India's 166 national parks make the country the third most endowed in the world, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), behind Australia (685) and China (202). This ecological and natural pride offers a total and undeniable discovery of the country's wildlife and flora. Tigers are an integral part of it and have become a considerable priority. The species is classified by the IUCN as endangered. It has fallen from 100,000 individuals in 1900 to 3,500 today, with the majority in India. Many government organizations and associations work toward its conservation. All 166 territories are managed by India's Ministry of Environment and Forests and inevitably attract travelers from around the world. Here is a small selection to guide your choices for visits.

Jim Corbett National Park

India's oldest national park bears the name of its most famous hunter. Jim Corbett was known in the 1920s for his hunting exploits. Man-eating tigers and leopards were his favorite prey. India's oldest national park took his name in 1957, 21 years after its creation.

Located in the city of Nainital, it is home to over 600 different bird species, Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, king cobras, antelopes, and pangolins. The reserve spans over 500 square kilometers and attracts a multitude of tourists each year, as its reception is renowned and accommodations are easily accessible. The visit, designed to be engaging, takes place with a guide aboard an open-top 4x4 along sandy and dirt roads near lakes, forests, and surrounding plains. The animals are, of course, roaming free, for a fully immersive experience.

Bannerghatta National Park

Located a few kilometers south of the city of Bangalore, Bannerghatta National Park encompasses a nature reserve and a zoo. It is perfectly suited for hiking due to the numerous trails that run through it. The scrublands and forests that abound in this area make it a lush location full of secrets to discover.

This 100 square-kilometer park is particularly famous for its white tigers, a legendary and extremely rare species, and also boasts a large reserve of wild butterflies.

Kanha Tiger Reserve

This national park, located near the city of Mandla, is the largest reserve in Madhya Pradesh State. It spans over 940 square kilometers and is considered an essential stop on a trip to India. The numerous plains, bamboo forests, and lakes color a landscape also formed by abandoned villages to give complete freedom to the reserve's wildlife.

It is also one of the country's largest tiger sanctuaries. You can also find Indian leopards, bears, wild dogs, and gaurs, which are the most voluminous animals in the area. The park closes its doors from July 1st to October 15th. February to June seems to be the best time to visit.

The international WWF association works tirelessly to enable the reserve's tigers to live in complete harmony, particularly in dealing with the problems they may create or encounter with local populations. The NGO ensures species stabilization, particularly by consolidating access to food for the animals.

Thibault Bourru