Top 5 places where you can spot tigers in India

Here’s some good news for wildlife lovers. According to the census this year, global tiger population has increased by nearly 22 per cent after decades of constant decline. From a count of 3,200, in 2010, the number of tigers has gone up to 3,890 this year. The environmentalists are happy with the situation and are ready to give full credit to the tiger conservation department. “The number has increased mainly due to good protection plans. I must say, both the government and non-government sectors have played a crucial role in the whole process. This will not only bring about a positive change in the eco-system, it will help boost tourism as well,” said environmentalist Biswajit Roy Choudhury. As India continues to be home to the maximum number of big cats, we take you on a virtual tour of the top five tiger reserves in the country. So, what are you waiting for? Go tiger-spotting in the wild this summer.

Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

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USP: Other than the exciting forest camps, the reserve is famous for leopards and birds.

Rich in wildlife, it is dominated by a fairly open canopy, mixed forests with considerable shrubs and open grassy patches. The high habitat heterogeneity favours high population of chital and sambar. Besides, this tiger reserve belongs to the Indo-Malayan phytogeographical region. Tigers, wild elephants, birds and butterflies have been a specialty of this forest.

Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh

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USP: Other than tigers, birds, butterflies and leopards are also attractions in this forest.

This forest is famous for its tiger-sighting and was awarded in 2007 for best kept national parks in the country by government of India. The park has more than 200 species of birds including the bar-headed goose, honey buzzard, king vulture and blossom-headed parakeet. This place can be best explored on elephants. There are also forest camps for tourists.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra

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USP: Other than tigers, leopard sightings are also frequent here.

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is one of the finest and largest

National Parks in Maharashtra. Here, the chance of tiger spotting is more than any other forest in the country. Besides tigers, the forest also houses leopards and around 195 species of birds, including the honey buzzard, crested serpent eagle, the shy jungle fowl and grey-headed fishing eagle. Jeep safaris are regularly conducted in the forest.

Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

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USP: Besides tigers, this forest is famous for Indian gaurs, elephants, sloth bears, muggers and four-horned antelopes.

The Maharaja of Mysore opened this sanctuary in the year 1931, and named it Venugopala Wildlife Park. Later, when the government of India took charge in 1973, it was renamed Bandipur National Park. You can spot a tiger more frequently than in any other forests. Both elephant and jeep safaris are conducted here.

Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka

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USP: Besides tigers, this forest is famous for different snakes (including the king cobra), smooth-coated otters, antelopes, deer and sloth bears.

Nagarhole was ruled by the Lingayat kings of Kodagu till the British colonial administration established hegemony in the 1850s. These forests see three major predators — tigers, leopards and dholes or wild dogs — co-existing in large numbers. The forest bungalow is absolutely fabulous and you can even go for elephant safaris.