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Synopsis The rich and fascinating variety of India's wildlife can be seen in its more than 93 National Parks, 486 sanctuaries, 7 world heritage sites, 6 ramasar sites, 21 bird sanctuaries, 14 biosphere reserves, 23 elephant reserves and 28 tiger reserves established by the Government of India in an attempt to conserve its vital resource. More than 500 species of mammals, 1,220 species of birds, 1,600 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 57,000 species of insects populate the subcontinent. Unique in harbouring 60% of the world's wild tigers, 50% of Asian elephants, 80% of the one-horned rhinoceros and the entire remaining (100%) population of the Asiatic lion. The total protected wilderness is approximately 140,000 sq km and constitutes 4 percent of the country's total land area. The emphasis has not only been on protecting wildlife in reserved forests, but in areas where man and animal continue to live in harmony.' Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 500 mammals and 1200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent. The 26 recognized endemic centers in Indian account for a third of identified flowering plants. India accounts for 2.4% of the world's area and possesses 8.1% of the world's total biodiversity. India is one of the 12 centers of origin of cultivated plants. The total protected area is about 3.16 million sq. km (4.4% of the geographical area). Indian marine habitat and aquatic ecosystem extends over 7500 km of coastline. India has 49,219 plant species of which, 5,500 are endemic. India accounts for 6.67% of the worlds total 81,251 species. The land of tiger and the elephant, the peacock and the rhinoceros, India's wildlife is a delight for the nature lover. The wildlife parks and sanctuaries spread across the country offer a fascinating diversity of terrain, flora and fauna. India is the only country one can find the magnificent trio of wild cats - the tiger, the lion and the leopard.