Tigers
belong to the cat family that includes lions, jaguars and leopards. Tiger is
the largest of the living cats. There are five types of tigers on earth and
Siberian tigers are the largest among all. Unfortunately, tigers are facing
a grave danger of extinction as large scale poaching is prevalent in the
countries where these are found.
India had always proved to be a safe haven
for tigers in the past as people have worshipped nature and animals. But
with passage of time and change in perception of the world around us, rather
with the increase in materialism, tigers were hunted on a large scale for
money and medicinal purposes.
Rising to the alarm of extinction, Project Tiger was conceived in 1973.
Consequently, many forests were declared no-hunting zones and laws were
framed for protection of tigers. Hence, the birth of national parks.
India,
being home to about 60% of the world's wild tiger population, is now the
best hope for tiger survival.
Royal Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger grows to be only about 10 feet long (including the tail)
and weighs in at around 400 to 600 pounds. The Bengal tiger has a richer
color and darker stripes than the Siberian tiger. Bengal tigers occasionally
have a coat that is white instead of orange. These white Bengal tigers have
icy blue eyes and black, or brown stripes and a little brown coloring on the
nose.
Tiger Reserves in India
There are around 28 tiger reserves in India and all of these are protected
under the scheme of 'Project Tiger'. Most of the tiger reserves that we have
in India are actually established in the former hunting grounds of the
Indian and British royalty. In some of these parks, you will find
guesthouses where are you can choose to stay for a closer watch at the
Indian tiger. However, permits will be required for visiting these tiger
reserves in India. Advance booking is avaiable in these Indian tiger
reserves. Some of the most popular Indian tiger reserves are as follows.
»
Ranthambore
Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
»
Bandhavgarh
Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
»
Sariska
Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
»
Manas Tiger
Reserve, Assam
»
Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
»
Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh
»
Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal
Wildlife Conservation in India
Due to the ecological trauma and the threats to the Indian tiger, there
have been established many a
wildlife conservation organisations that work
towards increasing the animal population in Indian national parks and
sanctuaries. Major wildlife conservation programmes to save the Indian tiger
in India include the Corbett Foundation, Bandhavgarh Tiger Truts,
Ranthambore Foundation, Project Tiger, Tiger Foundation and the Wildlife
Conservation Society among others.
Other National Parks to See Indian Tiger
Apart from the above-mentioned tiger reserves, India also features a number
of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries where you can enjoy watching the
Indian Tiger or the Royal Bengal Tiger. You can also book yourself elephant
safaris, jeep safaris and boat safaris in the national parks to watch the
tiger at close quarters. Some of the most popular Indian national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries are as follows.
»
Jim Corbett
National Park, Uttaranchal
»
Bandipur
National Park, Karnataka
»
Periyar
National Park, Kerala
» Gir National Park, Gujarat
» Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh
