All over the world, wildlife is the primary natural habitat. Wildlife faces extinction as a result of deforestation, as well as persistent industrialization and urbanisation. As a result, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, among others, are set aside to preserve and conserve a country’s natural lifestyle.
Wildlife sanctuaries are areas of land or regions that provide safety and a desirable living environment for wild animals. National parks, on the other hand, provide protection to the entire ecosystem, including the fauna, flora, and landscape of a given area, among other things. Finally, biosphere reserves are protected areas that aim to protect animal, plant, animal, and bird genetic classifications.
What is the definition of a wildlife sanctuary?
A wildlife sanctuary is a place where animals can be transferred to live and remain safe for the rest of their lives. Wildlife sanctuaries, unlike animal shelters, do not seek to place animals with groups or individuals. Instead, they tend to keep every animal alive until it dies naturally. They can, however, provide re-homing services. Furthermore, wildlife sanctuaries protect a variety of animals and birds, including the Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, and Black Buck.
A setup can have the characteristics of both a shelter and a sanctuary in a few instances. For example, some animals may be in a temporary residence pending the discovery of a suitable shelter, while others may be in a permanent residence. The goal of wildlife sanctuaries is usually to provide safe havens where animals can receive the best possible care that the sanctuaries can provide.
There is no trading of animals in wildlife sanctuaries, and they are not used in animal experiments. Furthermore, no animal secretions, such as wool, eggs, or milk, are used for commercial purposes. In a safe environment, the residing animals are given the opportunity to act as naturally as possible.
In wildlife sanctuaries, only very limited human activity is permitted. Animal hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited, and trees and plants may not be cut down for agriculture or any other purpose. People are not allowed to enter wildlife sanctuaries because there are no clearly defined boundaries or fencing. Wildlife sanctuaries allow visitors to walk through them for educational, recreational, or research purposes. Wildlife sanctuaries have been designated as Category IV protected areas by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its World Commission on Protected Areas. Furthermore, wildlife sanctuaries in the United States must obtain USDA permits and be monitored on a daily basis by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.
Some of the Most Well-Known Wildlife Refuges
- Karnataka’s Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:
Sambar, porcupine, muntjac, bison, and gaur are some of the animals found in India.
- Kerala’s Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Nilgiri Tahr, spotted leopard, panther, and Indian elephant are among the animals found in the Nilgiri Mountains.
- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the state of Karnataka.
Tiger, black panther, crocodiles, and flying squirrel
National Park Service
A national park is a territory or region designated by various governing bodies for the conservation of biodiversity and wildlife because of its cultural, natural, or historical significance. National parks are home to a diverse range of birds, animals, microorganisms, and insects, among other species and genes, all of which require a safe and sanitary environment. National parks not only conserve wildlife, but they also provide enjoyment of the ecological and scenic heritage in a manner and through approaches that do not harm them, in order to provide entertainment to future generations. Animal cultivation, plantation, grazing, predation, and hunting, as well as flower destruction, are strictly prohibited.
National parks are frequently a treasure trove of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a ruling state requests or owns. Despite the fact that each country allocates its national parks differently, there is a common goal: the preservation of “wild nature” for posterity and as a source of national pride. Furthermore, national parks have well-defined boundaries.
National parks have been classified as Category II protected areas by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). National parks can only be visited with official permission from the appropriate authorities.
The following are some of the most well-known national parks:
- National Park of Ranthambore (Rajasthan):
Nilgai, leopard, wild boar, and hyena are some of the animals that live in the area.
- Karnataka’s Nagarhole National Park:
Dung beetles, sloth bears, Indian bisons, mugger crocodiles
- Rajasthan’s Sariska National Park:
Jungle cat, striped hyena, leopard, and golden jackal are some of the animals that live in the jungle.
What is the difference between a wildlife refuge and a national park?
The following points clarify the distinction between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary:
- The term “wildlife sanctuary” refers to areas where wildlife and their habitat are protected from harm. A national park, on the other hand, is a special area of the countryside set aside for wildlife, where they are free to live and consume natural resources.
- Wildlife sanctuaries are well-known for their efforts to conserve insects, animals, birds, and microorganisms of various species and genes. National parks, on the other hand, are well-known for protecting fauna, flora, landscapes, and historical sites.
- The goal of wildlife sanctuaries is to ensure that a large population of wildlife and their habitats are preserved. National parks, on the other hand, protect the territory’s scenic, environmental, and cultural heritage.
- When it comes to restrictions, national parks are heavily restricted areas that are only accessible to a select group of people, whereas wildlife sanctuaries have fewer restrictions than national parks.
- To visit a national park, you must first obtain official permission from the appropriate authorities. A wildlife sanctuary, on the other hand, does not require official permission to visit.
- Wildlife sanctuaries have no defined boundaries, whereas national parks have them clearly marked.
- In wildlife sanctuaries, human activities are permitted to some extent, whereas in national parks, they are strictly prohibited by the authorities.
Conclusion
Wildlife sanctuaries are where wild animals are bred and protected for the rest of their lives, until they die naturally. A wildlife sanctuary was established with the goal of preserving the country’s biodiversity and natural environment. Rehabilitation services are also available at some wildlife refuges. The sanctuary accepts and cares for abandoned and injured animals until they are ready to be released. It contributes to the conservation and reintroduction of endangered species by providing a natural habitat for them. As well as saving some species from extinction.