DARANGHATI SANCTUARY

Located 150 kms from Shimla, Daranghati Sanctuary spread over 167.40 km, is one of the most important tourist attractions. It is in the upper area of Shimla. It was a hunting reserve in the past for Rampur Bushahr royal family. This forest area rich in wild life was notified in the year 1962 as a sanctuary.

INDIRA GANDHI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Spread over 9.58 Sq.kms., this sanctuary can be reached through Topslip in Anamalai Hills on the Western Ghats. An Ecological Paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park with an area of 108 Sq.km. Abutting Kerala on the West, this hill forest boasts of thick growth of trees, folds of terrains with evergreen sholas. About 800 species of South Indian flora are distributed here.

MUDUMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - NATIONAL PARK

This sanctuary is located where the Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western ghats meet the eastern ghats. The Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary has varied mixture of flat land, undulating parkland, open grassland, swamp, valleys and nullas. The Moyyar river in this region forms a series of spectacular cascades on its way. 65 Kms. away from Udhagamandalam and situated along the Udhaga-mandalam- Mysore highway, this sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well.

This 321 Sq.km. wide sanctuary encompasses a National Park spread in an area of 103 sq.kms. The vegetation is varied with moist deciduous. It becomes dry deciduous towards Bandhipur, mainly mixed forests with Bamboss (Bambusa arundinacea), Terminalia tomontosa, Grewia, and blooming trees like Indian labumusum.Aredesia, Solanahncea are some of the flora. The fauna include Elephants, Gaur, Bonnet Macaque, Common langur, tigers and leopards, Chital, dhole panther, Sloth Bear, Python, barking deer, Four- Horned Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger), Giant flying squirrel, Sambar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Parcupine and Mongoose.

The Birds in this sanctuary are Peacock - India's National bird, grey jungle fowl, the red spur fowl, the grey patridge quails, goggle eyed plower, Malabar whistling thrust, large racket-tailed dronge, the shama, the magpie-robin, spotted babbler, small green barbet, green pigeons, little brown dove, malabar grey hornbill, bulbuls, mynahs, etc. Birds of prey like eagles, hawks, falcons and king vulture and some migratory water birds can be watched.Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

KALAKKADU WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary Kalakkadu and Mundanthurai Sancturies are situated in an extensive preserve as "tiger project Reserve". This Wild life Sanctuary is situated in an area of 233 Sq.km. in Tirunelveli District, including the foothills of western Ghats and the adjoining area. The flora ranges from forests of tropical wet ever-green to tropical dry deciduous and thorn forest at down hills. Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri tahr, Sambar, Sloth bear, Gaur, Elephant, Tiger, Flying Squirrel, Panther, wild dog, Pangoline are some of the wild life seen in the sanctuary. Besides, a wide range of birds and reptiles could be seen. Trekking can be done with prior permission from the Forest (Wildlife) Department.

MUKKURTHI NATIONAL PARK

Mukkurthi National ParkLocated on the high altitude of the Nilgiris, comprising rolling downs interspersed with temperate sholas, this park of Nilgiri Bio- sphere reserve is situated 40 kms. from Udhagamandalam. It contains a viable population of Nilgiri Thar (Hamitragus - hilocrius), Sambar, Barking deer, Nilgiri marten and otter jungle cat, jackal, etc. Avifauna consists of hillbirds viz. Laughing and whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle, Butterflies with Himalayan affinity like the Blue Admiral, Indian Red Admiral, Indian Fritillary, Indian Cabbage white, Hedge blues and rainbow trouts can also be seen.

Trekking routes exist from Parson valley, Pykara etc. Trout fishing is recommended in the rivers and lakes of Mukurthi. Permission from Asst. director, Fisheries Department, Udhagai, must be obtained in advance for fishing.

MUNDANTHURI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

There is nothing differentiate Mundanthuri Wildlife Sanctuary from that of Kalakkadu, except the absence of the Elephant and the gaur. Situated in Tirunelveli district, this 567 Sq.Km. sanctuary boasts of dry deciduous to tropical wet evergreen forests patches of pure reeds. Animals wealth includes Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Langurs, Slender Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital and wild dog. Excellent for various species of avi-fauna and varieties of reptiles and insects. Trekking with prior permission from the Forest (wildlife) Department, can be undertaken.

ARIGNAR ANNA ZOOLOGICAL PARK, CHENNAI

This man-made Zoological Park situated on the outskirts of Chennai Metropolitan was created out of the Reserved Forests of Vandalur. The forests are of dry deciduous and dry evergreen scrub type. It was in the year 1855 the first Zoo in India was established in Chennai; later in 1979 shifted to this 510 Ha. Sprawling complex. This Zoological park is said to be one of the biggest in South East Asia. The wild life population are exhibited in a large open moated island type enclosures with simulated natural environment. More than 170 species of Mammals, Aviaries and reptiles are exhibited. Lion safari vehicle, Elephant Ride, Battery operated vehicles are some of the facilities available inside this park.