The land of tigers- India

For a nature and animal lover, India is the land that fulfils this desire. If you desire and have the courage to sight the ferocious animal in its natural habitat, India is the perfect place. With more than 40 tiger reserves in the country, India is often called “tigers own country”. This beastly animal enjoys a special status in the country since it is the national animal and treated differently in comparison to the rest of the fauna.

According to the surveys and statistics, India is home to the largest number of Royal Bengal Tigers. They are found in all corners of the country from the Jim Corbett National park in the north to Bandipur in the south. The Sunderban national park in the east and Ranthambhore in the west. Bandavgarh and kanha national parks in the heart of the country. Thus, these big cats find an abode in every sector of the sub continent.

Sunderban National Park, West Bengal

One of the main tourist attractions in the easternmost part of the country, it is also a part of the UNESCO world heritage site. The Sunderbans are famous for having the largest number of mangroves all over the world. These mangroves provide the perfect shelter to the mighty and dangerous Bengal tigers which attracts large number of people from all over the world. The big cats inhabiting this region have some distinct features like they have adapted to the ampbhibian features and can swim for long distances in the salty waters by preying on the aquatic animals. The importance of the place lies in the fact that it is the largest tiger reserve of the country and the animals are famous for the fact that they are man eaters. A marshy wetland area, the best way to spot the tigers is through watch towers, the famous ones being Sudhanyakhali, Sajnekhali, Dobanki, Kumirmari, Burir Dabri, Marich Jhapi, Netidhopani.

The park is open to visitors throughout the year, but for a fruitful and enthralling trip, one should plan the trip between October to April, when the tigers can be caught sunbathing on the river banks.

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

The royal state of India, Rajasthan is also famous for the Royal Bengal tigers finding shelter in this national reserve. One can never miss spotting a tiger, in its natural habitat, in this national reserve. Stretching in area of over 1334 square kilometers, it is one of the largest tiger reserves and an important part of the tiger tourism of the country. Considering its large size, the reserve has been divided into eight sectors, zone 1 o zone8. Though these ferocious animals can be sighted anywhere, but the zones 1 to 6 provide the maximum opportunities of not missing to see this animal. The best time to have a good glimpse of these majestic predators is in November and may, since during these times the dry deciduous forest provides the perfect chance to spot them. In this national park the tigers can be seen even during the daytime.

Jim Corbett National Park

The first national park of the Asian sub continent, dedicated to the British hunter, Jim Corbett, who later turned into a conservationist and nature lover. It is the best place in India to enjoy watching the stripped animal in its natural abode. Located at the foothills of Himalayas in the kumaon region of the state of Uttar Pradesh, it is the perfect place for an enchanting experience of tiger watching along with many other activities. Spread over an area of 520 square kilometers, the park is divided into for zones for the convenience of the administration. These zones are dhikala, bijrani, jhirna and durgadevi. The dhikala and the bijrani are the best zones for spotting the tiger. The national reserve remains closed during the monsoon months of the year. One should plan a trip between November to June and the best time to see the big cat is from March to May.

Bandavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Situated amidst the Vindhya hills, this national reserve is another ideal place to get a glimpse of the stripped cat. The rich biodiversity and the diverse flora and fauna, provide the perfect setting for a wildlife and jungle safari. With a significant tiger population, the reserve offers various opportunities to sight the tigers prancing in the jungle. Despite have various species of other animals, the tigers are a highlight of this reserve and are the kings of the jungle. This national reserve has three zones namely tala, bamera and magdi. The tala zone attracts the maximum tourists since it is the best zone for the tiger lovers. The park can be visited anytime between November to June but tiger lovers should plan the trip between March to May to capture these majestic predators.

Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

It was once a hunting ground for the maharaja of Mysore which was converted into a national park. It was among the nine national reserves which were established under Project tiger in 1973, as safe haven for the endangered species of the big cats. It is among the best protected areas for the royal Bengal tigers. This national reserve is home to various other animals apart from the ferocious predator like elephants, leopards, sambhar, gaur and various species of birds. But the tiger remains the king and the main attraction of the national park despite the presence of other gigantic animals in the park. This park is not divided into any zones as compared to other national tiger reserves, one can spot the tiger in every sector of the park. Though the park is open to tourist all the year round the months October to May are the best for the glimpse of this majestic king of the jungle. This national animal of the country, symbol of strength, are beautiful though dangerous and ferocious. A treat for all animal lovers, these national reserves provide the best opportunity to see these beasts in the woods, roaring and prancing.