Sanctuaries

UNIT 2

Sanctuaries

Learning Objectives

* Childern will be able to:

* name different sanctuaries and where they are situated in India.

* define the sanctuaries.

* understand the importance of biosphere reserves.

A small girl named Anu is at home with her grandfather. Anu is reading a book and her grandfather is reading a newspaper.

Anu : S-A-N-C-T-U-A-R-Y. Sanctuary.. What does this word mean?

Grandfather : Sanctuary is a place where animals and birds are protected from hunting and other human activities.

Anu : there any other places like sanctuaries that protects animals and birds?

Grandfather : Yes, Anu. National Parks are places where wild animals protected. In Biosphere Reserves animals, birds and plants are protected.

Anu : Interesting.

Grandfather : I will tell you about some of the most popular sanctuaries and reserves in India.

Anu : Sure. I would love to know about them.

Grandfather : Corbett National Park is the oldest park. It is in Uttarakhand.

Anu : Which animals are protected there?

Grandfather : The majestic Bengal Tigers are protected there.

Anu : Is there any other sanctuary that protects Bengal Tigers?

Grandfather : Yes, there is. Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal.

BENGAL TIGERS

* Due to the successful conservation efforts of Project Tiger, the number of tigers have been increased in India.

ACTIVITY

Let us write

1. Write the differences between the following.

Sanctuary

Animals and birds are protected

 National park

Animals and birds are protected

Biosphere reserve

Plants. animals and birds are protected

2. If you want to see the Bengal tigers, which National Park will you visit? Write the name of the park and its location.

Sunderbans National park, West Bengal

Think

When International Tiger Day is celebrated?

Anu : Grandpa, you know I love elephants. Is there any sanctuary that protects Elephants?

Grandfather : Yes, The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve not only has elephants but also has Indian leopard, Black panther and Nilgiri tahr.

Anu : Grandpa, you said biosphere reserves also protect plants. What kinds of plants can be found here?

Grandfather : There are different species of flowering plants. One among them is Kurinchi flower which blossoms only once in twelve years.

Anu : It must be so beautiful.

ACTIVITY

Let us write

Stick pictures of any three animals found in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and write the name of the animals below it.

* Indian Leopard

* Indian Elephant

* Black Panther

Anu : What about birds?

Grandfather : If you want to see different types of birds, then we must visit Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.

Anu : Where is it?

Grandfather : It is 25kms from chengalpattu.

Anu : I am sure there are some really unique and colourful birds.

Grandfather : Yes, Anu, birds that migrate from different parts of the world can be found here. You can find pelicans, night herons and many more birds.

Migrate : A bird or and animal moves from one place to another due to change in seasons.

Anu : Can we find peacocks there?

Grandfather : No Anu. Peacocks can be found in their natural habitat at Viralimalai in Trichy.

Anu : I would love to visit this place.

Think

Think and discuss the differences between birds that migrate and birds that do not migrate.

LET US KNOW

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is the oldest water birds sanctuary in India.

Grandfather : Sure. Do I tell you about the one-horned  rhinoceros?

Anu : Are there one-horned rhinoceros?

One-horned rhinoceros

Grandfather : Yes, Anu. Very rare species of rhinoceros are protected in Kaziranga National Park.

Anu : Where is it?

Grandfather : It is in Assam.

LET US KNOW

Kaziranga National Park is the home of one-horned rhinoceros. It has around two-thirds of all rhinoceros in the world. Due to the successful conservation efforts, the number of one-horned rhinoceros have been increased .

ACTIVITY

Let us discuss and write.

Name some of the animals or birds found in the following places.

Viralimalai sanctaury

Peacock

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Indian Elephant

Indian Leopard

Black Panther

Nilgiri tahr

Kaziranga National Park

The Elephant

One Horned Rhinoceros

Wild Asiatic water buffalo

Swamp Deer

Corbett National Park

Tiger

Leopard

Jungle cat

Jackals 

LET US KNOW

The three Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu are:

* Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

* Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.

* Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.

Asiatic Lions

Anu : Grandpa, you did not tell me about lions.

Grandfather : Oh yes! Gir National Park in Gujarat has Asiatic Lions.

Anu : Very interesting.

Grandfather : Animals, birds and different types of plants are important part of our environment.

Anu : Yes Grandpa, we must never harm them. It is our duty to protect them.

Glossary: 

Environment :The natural place where the plant or animal live.

Sanctuary : A place where animals and birds are protected.

Species : A particular type of plant or animal.

Recap

* Sanctuaries or National Parks are places where animals and birds are protected from hunting and other human activities.

* Biosphere reserves are the places where plants, animals and birds are protected.

* Royal Bengal Tigers can be seen in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand and Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal.

* Some Biosphere Reserves in Tamil Nadu include Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.

* Kaziranga National Park in Assam is the home of one-horned rhinoceros.