9 Elephant Reserves of India and Why They Are a Must Visit for Wildlife Lovers

India is a country with a rich and diverse wildlife. It is home to animals such as elephants, lions, and tigers. India is sheltering nearly 30,000 Asian elephants which is around 60% of this endangered species. The Government of India has implemented some conservation policies and has established more than 33 elephant reserves throughout the country.

All wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to travel to these elephant reserves in order to experience these incredible animals - a true paradise for them:

India, home to the largest population of Asian elephants, has taken significant steps to ensure their protection by establishing specially designated protected areas known as Elephant Reserves. These reserves are part of a nationwide conservation initiative aimed at preserving not just the elephants themselves, but also their natural habitats, migration routes, and surrounding ecosystems.

This reserve is located in Assam and has the largest population of elephants in India and is surrounded by beautiful forests and wetlands. There are elephant safari and jeep safari options to view elephants and specially to view the one-horned rhinoceros. You can also do bird watching, nature watching walks which offer glimpses of nature and beautiful wildlife.

This park is a part of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve and this is also considered one of the largest protected areas of southern India. Bandipur national park is mostly famous for having elephants in large numbers. Conservation of elephants is a major effort Bandipur National Park has achieved and is also a part of Mysore elephant reserve.

This sanctuary is located in kerala, the Wayanad elephant reserve is included in a larger wildlife sanctuary. This sanctuary was founded in 1973 and is famous for the different kinds of animals that are found in the area. The Muthunga part of this area is considered as a project elephant area where the conservation of the elephants is done. This reserve is surrounded by hills and has bamboo forests.

Periyar Elephant Reserve is situated in the state of Kerala. This reserve is mainly known for the increasing population of Asian elephants in the region. During summer, this species is often found in herds around water bodies, drinking and bathing. Visitors can witness herds of elephants gracefully moving around in the forest. Enjoying boat safaris, nature walks, and trekking is also available for the tourists.

This reserve is located in the Shivalik hills of Uttarakhand and is of great importance for the conservation of elephants. It also falls within the boundary of ‘Project Elephant’, a government initiative. This reserve aims to protect the elephants along with their habitat and migration routes. A number of such reserves helps in reducing human-elephant conflict. This reserve came under Project Elephant in 2002 and hosts a rich elephant population.

This national park is in Assam and is mainly known for the Project Tiger and Elephant Reserve. It has been awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Elephants can be frequently spotted here. One has the option of going on elephant sightings and safaris to observe this animal. The grasslands and forests in this region provide an ideal habitat for elephants. This park has been noted for a healthy growing population of elephants and undertakes some conservation measures for them.

This sanctuary is in Andhra Pradesh and is the only sanctuary where one can find a considerable population of wild Asian elephants. These majestic elephants had migrated from the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu forests in the 1980s. This reserve is ideal to view these elephants in a semi-natural environment, and they can be seen during jeep safari tours. Approximately 70 to 80 elephants have relocated back to this area.

This reserve is located in Assam and along the border of Arunachal. This reserve plays an important role in elephant conservation efforts. It has a population of about 1,200 elephants. This reserve helps you observe elephants in their natural environment and is also a part of Project Elephant, a government initiative dedicated to the protection of elephants and their habitats. This reserve faces challenges like deforestation and human encroachment.See Also: From Jim Corbett to Kanha: 8 best tiger reserves to spot big cats in India this August​

This reserve is located in Meghalaya and is an important sanctuary for wild Asian elephants, with dense forests, grasslands, river systems, waterfalls, and caves creating a serene atmosphere. There are 1,047 elephants conserved here. One can spot elephants roaming around freely in their natural habitat here. This reserve is also a part of Project Elephant and focuses on protecting elephant corridors and restoring their habitats with dedicated efforts.