National Parks of India 31.5.2007

In bringing out a set of five commemorative postage stamps on National Parks of India, India Post celebrates the unique beauty of each. While applauding the conservation efforts so far made, there is obviously a need to carry this movement forward with greater resolve. This set of stamps will create greater awareness of the heritage we need to preserve.

The Bandipur National Park is a beautiful forest reserve located in Karnataka. It lies in the shadow of the Western Ghats and spreads across an area of about 875 sq. km. at a height of 780-1455 m above sea level. A moderate climate and diverse geographical features support a remarkable variety of flora and fauna. Declared a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1974, this National Park is best known for its elephant herds and Sandalwood trees.

The Mudumalai National Park lies in the state of Tamil Nadu and is contiguous to the Bandipur National Park, separated by the river Moyar that flows between the two. It is located on a 1000 Mtr. high plateau at the base of the Nilgiri hills with a core area of 104 sq. km. and was declared as a National Park in the year 1990. Just 321 sq. km. in area, the hilly terrain provides diverse habitats sustaining a great variety of wildlife including the Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Elephant, Bison, Sambar, Spotted Deer,Four–Horned Antelope, Black Buck, Hyena, Wild Dog, Porcupine, Jackal, Pythonetc. Rich in bird life, most families of birds found in the Indian sub–continentincluding some uncommon and rare species like the Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Magpie Robin, Spotted Babbler,Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Harriers, Falcons and King Vulture, etc. may be sighted in the Park area.

The Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is primarily known for its tiger population. The former hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa, Bandhavgarh was declared as a National Park in 1968.  

The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve was established in the verdant stretches of Kerala in 1895 and declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 777 sq. km. of which 360 sq. km. is under dense and evergreen forest cover. Deriving its name from the vast and stunningly beautifulPeriyar Lake, the habitat diversity is reflected in the variety of fauna. There are 35 species of mammals in the Park including its major attraction, the Indian Elephant, the endangered Lion–tailed Macaque which is confined to the evergreens in the interior as well as the Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Malabar Giant Squirrel,Flying Squirrel, Wild Boar, and Barking Deer. Periyar is also the only habitat of theNilgiri Tahr, which is not seen easily. This National Park is also rich in birds with 285 species including the Hornbill, Stork, Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Raptor, Cormorantand the Darter.

Kaziranga National Park is one of the last refuges of the endangered one horned Indian Rhinoceros. Located in Assam on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River,Kaziranga was declared a reserve forest in 1908, primarily to protect this indigenous endangered species and a ban imposed on poaching of the Indian Rhino. Declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1940 the Park was given the status of a National Park in 1974, and has also been declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.