OT Staff & Waquar Habib
Declared a UNESCO site in 1985, Kaziranga hosts the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, along with tigers, elephants, swamp deer, wild buffaloes, and hundreds of migratory bird species.
A UNESCO site since 1985, Manas lies in the Himalayan foothills and is a tiger reserve, elephant reserve, and biosphere reserve, supporting rare species like the golden langur and pygmy hog.
Listed in 1985, Keoladeo is a vital bird breeding and feeding ground. This former duck-hunting reserve hosts over 370 avian species, including the endangered Siberian crane and various waterfowl.
Inscribed in 1988 (extended in 2005), this World Heritage site includes high-altitude meadows, glacial basins, and habitats for snow leopards, Himalayan musk deer, and exceptional endemic alpine flora.
Inscribed in 1987, Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest and a critical tiger habitat. It supports estuarine crocodiles, fishing cats, and a vast range of coastal biodiversity.
Recognised by UNESCO in 2014, this park features unfragmented Himalayan ecosystems, sheltering snow leopards, Himalayan blue sheep, and over 375 species of fauna in a temperate to alpine transition zone.
Added in 2012, the Western Ghats includes 39 reserves across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. This biodiversity hotspot harbours endemic species like the lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri tahr.
Inscribed in 2016, this Eastern Himalayan park combines ecological and cultural values. It is home to red pandas, snow leopards, and ancient sacred landscapes revered by Sikkimese communities.