Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park & Zoo

A Wildlife Sanctuary is a reserved area where wild animals are either born or brought from outside and bred with care and protection for rest of their lives. The residents animals are not traded and do not participate in any scientific study. Utmost planning and execution is done to make sure that they get as natural an environment as is feasible.

Unlike a zoo, general public does not have unescorted access to a wildlife sanctuary. Any human interaction with the animals goes through a thorough systematic check before it is allowed. The welfare of the animals is never undermined irrespective of the action taken.

These sanctuaries are mostly notified and owned by the government and may or may not span on to the private land.

A National Park is another area which is either declared or owned by a government and set aside for recreation of humans, protection and upkeep of animals and Nature. No Public or Private Development is allowed inside a national park. These parks are often created through a legislation with a general area of more than 1000 hectares. Sufficient funding and resources are provided to run the facility at all times.

Scientific studies can be carried out at a National Park including the experimental study of both animals and plants. General Public is granted access under special conditions for inspirational, recreative, educative and cultural purposes. Any activity that can harm the things inside the park, living and non-living alike, is strictly prohibited.

In India, Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks are regulated by the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

A zoo (short form of Zoological Garden) is a public or private park where animals are kept for exhibition and study. The mix of animals can usually be both wild and domestic with a dominance of wild ones.

National Zoo Policy regulates zoos on India. Central Zoo Authority <http://www.cza.nic.in/> supervises the operations of all zoos in India.

Following is the list of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India.


Northern India
Jammu and Kashmir

National Parks
Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
Dachigam 141.00 1981
Hemis 4100.00 1981
Kishtwar 310.00 1981

Sanctuaries




Baltal       03.00 1987
Changthang 4000.00 1987
Gulmarg 186.00 1987
Hirpora 110.00 1987
Hokarsar 10.00 -
Kanji 250.00 1988
Karakoram 1800.00 -
Lachipora 800.00 1987
Limber 26.00 1987
Nandini 33.72 1981
Overa 32.37 1981
Overa-Aru 425.00 1987
Ramnagar 12.90 1981
Surinsar-Mansar 39.58 1981
Tongri 20.00 -

Himachal Pradesh

National Parks Area in Sq. Km Year of Notification
Great Himalayan 605.61 1984
Pin Valley 807.36 1987



Sanctuaries

· Bandli 39.47 1962
· Chail 110.04 1976
· Churdhar 56.59 1985
· Daranghati 27.01 1962
· Darlaghat 98.71 1962
· Gamgul Siahbehi 105.46 1949
· Gobind Sagar and Naina Devi 120.67 1962
· Kais 12.20 1954
· Kalatop & Khajjiar 30.69 1949
· Kanawar 61.57 1954
· Khokhan 17.60 1954
· Kugti 330.00 1962
· Lippa Asrang 29.53 1962
· Majathal 31.64 1962
· Manali 31.27 1954
· Naina Devi 37.19 1962
· Nargu 243.13 1962
· Pong Dam Sanctuary 322.70 1983
· Raksham Chitkul 38.27 1962
· Renuka

· Rupi Bhabha 354.14 1982
· Sechu Tuan Nala 655.32 1962
· Shikari Devi 71.19 1962
· Shilli

· Simbalbara 17.20 1958
· Talra 36.16 1962
· Tirthan 68.25 1976
· Tundah 419.48 1962

Punjab

Sanctuaries Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Abohar 188.24 1975
· Harike Lake 43.00 1982
· Bir Gurdialpura

· Bir Bunnerheri

· Bir Motibagh




Chandigarh

Sukhna 25.42




Delhi

Indira Priyadarshini 13.20



Haryana



National Park Area in Sq. Km Year of Notification
Sultanpur




Sanctuaries

· Bir Shikargarh 10.93 1975
· Chautala 113.96 1987



Rajasthan



National Parks Area in Sq. Km Year of Notification
· Desert 3162.00 1981
· Keoladeo 28.73 1981
· Ranthambore 392.00 1980
· Sariska 273.80 1982



Sanctuaries

· Baretha 192.76 1985
· Bassi 152.90
· Bhensrodgarh 229.14 1983
· Darah 265.83 1955
· Jaisamand 52.00 1956
· Jamwa Ramgarh 300.00 1982
· Jawahar Sagar 100.00 1980
· Keladevi 676.00 1983
· Kumbhalgarh 578.26 1971
· Mount Abu 288.84 1960
· Nahargarh 50.00 1980
· National Chambal 280.00 1983
· National Garhial

· Phulwari 511.41 1983
· Ramgarh Bundi 307.00 1982
· Sariska 492.00 1958
· Sawai Mansingh 103.25 1984
· Shergarh 98.71 1983
· Sita Mata 422.94 1979
· Sunda Mata 107.00
· Todgarh Raoli 495.27 1983
· Tal Chapper

· Van Vihar 59.93 1955



Uttar Pradesh



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Corbett 520.82 1936
· Dudwa 490.29 1977
· Gangotri 1552.73 1991
· Govind 472.08 1991
· Nanda Devi 630.33 1982
· Rajaji

· Valley of Flowers 89.50 1982



Sanctuaries Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Askot

· Binsar 45.59 1988
· Chandra Prabha 78.00 1957
· Chilla

· Govind Pashu Vihar 481.04 1954
· Hastinapur 20.73 1986
· Kaimur 500.75 1982
· Kateraniaghat 400.09 1976
· Kedarnath 975.24 1972
· Kishanpur 227.12 1972
· Maahavir Swamy

· National Chambal 635.00 1979
· Nawabganj

· Ranipur 230.31 1977
· Samaspur

· Sohagabarwa 428.20 1987
· Sonanadi 301.18 1987




Central India

Madhya Pradesh



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Bandhavgarh 448.00 1968
· Fossil 0.27
· Indravati 1258.37 1978
· Kanger Ghati 200.00 1982
· Kanha 940.00 1955
· Madhav 337.00 1959
· Panna 542.66 1981
· Pench 292.86 1977
· Sanjay 1938.01 1981
· Satpura 524.37 1981
· Van Vihar 4.45



Sanctuaries

· Achanakmar 551.55 1975
· Badankhoh 104.35 1975
· Bagdara 478.90 1978
· Barnawapara 244.66 1976
· Bhairamgarh 138.95 1983
· Bori 518.25 1977
· Gandhi Sagar 368.62 1974
· Ghatigaon 512.00 1981
· Gomardah 277.82 1972
· Karera 202.21 1981
· Ken Gharial 45.00 1981
· Kuno-Palpur 345.00
· Kheoni 122.70
· Narsingarh 57.19 1974
· National Chambal 320.00 1978
· Noradehi 1034.52 1975
· Pachmarhi 461.85 1977
· Palpur 344.68 1981
· Pamed Wild Buffalo 262.00 1983
· Panpatha 245.84 1983
· Pench 449.39
· Fensatallite 110.24 1983
· Ratapani 688.79 1976
· Sailana Florican 12.96 1983
· Sanjay (Dubri) 364.69 1975
· Sardarpur Florican 348.12 1983
· Samarsot 340.35 1978
· Singhori (Sindhari) 287.91 1976
· Sitanadi 553.36 1974
· Sone Gharial 41.80 1981
· Tamor Pingla 608.52 1978
· Udanti Wild Buffalo 247.59 1983



Orissa



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Bhitar Kanika 367.00 1988
· North Simlipal 845.70 1980



Sanctuaries

· Badrama 304.03 1987
· Baisipalli 168.35 1981
· Balukhand Konark 71.72 1984
· Bhitarkanika 70.00 1975
· Chandaka Dampara 175.79 1982
· Chilka Lake (Nalaban) 15.53 1987
· Debrigarh 346.91 1985
· Hadgarh 191.06 1978
· Karlapat 147.66 1992
· Khalasuni 116.00 1982
· Kotgarh 399.05 1981
· Kuldiha 272.75 1984
· Lakhari Valley 185.87 1985
· Satkosia Gorge 795.52 1976
· Simlipal 845.70 1979
· Sunabema 600.00 1988
· Ushakothi




Bihar



National Park Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Palamau 213.00 1986



Sanctuaries

· Bhimbandh 681.90 1976
· Chandra Prabha

· Dalma 193.22 1976
· Gautam Buddha 259.48 1976
· Hazaribagh 186.25 1976
· Kabar 204.00 1986
· Kaimur 1342.22 1978
· Koderma 177.95 1985
· Lawalang 211.03 1978
· Mahuadaur 63.25 1976
· Nakti Dam 206.40 1985
· Palamau 767.00 1976
· Parasnath 49.23 1984
· Rajgir 35.84 1978
· Topchanchi

· Valmikinagar 461.60 1978
· Udaipur



Western India



Maharashtra



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Gugamal 361.80 1987
· Nawegaon 133.88 1975
· Pench 257.26 1975
· Sanjay Gandhi 86.96 1983
· Tadoba 116.55 1955



Sanctuaries

· Andhari 509.27 1986
· Aner Dam 82.94 1986
· Bhimashankar 130.78 1985
· Bor 61.10 1970
· Chandoli 308.97 1985
· Chaprala 134.78 1986
· Dhakna Kolkaz

· Gandhari

· Gautala Autramghat 260.61 1986
· Great Indian Bustard 8496.44 1979
· Jaikwadi 341.05 1986
· Kalsubai Harishchandra 361.71 1986
· Katepurna 73.69 1988
· Koyna 423.55 1985
· Malvan Marine 29.12 1987
· Melghat 597.23 1985
· Nagzira 152.81 1970
· Nandur Madmeshwar 100.12 1986
· Painganga 324.62 1986
· Phansad 69.79 1986
· Radhangiri 371.88 1958
· Sagareshwar 10.87 1985
· Tansa 30.41 1970
· Wainganga

· Yawal 177.52 1969



Gujarat



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Bansda 23.99 1979
· Gir 258.71 1975
· Marine (Gulf of Kutch) 162.89 1980
· Velavadar 34.08 1976



Sanctuaries

· Balaram-Ambaji 542.08 1989
· Barda 192.31 1979
· Dhumkhal

· Gir 1153.42 1965
· Jambughoda 130.38 1990
· Jessore 180.66 1978
· Khijadiya

· Kutch Desert 7506.22 1986
· Marine (Gulf of Kutch) 293.03 1980
· Nal Sarovar 120.82 1969
· Narayan Sarovar (Chinkara) 765.79 1981
· Paniya 39.63 1989
· Purna 160.84 1990
· Rampura 15.01 1988
· Ratanmahal 55.65 1982
· Schoolpaneshwar 607.70 1982
· Wild Ass 4953.70 1973



Goa, Daman and Diu



National Park Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Bhagwan Mahavir 107.00 1978



Sanctuaries

· Bhagwan Mahavir 148.52 1967
· Cotigao 105.00 1968


Eastern India

West Bengal



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Neora Valley 88.00 1992
· Singalila 78.60 1992
· Sundarban 1330.10 1984



Sanctuaries

· Buxa 251.89 1986
· Bibnutibhushan

· Betuadahary

· Ballavpur

· Chapramari

· Gorumara

· Halliday Island 5.95 1976
· Jaldapara 216.51 1990
· Jorpokhri

· Lothian Island 38.00 1976
· Mahananda 127.22 1976
· Narendrapur

· Parnadhan

· Ramnabagan

· Raiganj

· Sajnakhali 362.40 1976
· Senchal 38.88 1976



Sikkim



National Park Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Khangchendzonga 849.50 1977



Sanctuaries

· Fambong Lho 51.76 1984
· Kyongasia Alpine

· Maenam 35.34 1987
· Shingba Rhododendron 32.50 1984



Arunachal Pradesh



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Moiling 483.00 1986
· Namdapha 1985.24 1983



Sanctuaries

· D'Ering Memorial 190.00 1978
· Dibang Valley 4149.00 1991
· Eagle nest 217.00 1989
· Itanagar 140.30 1978
· Kamlang 783.00 1989
· Kane 55.00 1991
· Mehao 281.50 1980
· Pakhui 861.95 1977
· Sessa Orchid 100.00 1989



Assam



National Park Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Kaziranga 429.96 1974
· Nambiar




Sanctuaries

· Barnadi 26.22 1980
· Dipor Beel 40.00 1989
· Garampani

· Laokhowa 70.14 1979
· Manas 391.00 1928
· Nameri 137.07 1985
· Orang 72.60 1985
· Pabha 49.00
· Pobitara 38.83 1987
· Sonai Rupai 175.00 1934



Manipur



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Keibul Lamjao 40.00 1977
· Siroi 41.30 1982



Sanctuary

· Yagoupokpi Lokchao 184.80 1989



Meghalaya



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Balphakram 220.00 1986
· Nokrek 47.48 1986



Sanctuaries

· Bhagmara

· Nongkhyllem 29.00 1981
· Siju




Mizoram



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Murlen 200.00 1991
· Phawngpui 50.00 1991



Sanctuaries

· Dampa 500.00 1985
· Khawnglung 41.00 1991
· Ngengpui 150.00 1991



Nagaland



Sanctuaries Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Intanki 202.02 1975
· Pulebatze

· Fakim




Tripura

Sanctuaries Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Charilam

· Gumti 389.54 1988
· Sepahijala 18.53 1987
· Trishna 170.56 1987




Southern India

Andhra Pradesh



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Shri Venkataswara 353.00



Sanctuaries

· Coringa 235.79 1978
· Eturnagaram 803.00 1953
· Gundlabrahmeswaram 1194.00
· Kaundinya 357.60
· Kawal 893.00 1965
· Kinnerasani 655.41 1977
· Kolleru 673.00 1963
· Krishna 194.81
· Lanjamadugu

· Manjira 20.00 1978
· Nagarjunasagar Srisailam 3,568.00 1978
· Neelapattu 4,404.00
· Pakhal 879.30 1952
· Papikonda 590.68 1978
· Pocharam 130.00 1952
· Pranahita 136.02 1980
· Pulicat 500.00 1976
· Rollapadu 614.00
· Srilanka Malleswara 464.42
· Siwaram 36.29 1978
· Srivenkateswara 506.94



Karnataka



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Anshi 250.00 1987
· Bandipur 874.20 1974
· Bannerghatta 104.27 1974
· Kudremukh 600.32 1987
· Nagarhole 643.30 1988



Sanctuaries

· Arabithittu 13.50 1985
· Bhadra 492.46 1974
· Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple 539.52 1987
· Bramhagiri 181.29 1974
· Cauvery 510.51 1987
· Dandeli

· Ghataprabha 29.78 1974
· Melkote Temple 49.82 1974
· Mukambika 247.00 1974
· Nugu 30.32 1974
· Pushpagiri 102.59 1987
· Ranganthittu

· Ranebennur 119.00 1974
· Sharavathi Valley 431.23 1974
· Shettihally 395.60 1974
· Someswara 88.40 1974
· Talakaveri 105.00 1987



Kerala



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Eravikulam 97.00 1978
· Periyar 305.00 1982
· Silent Valley 89.52 1980



Sanctuaries

· Aralam 55.00 1984
· Chimony 105.00 1984
· Chinnar 90.44 1984
· Idukki 77.00 1976
· Neyyar 128.00 1958
· Parambikulam 285.00 1973
· Peechi Vazhani 125.00 1958
· Peppara 53.00 1983
· Periyar 472.00 1950
· Shenduruny 100.32 1984
· Thattekkad Bird 25.00 1983
· Wynad 344.44 1973



Tamil Nadu



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Guindy

· Indira Gandhi 118.08 1989
· Anamalai 849.35



Sanctuaries

· Kalakad 223.58
· Karikili

· Mudumalai 321.55
· Mukurthi 78.46
· Mundanthurai 567.38
· Point Calimere 17.26
· Pulicat 461.02
· Srivilliputhur 485.20
· Vedantangal

· Vettangudi




The Andaman Islands



National Parks Area in Sq. Km. Year of Notification
· Campbell Bay 426.23 1992
· Galathea 110.00 1992
· Wandur 281.50 1983
· Mount Harriet Island 46.22 1979
· Saddle Peak 32.55 1979



Sanctuaries

· Barren Island 8.10 1977
· Battimalve Island 2.23 1985
· Benett Island 3.46 1987
· Bluff Island 1.14 1987
· Bondoville Island 2.55 1987
· Buchaan Island 9.33 1987
· Cinque Island 9.51 1987
· Crocodile (Lohabrrack) 22.21 1983
· Defence Island 10.49 1987
· East (Inglis) Island 3.55 1987
· East Island 6.11 1987
· Flat Island 9.36 1987
· Interview Island 133.00 1985
· James Island 2.10 1987
· Kyd Island 8.00 1987
· Landfall Island 29.48 1987
· Narcondum Island 6.81 1977
· North Reef Island 3.48 1977
· Paget Island 7.36 1987
· Pitman Island 1.37 1987
· Point Island 3.07 1987
· Ranger Island 4.26 1987
· Reef Island 1.74 1987
· Roper Island 1.46 1987
· Ross Island 1.01 1987
· Sandy Island 1.58 1987
· Shearme Island 7.85 1987
· Sir Hugh Rose Island 1.06 1987
· South Brother Island 1.24 1987
· South Reef Island 1.17 1987
· South Sentinel Island 1.61 1977
· Spike Island- 211.70 1987
· Swamp Island 4.09 1987
· Table (Delgarno) Island 2.29 1987
· Table (Excelsior) Island 1.69 1987
· Talabaicha Island 3.21 1987
· Temple Island 1.04 1987
· Tillanchang Island 6.83 1985
· West Island 6.40 1987

Sunday, March 27, 2011

How can we become a Martyr?

March 23 is celebrated each year as Shaheed Diwas (Martyr’s Day) in India. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hung on this day in the wee hours in 1931. 80 years have passed. We, the current generation, are miserably unaware of what these bright young men sacrificed their lives for and hence, Shaheed Diwas is just another day of governmental action for us. There can be debate about the methods they used to forward their cause and as to what extent they helped in pushing the British to the wall. Yet, there can be no two opinions about their purpose of living and subsequently immortalizing their lives through a famous death.

Books and articles have been written, functions and seminaries have been organized and popular movies have been made. They all do their bit to bring to concept what these Heroes wanted to preach and achieve. Born on 27 September, 1907 in a small Punjab village, Bhagat Singh was moved irrevocably by the images of the 1919 Jalianwalla Bagh tragedy. His mind hardened towards the British. On call of Gandhi jee, he left school to actively participate in the Non-Cooperation movement. He had resolved to devote the rest of his life to drive away the foreign Occupants of Mother India. To avoid early marriage that might have stalled all his plans, he left his house one night and never returned.

Sukhdev Thapar was born in Ludhiana in Punjab on May 15, 1907. Like Bhagat, he too was christened in Revolutionary Life very early in his childhood. Shiv Ram Hari Rajguru was the third of the famous trio. Pune was the place where he was born on 24 August, 1908. He was Shivaji fan and loved physical exercising. He moved to Varanasi while he was a child and learnt Sanskrit by heart. He too was into the Freedom Struggle stream quite early in his life.

These men of action had a thinking of their own. They were not satisfied with the complete non-violence approach of the Leaders led by Gandhi jee. All three were members of different organizations with a solo aim of achieving Independence for India. They chose the military way of going about the business of asking Britishers to leave. They conspired and killed Assistant Superintendent Saunders. Later, Bhagat and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly. This led British to treat the whole gang of activists as terrorists and sentence those 3 to death.

You may know all this history. Even then this short summary above shall help. There are many significant lessons to be learnt, preserved and preached from the lives of these young men. I am going to focus this talk on the most important learning of all – the meaning of martyrdom.

Dictionary entry says a martyr is “One who makes great sacrifices or suffers much in order to further a belief, cause, or principle.” So you should devise a belief, cause or principle to devote your complete attention to. Bhagat and company were not martyrs because they died but because they chose to espouse the cause of freedom of their motherland through their lifetimes. They thought about the various ways available to them to try and accomplish their task and decided that some armed action was the most appropriate method. How did they reach this decision and how far it was correct cannot be measured by the yardstick of today. Those were times when the mode of non-violent appeals was not yielding fruits as one would have liked. Gandhi jee and others chose to be more patient and relenting. These folks disagreed.

To kill is never correct and avenging a kill by another kill is equally despicable. But this ideology holds good when there is a rule of Law. Bhagat and friends were wrong in killing Saunders, mistaken to be General Scott who ordered lathicharge that led to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai while he was protesting against the Simon Commission. The British used defectors, loopholes in Law and corrupt judges to form a strong case which led to the death sentence. Hence, the 3 died in order to prevent the sabotage of their thinking. They wanted other youths to take up the case of Independence after them. And they succeeded. This is called martyrdom.

How can we be martyrs without picking up guns and actually ending up in gallows? The first step is to plan. The second is to execute. And the third step is to leave an impression and a legacy to follow. Easier said than done. Our daily life presents us many burning issues – from Religion to Science, from History to Geography, from Psychology to Reality. We have to choose one or more of them and work endlessly to make some progress. Yes, we may not grab headlines but we will have the pleasure and satisfaction of acting and making a mark. The country needs many more Bhagat Singhs and we all can fulfill that requirement.

Living a life of comfort and devoid of direct action will only record us in the History books as “Unknowns” and “Non-doers”. And 99% of all of us choose to live this way. But if we continue to do so, to talk and think about Bhagat and brigade would be utter nonsense and a huge disrespect to these Martyrs. Let us do something out of the ordinary day-to-day business to challenge ourselves and get something moving in the right direction.

That’s the only fitting tribute we can pay to these legends.