New Delhi: India is a country where many rare and exotic animals can be found. Indian wildlife sanctuaries are home to rare, beautiful and elusive species of animals that can be found only in our country. From lion-tailed macaque in the Western Ghats of India to Sangai, subspecies of brow-antlered deer that holds cultural significance in Manipur, here are some wildlife sanctuaries worth visiting.
• Lion-tailed macaque, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
As an Old World monkey native to the Western Ghats of South India, they rank among the rarest of the 250-species (approx.) of primates around the world. The Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area in the Kollam district of Kerala houses and protects the highly endangered species. Spread over 172.403 sq km, India's first eco-tourism project, Thenmala Eco-tourism Project has been formulated in and around Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary. During your visit to the sanctuary, you can stay inside the forests in specially built camping houses and experience the majesty of the jungle by trekking, going on jeep safaris or bird watching, while getting a chance to spot the rare lion-tailed macaque.
• Nilgiri marten in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
The Nilgiri marten, a small carnivorous mammal, is the only marten species native to India. They are found in moist and wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, living at altitudes of 150-2200 m. The animal usually appears dark brown with a yellow-coloured patch at its forefeet. Their name has been derived from the Nilgiri Hills, however, sightings have been reported as far north as Charmadi Ghat and as far south as the Neyyar. You can spot the Nilgiri marten at Anamalai Tiger Reserve, a pristine 958.59 sq. km reserve of tropical jungle, shola forest and grassland rising to 2400m and spilling over the Western Ghats into Kerala between Kodaikanal and Coimbatore
• The Kashmir Stag in Dachigam National Park (Jammu & Kashmir)
The Kashmir Stag, also known as Hangul, is a subspecies of elk and is native to Kashmir. Only found in the dense riverine forests of Dachigam National Park located 22 km from Srinagar, the Kashmir Stag is listed as one of the critically endangered and rare species. With its magnificent antlers, the stag is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. In the 1900s, there were about 3,000-5,000 of these species found in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, but today, about 150 remain in the state. You can locate these majestic animals in the wild at the Dachigam National Park, where you can also spot leopard, hill fox and Himalayan serow, among others.
• Sangai in Keibul Lamjao National Park (Manipur)
The endangered subspecies of brow-antlered deer called sangai is only found in Manipur. They reside in about 15-20 km area across the Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur, the only floating park in the world. As the state animal of Manipur, its significance is seen in the cultural folklore where sangai is the binding factor between humans and nature and killing it was a sin. Today where a lot of conservation efforts are made to save and protect the species, one should not miss a chance to visit the park situated at the Loktak Lake and be in the company of these rare animals.
• Pygmy Hog, Manas National Park (Assam)
As a critically endangered species, the pygmy hog is now only found in Assam. These are the smallest wild pigs and piglets, and they are one of the very few mammals that build their own home and complete it with a roof. The species is the sole representative of Porcula, suid native to alluvial grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas, and their extinction may result in the extinction of the species. Of the 150 pygmy hogs left, Manas National Park in Assam hosts some of the rare species. The park is known for its endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare and wild water buffalo.
• Nilgiri Tahr, Eravikulam National Park (Kerala)
As the only mountain ungulate in Southern India among just 12 species found in India, Nilgiri Tahr is found only in the tropical rainforest of the Western Ghats. With curved horns, coarse and short fur, the Nilgiri Tahr is extensively found in the Eravikulam National Park (Idukki district) where an estimated 700-800 Nilgiri Tahrs live. Nilgiri Tahr in Eravikulam National Park occurs in two types of groups: the mixed groups and an all-male group. At the Eravikulam National Park located at the backdrop of tea plantations, one can witness the mass flowering of Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years and turn the carpet blue.
