Tamil Nadu is rich in biodiversity because of the great diversity of habitats that are found in the state.
The meeting of the Eastern and Western Ghats forms a corridor of dense forest that is inhabited by large and small animals including tigers, leopards, elephants and endangered species like the Golden Langur and black buck.
This makes the national parks in Tamil Nadu thrilling places to visit.
1. Guindy National Park, Chennai
Guindy National Park in Chennai is the dominant factor in contributing to the lush green cover of the city.
Known to be the 8th smallest national park in the country, the land is blessed with dense forest area, scrub lands, lakes and streams etc.
Boating of varied flora and fauna, and a rich wildlife, the park receives a large tourist influx throughout the year.
2. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Dhanushkodi
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park in Tamil Nadu is a group of 21 small and breathtakingly beautiful islands, along with some adjacent coral reefs and shallow water habitats.
This park is also the core area for the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and is home to a myriad of plants and animals in its marine, intertidal and near shore habitats.
When it comes to marine biodiversity, it boasts of being one of the wealthiest areas.
Not only does the park have three aquatic ecosystems, which are the coral reef, seagrass and mangroves, but it is also home to salt marshes and specific algal communities.
The different estuaries, beaches and forests in the park further heighten its beauty and showcase nature in all its glory.
3. Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu
The Anamalai Tiger Reserve, more famously known as the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, located in the south of India is a unique reserve which has long since protected the endemic species of both plants and animals that reside here.
The reserve was officially declared a Tiger Reserve in the year 2007.
It lies in the Western Ghats which is a well-known hotspot for biodiversity.
This also means that the species found in the tiger reserve are truly endangered and often rare and in need of protection.
A visit to national parks in Tamil Nadu will never be complete without visiting the Anamalai Tiger Reserve that has been the constant state's companion since its establishment in the year of 1848.
4. Madumalai National Park, Madumalai
It was established way back in 1940 and was the first national park of Southern India.
You can expect to see a variety of animals here including tigers, leopards, striped hyenas, dholes, sloth bears, Asian elephants, and Golden Jackals.
The crested hawk-eagle, the crested serpent eagle, the Malabar Trojan, and the Malabar grey hornbill are also spotter here and hence many bord watchers flock to Mudumalai National Park.
Given the proximity of this park to the Bandipur National Park, in spite of lying in separate states, the two are usually visited together.
Recently declared as a tiger reserve, this wildlife sanctuary is situated on the banks of River Moyar, and on the north-western side of the Nilgiri hills.
Home to the huge herds of elephants for which it is famous, tigers, leopards, gaurs, hyenas, sloth bears, sambars, mouse deer and wild animals are also seen here. Various reptiles like crocodiles, pythons, turtles etc are found here.
This park is known for its avian population, consisiting of resident as well as migratory birds like hawk eagles, scops owls, brown dove, black woodpecker, king vultures, falcons etc.
Tropical evergreen forests are maintained here, along with mosit mixed deciduous, dry teak and grasslands.
5. Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary, Tuticorin
The Kalakkad Wildlife sanctuary is one of the few national parks in South India that house the Tiger.
Lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, langur, Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, elephant, flying squirrel, panther, wild dog and pangolin are some of the other animals found here.
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