Major Wildlife Sanctuaries of Asia

The various national parks, safaris, and wildlife reserves on the continent are becoming more accessible to tourists from around the world, which has contributed to the rapid rise of safari tourism in Asia. Your heart will definitely race at the notion of taking a safari through these dense forests, which are home to such threatened animals. The Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard, and one-horned rhinoceros are just a few of the unique animals that are uniquely found in India.

The greatest guide to Asia Wildlife Sanctuary is included in the list of the top wildlife safari locations in Asia that is provided below.

Features of Major Wildlife Sanctuaries of Asia

Here are the descriptions of major wildlife sanctuaries of Asia −

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

A protected area in the Terai region of eastern Nepal, the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve spans 176 km² (68 sq. mi) of wetlands in the Sunsari, Saptari, and Udayapur Districts. It is located in the floodplain of the Kosi River and consists of huge reed beds and freshwater marshes. Its height ranges from 75 to 81 m (246 to 266 ft). It was founded in 1976, and in December 1987 it received the Ramsar designation. It is home to the final herd of wild water buffalo in Nepal. The reserve and the Koshi Barrage were named two of Nepal's 27 Important Bird Areas in 2005.

Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary

Northwestern Thailand's Tak Province is home to the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, a site for wildlife protection. In 1989, it was declared a protected sanctuary. It's thought to be a component of the Western Forest Complex. Myanmar, Mokro and Phop Phra District in Tak Province, Khlong Wang Chao National Park, Khlong Lan National Park, Mae Wong National Park, and Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary are places that are close to Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Merak and Sakteng Gewogs in Trashigang District and immediately across the border in Samdrup Jongkhar District, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Bhutan. It is one of the nation's protected areas and is on Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO admission as a tentative site. Merak Range, Sakteng Range, and Joenkhar Range are the three ranges that make up the sanctuary. With a total area of 333.67 square kilometres, Sakteng Range is the greatest range, followed by Merak Range (287.352 square kilometres) and Joenkhar Range.

Wangchuck Wildlife Sanctuary

In June 2008, the sanctuary made an official announcement and welcomed visitors. The area was formerly a Contennial Park. It is the biggest wildlife park in the Kingdom of Bhutan and one of the country's most valuable economic assets. The Park typically exhibits Himalayan range characteristics, with blue pine and alpine making up the majority of the vegetation. Its 4919 square kilometres are bordered by Bhutan's Bhumthang, Gasa, Dzongkhags, Trongsa, and Wangduephodrang districts. Like all other national parks in the nation, Wangchuck is home to some of the most critically endangered plant and animal species.

Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (also called Bumdelling or Bomdeling), which includes the old Kulong Chu Wildlife Sanctuary, spans 1,520.61 square kilometres (587.11 sq mi) in northeastern Bhutan at heights ranging from 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) to 6,000 meters (20,000 ft). The majority of Trashiyangtse District, including Bumdeling Gewog, is covered by the sanctuary. Planned in 1995, the sanctuary opened its doors in 1998. It has a variety of plants, animals, and landscapes, such as the Bumdeling Valley and alpine lakes. Additionally, the sanctuary has a number of sacred and cultural locations. There are 3,000 resident households in the park. The sanctuary is situated in the basin of Drangme Chu, one of Buthan and Kholong Chu's two major rivers.

Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary

Thailand's Uthai Thani and Tak Provinces are home to the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a part of the largest intact seasonal tropical forest complex in Mainland Southeast Asia and was founded in 1974. In 1991, the UN designated it and the Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary as World Heritage Sites.[3] The two sanctuaries cover a combined area of 622,200 hectares. Indochinese tigers, bears, elephants, gibbons, and other large mammals all have sustainable populations there as of 2014, yet like all other places in mainland Southeast Asia, certain species (such rhinoceroses) have vanished or have had drastic decreases.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is one of the world's best bird sanctuaries and provides safety for other animal species as well. The name Keoladeo comes from an ancient Hindu temple that is in the centre of the national park and is devoted to Lord Shiva. The word "Ghana" means "thick," alluding to the dense forests that once covered the area. In the north Indian state of Rajasthan, there is a sizable bird sanctuary and former royal game reserve called Keoladeo National Park. Over 350 species of migratory and resident birds, including herons, cormorants, and eagles, are protected by the park's woods and artificial wetlands, which are located south of the historic city of Bharatpur.

Kulik Bird sanctuary

It is also known as the Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary. In the Indian state of West Bengal, the Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary is located close to Raiganj in the Uttar Dinajpur district. There are 164 species of birds in the bird sanctuary, and between 90,000 and 100,000 migrating birds stop by each year. The district's administrative centre, Raiganj Town, lies 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) north of where it is situated. The sanctuary is next to National Highway 34. Raiganj is located 181 km (112 mi) from Siliguri and 425 km (264 km) from Kolkata.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

A hotspot for biodiversity, the State of Assam in North-East India, is home to the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. It spans the Manas river and is bordered to the north by Bhutanese woods, taking up an area of 39,100 hectares. Numerous endangered species, including the tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros, and Indian elephant, can be found in the Manas sanctuary.

Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Mayureswar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India's Tehsil Baramati. Pune is 74 miles away, and Daund is 35 km away. The region was designated a sanctuary beginning in 1919, according to the Wildlife Institute of India. The Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is well-known for its diverse bird and animal population as well as for its pristine surroundings. Other birds that live there include the Indian roller, black-winged kite, and Eurasian collared dove.

List of Major Wildlife Sanctuaries of Asia

Here is a table of major wildlife sanctuaries in Asia, including their location and protected species −

Wildlife Sanctuary	Location	Protected Species
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve	Nepal	Ganges river dolphin, Bengal florican, Wild water buffalo
Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary	Thailand	Asian elephant, Malayan tapir, Clouded leopard
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary	Bhutan	Red panda, Himalayan black bear, Snow leopard
Wangchuck Wildlife Sanctuary	Bhutan	Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Himalayan monal
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary	Bhutan	Black-necked crane, Himalayan vulture, Satyr tragopan
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary	Thailand	Indochinese tiger, Asian elephant, Malayan sun bear
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary	India	Siberian crane, Great egret, Indian pythons
Kulik Bird Sanctuary	India	White-rumped vulture, Black-necked stork, Pallas's fish eagle
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	India	Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Indian elephant
Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary	India	Indian gazelle, Indian peafowl, Indian grey mongoose

Conclusion

There are numerous important wildlife sanctuaries throughout Asia that provide protection for threatened species and opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers. These reserves show off the immense biodiversity of the continent, from Nepal's Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, which safeguards the endangered wild water buffalo, to India's Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, which is renowned for its plethora of wildlife.

For iconic animals like tigers and elephants, conservation sites like the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in India are crucial. The preservation of Asia's natural heritage depends heavily on these sanctuaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which wildlife sanctuary in Asia protects the wild water buffalo?

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal protects the wild water buffalo.

Where can I find the Bengal tiger in Asia?

The Wangchuck Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan is known for its population of Bengal tigers.

Which wildlife sanctuary in India is famous for its birdlife?

The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is renowned for its diverse bird species.

Which species can be spotted in the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand?

The Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary is home to species such as the Asian elephant, Malayan tapir, and clouded leopard.