WILDLIFE

When thinking about the wildlife of the Indian subcontinent, India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka collectively contain some of the world’s most varied bio-diversities wherein one will find an extraordinary range of animals, birds and plants. From the high mountain ranges with their mixture of evergreen and deciduous forests, to the Thar Desert region of western India as well as India’s central grasslands and southern tropical environments, this part of the world is a game-watcher and birder’s paradise.

There are 450 species of animals to be found in this part of Asia, including such exciting creatures as the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, with India and Nepal between them having approximately 65% of the world’s remaining population, as well as the indigenous Asian Lion, Leopard, the Asian Elephant and the prehistoric-looking Greater One-horned Rhinoceros. There are other species of jungle cats, many types of deer and gazelles, plenty of different kinds of monkeys, plus so much more. Over 1,300 species of birds, hundreds of butterflies, reptiles and amphibians, and a mind-boggling 55,000 types of plants also can be found throughout the sub-continent. While Bhutan does not have an abundance of mammals, it does boast a staggering 600 species of birds, many of them endemic to the ‘Dragon Kingdom’.

It is only in recent times that we have come to understand the impact humanity’s modern development has had on wildlife and its habitat, and thankfully, local governments have made enormous efforts to preserve their precious natural inhabitants both from industrial and agricultural encroachment as well as protect them from poachers. The importance of the many National Parks found throughout India and Nepal towards preserving species that are at risk of extinction cannot be understated. Such parks as India’s Corbett National Park and Ranthambhore are vital to the preservation of the Tiger, and thanks to Project Tiger, launched in 1973, India now has as many as 47 dedicated Tiger reserves. In the stunning Kaziranga National Park, in India’s eastern Assam State, the efforts of good wildlife management are now paying off in keeping the number of Rhinos from declining. And, despite its small size, Bhutan leads the way in putting aside as much as 20% of its total territory for wildlife conservation.

At IBN Tours, we take great pride in offering the opportunity to show visitors the world of birds, plants and animals that reside in the Indian sub-continent. There are wonderful game lodges to stay at, and knowledgeable guides who will give you a firsthand glimpse into an amazing world of flora and fauna that defies the imagination.