Elephus Maximus Indicus, Asiatic Elephant or the Indian Elephant is one of the national icons of India. It is designated as the “National Heritage Animal” of India. Often considered and even worshiped as a mythological God -‘Ganesha’ in India, this mammal is an Endangered category species in the IUCN. Elephants have demarcated their territory in almost 50-60% of Indian forest area. Their habitat ranges from grasslands and dry, moist deciduous forests to evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. There are total 138 state and 28 interstate elephant corridors across which their population can be traced. Poaching, increasing human population, Man-elephant conflict, habitat-loss, forest degradation and fragmentation are some of the factors that restrict their movement across the corridors and hence lead to threat in their population. In 1992, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (GOI), initiated the “PROJECT ELEPHANT” to enhance the conservation efforts. This project aims to protect their free ranging populations in India.
Scroll down to know the NPs and Wildlife sanctuaries where you can spot these Giant Tuskers in their Habitat.
BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK, KARNATAKA :
Bandipur National Park is one of the most beautiful national park, located in Western Ghats on the Mysore-Ooty
Highway. This national park is ideal to spot elephants as Karnataka state accounts the highest number of elephant
population in India. One can spot Indian Bengal Tiger and Indian leopard at the same time in the national park. The best time to visit the national park is from November to June. So, don’t forget to have a wildlife getaway at Bandipur when you are in Mysore and Banglore.
NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK, KARNATAKA :
This national park is located between Deccan plateau and Western ghats on it’s either sides. Hence, the national park affirms as an ecotone between the two major physiographic demarcations of India. The Kabini river flowing through it, is main a source of water for the wild animals within the park. The national park is considered as one of the best spots to see wild elephants in India. Nagarhole National Park is gaining popularity because of it’s majestic Black panther sightings. If you are lucky enough, you could have a glimpse of Black panther along with other wild animals such as Bengal tigers, Chital, Sambar deer, several types of birds and even reptiles.
MUDUMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, TAMIL NADU :
Located in the lap of Nilgiri Hills, the national park constitutes itself as a vital part if Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It shares it’s common boundary to Bandipur National park on it’s North and Wayanad wildlife Sanctuary on it’s West. Hence, it forms a Bandipur-Wayanad-Mudumalai zone, that becomes perfect for elephant movements across the corridors.
WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KERALA :
Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, also located in western ghats, is a perfect destination for the ones who love road trips. The roads in and around Wayanad, are heavenly occupied with diversified flora and fauna. Surrounded on 3 sides by the protected areas of Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai, WWS is a significant corridor for elephant movements. One can see a variety of wild animals including Gaur, Bengal Tiger and Deer species.
PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK, KERALA :
Periyar National park which is also acclaimed as a ‘Tiger Reserve’, is situated amid the Cardamom hills alongside the western ghats. One can spot Elephant easily along with the very rare and unique LION TAILED MACAQUE primate endemic to the region. Sambar deer, Indian Bisons, Indian Leopards and other animals too abide in the park. You can even enjoy the boat-ride in Periyar Lake that is situated at the centre of Periyar national park and wildlife sanctuary.
CORBETT NATIONAL PARK, UTTRAKHAND :
Acclaimed as the 1st national park of India, Corbett national park is situated at the foothills of Himalayas. It came under the Project Tiger in 1974 and is famous for the Bengal Tigers but none is unaware about the elephant sightings in the national park. It nourishes numerous herds of elephants. The best time to visit the park is from April to June. The nearest connecting railway station is Ramnagar which is around 12 kms from Corbett and it is directly connected to the railway stations of Delhi.
MANAS NATIONAL PARK, ASSAM :
The Manas national park is a great place to discover the wild elephants in India. It is very popular destination to
spot an elephant in the park because of the compact density in each square km of the park. It was upgraded as a
TIGER RESERVE in 1973 and later it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Manas is reachable from all
the major cities of Assam; such as Tezpur, Guwahati and Nagaon by road.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK :
The Kaziranga National park is famous for it’s BIF FIVE constituents of the Indian wildlife. One- being the Elephant and other four are the Bengal Tiger, One Horned Rhino, Wild water Buffalo and the Swamp deer (baransingha). Kaziranga is a famous wildlife destination to spot the elephants as it accounts a large breeding population of the Asiatic Elephants. The national park was designated as a Tiger reserve in 2006.
So; plan out a wildlife adventure to these places to have great sightings of these GENTLE GIANTS along with the scenic views of their Habitat.
