Did you know that India is home to over 730 Protected Areas? Set up under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, these areas include National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Community Reserves and are home to millions of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet. Today, honouring India’s incredible biodiversity, we showcase 5 of the most unique!
Namdapha: The Park With 5 Types of Forest
Each of the sites in this article are spectacular, but this one really takes the cake. After all, how often do you hear of an area which is home to not one, but five biomes? That’s right – from evergreen to Alpine forests, this park in Arunachal Pradesh has it all! This is because of the range of elevations found within the park, which range from just 200m above sea level to an estimated 4,571m. Unsurprisingly, this has been home to an amazing variety of species, including the adorable Red Pandas and the bizarre Sapria Himalayana.
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Barren Island: The Sanctuary with an Active Volcano
India’s only active volcano is located in the Andaman Sea and despite the name, the area showcases diverse marine flora and fauna. The scuba diving there is spectacular with a variety of corals and marine turtles. Be careful though! Volcano apart, this island is also home to feral goats!
Keibul Lamjhao: The Park That Floats
Manipur’s Keibul Lamjhao National Park in Manipur is truly one-of-a-kind – it includes floating “islands” called Phumdis within the Loktak Lake, which itself is a Ramsar site. Phumdis are masses of reeds and plants growing on decaying vegetation which floats in the lake, and the park is home to the endangered Sangai or dancing deer.
Eravikulam: The High Altitude Shola Forests and Grasslands
One of the most unique landscapes in the world, the Shola Forests and grasslands of the Nilgiris showcase grasses interspersed with thick patches of stunted trees, creating a micro-climate that’s pretty one-of-a-kind. Interestingly, this landscape is believed to have come about due to a mixture of human and natural factors and is home to South India’s only wild goat – the Nilgiri Tahr.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park: The City Green with Ancient Caves
Over 100 km sq in size, this park is surrounded by Mumbai on three sides and is considered to be the city’s lungs. It hosts a variety of plants and animals but a special mention should be made to the Karvi plant, which flowers just once in eight years, and of the leopards found within (and occasionally, around!) the park. History buffs will find much to their interests too – the Buddhist Kanheri caves found here are over 2,000 years old. History + Wildlife = Win!
(Shalini Iyengar is an environmental lawyer and Faculty at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology)
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