We all have heard about and seen news of people thronging popular holiday destinations post the lockdown. Considering we are still at a risk from the virus, is it okay to undertake any travels? Well doctors, if this is when you can take a break, we say why not unwind at a good destination, especially if your fellow travellers are also fully vaccinated. Read on to know your options.

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Nature therapy

If you are not a wildlife enthusiast, simply being amidst nature or a forest and being present can offer physical, mental and spiritual healing. A recent study from 2017 indicates that Nature therapy may have positive implications for the reduction of reported modern-day "stress-state" and "technostress."

The Japanese concept of Shinrin-Yoku or ‘forest bathing’ promotes the idea of mindfully connecting with nature by soaking in different elements of the forest/of nature, using all senses. This also means disconnecting from gadgets and digital communication by all means. Another systematic review from 2017 has explained that experiencing the forest atmosphere (Shinrin-Yoku) can significantly reduce high blood pressure.

Going by what an article in the Public Health, January 2007 issue, stated that forest environments are therapeutic landscapes and helpful for those experiencing chronic stress, there really is so much to experience than just adventure from a visit to forests and wildlife sanctuaries.

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Top wildlife experiences in India

October to March is normally the right time to visit most national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Here we give you a list of the top 8 forests to visit for a wildlife and forest experience in India:

Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

There are many reasons why this particular national park always tops the list of places for experiencing wilderness up-close in India. Found in 1936, this is the oldest national park in the country and is known as a natural habitat for tigers, barking deer, and crocodiles among other rare species of reptiles and birds.

The lush grasslands of the Nainital district and its pleasant-to-cold weather make the park welcoming and your open-jeep safari an adventure to remember. This is also one of the few national parks, where you can opt for a stay in its in-forest hotel.

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Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

If you remain fascinated with the idea of spotting tigers, this is yet another place to find them on the prowl. Rajasthan’s rugged terrain and wildlife, including Neelgai, the blackbuck, the Bengal fox, Indian flying fox, striped hyena, mongoose, and sambar deer are major attractions here.

What was once a hunting ground for the royalty of Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambore is now a vast reserve under Project Tiger. Here, you can opt for a jeep safari or explore the area in a canter van. Each takes about three and a half hours, giving you enough time to spot plenty of wild animals.

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Gir National Park, Gujarat

Sasan Gir, near Veraval in Gujarat, is abundant in Asiatic Lions, followed by hyenas, wild boars, leopards and crocodiles. The forest area is rich in trees such as Teak, Amla, Timru and others. These attract many exotic birds, including the Malabar whistling thrush, paradise flycatcher, pelicans, Indian skimmers, etc.

Safaris here take you to different parts of the park. You can go on a guided tour in an open jeep or a minibus to browse through the jungle. Some great lodging and boarding options are available within the Park and around.

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Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh also has Pench National Park, Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kanha Tiger Reserve. However, Bandhavgarh is the largest of them, with an area of over 1500 km². Kanha National Park has played a pivotal role in preventing the extinction of the majestic Barasingha and also offers a memorable tiger spotting experience.

Bandhavgarh can offer a bit of everything for a forest/wildlife enthusiast. With the highest density of India’s pride – the Royal Bengal tigers, the park almost never disappoints its visitors in spotting them. A great place even for bird-watchers, Bandhavgarh is home to grey Malabar hornbills, browed fantails, and green pigeons, among other rare species.

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Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Based along the eastern Himalayas, Kaziranga National Park is the only abode of the highest number of one-horned rhinoceros. The vast expanse of lagoons, forests and elephant-grass meadows here act as breeding grounds for elephants, sloth bears, Hoolock Gibbons, swamp deers and even tigers. Some lesser-known and migratory birds such as the ferruginous duck and Asian openbill stork also make regular appearances here.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Park offers a beautiful sight of the grand Brahmaputra River. The eastern and western regions of the park are spread across hills, a valley and along the river. If your back is strong enough, you can also choose to ride an elephant and enjoy nature in its full glory.

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Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala

Named after River Periyar that originates from inside this reserve in Kerala, this Wildlife Sanctuary provides safe accommodation to tigers, elephants, gaurs, sloth bears and an impressive variety of birds. The well-planned sanctuary allows you to undertake plenty of activities, in a way that you get closest to spotting your favourite animals without disturbing their routine or space.

You can go trekking and bamboo rafting for spotting and watching animals up-close and even go for a nature walk in the presence of butterflies and birds. For the ones more adventurous at heart, there is also a guided night trekking program, which starts late evening and goes on till early morning hours.

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Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal

What sounds like the name of an idyllic place is more than just that! Sunderbans is a large delta region formed by the rivers Ganga, Meghna and Brahmaputra, covered in mangroves. The serene waters reflecting sunlight during different times of the day occasionally look playful with the movement of crocodiles, leopard cats, olive Ridley turtles, wild boars, and even tigers.

A safari here entails a unique experience of exploring the area and wildlife on a boat. The boat takes you closest to the habitats of tigers, rhesus monkeys, chital deer and various other species. Many varieties of dolphins, snakes, and rare birds can also be sighted here.

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Hemis National Park, Ladakh

Travel enthusiasts invariably have Leh-Ladakh on their lists. If spotting rare species of animals in the rocky and hilly terrain of Ladakh sounds fun, you must visit the Hemis National Park. Surrounded by parts of the Indus River and Markha, Sumdah and Rumbak valleys, and the Zanskar range, this park is the only one situated to the north of the Himalayas.

The park is home to snow leopards, blue sheep, the Tibetan Argali sheep, the Eurasian brown bear, mountain weasel, and many more uncommon birds of prey. Most of the region is covered with dry forests of birch, alpine, fir, juniper and other trees. There are several routes that attract climbers and mountain expedition enthusiasts, who come in the hope of spotting the snow leopard.

All national parks are operational through winters, except Hemis Park, which stays shut due to snowfall. We recommend looking up websites of forests/parks you wish to undertake for timings, restrictions, permits, and information on lodging, boarding and safaris, before planning your holiday. If you have already been to any of our recommended places, do let us and our readers know your experience.

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Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

Pictures are sourced from licensed stock photography. All pictures are for illustrative purposes only.