Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu are areas involved in the protection and conservation of a wide variety of flora and fauna in the state. The south Indian state of Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in the country. The state hosts many tourist destinations like waterfalls, temples, forts, hill stations, historic places and palaces, etc. Wildlife sanctuaries are no exception in this regard. Some of the Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu are described below:
Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve
Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve is located along the Western Ghats. It has the distinction of being the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. It was established on 3rd of November, 2008 and is spread over an area of about 1,411.6 square kilometers. The sanctuary occupies a forest area of about 1,411.6 square kilometers. It serves as a home to tiger, elephant, wild boar, deer, antelope, sloth bear, monitor lizards, etc.
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Virudhunagar and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary. It was declared as a sanctuary in December, 1989. The sanctuary was set up to protect and provide shelter to a vulnerable species namely, Grizzled Giant Squirrels.
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is a prominent sanctuary, situated in the Western Ghats Mountain Range of Tamil Nadu. Mixed deciduous and tropical semi evergreen tracts are found here. Nilgiri langur and lion tailed macaque are significant species of the sanctuary. Nilgiri Tahr, one of the last wild goat species is also a part of the sanctuary.
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kanyakumari district. The sanctuary is known to be a tiger habitat. Other animals of the sanctuary are Indian bison, elephant, Indian rock python, lion-tailed macaque, mouse deer, Nilgiri tahr and sambar deer.
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is located along the Palk Strait. The sanctuary was established on 13th of June, 1967. It is spread over an area of about 21.47 square kilometers (8.29 sq mi). The area receives most of the rain from the northeast monsoon. The sanctuary houses species like black buck, chital, bonnet macaque, black naped hare, dolphins, dugong or sea cow, etc.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu
Some of the other wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu are Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Vaduvoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Wildlife Sanctuary and Vellode Wildlife Sanctuary.
