Protected areas
India boasts a rich fauna and varied flora thanks to the diversity of its topography and climate. Protected areas are zones created to protect not only nature, but also certain traditional ways of life of tribal communities. The impact of human activity is restricted, and resource exploitation is limited or non-existent. In India, there are 4 types of protected areas: national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation and community reserves and marine protected areas. These are veritable open-air museums where travellers can admire sumptuous and varied landscapes, contemplate luxuriant flora and observe wild animals in their natural habitat. In 2022, the country had 106 protected areas covering 5% of its territory. While this figure may seem low, it is nevertheless rising steadily thanks to the major efforts made by the government in recent decades to protect nature. Although forest protection in India is an age-old concept, the first national park was only established in 1936: Hailey National Park in the northern state of Uttarakhand, which became Jim Corbett National Park in 1956. The country's largest protected forest area is located in the Western Ghats, straddling the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala: the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Located in and around the Nilgiris Mountains, this fragile ecosystem, rich in flora and fauna, was designated a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1986.
Travellers have the opportunity to visit a number of exciting nature reserves in southern India, mostly located in and around the Western Ghats. You'll find the most popular reserves in this guide: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole), Navegaon National Park, Mudumalai National Park & Tiger Reserve, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Wandur National Park (in the Andaman-and-Nicobar archipelago)... Beware, however: some reserves offer only a limited area accessible to visitors, in order to preserve the environment as much as possible. What's more, they are not open all year round: some close their doors during the monsoon season, while others close to further protect the flora and fauna, or to carry out a census of the species present. Find out more beforehand.
Wildlife
India has a very rich and varied fauna, with no less than 500 species of mammals present in the country.
Bengal tiger. The most famous animal of the country is without doubt the Bengal tiger. At the beginning of the century there were 40,000 individuals in the country, in 2019 this figure has fallen to 2,965 ... If the majestic feline is endangered, it should be noted the efforts of the government and national parks that support the Project Tiger to protect the species. Thus, the population of tigers in India is increasing in recent years, which gives reason for optimism. However, with the disappearance of its habitat, human-cat encounters are multiplying and accidents are becoming more and more frequent, resulting in victims on both sides. Moreover, tigers have to face poachers who hunt them for their skin, their aphrodisiac virtues or their bones. In the south of India, the tiger is present everywhere, especially in the parks of Periyar, Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Bandipur, but be aware that you will have little chance to see it.
Asian Elephant. This majestic pachyderm is a revered animal in India as it is linked to Hinduism and the god Ganesh. The Asian elephant is smaller than its African cousin. It lives in small herds under the aegis of a female. It is present in the wild in a large number of national parks and sanctuaries. You can most easily observe herds of elephants when they come to drink in large bodies of water, such as the artificial lake of Periyar. The pachyderm has been domesticated for centuries in India and you will often see it in Hindu temples blessing worshippers with its trunk, or wearing extravagant finery during certain festivals such as the one in Thrissur Pooram in Kerala. Unfortunately these ancestral practices are done at the expense of the animal's physical health and the country still has some elephant training centers which we do not recommend visiting. The animal still provides labor for the work and transport of wood. The good news is that elephant rides for tourists have become increasingly rare in recent years.
Monkeys. The most common species are the rhesus macaque and the langur, also known as the long-tailed entelle. You will find macaques all over the country; in the forests but also on the outskirts of inhabited areas where they approach to steal food. The grey langur has a more elegant appearance. You can admire them in their natural habitat but also in many historical sites, in Hampi, around the caves of Ellora and Ajanta, posing in the Hindu temples of Pattadakal... It seems that they only want to visit places worthy of their aesthetics! Other species, rarer, like the lion-tailed macaque or the bonneted macaque, can be observed in national parks and sanctuaries. The lion-tailed macaque, also known as the ouandérou, has a black face and an imposing grayish mane resembling a halo. This arboreal primate inhabits the forests of the Western Ghats, however it is rare to see it.
Cow. The first animal you will probably meet is not in the rainforests but in the urban jungles, on the roads or on the beaches: it is obviously the cow! The sacred animal is omnipresent and protected. It is not uncommon to come across them on the road, blocking traffic and forcing drivers to change their trajectory.
Other mammals. The variety of terrain and climate in the south of the country has allowed the proliferation of various species. These include the panther, leopard, sloth bear, wolf, Indian fox, jackal, dhole (wild dog), antelope, sambar, deer, muntjac (barking deer), Nilgiri thar (mountain goat unique to the Nilgiri region), water buffalo, gaur (Indian bison), Manjampatti white bison, wild boar, wild pig, porcupine, pangolin, mongoose, otter, civet, various species of squirrels including the giant Malabar squirrel.. You will also observe different species of bats flying over the palm trees and around the caves at night.
Reptiles and amphibians. India has over 600 species of reptiles and amphibians. There are different varieties: snakes of course, like the king cobra or the python, but also the crocodile and its cousin the gavial, the freshwater turtle, the chameleon, the monitor, several kinds of lizards, the gecko, the frog... Don't miss to visit the crocodile farm (Madras Crocodile Bank), located near Mahabalipuram, to discover more than 2,500 specimens of reptiles! The country also has a multitude of spiders, such as the salticidae (or jumping spider) or the poisonous theridiidae. Not to mention many kinds of insects, including several varieties of colorful butterflies. Several insects are vectors of diseases or parasites, the most common being mosquitoes, which can transmit malaria.
Marine wildlife. India is not known for its marine wildlife, yet you will have the opportunity to observe dolphins, regularly present along the coasts of Konkan and Malabar. Dolphin watching cruises are organized in Goa and Kerala, and fishermen also offer day trips to the sea to earn their living. Other marine mammals include sharks, dugongs, manta rays, sea turtles, octopuses... Diving aficionados will go to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands first.
Birds. In 2019, there were 1,365 different species of birds in the country, more than 80 of which are endemic. The most emblematic is of course the majestic blue peacock, the Indian national bird. A symbol of immortality, fertility and beauty, once revered by maharajas and princes, you will see its magnificent deep blue feathers in many parts of the country. Other notable species include the kingfisher, with its long beak and shimmering colors when it spreads its wings. You will see it near freshwater streams where it fishes for food. You will also often hear its name in English, kingfisher, throughout the country. Why is this? It's simple, it's the name of the most popular Indian beer... The raven, also called the Indian crow, is ubiquitous and most often in large numbers. The territory is also home to the eagle, the Indian vulture, the Malabar hornbill, the red-whiskered nightingale, the woodpecker, the waterfowl, the black-hooded oriole, the laughing thrush... Numerous species of migratory birds cross India and make a stopover in specific places: pink flamingo (in the north of Mumbai), heron, ibis, stork, crane, pelican, duck... Some nature reserves are moreover specially dedicated to them, such as the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located in the Backwaters of Kerala, which is a delight for birdwatchers.
Flora
South India is home to a varied and abundant vegetation that varies according to geographical areas, climate and topography. The arid and semi-arid landscapes of the Deccan plateau consist of shrubs, thorny scrub, and a few trees providing noble wood. The Western Ghats are covered with evergreen rainforests that receive high and regular rainfall. They consist mainly of evergreen trees and thick vegetation. These conditions have allowed the cultivation of a large number of spices that have made the reputation and wealth of the region, and also the establishment of tea and coffee plantations by the British. One of the specificities of the Eravikulam National Park is the neelakurinji, a flower that grows only at an altitude between 1,300 and 2,500 meters. When it blooms, it covers the hills with a thick purple carpet. Its flowering is sporadic and relatively unpredictable (from an annual flowering to one every... 16 years). Several types of trees providing precious wood are present: teak, laurel, bamboo, sandalwood... Palms and coconut trees are present everywhere along the coast, on the western and eastern coasts. The coconut is used intensively for cooking but also to extract a fiber, the coir, allowing to produce mattresses, mats, ropes... Many plants, herbs and essences are exploited by the ayurvedic tradition to concoct remedies, oils, and cosmetics.
