- FOREIGNERS REQUIRE “RESTRICTED AR...

DIBRU-SAIKHOWA NATIONAL PARK This biosphere reserve is located on the alluvial flood plains of the Brahmaputra River in upper Assam adjoining Arunachal Pradesh. The topography of the Park is framed by earthquakes and ever-changing watercourses into numerous islands and water bodies and houses a rich variety of wildlife, avifauna and aquatic fauna. Spreading over 350 sq km, the flora is a mixture of semi-wet evergreen and moist deciduous forests, bamboo thickets and cane. Orchids of various natures also flourish in this Park. The population of the Park includes Feral Horse, Gangetic River Dolphin, Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Elephant, Asiatic Wild Buffalo, Hoolock Gibbon, Bengal Florican, White Winged Wood Duck, Indian Pied Hornbill, Spot Billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Swamp Fran Collin and Blyth ’s Kingfisher. Accessibility : 81kms from Dibrugarh, the Park is approached by road. Dibrugarh is well connected by road and rail. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses ar...

NAVEGAON NATIONAL PARK Situated amidst the surrounding ‘Seven Sister’ peaks and the huge Navegaon Lake in the Gondia district of the state on the Western Ghats, this National Park of southern mixed dry deciduous forests comprises mainly of Teak, Haldi , Berry , Kawat, Mahua, Ain and Wood Apple trees. The splendour of the crystal clear waters of the artificial lake created by the Itiadoh Dam amidst the forested surroundings stupefies the visitors. The habitant wildlife of the Park includes Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Bison, Sambar, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and Nilgai. The avifauna of the Park includes Warbler, Tit, Parakeet and Flycatcher. Accessibility : A 145kms drive from Nagpur transports one to the Park. Nagpur is very well connected by air, rail and road. Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses and Log Huts are available inside the Park. Season : November to June.