Top 20 Unexplored Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Here is the unexplored wildlife destinations in India, which are still lesser known to people and untouched by the large number of tourists. Lesser known wildlife destinations and Sanctuaries of India also include Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Melghat Tiger Reserve,Jawai dam sanctuary, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and estuary is the second largest stretch of mangrove forests in India and home to the critically endangered vultures found in India as well as waders and mangrove bird species.

The backwaters of the mangrove forest is also home to breeding population of otters, spot-billed pelican, sandpiper, redshank, sea turtle and fishing cat.

Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary is the rarest eco-regions in India with pristine mangrove forest and estuary located in Andhra Pradesh. Krishna sanctuary along the coastal plain of Krishna delta is home to marine reptiles and snakes such as Common sand boa, Common trinket snake and Common cat snake.

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary around the fortress of Kumbhalgarh across the Aravalli Range is part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. The sanctuary is home to a variety of endangered species and wildlife, including Indian wolf, Indian leopard,chausingha and also one of the places for the reintroduction of the Asiatic lion and cheetahs in India.

Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Sita Mata Wildlife Sanctuary is a dense forest area and one of the selected site for Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project in India. The sanctuary host variety of wildlife, including rare Flying squirrel,Caracal cat,striped hyena, golden jackal and Indian leopard.

Nagzira wildlife sanctuary, Maharashtra

Nagzira wildlife sanctuary is an important conservation unit in Maharashtra and home of many endangered species. The sanctuary located between Bhandara and Gondia district of Maharashtra and home to mouse deer, porcupine, pangolin, mongoose, otter and wild dog.

Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra

Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary in Kolhapur lies at the end of the Sahyadri hills in the Western Ghats and a sub cluster of Western Ghats,natural World Heritage Site. The evergreen forest of sanctuary is home to rare species of birds such as Nilgiri wood-pigeon,Malabar whistlingthrush, Indian blue robin and very rare Indian frogmouth.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is another lesser known protected area in Goa, located in the North Goa District and regarded as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot. The sanctuary and Western Ghats landscape is home to rare black panther, endangered slender loris,flying squirrel and small Indian civet.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary of Goa is famous for dense forest of tall trees and nature trails. The sanctuary is located in Canacona and home to Malabar pit viper, hump-nosed pit viper, draco flying lizard, Malabar gliding snake and flying drogs.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve and also second elephant reserve in Karnataka. Dandeli is a birdwatchers paradise and famous for for the great hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, king cobra and elusive black panther.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary near Chikkamagaluru town in Karnataka state offers wide range of flora and fauna. The sanctuary is surrounded by mountain peak, scenic hills, shola forest and supports more than 50 species of wildlife including Malabar giant squirrel, ruddy mongoose, black leopard and jungle wild cat.

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary of Chhattisgarh State is part of the Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve and also a wildlife corridor for Kanha, home to the Bengal tiger, Indian bison, Sloth bear, Ussuri dhole and Indian muntjac.

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh

Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve along with the adjoining Pachmarhi wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. The highland ecosystem of Bori includes India’s oldest forest preserve, bounded by the Satpura National Park and home to large mammal species and variety of birds.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for star tortoise in India and one of the best wildlife sanctuaries and the protected areas of Kerala. The sanctuary contiguous with Eravikulam National Park, which is the first national park in Kerala and home to largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr in India.

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in the Erode district is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The forest is also a wildlife corridor between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats as well as the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is the easternmost part of the Western Ghats and a biodiversity hotspots. The hills and ecoregions are home to very rare and endangered plants and animals of India such as grizzled giant squirrel, Nilgiri tahr, wild ox and black Indian leopard.

Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 11 to 12 Indian lions and Indian leopards, shares a common boundary with Gir woodlands. The land adjoining the Gir National Park is referred to as Mitiyala Grasslands and one of the best place to spot Asiatic Lions in Gujarat.

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the lesser known high altitude sanctuary and home to rare and endangered medicinal plant species and healthy population snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary near Guwahati has good population of the Great Indian rhinoceros and Asiatic wild water Buffaloo. Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is also an Important Bird Area and home to various reptiles and migratory birds.

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located at foothills of Himalayas and home to rare and endangered species of India- hispid hare,critically endangered suid -Pygmy hog, Vulnerable Clouded leopard and very rare Hoolock gibbon.

Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh

Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area of Arunachal and one of the eight wildlife sanctuaries of Arunachal Pradesh, part of the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve. The sanctuary is home to rare Mishmi Hills giant flying squirrel, Mishmi takin,Red goral,red panda, Asiatic black bear and Gongshan muntjac.