THE 7 BIGGIES OF WILDLIFE INDIA : The diversity in India’s jungles is spectacular. But seven iconic species are a big draw in wildlife tourism.

By : Rakesh Arora

Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries

INDIA – AMONG WORLD’S FAVOURITES FOR NATURE & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Wohoo.. what amazing is Indian wildlife in national parks as can’t be compared with African wildlife as it is made of Big 7. Asiatic lions , leopards , tigers , one horned rhino , Indian gaur (bison) and Asian elephant and wild water buffalo. Patience and skill has to be eminent and look out for pug marks alarm calls of dear, sambhar, monkeys screeching. And dear running and enjoying wild music while holding your seats.

African Wildlife is made of Big 5 animals are the LION, LEOPARD, RHINOCEROS , ELEPHANT, AND CAPE BUFFALO

India is the canvas portraying the mega diversity of its wildlife. However, these 7 paradigmatic species are the crossroads for wildlife tourism.

The Tiger, an insignia for wildlife tourism in India, has been the driving force behind fetching plenty of disposable income for the economy. The Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in India emerged as the highest-earning wildlife park in 2016-17 with fascinating revenue of 23.06 Cr. With significantly vested interests in tiger survival, only 6 tiger reserves in India stand to the whopping worth of $1.2 billion to the Indian economy. Likewise, the 4 tiger reserves of Madhya Pradesh – Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Panna – grabbed 400 per cent over and above their annual budgets laid down by the Central and State Governments.

The Big Five of Africa – Leopard, African lion, African Buffalo, Rhinoceros and African Elephant – were attributed the title owing to the perplexity involved in hunting them. Similarly, the Big Seven of India – The Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Indian Elephant, India Bison, Wild Water Buffalo and One-horned Rhinoceros – portray divinity in their respective habitat of the woodlands and grasslands laying grounds for their sustenance.

Earlier to the advent of the 19^th century, the Indian tiger population was scaled to be around 10,000. However, with time passing, the number drastically declined to owe to the erstwhile rulers, Britishers and poachers interests in hunting tigers for sports and money. Later, in 1972, the Government introduced the Wildlife Protection Act. Further, Project Tiger initiated the set of Corbett National Park along with 9 reserves in 1974. With the passing of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act in 2006, a Wildlife Crime Control Board was set up. It empowered the NTCA whose recommendations were further made binding resulting in an increase in the number of tiger reserves from 9 to 50. They cover an area of 70,000 sq. km or 2.2 per cent of the geographical area of the country.

Asiatic Lion, with a movement range restricted to Gir National Park along with certain surrounding areas of Gujarat, historically inhabited Western Asia, Northern India and the Middle East. However, the three big temples stationed in the sanctuary captivate immense pilgrims every year posing danger to the tranquillity and habitat of the National Park. The Canine distemper virus resulted in the deaths of two dozen in sanctuary causing havoc among the wildlife enthusiast and naturalists across the globe. The three major roads and a railway track crossing the Gir Protected Area have raised several conservation issues over time. Despite the conflicts being underlying, the change in values and lifestyles might experience a severe and drastic escalation in the future. To be continued….

(Photos by Rakesh Arora)