India is a beautiful country with various types of species and forests. One of their great attractions is the tiger, the king of the forest. India owns 70% of tiger reserves felines worldwide. So, it is not surprising that many people travel to India to see tiger reservations. But this reservation is decreasing day by day. So, our today’s article is about tiger reserve in India.
If India has an unparalleled wealth for its forest fauna, the forest was in alarming decline. And the tiger was endangered. Also, in 1970, the government of India banned tiger hunting. And in 1973, the government launched Project Tiger by establishing some parks. After they multiplied them to ensure the defense of felines.
However, meeting the tiger is a rare experience. Nothing says that a few hours will be enough to see the lord of the forest. It is in Ranthambore that it can glimpse the most. But in the absence of a tiger, the wild landscapes with waterfalls, lakes, ruined temples. Besides, a tenth-century fort alone are worth the detour.
Tiger reserve in India
In India, there are 52 Nature Parks that are tiger reserves. Therefore, it is not easy to choose between them which one is the best tiger reserve. But we are trying to give you a shortlist which is very popular a tiger reserve in India.
Ranthambore and Sariska: The 2 reserves of Rajasthan
Chauhan dynasty built the history of the fort of Ranthambore. The fort of Ranthambore dates from the tenth century. In 1301, besieged by the troops of the Sultan of Delhi.
The women of Ranthambore, according to custom, threw themselves into a huge pyre when they saw defeat. Then in the 16th century, the fort fell into the hands of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. With the decline of the Mughal Empire.
After the death of Emperor Aurangzeb, the rulers of Jaipur reclaimed the site to make it their hunting ground.
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
It is located two hundred kilometers southwest of Delhi and 10 km from Sawai Madhopur. The Ranthambore National Park covers 1334 km2, of which 400km² are open to safari. At the time, the site of Ranthambore was the royal hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur. And it is the only shelter that reserve more than ten tigers.
However, today it is the most famous natural park in the world for its tiger reserve. In a landscape of lakes and cliffs. The Park’s tigers sometimes evolve in the ruins of the old Indo-Mughal hunting lodges. Or hide in the jungle of the hills.
The great advantage of Ranthambore is that it is located in Rajasthan. It is one of the most visited areas by tourists in India. That makes it easier to “fit” into travelers’ itineraries.
However, the nearest airport is Jaipur, about 170 kilometers away. The train station attached to the park is Sawai Madhopur. And it has trains to the main northern destinations. And as we mentioned, most travelers arrive by private vehicle.
Sariska National Park, Rajasthan
This park is next to Alwar, south of Delhi, on the road to Rajasthan (especially to Jaipur). This former hunting territory of the Maharajas of Alwar moved into a reserve. After then into a national park 1982 to protect the last tigers of the Rajasthan.
However, it is the most easily accessible tiger reserve from the capital. But to see the tigers in one visit, is sometimes a matter of luck. Indeed, the Park has a little more than twenty tigers that can remain invisible.
Here, as elsewhere, the best season to see them is the dry season. It would be better to go there from March to June, which pushes them towards the rare water points.
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
This Park was once the royal hunting ground of the Maharajas by Rewa. It was found on the edge of Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya Mountain range. In 1968, the government decided to make it a 105 km² reserve, and today, Bandhavgarh National Park covers 448 km².
Tigers have always roamed freely in this region of forest landscapes, hills, and valleys. But many efforts made to protect the wildlife without altering the natural beauty of the Park. Even today, Bandhavgarh National Park has retained its original appearance. And the density of tigers is one of the highest in India.
The Bandhavgarh reserve is further from major tourist routes than Ranthambore, making it a particularly famous sanctuary for tiger watching. Singh captured the latter in 1951).
However, it consider the National Park that offers the most probability of tiger sighting. That is in its natural habitat in all of India. The density of the Bengal Tigers is the highest, combining quite a few animals with their small size. Also, Bandhavgarh has been increasing its tiger population for many years.
Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
This 1945 km2 national park is among the most beautiful reserves of wild animals in India. In addition to our beloved Benala Tiger. Kanha is home to sloths, panthers, mongooses, jackals, leopards, and a unique indigenous deer: the barasingha.
As an interesting fact, the Kanha National Park served as inspiration for Rudyard Kipling to write the famous Jungle Book. It is also famous for its flora and has more than 1000 species of flowering plants.
Moreover, Kanha consider by many to be the most beautiful tiger reserve in India. Like many others, it was a hunting ground for the royalty. And high command of the British Empire at the beginning of the last century. In 1955 it was established as a park. And its almost 1000 square km make Kanha the largest National Park in Central India.
Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand
This Park is famous for tiger reserves in India. Corbett National Park and its Project Tiger Reserve. 300 km east of Delhi, it is the oldest and one of the most beautiful parks in India.
Its forests of the Himalayan foothills and its meadows are home to tigers and herbivores. This national Park, where you can see tigers and leopards. Owes its name to Jim Corbett, an Englishman known as an outstanding man-eating beast hunter. And who became the pioneer of animal conservation in India.
Dudhwa Southeast of Corbett, at the foot of the Nepalese Himalayas. It lies Dudhwa National Park and its thick jungle where tigers are numerous and herbivores abundant.
Manas National Park, Assam
On the border of Bhutan, this Park has many elephants, buffaloes, and tigers (difficult to observe). The Sundarbans. In the Ganges delta, 70 km from Calcutta (Kolkata), the Sundarbans. It can only be visited by boat, are a national park, and is the most populated tiger reserve.
In these islets and swamps, little frequented by man. The Indian government created in 1978 a large nature reserve, constituting a protected habitat. The vast expanses of water and jungle in this swampy region make the tiger very inconspicuous. And forced it to adapt (it can swim over 10 km for food).
South India
In South India, there are quite a few reserves that also boast a good population of tigers. Perhaps it is somewhat more difficult to see them. Because, as a general rule, the area is more wooded, and there is less proportion.
Current situation of tigers in India
After years of effort by the authorities and the strict protection measures. The fruits are being seen: of the 1,411 tigers registered in 2006. It went to 1706 in 2011, 2,226 in 2014, and 3,891 in 2016. An increase is spectacular, but like all data of this type must be taken with certain reservations (pun intended: D). Even so, it does seem that the situation is improving with the new policies taken.
If we analyze by the States of India, in gross numbers, Karnataka is the leader with 408 tigers. That followed by Uttarakhand (340), Madhya Pradesh (309), Tamil Nadu (229). Also, Maharashtra (190), Assam (167), Kerala (136), and Uttar Pradesh (117).
FAQ on Tiger reserve in India
Is it better to visit Kanha or Bandhavgarh to see tigers in India?
Based on numbers and densities, Kanha and Bandhavgarh are two parks with the most options for seeing tigers in India. Being in the same area of India is usually chosen. Also, being relatively close, visitors usually choose between one of the two.
Which time is best to visit tigers reserve parks in India?
In general, it is said that the hot months, mainly April and May, have a higher rate of sightings. Because the tigers tend to go out to look for water more frequently.
Most parks close during the monsoon season (climate in India) between July and September. It is the breeding season. Even so, in these months you can usually visit some peripheral areas, where there is less density of tigers. In Incredible India, we do not usually recommend it. Because it is quite difficult to see animals in these areas called “buffers.”
How many tiger reserves are there in India in 2021?
In India, there are 52 tiger reserves, according to July 31, 2021. 52nd is Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, which is located in Rajasthan. And the 51st is Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve, which is in Tamil Nadu. Both were declared recently.
Who is famous for tiger reserves in India?
Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve
It is famous for tiger reserves in India. Corbett National Park and its Project Tiger Reserve. 300 km east of Delhi, it is the oldest and one of the most beautiful parks in India. Its forests of the Himalayan foothills and its meadows are home to tigers and herbivores.
Conclusion on Tiger reserve in India
India is the best place to see many tiger reserves. If you want to visit those places, then this article will be helpful for you. This information will give you a clear idea about tiger reserves.
