Tamil Nadu, the cultural hot seat of South India has added another feather in its cap owing to its diverse natural heritage. Tamil Nadu Wildlife Tours are thus quite naturally a rage among the tourists.
Tamil Nadu is marked by a varied topography. The state encompasses an area of 1,30,058 sq km land area, out of which 17.6% is covered with forests. The lush terrains comprise of fertile low-lying plains, lofty mountains and the Western Ghats. A delightful blend of dry and wet deciduous forests, wet evergreen forests, sholas, grasslands and thorny scrubs and mangroves make up the state’s natural vegetation.
One of Tamil Nadu’s prized possessions is its assorted flora and varieties of wildlife. Elephants, tigers, bisons, monkeys and deer inhabit the lofty jungle-clad hills. As a natural corollary to this, some of the state’s leading wildlife sanctuaries like the Madumalai and Annamalai (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary) are situated on the hilly terrains.
Tamil Nadu is also spectacular breeding ground for variegated species of resident as well as migratory birds. The state houses cormorants, herons, storks, pelicans, grebes, darters and several other varieties of birds that are a real treat to behold. The Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary and the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary are two such eminent bird reserves of the state.
Tamil Nadu also houses crocodile and fish farms, a sanctuary that is solely dedicated to squirrels as well as several arboreal species.
A glimpse of Tamil Nadu’s diverse heritage can be obtained by a mere stopover at one or all of the following sanctuaries:
- Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary And National Park
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary And National Park
- Mukkurthi National Park
- Kalakkudu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary
- Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
- Guindy National Park
- Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Viralimalai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Anna Zoological Park, Chennai
