Elephant Safari, Indian WildlifeProtected area is a board term given primarily to National Parks and Sanctuaries meant for affording protection to wild animals and their habitat. They also include game reserves and biosphere reserves. Protected areas have been set up all over the world with the specific aim of protecting and conserving animals and plants. In India too these have been set up in various parts of the country.
The country's first wildlife sanctuary was set up towards the close of the last century as the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamilnadu.
At the time of Independence there were only a few National Parks and Sanctuaries in India. In the year 1987, there were 54 national parks covering an area of 21,300 Sq.Km and 372 wildlife sanctuaries with 88,649 Sq.Km. Thus with the combined coverage of 109652sq.km about 3.3% of the total geographical area of the country has been accorded the status of protected areas. Wildlife and forests are state subjects under a single administration setup i.e., Forest Department of each State. The role of the Central Government 9 meaning the Government of India) is mainly advisory. Two developments have had a greater bearing on the status of wildlife conservation in different states. The first was the of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as a unified piece of legislation. The legislation interalia requires the creation of the post of Chief Wildlife Wardens and Wildlife Wardens in the states to exercise statutory power under the Act. The states have to set up state Wildlife Advisory Boards, on the lines of the Indian Board for Wildlife as the apex advisory body to advise the State Government on the conservation of wildlife. The second is the inclusion of protection of