India is a country where you can find some of the world’s most unique species. Some of these species are endangered and are currently protected by the Indian government.

Take for the Royal Bengal Tiger, which is a species native to India. The Indian government has made efforts to save the dwindling number of tigers. There are about forty tiger reserves in India that serve to protect tigers from poachers. Despite continuing efforts from the Indian government, tigers have continually come into contact with humans; sometimes with deadly results for humans. So the Indian government is trying to find the solution to protect both humans and tigers.

The Indian Peacock is known for it’s beautiful fan-like feathers. However, it’s only the male peacock that has this attribute. The peacock is the national bird of India. The symbolism of the peacock is widespread in Indian culture. Many Hindu deities are associated with the peacock. For example, Lord Shiva is sometimes depicted with the peacock as the bird of war. In Buddhism, the peacock represents wisdom. You can see all sorts of peacock motifs in many Indian temples.

The Indian Cobra is a snake that is both revered and feared in India. The Indian Cobra is distinctly known for the spectacle pattern on the back of its hood. Hindus believe that the spectacle pattern is the pattern of Krishna’s feet when Krishna danced on the head of a poisonous snake named Kaliya. The Indian Cobra is feared for its venom. Its venom can paralyze its victims. Despite the danger of getting snakebites, there are snake charmers that tame the snake to the sound of music.

The Indian Elephant is a species protected by the Indian government. Elephants are an integral part of Kerala culture. They are an important part of the religious ceremonies in Kerala and are respected by the people. In addition, the deity Ganesh is depicted as an elephant. Ganesh is popularly worshipped as the remover of obstacles. If there is one obstacle that stands in the way of protecting the noble elephants, it’s humans. As humans crouch into elephant territory, the Indian elephant is forced to lose its habitat.

Like all the animals of this list, we must protect them so future generations can learn to love them. India is a country with a diversity of animals, but if further efforts are not made to protect them, they will no longer be there for future generations.