A Walk On The Wild Side: India's National Park ToursBy Kevin Fleming [Travel]
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Ever wanted to see a wild tiger in person? Kevin Fleming reveals the out of the ordinary opportunities India offers.  India's National Parks A lot of us, including myself, really do not know that much about India, its people, its cultures and everything else that it has to offer. As we will see though, there is a way that curious westerners can satisfy their curiosity and learn a lot about India. Before we get to that though, let’s have a look at India’s shining gem: the national park system. India’s national parks are amongst the best in the world in their upkeep and in their dedication to protecting and preserving both wildlife and the natural environment. Probably the most popular park in India is Bandhavgarh National Park, which is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh and covers roughly 450 square miles. It is located 800 metres above sea level and has a balmy temperature range of 2 degrees to 42 degrees Celsius. Within the park you can find all sorts of wildlife, but what most people come to see (or hope to see) are the park’s tigers. Bandhavgarh boasts the country’s highest concentration of tigers, with 46 to 52 resident tigers. Another park that you can visit on the trip is Bandipur National Park, which is also a well-known tiger preserve. If you are looking for a place to remind you of home, at least to a degree, another fine park is Chinar National Park, which will give you a look at deciduous forests, jungles and one of the world’s most diverse collections of flora and fauna. Next, is Chilla National Park, where you can find a diverse array of creatures, including Asiatic elephants and rare Asiatic lions. Keep in mind that the parks I have mentioned are only a small sample of what India has to offer in regard to its national parks. Currently, there are 97 national parks throughout the country, so if you want to see them all, be prepared to shack up in India for quite some time. Wildlife As mentioned earlier, one of India’s greatest attractions is its very unique wildlife. Whether you are a photographer or just want to experience India’s great creatures in person, the national park system will afford you that opportunity. Many people travel to India, at least on vacation, to see one of the world’s most iconic animals and by far and away India’s most known animal: panther tigris tigris, otherwise known as the Bengal Tiger. Many who have taken the journey to India never forget seeing this 500-pound plus cat in the wild. India is also home to a few other great cats, including the already mentioned rare Asiatic lion, leopards and snow leopards. If you are not a fan of cats, there are countless other exotic creatures to take in. Just a few of these creatures include crocodiles, rhinos, elephants, boars, bears, bison, gazelles and wolves. |
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