Indian Forest Safari - Nagzira

By Indrajit Bandyopadhyay

India offers a vast repository of flora and fauna. It is the land where every nature lovers' dream comes true. In this series, the author narrates his own experience in different forests of India. This time it is Nagzira Tiger Reserve in the state of Maharashtra. The encounter with big cats is worth reading ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365496790

Book preview

Indian Forest Safari - Nagzira

Indian Forest Safari - Nagzira

Indrajit Bandyopadhyay

Copyright © 2016 Indrajit Bandyopadhyay

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-365-49679-0

Dedication

I dedicate this Book to the spirit of Adventure in all, and to all Nature Lovers.

Nagzira Forest: Encounter with the Big-Cats

Forest Safari for Bold and Beautiful Minds

About Nagzira …

Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary (Longitude 790 58’ E to 800 11’ E; Latitude 210 12’ N to 210 21’ N) in the state of Maharashtra in India has great importance from the point of view of bio-diversity conservation, and has been becoming a popular destination for wildlife lovers, bird watchers and even picnic tourists for the last five years, though it is still lesser known comparative to other renowned sanctuaries. The Sanctuary extends over an area of 152.81 sq. km, and its height from mean sea level varies from nearly 30 meters to about 560 meters. According to a government estimate, about 25000 tourists visit every year.

Nagzira is the natural habitat of 34 species of mammals belonging to about 8 natural orders and 16 families that includes - the main attraction, the Tiger and the Leopard – other than several other species like Dhole (Wild-Dog), Bisons, Sloth Bears, Sambars, Blue Bulls, Deer, Cats, Jackals, Hares etc. Of these, 14 species are of endangered status, namely Tiger (10, census 2007; decline from 15, census 2003), Panther (10, census 2007; decline from 12, census 2003), Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Palm Civet, wolf, Jackal, Sloth Bear (60-70, census 2007; decline from 70-80, census 2006), Ratel, Common Giant Flying Squirrel, Gaur, Four Horned Antelope, Mouse Deer, and Pangolin.

The Sanctuary is the habitat of about 166 species of birds belonging to about 16 different orders and 47 families including15 species of migratory birds and about 42 species of local migrants.  Bar-headed Goose is a remarkable winter migrant from Ladakh and Tibet, and inhabits Chorkhamara Talao. Of these birds, 13 species are of endangered status including peafowl and the birds belonging to Accipitridae family.

There are 36 species of reptiles belonging to 2 natural orders and 11 families out of which about 6 species are of endangered status namely Indian Rock Python, Dhaman, Indian Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Checkered Keelback and Common Monitor. Besides, there are innumerable insects and ants species, about