Depleting tigers-A disappointment for tiger lovers

Shocking Statistics

In the last decade Indian jungles have lost 110 tigers among which 17 were tigresses. The reason is poaching and natural deaths, says government database. RTI Act shows up 14 cases of mortality of tigers this year which includes 4 tigresses and 2 cubs. 6 were victim to poaching out of which 3 were killed few months back. According to reliable data one was outside Kanha Tiger Reserve and one outside Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

In the year 2007, 30 of these predators died out of which 14 died in non-protected areas. In Corbett Park

alone 5 tigers died while Bandipur Tiger Reserve was reported to have lost 2. That’s not all. In the same year, 14 cases of dead tigers was registered out of which 5 were poached and 3 were poisoned. Another one was shot dead by the forest department of Chadrapur MP as it was a man-eater.

Effect on tourism

Despite of loss of these wildcats in huge numbers we do get opportunities to spot them in India and Nepal. Tourists from all over the world come to see these creatures. Wildlife Tourism brings money to the state and it can be used in favor of conserving the natural habitat of tigers. The locals who benefit as a result of wildlife tourism can also be coaxed into being more careful when

it comes to protecting the tigers.

But the wildlife officials in India think otherwise. According to some reports of the Indian Press, tourism makes tigers more used to presence of humans around them which makes them an easy target for poaching. This definitely affects tourism but there are fierce tiger supporters around such as Brian Weirum, leader of fund-raising tours to tiger reserves and chairman of The Fund for the Tiger, a California non-profit agency that has put more than $370,000 into the field in India and Nepal in the past 14 years and Paul Kvinta’s who did a story “Cat Fight: The War on India’s Tigers” in National Geographic Adventure raising questions on Indian Wildlife Official’s competence.

Anyone who has seen a tiger on a loose will support the fund raiser. The natural habitat of theirs is not disturbed by human intervention but the poor protection in the parks makes them more prone to poaching. The tiger reserves of Sariska and Panna are devoid of tigers and tourism has suffered greatly there. On the other hand Bandhavgarh is flourishing with tigers and hence tourism has been opened up in many more parts of the park. To encourage tourism the industry provides financial help to the locals living their. That is one of the main ways to stop them for indulging into illicit means of getting money.

Steps taken to encourage tourism

The figures revealed here are subject to speculation and it is predicted that the number will only rise. These number signal grave danger to the tiger population the world over. Hence serious steps are taken in the direction of protecting them.

Trees are grown because humans have infringed tiger habited areas and taken away their shelter. Growing more trees is a way to ensure them their natural habitat.

All sub species of tigers are also classified as endangered are taken extra care of.

All the tiger related products are banned in China since 1993.

Illegal poaching of tigers is also declared as a punishable offence.

Wildlife Tourism in India

Introduction to Wildlife tourism

Approximately 4% of the total Indian land is forests in which 90 forests are national parks and 482 Wildlife Sanctuaries. According to statistics, India has 60-70% world’s bio diversity.

In Indian forests you will find a variety of wildlife. From Asian Elephants to Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Indian Rhinoceros and Leopard, you will find all of them here. There are hundreds of bird species and it is one of the best places for bird watching.

Some National parks like Jim Corbett National Parkk

(Uttaranchal), Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Gir National Park in Sasangir (Gujarat), Ranthambore National Parkin Sawai Madhopur are rich in bird species.

History of WLT

Way back in 1973, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore and Sariska were launched as national parks. In the year 2000, September 24^th, a need arises for the departments of forest, transport, fisheries and tourism to co-ordinate their resources. But for India it still looks like a dream. Despite of chaotic management, in Dec 2004 Dec 24^th, tourism saw growth due to availability of fantastic locales which were perfect to attract tourists from worldwide. In 2002, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation entered into a partnership with Indian Tourism Development Corporation development of tourism in Kerala.This included that sites for water sports, wildlif

e tourism, backwater holidays and mountain activities be identified. An year later in October India has more number of tourist pouring in to visit the national parks. The industry by now had started sustaining a substantial amount of people.The recent news is that Taj Hotels have entered into a treaty with Conservation Corporation Africa to promote wildlife tourism in India.

Present Situation

In India, the Wildlife Tourism industry is one of the most progressive. In 2006 talks of having policies to align wildlife in the country were in circulation. They wanted to assign this to think tanks which could help adopt the African Safari Model. By 2007, eco tourism was a properly introduced concept, which gained momentum but marketing of wildlife tourism was even then done poorly. The ways were unscientific and unsystematic. The wildlife is abundant in the country but still there are improper mans to exploit their real potential.

Tiger Reserve in India part 6

Simlipal National Park
Named after the Semul which is found in abundance here, Simlipal National Park is home to Tiger, Asian Elephant and Gaur; India’s biggest animal species. Covering an area of 2750 sq. km, the park is located at a height of 559.31 meters. This park boasts of ebing one of the earliest tiger reserves in the country with a rich and wide expanse of Sal forest. The wildlife found in this park is tiger of course. Then come leopards, elephants, bison, hill myna, pangolin, flying-squirrel,

sambar, porcupine and pythons. The best time to visit the park is between the months of November and June.
Dudhwa Katerniaghat National Park
Declared a tiger reserve in 1879 Dudhwa became a national park in 1977. It adopted Project Tiger in 1988. The flora of this place comprises of mosaic grasslands, deep sal jungles and muddy marshes. Indo-Pak border aligns the northern part of this region and River Suheli is on it south. Tiger sighting is rare here. The wildlife here is mainly of Tigers, Leopards, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), Hispid Hares and Rhinos thrive amidst the vegetation. The best time to visit this place is between the months of October and April.

Buxa National Park
Abode of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Buxa Tiger Reserve is situated in Alipurduar court, Jalpaiguri District and is stretches across an area of 759 sq km. It was formed in 1982-83 in the north-east corner of West Bengal. The region just about Buxa Duar Fort was declared a National Park in January 1992. The eastern Dooars where the park is positioned is has deciduous forest which is thick and green. The park is the second largest in
numbers when it comes to providing habitat to the Royal Bengal Tigers. The park has tigers and 67 other mammals and 230 species of birds. Best time to visit the park is between the months of October to April.

Tiger Reserve in India part 4

Namdapha National Park
Situated in Arunachal Pradesh, 150 km from Miao, Namdapha National park stretches across an area of 1985 sq km. Being one of the largest national parks in north-east region, this park is situated on the Indo-Burma border. This park mainly covers high altitudes of up to 4500 m. This park had a typical stock of flora and fauna. The lush green tropical rain forests are the breeding ground of a variety of animals and birds. Best time to visit this park is in the months of October and April.

Pakhui National Park
Located in East Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 862 km. This park lies in the headquarters of Seijusa in the southwestern side of Arunachal Pradesh. Kememng River flows on its western side, Pakke River in the eastern side and Assam surrounds it on the south. The total area of Pakke Tiger Reserve was actually the area of Pakke Reserve forest. It was declared as Camo Sanctuary in 1977. in 2002 though it was declared as Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary and finally declared as a reserve in 2004 under the Project Tiger scheme. The sanctuary houses a spectacular range of wildlife species like leopard, tiger, jackal, clouded leopard, fishing cat, jungle cat, wild dog, wild boar, bison, sambar and hog deer, elephant, barking deer, flying squirrel and rhesus macaque. The best time to visit this place is between the months of October and April.
Nagarjunasagar- Srisailam
This is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India situated 29 km away from Macherla and is spread across Kurnool, Guntur, Mahaboobnagar, Prakasam, and Nalgonda districts. This park spans an area of 3568 sq km. Surrounded by Nallamalai hills in south and Krishna River on the northern side, this sanctuary gets its name from the reservoir Nagarjunasagar. The sanctuary houses one of the oldest geological structures called ‘Archaean’ which is believed to be 2000 million years old. The major wildlife attractions here are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear and Hyena. Tigers are extremely nocturnal and rarely seen here. Once home to 100 tigers, the tiger population in the park has fallen drastically. Additional animal species spotted here are Spotted Deers, Mouse Deers, Sambhars, Wolves, Foxes, Chousingha Nilgai, Tree Shrews, Rayels, Wild Boars, Indian Giant Squirrels, Black Bucks, Jackals, Crocodiles, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bear, Panthers and Tigers. The best time to visit the park is between the months of October and June.
Valmiki National Park

Located in the West Champaran district of Bihar, Valmiki National Park covers an area of 335.64 sq km out of the 800sq. km of the Valmiki Sanctuary. This is the 18 Tiger Reserve, declared so in the year 1990 and ranks fourth in the density of tiger population. Surrounded by Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak in the west, this park gets its name from the Valmiki Ashram located in the forests of Chitwan national Park. The forest has dry Sal, moist deciduous trees containing reed beds and wet grasslands. The reserve inhabits tiger, various species of deer, serow, python, peafowl, leopard, wolf, hyenas, Indian civets, sloth bear, leopards, Jungle cats, etc. Animals like One horned rhinoceros and Indian bison are often found migrating from Chitwan to Valmikinagar. You can visit the park anytime of the year.
Palamau National Park
Palamau Sanctuary can pride itself in the fact that it is the ground for the world’s first tiger census. Situated 140 km west of Ranchi it is one of the best places to see wild elephants. Spread in a total of 1026 sq km the forest here are rich with sal, teak trees and bamboo groves. It is believed there are 37 tigers, 62 leopards, 210 elephants and 249 bison in the park. The sanctuary has 200 villages where 8 local tribes live. The wildlife found here is wolf, sloth bear, deer, leopard, python, peafowl, sambars, nilgais, leopards, hyenas, Indian civets, jungle cats, hog deer and wild dogs. The best time to visit the park and sanctuary is between the months of October and June.
Bhadra National Park
Located in the tropical green jungles of Chikmagalur district 275 km from Bangalore, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is spread in an area of 492.46 sq km. Initially the sanctuary was called Jagara Valley Game Reserve and was declared as the 25th Tiger Reserve in 1998. Bhadra flows in the sanctuary hence giving it its name. The sanctuary is well known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary it is a great place to site tigers, Indian Bison, stripped Hyena and the flying lizard gliding in the woods. The park is dwelling place for more than 250 species of birds. The exceptional wildlife includes gaur, sloth bear, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, bonnet macaque, slender loris and Malabar giant squirrel. Best time to visit this place is between the months of June and October.

Tiger Reserve in India part 3

Indrawati National Park
The renowned wildlife park of Chhatisgarh, Indravati National Park is located in Dantewada district. Indravati River flows across the park and forms its northern boundary. Indrawati became a national park in 1981 and was declared a tiger reserve in 1983 under the famous Project Tiger of India. The park houses a variety of wildlife and endangered species such as Wild Buffaloes and Hill Mynas. Indrawati is blessed with lush green vegetations and a diverse wildlife park. A varied wildlife is found here ranging from Barasinghas, tigers and Monkeys, porcupines of flying squirrels. The best time to visit the park is from 15th December and 15th June.

Periyar
Periyar National park is spread across 777 sq km in the Western Ghat mountain ranges in Idukki District. The park has a dam Mullaperiyar built on river Periyar which is now a large lake spread in 26 sq. km. area. Boating is carried out in the lake which is the best way to encounter wildlife from the closest. Trekking is also arranged for near the boat landing. The park comprises of 62 species of mammals and a variety of endangered species like the flying squirrel, wild dog, gaur, elephant, leopard, sambar, sloth bear, barking deer and wild boar. Best time to visit the park is either between April-June or July-August.
Kaziranga
Situated in the Golaghat District and Nagaon District of Assam, Kaziranga is the oldest national park of Assam. Spread across an area of 430 sq km, Brahmaputra flows across its north and Karbi Anglong hills surround the south. This park is a world heritage site and is well known for the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros. The thick forests of Kaziranga the tall elephant grass and shallow water pools are parts of its landscape. Declared as a national park in 1974, it provides tourists with facilities like elephant rides or a cruise in a boat on the Brahmaputra River along the park. The best time to visit the park is from November to April.
Kalakad-Mundathurai
Situated in Agasthyamalai Hills in Tamil Nadu, Kalakad -Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) was declared so in 1882. This park is known for its rare plants and endangered wildlife. Spread across 665 sq km, it has dry forests in the foothills and wet forests on higher altitudes. The

wildlife here comprises of Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Mouse deer, Leopard, Rusty spotted cat, Brown palm civet, Leopard, Sambhar, Spotted deer, Malabar giant squirrel, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Slender Loris, Lion tailed Macaque, Sloth Bear, Brown mongoose, Nilgiri Martin, Indian pangolin. Best time to visit Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is between the months of September and January.
Nameri National Park
Situated 35 km from Tezpur, in the foothills of Himalayas, Nameri National Park is spread across 200 sq. km. The river Jia Bhoroli flows through it the decisuous forests of the park. This park was declared as a sanctuary on 18th September 1985 and a National Park on 15th November 1998. Nameri has a wide variety of wildlife species which range from Tiger, Black bear, elephant, Leopard, deer, jackals to a varied species of birds such as the white winged wood duck, four species of Hornbill, butterflies and reptiles are also found here. The best time to visit the park is in the months of November and May.

Tiger Reserve in India part 1

Corbett Wildlife Conservation
The oldest park in India, this reserve has been renamed thrice before it finally was known as Corbett National Park in 1955. The initial vicinity of the Park was 323.75 sq. km. to which 197.07 sq. km. was added later. After an addition of buffer area of 797.72 sq. km took place in 1991. The best time to visit the Park is between the months of November 15 to June 15. Corbett generally
remains closed in the monsoon months between June 16 and November 14.

Bandhavgarh Wildlife Conservation
Bandhavgarh National Park was Founded in 1965. This 343 sq km wide park has been a hunting ground for the Maharajas in the past. In 1993 Bandhav garh became part of Project tiger network. The adjoining Panpatha sanctuary, which was crated in 1993 with an area of 245.847 sq km was also declared a part of the Reserve. The best time visit the park is between mid-November to June.
Ranthambore Wildlife Conservation
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve was one of the first nine Tiger Reserves declared in 1973 at the launch of Project Tiger in India. The Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. This

sanctuary is also known for spotted deer or chital, barking deer, sambar or Muntjac, Chausinga or Four-horned antilope, Nilgai or Blue bull, Indian Gazel or chinkara and Tiger, wild dog, Leopard or Dhole, wolf. Scavengers consist of Hyena, jackal, common langur, sloth bear, wild boar, Rhesus monkey etc.
Sariska Wildlife Conservation
This park was created in 1978 and is spread over 866 sq km. Post - independence, in the year 1955, this was first notified as a Reserve wherein it was unlawful to hunt, shoot, net, trap, snare, capture or kill any kind of wild animals. The Reserve became a sanctuary in 1958. The park is a habitat to several carnivores including Jungle Cat, Jackal, Hyena, Leopard, Wild Dog and Tiger. It is also home to a huge species of birds.

Pench National Park
The Pench River that flows through Pench Tiger Reserve gives it its name. The park is located in the southern limits of Satpura hills in Madhya Pradesh. The rugged terrains are covered with mountains and the prey concentration is mainly across the Pench River where tigers inhabit. The total area of the reserve is 757.86 sq. km. 55 species of tigers, 39 species of reptiles and over 210 species of birds found here have been listed.

Kanha National Park

Kanha National park is located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh and it extends over an area of over 1,940-sq-kms. The major feature of this region's interesting topography is the horseshoe shape valley and the whole park area is surrounded by the spurs of the Mekal.

There is much folklore about how it got Kanha name. Some say it came from Kanha, the clay like soil of the river bottoms.

A series of stringent conservation programs for the protection of the park’s flora and fauna has given Kanha its deserved reputation for being one of the finest and best administered national parks in Asia, an irresistible attraction for all wild life lovers a true haven for its animal and avian population.

The ideal time to visit Kanha National Park would be the period between February and June. Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering stre

ams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendor. This is original Kipling country, of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book.

This national park has 22 species of mammals. Those most easily spotted are tiger, Indian wild dogs, the stripped Palm Squirrel, Common langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Chital or Spotless deer, Barasingha or Swamp deer, Sambar and black Buck.

Kanha land of the tiger offers amazing diversity. Tigers rule supreme in Kanha National Park. The tigers are easily spotted due to excellent conservation efforts.

Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, striped
hyena, Jungle cut, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine.

You will have enough accommodation options in Kanha. The scene is getting better every passing day. There are a number of star category hotels catering to the needs of tourists coming to explore Kanha and the places around.

Kanha is said to be among the few most scenic and beautiful Wildlife reserves in Asia. This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both predator and prey. Kanha wildlife preserve holds in its womb myriads of amazing life forms for you to experience...!