Eravikulam National Park

Place : Kerala, Southern India.
Major Attractions : Nilgiri Tahr, Gaurs and Tigers.
Area Covered : 97sq. km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park :September to February are the best time to visit this park.
Nearest Attractions : Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Some Major Accesses : Coimbatore, Munnar.

Things to Know
Where is the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary?
Eravikulam National Park is situated at Rajamallay which sets on Munar-Udumalpet Road in the South Indian state of Kerala. The national park is situated at the higher altitudes of Western Ghats. Geographically, it is located at 9 deg. 40 min latitude and 77 deg. 20 min longitudes.

The Climate in the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
This region of Kerala is drenched with South West Monsoons. Although the park receives ample rainfall throughout the year, the months of June, July and August are the monsoon months. This is the time when this region receives maximum rainfall. The months of April and May are hottest here. From September to December, Eravikulam receives little rain with clear weather. Because of this, one can visit Eravikulam best in the months between September and February.

Important Dates in the Eravikulam's History
Eravikulam-Rajamallay was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975. This sanctuary attained the status of a National Park within three years of its establishment in 1978. The main purpose of establishing this park was to protect and conserve Nilgiri Tahr.

The Ecological System in the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
The Flora in Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
The grasslands of Eravikulam are called “climax” grasslands, by the scientists. It so believed because of the fact that these grasslands have achieved ultimate state of splendor. The scenic beauty has evolved to a perfect state of harmony. Within these grasslands, there are patches sholas which means forest. One can find diverse variety of orchids and other flowers, adorning this place. These forests are blessed with leeches to linger the travellers. Even a maundering trip to these deep green forests can let one explore a lot.

The Fauna in the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
At Eravikulam you will find as many as 26 species of mammals. The most prominent of all are Nilgiri Tahr, Elephants, Langur, Marten, Small-clawes Otter, Tigers and Leopards. The grass lands on the hills can make you spot avid variety of wildlife here. Some of the endangered species of animals like Varai Aadu (hill goat) can also be spotted here. Eravikulam is endemic to Westren Ghats and is a abode for some of the red listed threatened mammals in India.

The Avi-fauna in the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Eravikulam has great flowering beauty which makes it a perfect dwelling ground for the birds. There are about 138 estimated number of birds that inhibit here. Some of the most popular birds that can be spotted here include: Nilgiru Wood Pegion, Kerala Laughing Thrush and White Bellied Shortwing. You can fine over a hundred species of butterflies and 19 species of amphibians. Twenty species of orchids and nine species of balsam can also be found here.

Walking Tours in the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Walking Tour
Eravikulam can be best visited on foot as you can make stoppages at regular intervals and explore the deep woods.

Eravikulam National Park Travel Circuit
Munnar - Eravikulam - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kochi

How to Reach the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary?
Air : Cochin is the nearest airport which is located at a distance of 135km from here. Private coaches and buses can be hired from Cochin to reach Eravikulam.

Rail : Munnar is the nearest railhead town from Eravikulam, located at a distance of 13km from here. You can reach Eravikulam from Munnar by hiring a coach or a cab.

Road : Private coaches and cabs are available on hire to reach Eravikulam from different parts of Kerala.

Royal Chitwan National Park

Place : South West Of Kathmandu, Nepal (one of the neighbouring countries of India).
Major Attractions : One-Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger. 
Area Covered : 932 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : Through out the year. 
Nearest Attractions : The Elephant Breeding Center at Khorsor in Sauraha; The museum at Kasara; Gharial Breeding Center
Some Major Accesses : Kathmandu, Bharatpur. 

Things to Know
Where is the Royal Chitwan National Park
Royal Chitwan National Park is situated in the flat lowland region of southern Nepal, just close to the Indian boundary. Royal Chitwan National Park is one of the most important sub-tropical parks on the Indian subcontinent with good populations of the endangered Royal Bengal tiger, Greater One-horned rhinos, Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Wild Asian elephant, Gaur, Golden Monitor lizard, Gharial crocodile and many more. 

The Climate in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The Royal Chitwan National Park has a range of climatic seasons, each offering an unique experience. October through February with an average temperatures of 25 degree centigrade offer an enjoyable climate. From March to June temperatures can reach as high as 43 degree centigrade. The hot humid days give way to the monsoon season that generally lasts from the late June until September. Rivers become flooded and roads are inaccessible during this period.

Important Dates in the Royal Chitwan's History
The Chitwan region has had a long history of conservation. For many years the Royal Chitwan Park was the Royal hunting grounds for the Kings and dignitaries of Nepal. It did however become a favourite spot for big game safari hunters in the late 19th and early to mid-20th centuries. The long-term hunting led to a drastic decrease in jungle habitat and animal populations in the Chitwan valley as jungles were converted to farmland and big game were hunted and poached to dangerously low numbers. The falling number of rhino and tiger in the present park region, focused attention on the Chitwan region and in 1963 the southern two-thirds of the park were declared as a Rhino Sanctuary. With sanctuary status came a moratorium on hunting and the relocation of 22,000 people from the Chitwan valley. Since 1963 wildlife populations and ecosystems have been rebounding. In 1973 Chitwan became Nepal's first National Park. The relatively pristine state of the modern park and its unique ecosystems prompted UNESCO to declare the park a World Heritage site in 1984.

The Ecological System in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The Royal Chitwan National Park inhabits more than 50 mammal species, over 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. 

The Landscape in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The park has a diverse ecosystems, which includes the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise slowly towards the east from 150 m to more than 800 m. The western portion of the park consists of the lower but more rough Someshwor hills. The park shares its eastern boundary with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.

The Flora in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The Chitwan valley features tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover 70% of the park. Grasslands is spread in the 20% of the total park area. There are more than 50 various types of grasses, including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), known for its height (can grow up to 8 m in height). The shorter grasses (Imperata spp.) are also found here.

The Fauna in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The endangered fauna found in the park are - One-horned rhinoceros, Gaur, Royal Bengal tiger, Wild elephant, Fourhorned antelope, Pangolin, Gangetic dolphin. 
The Avifauna in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The birds found in this park are - Bengal florican, Lesser florican, Giant hornbill, Black stork, White stork, etc.

The Reptiles in the Royal Chitwan National Park
The reptiles found here are - Gharial crocodile, Golden monitor lizard, Python, etc.

The Rides in the Royal Chitwan National Park
Elephant Safari
Elephant Safarai is the best way to explore the Royal Chitwan National Park. Elephant safari provides an opportunity to get a closer view of the endangered one-horned Rhinoceros. One may also get a glimpse of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. 

Royal Chitwan Park Travel Circuit
Kathmandu - Chitwan - Pokhara - Nagarkot 

How to Reach Royal Chitwan's History
Air : There are daily flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur.

Road : Chitwan is easily approachable from Kathmandu, which is well connected by national highway to Bharatpur and Saurana

Corbett National Park

Place : Uttaranchal, in the northern part of India
Major Attractions : Tigers, Leopards, Crocodiles
Area Covered : 1,200 sq-km.
Ideal Time to Visit the Park : From November 15 to June 15. Corbett remains closed between June 16 and November 14, during the monsoons.
Nearest Attractions : Ramnagar (fishing base camp), Lohachaur (15 km) - good place for anglers, 
Some Major Accesses : Dhikala is about 300 km from Delhi, 145 km from Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar.

Things to Know

Where is the Corbett National Park?The Corbett National Park is located in the foothills of the majestic Himalayas in the state of Uttranchal in India. The Corbett National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna. It is famous for its wild population of Tigers, Leopards and Elephants. 

Once a popular hunting ground of the British, the Corbett National Park was named in honour of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer, who spent most of his years in this area and contributed in setting up the park. 

The Climate the Corbett National Park
Temperature in winter's can go down to 4 degrees centigrade at night and the entire jungle is extremely dry in the summer months as the temperatures reach as high as 44 degrees centigrade. Rainfall: 1400mm-2800mm. 

Important Dates in the Corbett's History
Corbett National Park was established in 1936, as the Hailey National Park. With the help of the World Wildlife Fund, Project Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park in 1973 and this park was one of the first such tiger reserves in the country. 

The Ecological System in the Corbett National Park

India's first national park and the first sanctuary to come under Project Tiger, Corbett National Park exhibits a variety of vegetation making it the ideal habitat for the Tiger and its prey. The varied topography comprises hilly and riverine areas, temporary marshy depressions, plateaus and ravines. In the Jim Corbett National Park are found 110 tree species, 50 mammals species, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species. 

The Flora in Corbett National Park
A majority of the vegetation in Corbett consists of Sal trees (Shorea robusta), mainly in the lower regions. The higher regions have a larger variety of plants and trees. Some of these are the Chir (Pinus roxburghii), anauri (Legestroemia paruiflora) and Bakli (Anogeissus latifolia). Also found in various parts of the park are many different varieties of bamboo. One plant, (actually a weed) which is a major irritant to the park authorities and is widespread in the jungle is the Lantana. 

The Fauna in Corbett National Park
Corbett is a haven for Tigers as well as its prey, which include four kinds of Deer, Wild Boar and some lesser-known animals. Apart from Tigers, Elephants, Leopards / Panthers, Jungle cats, Royal Bengal Tigers, Fishing Cats, Leopard cats, Himalayan black bears, Sloth bears, Jackals, Martens, Dholes, Civets, Mongooses, Otters, Hares, Porcupines, Chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, Hog deer, Barking deer, Ghorals, Wild Boars, Pangolins, Macaques, Langurs and Blue Bulls (Nilgais) are some of the species which are found here. 

The Avifauna in the Corbett National ParkHerons, Darters, Cormorants, Lapwings, Paradise Flycatchers, Munias, Weaver birds, Fishing eagles, Serpent eagles, Spotted Eagles, Black throated Payas, Mynas, Indian Roller, Jungle Fowl, Vultures, Thrushes, Barbets, Peacocks, peahens, Kingfishers, migrant Gulls, Moorhens, Ducks, Geese, Sandpipers, Nightjars, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Wagtails, Black winged Kits, Drongos, Doves, Plovers, Black necked Storks, Parakeets,Sarus Crane, Owls, Chir Pheasants, Kalij Pheasants, Grebes, Grey Lags, Snipes, Harriers, Ospreys, Minivets, Babblers, Hornbills, falcons and Stone Curlews. Corbett has nearly 600 bird species officially recorded in it's log books. 

The Fish in the Corbett National Park
Goonch, Mahaseer, Trout and many other smaller species are found here. 

The Reptiles in the Corbett National Park
Gharials (fish eating Crocodiles), Mugger Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, turtles, Cobras, Pythons and the Sal forest Tortoise. 

Safaris in the Corbett National Park

Jeep and Elephant Safari in Corbett 
The Jim Corbett National Park endorses Jeep Safari, Horse Safari, Bird Safari, Elephant Safari, Fishing safari and the Nature walk. Take an early dawn elephant back safari with an authorized mahout guide.
Jeeps Safari, is the most convenient and comfortable way to travel within Corbett National Park. Jeep rides can be arranged at the Tourist Centre. Although jeeps penetrate deeper into the forest than elephants, they cannot get nearly as close to the wild animals. The jeeps can be rented for the park trips from Ramnagar, from the KMVN Tourist Lodge and other travel agencies. 

Jim Corbett National Park Travel Circuit 
Delhi - Agra - Jaipur -Pangot (Nainital) - Corbett National Park - Rishikesh 

How to Reach Corbett National Park?

Air : Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50 km is the nearest airport. Delhi at a distance of 300 km is the nearest international airport. 

Rail : Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where the road transport options have to be availed to reach the park. For faster trains and connections to other parts of India change at Moradabad.

Road :Dhikala is 300 km from Delhi, 145 km from Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar. Ramnagar is served by frequent buses to and from Nainital and Ranikhet, 112 km north. Buses arrive every half hour or so after the eight hour trip from Delhi; Delhi Transport corporation also runs semi deluxe services.