It would not be wrong to say that Tamil Nadu is a state in India which is rich in biodiversity. It has an excellent variety of habitats, thanks to the meeting of the Western and Eastern Ghats that form a dense and impenetrable corridor of forests.
These forests are inhabited by small and large animals such as leopards, tigers, elephants as well as other endangered species like the blackbuck and the Golden Langur. This is precisely what makes the state of Tamil Nadu an exciting and thrilling place to visit.
If you have been looking for the top best national parks to visit in Tamil Nadu, this article will make you very happy!
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Guindy National Park, Chennai
This is the most well-known national park in Chennai. It provides a lush green cover to the entire city and offers a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. Guindy National Park is known as the eighth smallest in India, but the entire land of the national park is blessed with scrublands, dense forest area, streams, lakes, and much more.
A rich wildlife along with varied flora and fauna make this national park truly treasured in Tamil Nadu and is frequented by countless tourists around the year.
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Mudumalai National Park, Mudumalai
The Mudumalai National Park was established in the year 1940. It was the very first national park in the region of southern India as well as the first one in the state of Tamil Nadu itself. This is one national park where you can expect a grand time with your friends and family.
You can expect to witness a variety of different species of rare animals such as tigers, striped hyenas, leopards, sloth bears, dholes, golden jackals, and Asian elephants. Prepare to be amazed!
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Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
This tiger reserve is popularly called the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. Situated in Tamil Nadu, this wildlife reserve is super unique as it has protected different endemic species of both animals and plants that reside here for a long time.
It was in 2007 that the reserve was officially declared to be Tiger Reserve. The reserve is situated in the Western Ghats that are popular for their biodiversity. Furthermore, this shows that the species of animals housed in this reserve are rare, endangered, and in need of protection.
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Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Dhanushkodi
Another great place to visit in Tamil Nadu is the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park situated in Dhanushkodi. This national park is a collection of twenty-one breathtakingly beautiful small islands with some shallow water habitats and adjacent coral reefs.
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The park is also home to countless animals and plants in its marine, nearshore and intertidal habitats. This place can easily be regarded as one of the wealthiest in terms of marine biodiversity in the state of Tamil Nadu.
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Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal
Located in the famous city of Kancheepuram, this bird sanctuary is highly protected and covers an area of 30 hectares in total. The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary can easily be regarded as a well-known migratory home to more than 40,000 varied species of birds from across the world.
The thing with this location is that it houses various small lakes to visit in Tamil Nadu that are a fertile feeding ground and a safe place for birds. This is precisely why so many different species of birds are attracted to this bird sanctuary.
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Mukurthi National Park, Ooty
The Mukurthi National Park in Ooty boasts of an astonishing assortment of beguiling fauna and abundant flora. This is another national park in Tamil Nadu that is always packed with eager tourists from around the world, looking to check out the myriad manifestations of the forest.
Wildlife enthusiasts also frequent this place regularly, thanks to its rich biodiversity. This national park was earlier known as the Nilgiri Tahr National Park because it is located at Nilgiris Plateau’s western corner. It has also been regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to conserve its keystone species of Nilgiri Tahr.
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Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tuticorin
Another popular wildlife sanctuary that you can consider visiting is the Kalakad Wildlife sanctuary in Tuticorin. It is one of the very few national parks in the state of Tamil Nadu that is home to the very elusive Indian tiger. Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, langur, bonnet macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, gaur, sloth, flying wild squirrel dog, panther and many more animals can be found in this wildlife sanctuary.
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Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal
Last but definitely not least is the Karikili Bird Sanctuary in Vedanthangal. This is another amazing bird sanctuary that you must consider visiting when in Tamil Nadu. It comprises two irrigation tanks that are fed by the rain. This bird sanctuary is a beautiful place that provides a fantastic scenic view.
Besides viewing rare birds, it is also great to have picnics with friends and family. In addition to that, besides the countless variety of birds, you can also enjoy waders and ducks that are found in abundance in this bird sanctuary.
Final Words
There you have it! These are the top 8 national parks in Tamil Nadu that you can certainly not miss when you find yourself in the state. These places can be visited with your friends and family to have a swell time with adventures and thrills. So, which national parks will you be visiting this year?
