Enchanting Wildlife Sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is an enticing land with surplus forts, elegant monuments, teeming cities, quaint villages and lush wildlife. This stunning land is caressed by the Bay of Bengal in the east and the Indian Ocean at the bottom. Not only in the terms of tradition, spirituality, culture, festivals and rich history but this splendid land is beautified with a variety of wildlife living amidst the astonishing landscape and a wide range of floral beauty. The major biomes consist of Tiger, Elephant, One-Horned Rhinoceros, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Crocodile, Blue Bull (Neelgai), Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Asiatic lions, Cobra, Apes, Goats and multiple ranges of avi-faunas (bird-species. Tamilnadu takes its pride in being home for thousands of uncommon fauna. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are sure a visual delight with tigers, lions, elephants, rhinoceros, and birds. The vegetation and wildlife India preserves will urge you to save nature. The eternal grace of nature you enjoy in wildlife sanctuaries of South India will surely lift your moods with unbeatable excitement and super fun watching the creatures live. These places deserve a break from your work life! Following are some must to visit amazing Tamilnadu wildlife sanctuaries.
Gangaikondan Spotted deer wildlife sanctuary:
Currently, Tamil Nadu boasts a dedicated sanctuary for spotted deer located in the Tirunelveli district. The spotted deer, one of the most valued species in Tamil Nadu, is meticulously protected within this wildlife sanctuary. Covering an expanse of 250 hectares, this dry deciduous forest serves as a beautiful habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Located merely 10 kilometers from Tirunelveli, this sanctuary is easily accessible.
Srivilliputhur The grizzled Squirrel wildlife:
The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at Srivilliputhur, this sanctuary shares its border with three main sanctuaries. Periyar Tiger reserve on the South West, Megamalai Reserve in the North West and Sivagiri reserve to the south. This lovely sanctuary nestles in the ranges of Western Ghats at an altitude of 100 MSL to 2010 MSL and gives the visitors spectacular sights. This is the eastern watershed boundary of River Periyar and is one of the neatly preserved forests. The different climates and topography of this sanctuary result in a diversity of flora and fauna.
This sanctuary is the source of numerous small streams.
The foothills experience a dry climate, yet as we ascend the mountains, we can sense the cool breeze.
This sanctuary is endowed with a variety of habitats, including grasslands, wet evergreen forests, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, open deciduous, and closed deciduous forests.
A multitude of trees grace this sanctuary, providing a home for millions of squirrels that reside here.
Kanyakumari Wildlife sanctuary:
Kanyakumari is a beautiful city located at the tip of Indian sub-continent. This lovely land is bordered by Kerala on the North West, Tirunelveli District in north-east, Arabian Sea in the south-west, Bay of Bengal in the South east and Indian Ocean in the south. The verdant forests of Kanyakumari came into existence in the year April 1st 1977 in an area of 50486 ha, which is equal to 30.2% of the total geographic area of the Kanyakumari District.
The forest has many peaks, few notable one are Mahendragiri (1645.2 m) in Mahendragiri RF, Mottaichi peak (1590.4 m) and Varaittumudi (1426.2 m).
Kalakad Mundanthurai tiger Reserve:
KMTR is the sole tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu and the 17th in India. It was established in 1988. This reserve comprises a combination of three primary sanctuaries: Kalakad Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Sanctuary, and a section of Kanyakumari Sanctuary. It covers an area of 895 square kilometers. This reserve has been recognized as one of the Type-1 Tiger Conservation Units (TCU) and is classified as tropical moist evergreen forests.
This sanctuary is located in the midst of latitudes 80 25’ North to 80 53’ North, between longitude 770 10’ East and 770 35’ East, this sanctuary also forms a part of Agasthiyarmalai Biosphere Reserve. This sanctuary receive rainfall both the monsoon and so it can be found greenish all time.
Vedanthangal bird’s sanctuary:
Vedanthangal bird’s sanctuary is the oldest and smallest one in India with great history. This sanctuary came into being only by the great effects of the local people. The people living in and around Vedanthagal understood the importance of birds in agriculture, they realized that droppings of these birds are rich in nitrogen and so are great manures to the fields than the artificial fertilizers. From 1798 they started to raise awareness to the government about converting this small tank into a sanctuary and finally they got it done. This little sanctuary is a sweet home to thirty thousand birds and also tops first in attracting tourists at large number. Especially during the months of October and January visitors throng here to witness the nesting of birds at a very close range.
This sanctuary is located 48 km inland from Bay of Bengal at Chengalpet district.
Being a small in area, not much varieties of trees are found. Predominantly water plants, and Barringtonia trees are present. During summer season, not much water is left in the pond so most of the water plants can’t survive. Other tall trees serves as the platform for the birds to build their nests.
Vallanadu wild life sanctuary
Vallanadu is recognized as one of the significant locations where the Blackbuck population thrives. This sanctuary is situated on a secluded hillock encircled by scrub forest in the Thuthukudi district. Typically, Blackbucks inhabit flat terrains; however, due to urban development, agricultural expansion, and poaching, they have relocated to Vallanadu, Gunidy National Park, Mudumalai Sanctuary, and Point Calimere Sanctuary. This sanctuary is precisely located 16 kilometers from Tirunelveli.
The forest in this area is not particularly dense or lush, primarily consisting of thorny scrubs. Consequently, the flora present here mainly includes xerophytes and thorny hardwood species. Some notable plants found in this sanctuary are Azadirachta indica, Dodonia viscosa, Carissa carandus, Pterolobium indicum, and Euphorbia Acalypha fruticosa.
This sanctuary is home to several common animals, including Blackbucks, monkeys, wild cats, mongooses, black-naped hares, scaly anteaters (pangolins), vipers, and rat snakes. In contrast to the animal population, birds are abundant in this sanctuary, with approximately 100 species recorded, such as the Black-winged kite, curlew, lapwing, nightjar, sparrows, horned owl, peacock, heron, stork, and grey partridges. The Blackbuck constitutes about 20-40 percent of the total animal population.
Indira Gandhi wildlife:
Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary is the largest and most famous sanctuary in Tamilnadu. It is located in the Western Ghats of Annamalai. This sanctuary sprawls across the area of 958 sq.km and is the source of water for the nearby agricultural fields.
The tribal communities living in the sanctuary are Kadar, Malasar, Malai Malasar, Muduvar, Pulayar and Eravalar. They participate in the management as Forest watchers and Anti-poaching Watchers.
Habitats:
The flora of the sanctuary is estimated to be 2000, among this 30% fauna are considered to have high medicinal values. And there are also more than 100 species of ferns, grasses, palms, ad canes.
This sanctuary is a home to lakhs of fauna and many endangered species. We can see a wide varieties of herbivores including elephant, gaur, Sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, nilgiri Tahr and wild boar. There are also Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog (Dhole), Indian Fox, Leopard-cat and Jungle cat. You can also see Sloth Bear, Small Indian civet, Toddy cat, Ruddy mongoose, Stripped-necked mongoose, Common Otter, Smooth Indian Otter, Nilgiri marten, Indian Flying fox squirrel, and Indian Giant Squirrel.
This sanctuary serves as a haven for millions of birds, with approximately 300 species recorded to date. As you wander through the lush forest, you will be enveloped by the cheerful melodies of these birds. The most notable species present here include the Crested Serpent Eagle, Spot-bellied Eagle, Black Eagle, Crested Gohawk, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Jerdon’s Baza, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Owl. Additionally, you can find Grey Junglefowl, Painted Bush Quail, Red Spurfowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied Woodpecker, Alpine Swift, Brown-backed Needle Tail, and Mountain Imperial Pigeon. This sanctuary is an ideal location for birdwatchers.
Furthermore, this sanctuary acts as a refuge for numerous endangered and endemic species of reptiles and amphibians. Among the significant species are the Travancore Cane Turtle and Travancore Tortoise, Marsh Crocodile, Common Indian Monitor, and Kerala Forest Terapin. Other notable reptiles include the Travancore Cane Turtle, Forest Calottes Snake, Sand Snake, Olive Keelback, Water Snake, and Bronze Bark Tree Snake.
Tamilnadu can be the perfect place to start your wildlife adventure, you can go on for jeep safari in to the deep jungles, or take a tiger safari, or can take a royal ride in Asian Indian elephant. Not only that you can do angling, camping, trekking, fishing, rafting, bird watching and many more fun activities in the verdant forest of Tamilnadu. Tamilnadu wild life will give you more memorable memories and will show you many different things, which you can’t experience anywhere else. Tamilnadu tourism offers varied tailor made packages that covers all of Tamilnadu ’s adventurous destinations. Plan your vacation with Tamilnadu tourism and have a memorable trip with our family and friends.
