10 Offbeat National Parks in India
Safari is one of the many ways to support conservation efforts and help preserve species in danger of extinction, all while experiencing the wonders of nature by being a part of it. A budget safari ride through a national park in India provides a learning opportunity about the environment, history, and wildlife and also provides the excitement of exploring the unknown. Several budget-friendly offbeat safari options in India provide a unique appeal to those who prefer areas with fewer crowds or lower costs and also provide revenue opportunities to the locals of the particular area. Here are some examples:
Buxa National Park, West Bengal
Buxa National Park is located in the northern part of West Bengal and is an Eastern Himalayan National Park. It is also a tiger reserve which is spread over 760 km2 and it is also a must-visit place for people who are interested in botany, as this region has a rare collection of orchids and medicinal plants. It is a home to wildlife species like Indian Elephant and Bengal Tiger. The nearest railway station is New Jalpaiguri Junction from where the forest is 175 km and it takes approximately 4 hours to cover the distance from there. The cost of jungle safari changes from time to time and it is not recommended to visit from 15th June to 15th September, due to the closure of forest dooars.
Balpakram National Park, Meghalaya
Balpakram Plateau is known for medicinal plants and wild animals including wild bison, wild cows, elephants, and most importantly, the endangered species of red panda. It is located in the south of Garo Hills in Meghalaya, India, and it is close to the international border with Bangladesh. Balpakram literally means “land of eternal winds”. It is also known as the “Lands of Spirits” because it is believed that this place is where spirits bring their animals killed at their funerals and also use it as a resting place. The rocky plateau and rugged terrain make it a must-visit for adventure enthusiasts.
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Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh
Namdapha is a national park and tiger reserve located a few kilometres from Miao. It has diverse flora and fauna at the international border of India and Myanmar. It is believed to be so diverse that botany enthusiasts probably need 50 years to explore the place comprehensively. It is famous for providing shelter to four feline species of big cats, namely, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard. The impenetrable pristine and virgin forests must be on the list of all those who seek a raw experience that is truly remote and wild.
Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
If someone has ever wondered what it would be like to take a safari trip on foot, Satpura is the answer to it. It is the only place in India that offers a walking safari experience and that allows exploration at a slow and comfortable pace. One of the best things about the place is that it is offbeat when compared to other tiger reserves. It is part of a rich Central Indian Forest ecosystem and thus is rich in biodiversity. Apart from camping and safari rides, some other available activities are canoe rides, boat cruises, and night patrol safari.
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Silent Valley National Park, Kerela
Located in the Nilgiri Hills, the Silent Valley was thus named by the British because of the absence of noisy cicadas. This national park is one of the last undisturbed tracts of the South Western Ghats Mountain rainforest and tropical moist evergreen forest in India. It is a unique preserve of tropical rainforest in all its pristine glory. The national park is home to 3 species of mammals, 292 species of birds, 31 species of butterflies and moths and some are yet to be documented. It is also rich in floral diversity.
Dibru- Saikhowa National Park, Assam
It is one of the lesser-known treasures of Northeast India and is a shelter for extremely rare species owing to its floodplain ecosystem. The original intention was the conservation of the rare white-wooden wood duck and the place is now home to rare species like water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, and capped langur. This is one of the few places where feral horses can be found. River dolphins also find shelter in this area. The number of recorded bird species makes it an absolute treat to those interested in them. The place also provides opportunities for river safaris.
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Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
Situated in Sikkim, this National Park provides shelter to nearly half of India’s bird diversity, trees, orchids, and rhododendrons. It is one of the most prominent National parks in Northeast India because of its stunning landscapes, trekking opportunities, and some really rare species. It has varied landscapes in the form of lakes, plains, valleys, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. It has been included in the mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage Site. Snow Leopards and Himalayan Blue Sheep can be found here along with other species of animals like Tibetan Snowcock, snow pigeon, Impeyan pheasant, and Asian emerald cuckoo. There are several mythological stories associated with this mountain and a great number of natural elements that are the object of worship by the indigenous people of Sikkim.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest contiguous mangrove forest. It is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger but the chances of spotting one are not guaranteed. Apart from tigers, it is wealthy in terms of providing shelter to animal species which include the Irrawaddy and Ganges River Dolphins. The remote areas of Sundarbans are also home to a small population of human beings and the history of human settlement in the Sundarbans can be traced back to the Mauryan era. The area has evolved over the years due to natural causes. Golpathar Jungle, Jhorkali, Chargheri Char, Hiran Point, Dutta River, Bonnie Camp, and Sajnekhali Watch Tower are some of the lesser explored areas in Sundarbans, known mostly by the locals of the area. These offbeat locations provide some of the most picturesque vistas of lush flora and flowing rivers.
Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
The Great Himalayan National Park is located in the Banjar subdivision of Kullu. It is now a popular destination for the Great Himalayan Trekking. The office at Sai Ropa provides required permissions for trek routes that vary from one that can be done in a day or two to those that can take up from a week to ten days. It is a part of the Himalaya biodiversity and is home to several species of plants and animals, some of which are extremely rare. The Himalayan Brown bear, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, snow leopard, and musk deer are some examples of the rare species in this area. The area displays coniferous forests that form a mosaic across a steep valley-side landscape. Apart from, animals, the place serves as a shelter for different species of reptiles, insects, vascular plants, lichens, mosses, and many more. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2014 for its significant contribution to biodiversity conservation.
Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka
This National Park intends to enable the Critical Tiger Habitat to be a safe and undisturbed area, where tigers, their predators, and prey can thrive and maintain a healthy population. After Corbett and Kaziranga, Nagarahole is famous for having a high-density tiger population in India. Located in Kodagu and Mysore districts in Karnataka, it is known for being a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is the first biosphere reserve in India. One who is keen on spotting the wild animals in the area can opt for a jeep safari. People who want to explore aquatic life can opt for a boat safari to experience wildlife watching on the Kabini River. The smaller crowd makes the safari experience extremely peaceful. The chances of seeing a tiger, leopard, or elephant are very high because of the protected nature of the area.
India is a country known for its diversity and planning a wildlife safari trip is one way to explore the different natural beauty treats that are hidden in the wild. No matter which safari trip one considers exploring, the experience would not just be adventurous but also create a memory for a lifetime. Such small trips not only help in personal growth and knowledge but also contribute to the economy of the place thus making the conservation and protection of wildlife in these regions and little easier.
There are several ways to ensure that the trips are within a certain budget and the most important of them is choosing the right destination. A little research can suggest areas that are closer and thus effectively reduce travel expenses. Compromising luxury is very important when planning a budget trip. Staying longer in one place can also help reduce some unnecessary expenses and most importantly, it is important to ensure using local services whenever possible to not only ensure lower prices but to also ensure direct benefits to the local communities.
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