UNIT - II WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES & NATIONAL PARKS Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural protected habitat for a particular species of animal and birds,especially the rare and endangered species. The sanctuary supports very limited human activity and could by owned by a private organization that house wide variety of birds and animal species. Wildlife sanctuaries usually do not have properly marked boundaries and grazing of livestock can be permitted inside a Sanctuary. National Parks
National Parks are symbol of national pride and has greater degree of protection. Many national parks were initially wildlife sanctuaries then upgraded as a National Park. The national park is home to all variety of birds, animal species and no human habitation is permitted in main area. These protected area are established by central and state government for the conservation of wild animals. Total National Park: 103 Largest National Park: Hemis National Park Famous National Park: Corbett National Park Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere Reserves are protected large areas of natural habitat, that includes a national park and animal wildlife sanctuary. There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India. Hemis National Park
Located in the eastern part of Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir in north India, Hemis National Park is the largest national park in South Asia. Hemis National Park also has the distinction of being among the largest contiguous protected region, second only to Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. It is known for some rare species like the bharal and the snow leopard. Manas National Park
Located in the foothills of eastern Himalayas,Assam, India. Manas at one time is a National park, a UNESCO heritage site, an Elephant reserve and a Project tiger reserve. It is also recognized as an important biosphere reserve. Year of Establishment:1928. Tiger Reserve(1973), World Heritage site(1985) It has dense forests throughout. The Manas river flows through the west of the park and is the main river within it. The Manas River also serves as an international border dividing India and Bhutan. It is a major tributary of Brahmaputra River and splits into two separate rivers, the Beki and Bholkaduba as it reaches the plains. Dominant Fauna The sanctuary has recorded 55 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 50 of reptiles, and 3 species of amphibians. Animals – Tigers, Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard, Black Panther, Asian golden cat, Asian Elephants, Indian Rhinoceros, Sambar Deer, Chital Kaziranga National Park
Situated on the banks of river Brahmaputra Kaziranga National Park is one of the major wildlife tourist’s attractions in India.
Popularized as the home of the “Big Five”, Kaziranga National Park is the perfect place to spot a few wild animals such as Rhinoceros, Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer.
It has perfect topography with a river and its varied grasslands wind.
The park has also been demarcated as an important bird area by the Birdlife International in order to promote the conservation of endangered species.
It is noteworthy to mention that it is the host for two third of world’s population of endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros and also declared as a tiger reserve in 2006, holding the highest density of tigers in the world.
The park is also a domicile for large breeding inhabitants of Elephants, wild water buffaloes and Swamp Deer Covering an approximate area of 430 square kilometers, Kaziranga was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique natural environment in the year of 1985. Periyar National Park
Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park Kerala , Elephant &Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. Elephant in Periyar is another major attraction. The park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady. The park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady. It is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. The park is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba.
Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. It is the first national park in Kerala. Eravikulam National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of Himalayas, stands majestically in the core area of the national park. It is home to the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr
Desert National Park
The Desert National Park is located in western India in the sand dunes of Rajasthan near Jaisalmer. One of the largest national parks in India, extending over an area of 3,100 sq. km., More than 60 per cent of it is simply semi-arid desert. Chinkara, blackbuck, nilgai, wolves, desert cats, the Spotted and Tawny Eagle and the endangered Great Indian Bustard are all found here.
Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the state of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep.
Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary (established in 1979, also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary of Maharashtra) is a wildlife sanctuary for the great Indian bustard at Solapur, Maharashtra. The land is drought-prone and semi-arid. Maharashtra is one of the states of India where great Indian bustards are still seen.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a located in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala. It is located in the Palakkad District of Kerala It was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2009. Apart from tigers the sanctuary also has 39 species of mammals, 16 species of amphibians, 61 species of reptiles, 47 species of fish, over 1000 species of insects and 124 species of butterflies have been reported from the region Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on February 19, 2010. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site. Parambikulam was once home to some of south India’s finest stands of teak.
Little remains of the original teak forests, other than the famous Kannimari teak tree, the largest in Asia as most of these have now been replaced by teak plantations. Zones
The sanctuary is divided into three zones:
Tourism zone – Tourism activities like trekking, accommodation and nature tourism.
Buffer Zone – maintaining the flora and fauna
Core Zone- Main area of the sanctuary Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary which came into existende in 1976, is located in the Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks in Idukki district
The world famous Idukki arch dam and the vast increase the importance of the area.
The Idukki reservoir formed by three dams-Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu-extends to 33 sq km. ANIMALS - Elephants, Porcupine, Sambar Deer, Wild dogs,Jungle cats, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild boar etc.
SNAKESCobra, Viper, Krait and a large number of non- poisonous snakes Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area located in the Idukki District of the Western Ghats of Kerala .It is in the eastern slope of the Western Ghats, adjoining Tamilnadu.
The area is diverse in eco systems and rich in ethnic cultural heritage.
It is a well known repository of medicinal plants and supports a healthy population of grizzled giant squirrel, star tortoise, tufted grey langur, gaur, spotted deer etc Chinnar is the habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India.
Rich in wildlife, the mixed deciduous forests here are ideal for trekking.
Due to this extensive variation of rainfall, Chinnar is blessed with a wide array of habitat types like deciduous forests, dry thorn scrub and grasslands.
There is an extensive sandalwood forest nearby the sanctuary, which is an added attraction. Anamalai Tiger Reserve Anamalai Tiger Reserve, earlier known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park and previously as Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected area located in the Anaimalai Hills of Coimbatore District inTamil Nadu.
The Anamalai wildlife sanctuary has various kinds of fauna like Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Deer, Wild Bear. Corbett National Park
Location : Nainital district of Uttarakhand. India's one of the first and well-known national park for tigers. 'Jim Corbett National Park' was the first national park of India, which was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park in the hill state of Uttarakhand in Northern India. called the paradise of Tigers for the fact that it holds a large population of tigers. Named after the legendary tiger hunter turned naturalist Jim Corbett (1875-1955), the proud destination It is one of the most famous wildlife destinations in India. It is also being honoured as the place where Project Tiger was first launched in 1973.
This is the finest national park of India which is well known for rich and varied wildlife including royal Bengal tiger, elephant, four to five species of deer and rich birdlife. Kanha National Park
Location : Madhya Pradesh.
It's a dense and rich area of bamboo forests .
It has beautiful lakes, running streams and wide grasslands.
Kanha Tiger Reserve also called Kanha National Park is one of the tiger reserves and the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh. The Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh came into being in 1955 and forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve.
It is a large park and known for research and conservation programs to preserve many endangered species like white tiger, hippopotamus. The park has a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, the sloth bear, and Indian wild dog.
The forest depicted in the famous novel by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book is said to be based on the jungles of this reserve Bandhavgarh National Park
Location : Madhya Pradesh.
It has highest population of tigers than any other parks in India.
It was declared a national park in 1968.
It is best for its scenic surrounding, the dense and eye capturing valleys and beautiful rocky terrain and an ancient fort.
It is one of the best location to spot tigers and a variety of birds and wildlife.
The park has a large breeding population of leopards, and various species of deer. It has the highest density of tiger population in the country.
The forests of Bandhavgarh are the white tiger jungles of the yesteryears. However, no white tigers have been reported from the wild in the last 50 years Ranthambore National Park
Location : Rajasthan.
It is located at the junction between the Aravali Hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau.
It serves as a rich heritage of various plants and animals.
Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger".
It got it's status of a National Park in 1981.
It has a huge number of tigers.
It is major wildlife tourist attraction and pulled attention of wildlife lover and photographers It is one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The park is majorly famous for its tigers . Tigers can be easily spotted even during the day time. Ranthambore is also known for famous heritage site due to ruins and Fort. Pench National Park
It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra and is named after the name of the river Pench which streams through this area. The Pench National Park, like it did in the iconic 'The Jungle Book', still brings humans in close contact with wildlife. Rudyard Kipling based Mowgli's adventures, and his battle with the furious Sher Khan, on this very place. Sunderban National Park
Location : West Bengal.
Sunderbans is a dense mangrove forest which is unique and magnificent place to visit.
The Sundarbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges,Brahmaputra and Meghna.
It is a wide swamp which can be explored only using boats.
Its a refuge for migrating birds and a reserve for rare and preserved wildlife .
It is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. The whole area is kingdom of the famous Royal BengalTigers.
The Sundarbans is named after the Sundari trees which are found in bulk in this area. It was created as wildlife sanctuary in 1977 and later as national park on 4th May 1984. Apart from Bengal Tiger other chief wild life species present in this park are Macaques, Indian Grey Mongoose, Leopard Cats, Ridley Sea Turtle, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, Fox, Flying Fox, Fishing Cats, Chital, Pangolin and a lot others. Gir Forest National Park
Location : Gujarat. Established in 1965, with a total area of 1412 km² . Also known as Sasan-Gir, or Gir forest, this is a forest and wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat. It is the sole home of the Asiatic Lions and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs.
Bandipur National Park
Location : Karnataka.
A potential UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along with Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary; it forms a part of the highly renowned Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Apart from tigers, the park features leopards, elephants, sloth bears, wild boars and wild dogs.
It creates the India's biggest biosphere reserve popularly known as the 'Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve'. Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is regarded as one of the most beautiful and the better-managed national parks of India. The Bandipur National Park occupies a special place in India's efforts towards Eco-conservation. Bandipur also has a sizable number of Tigers. Other natural inhabitants of this lovely forest are gaur (a type of bull), sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, malabar squirrel and porcupines Bannerghatta National Park
Location : Karnataka.
It is situated 22 km south of Bangalore
This place is home to one of the richest natural zoological reserves.
The country's first Butterfly Park was established in the Bannerghatta Biological Park.
It is a popular tourist destination with a zoo, a pet corner, an animal rescue centre, a butterfly enclosure, an aquarium, a snake house and a safari park.
Apart from tigers, the park features leopards, elephants, sloth bears, wild boars and wild dogs. Keoladeo Ghana National park
Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo National Park is located in Bharatpur district in Rajasthan. n 1982, Keoladeo was declared a national park and then later listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The park is home to over 370 species of birds and animals. Noted Indian ornithologist and naturalist Salim Ali used his influence to garner government support to create Keoladeo National Park. It is one of the largest homes for the avifauna in the country with more than 230 bird species dwelling in the region.
Sariska National Park
Sariska National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Alwar district of the state of Rajasthan. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 and came under the “Project Tiger” as a Sariska tiger reserve in 1979. Sariska was a hunting reserve for royal families in past.
Biosphere reserve
Biosphere Reserve is an international designation assigned by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/ marine eco-systems or combination thereof.
These are intended to promote conservation of biodiversity and also to promote alternate livelihood for man and preserve cultural values. Biosphere Reserves are large areas of bio diversity where flora and fauna are protected. These regions of environmental protection roughly correspond to IUCN Category V Protected areas. The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves of India, which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary). Biosphere Reserves of India often include one or more National Parks or sanctuaries, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life.
Nilgiri biosphere reserve The Nilgiri biosphere reserve was established in the year 1896, as the first biosphere reserve in India. The reserve is situated in the meeting point of the Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats in the Nilgiri hills range of south India and is considered as an international biosphere reserve which was recognised as the UNESCO world heritage site in 2012. It includes the Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Wayanad , Nagarhole National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Bandipur National parks and Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary. The biosphere encompasses the area of 5,520 sqm km and is spread across the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, And Kerala. A Major Part Of The Nilgiri Biosphere is reserved under The National Projects Of Project Tiger And Project Elephant. Hence, It Is An Important Habitat For Two Of The Most Important Species Of Fauna In India. The Elephants And Tigers Remain The Unmatched Attraction Of The Place. Apart From This, The Reserve Is Famous For Other Species Of Animals Such As Indian Leopard (And Black Panther), Gaur, Indian Elephant, Mongoose, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Lion-tailed Macaque, Grey Langur And Nilgiri Tahr. The National Park Is Also Famous For Its Flora Which Includes The Variety Of Plants And Orchids.
The nilgiri biosphere reserve is home to a large number of flora and fauna species including over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles; about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians, 60 species of reptiles, 316 species of butterflies and innumerable invertebrates.
Some of the rare animals like the tiger, asian elephant, and nilgiri tahr are also found in this reserve.
The flora of the reserve comprise of 3300 species of flowering plants. Among these, about 1232 are endemic.
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve area is situated in one of the remotest corners of India, in Uttarakhand bordering the Tibetan Plateau.
Declared as a World heritage site in 1988 and as a biosphere reserve in 2004.
Later it was expanded and renamed to Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks in 2005.
It has been so named because it is situated very close to the Nanda Devi peak which is the second highest mountain peak in India.
The Flora of the Nanda Devi National Park is varied.
Of the 312 species, there are 17 such species that are very rare and cannot be easily sighted elsewhere.
The most common trees in the Nanda Devi National Park are fir, birch and rhododendron.
The Fauna of the Nanda Devi National Park is also quite interesting. It abounds in Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Musk Deer and Snow Leopards.
GULF OF MANNAR BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Gulf of Mannar reserve is the first marine Biosphere Reserve established in India. it is located in the south eastern tip of Tamil Nadu extending from Rameswaram in the North to Kanyakumari in the south. It was initially declared a Marine National Park in the year of 1980. In 1989, the National Park was given the status of a Biosphere Reserve. The Gulf of Mannar is the biologically richest coastal region in India with 3,600 species of plants and animals known to live within its boundaries. In the Gulf of Mannar the globally endangered dugong, several species of dolphins and whales and three species of endangered sea turtles. Furthermore, the Reserve is home to sea horses, 450 species of fish, hundreds of species of sea cucumbers, sponges, all kinds of corals and species of sea grass found nowhere else. In addition more than 150 species of bird are found on islands in the reserve.
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (Nokrek National Park) in Meghalaya is situated in the district of West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is home to a great variety of flora and fauna species and for this reason, it witnesses a large number of visitors visiting its, every year. The diversity of the animal species in this reserve includes the mammals, reptiles, avifauna and invertebrate groups Added to UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve list in 2009, the Nokrek National Park in Meghalaya in north east India is among the last remaining homes of the red panda. Located in the West Garo hills district of the north eastern state, it is about two km away from the Tura Peak. Sundarbans biosphere reserve
Sundarbans National Park is located in World's largest Delta formed by the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghana. The Sundarbans Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's largest estuarine sanctuary. The Sundarbans is not only a National Park but also a tiger reserve, a World Heritage site and a Biosphere reserve. The name Sundarban has been derived from the Sundari trees that are found in abundance in the Sundarbans National Park. The reserve is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, as it is the largest mangrove forest area in the world Sundarbans is home to the Royal Bengal tigers along with a sizeable population of spotted deer, wild pigs, monkeys, kingfishers, herons and eagles. The Sundarbans is also known for the Ridley Sea Turtles.
Similipal biosphere reserve Similipal, which derives its name from ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree, is a national park and a Tiger Reserve situated in the northern part of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
It was formally designated a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in May 1973.
The Government of Odisha declared Similipal as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979 .
Later in 1980, Government of Orissa proposed 303 sq. km of the sanctuary as National Park.
UNESCO added this National Park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in May 2009. Flora and Fauna: 1078 species of plants including 94 species of orchids find their home in the park.
The park is known for the tiger, elephant and hill mynah. It holds the highest tiger population in the state of Odisha.
Apart from the tiger, the major mammals are leopard, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve was established for the protection and preservation of wildlife in the year 1999 by the government of India. Located in Madhya Pradesh, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is a prominent part of the Satpura Range. The biosphere encompasses three wildlife sanctuaries Bori Sanctuary, Satpura National Park and Pachmarhi Sanctuary. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve also carries archaeological significance with numerous caves found in the area. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is nourished by several water- bodies that exist in the forest area, fueling the dense greens. Rivers and streams flow throughout the land. There are several species of birds, mammals and reptiles inhabiting Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is the only interstate biosphere reserve in central India, located in an ecologically diverse and least disturbed landscape covering the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bilaspur district within the Biosphere Reserve.
The sanctuary is home to the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, chital, striped hyena, Indian jackal, etc., Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
The Great Nicobar Islands is an integral part of the entire bio-diversity of India and is located in the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In 2013 it was included in the UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The reserve is home to many species of plants and animals.
The most endangered species in India, the Megapode and the Edible-Nest Swiftlet, also reside in this reserve. Edible nest swiftlet Megapode Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve lies between the border of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram Districts in Kerala and Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts in Tamil Nadu, at the southern end of the Western Ghats.
Three wildlife sanctuaries Shendurney, Peppara, Neyyar and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve are included in the site.
The ABR comprises of tropical forests and is home to 2,254 species of higher plants including about 400 that are endemic.
The fauna here includes the Asian elephant, tiger and Nilgiri Tahr. The reserve has a number of tribal settlements with a total population of 3,000 who rely largely on biological resources for their sustenance.
It is home to the Kanikaran—one of the oldest surviving tribes in the world.
No. Year Name States Type 1 2008 Kachchh Gujarat Semi-Arid Biosphere Reserve 2 1989 Gulf of Mannar Tamil Nadu Coasts
3 1989 Sunderbans West Bengal Gigantic Delta
4 1988 Nanda Devi Uttaranchal West Himalayas
5 1986 Nilgiri Tamil Nadu, Western Ghats Biosphere Kerala and Reserve Karnataka
6 1998 Dehang Debang Arunachal East Himalayas Pradesh
7 1999 Pachmarhi Madhya Semi-Arid Pradesh 8 1994 Similipal Orissa Deccan Peninsula 9 2005 Achanakamar – Chhatisgarh, Semi-Arid Amarkantak Madhya Pradesh 10 1989 Manas Assam East Himalayas 11 2000 Kanchanjunga Sikkim East Himalayas 12 2001 Agasthyamalai Kerala Western ghats 13 1989 Great Nicobar Andaman and Islands Nicobar Islands 14 1988 Nokrek Meghalaya East Himalayas 15 1997 Dibru- Assam East Himalayas Saikhowa 16 2009 Cold Desert Himachal West Pradesh Himalayas 17 2010 Sheshachalam Eastern Ghats Hills 18 2011 Panna Part of Panna Biosphere and Reserve Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh Hill Stations
A hill station is a town located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain which was used by foreign rulers as an escape from the summer heat as temperatures are cooler in high altitudes. Munnar
➢ Munnar the famed hill station is located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala.
➢ Munnar is situated in the Western Ghats range of mountains.
➢ The name Munnar is believed to mean "three rivers", referring to its location at the confluence of the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.
➢ The hill station had been the summer resort of the British Government during the colonial era.
➢ Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi, which towers over 2695 meters
➢ Munnar is also known for Neelakurinji, a rare plant which flowers only once in twelve years.
➢ The Eravikulam National Park, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and tea plantations are its major attractions.
Devikulam hill station
Devikulam is located in the Idukki district in Kerala. Situated at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, this hill station will give you peace, serenity and breathtaking natural beauty.
The Devi Lake, which is said to have mineral water, is a gift from the nature.
It is said that Goddess Sita (Wife of Lord Rama) bathed in the lake after which it is named since then, skin-ailments treating water of the lake
Ooty
Ooty is one of the best hill stations in India and also known as Udhagamandalam, Ooty is often referred to as ‘Queen of hill stations’.
It is the capital of Nilgiris district in the state of Tamilnadu.
Ooty was much visited by British during the colonial days.
Ooty Lake, Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Pine Forest, Doddabetta Peak, Emerald Lake, Pykara Dam, Avalanche Lake & Sanctuary are the top places to visit.
The toy train, known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway that runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must be experienced.
The annual Tea and Tourism Festival (Jan) and Summer Festival (May) attract crowds in huge numbers.
Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, often referred to as the ‘Princess of Hill stations’ is located in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
Kodai is a beautiful hill station at an altitude of about 7000 feet (2133 m) on the southern tip of upper Palani hills.
Kodaikanal is not extensively commercialized like Ooty and it offers a pleasant experience to tourists with relatively less crowd.
Kodaikanal has several tourist attractions like Kodai Lake, Bryant Park, Bear Shola Falls, Pillar Rocks, etc are the places to visit.
The hills offer beautiful views all around, especially from the Coaker’s Walk.
Yercaud
Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in Salem district of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the Shevaroy range of hills in the Eastern Ghats .
Yercaud town got its name from the Yercaud Lake located at its center. In Tamil, Yeri means lake and Kaadu means forest.
It is also known as poor man’s ooty and jewel of the South.
Some of the best places to visit in Yercaud are Emerald Lake, Anna Park, Shevaroy Temple, Small Lake, Bear’s Point, Pagoda Point, Killiyur Falls and Botanical Garden.
It is known for its plantations majorly of coffee, orange, jackfruit, guava, cardamom and black pepper. Coonoor Coonoor is a beautiful hill station and known for its production of Nilgiri tea. It is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds.
It is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills after Ooty.
The major attraction of Coonoor is Sim’s Park, a well-maintained Botanical Garden that houses several varieties of plants found missing in the other Hill Stations.
Viewpoints and picnic spots around Coonoor include Lambs Rock, Dolphins Nose, Law’s fall, St. Catherine Falls, etc.
Coonoor is an ideal base for a number of trekking expeditions leading into the Nilgiris. One of the popular trekking trails is to Lamb’s Rock that is 9 km from Coonoor. Lamb's rock is situated about 8 km from Coonoor. It provides you an awesome view of Coimbatore plains.
A popular pastime is birdwatching, as an extensive variety of birds can be spotted. Yelagiri Yelagiri is a hill region in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, located in between the towns of Vaniyambadi and Jolarpettai.
The Whole of Yelagiri was once the private property of the Yelagiri Zamindar Family. It was taken over by the government of India during the Early 1950s. The house of the Yelagiri Zamindars still exists in Reddiyur.
Yelagiri is also one of the famous places for trekkers.
The highest point in Yelagiri is the Swamimalai Hill, standing tall at 4,338 ft with spectacular views.
The hill provides a good number of trekking trails through thick reserved forests. There are other trekking options that include smaller peaks like Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills. The Punganur Lake is a manmade lake and one of the popular attractions of the region. Idukki hill station One of the most scenic hill stations of Kerala, Idukki is home to thick green forests, exotic wildlife, beautiful valleys and extensive plantations . Popularly known as the hilly district of Kerala, Idukki is known for the wildlife sanctuaries. It is one of the most sought after hill stations. The major attractions in Idukki include Idukki Dam, Painavu,& Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary. Idukki district is also home to South India's highest peak, Anamudi . Idukki offers diverse attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation centers and mountain treks. Wayanad Hill station Known for its lush-green landscape and serene environment, Wayanad is an enchanting hill station on the earth located on the Western Ghats in the state of Kerala.
It is nested among the mountains of the Western Ghats on the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka States.
The dense vegetation, tranquil surroundings and mist-capped hills offer an unforgettable experience to the visitors.
Its plantations of tea and spices, pristine waterfalls, gorgeous lakes, exotic wildlife and age-old caves make it one of the most celebrated hill stations in Kerala.
It has several Waterfalls (Meenmutty Falls, Soochipara Falls, Kanthampara Falls), Dams / Lakes (Pookote Lake, Banasura sagar dam, Karappuzha Dam), Wildlife Sanctuaries (famous Wayanad).
Edakkal Caves is one of the prime places of sightseeing in Wayanad.
Araku valley hill station Araku Valley is a Hill station in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inhabited by different tribes. The place is known for its beautiful mountains, dazzling rivers and streams and scenic beauty. It attracts the tourists with its breathtaking landscapes and pleasant weather. It is popular for its famous coffee plantations. The Araku Tribal Museum houses rich tribal tradition and number of artifacts and displays related to Eastern Ghat Tribal Culture. Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is a hill town located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.
The Western Ghats start from this area.
Chikmagalur is famous for its serene environment, lush green forests and tall mountains.
Chikkamagaluru is also famous for coffee and is known as the coffee land of Karnataka. It is the place where coffee was cultivated for the first time in India.
Coorg
Coorg in Karnataka in South India is a beautiful hill station. It means 'dense forest on steep hill'. It is beautiful hill country most of which is between 3000 and 4000 feet high. Also known as Kodagu, Coorg is famous for coffee plantations. The coffee estates here produce some of the world's best coffee. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves and breathtaking views are make Coorg an unforgettable holiday destination. Tourist attractions in Coorg are: Nagarhole National Park, Talacauvery, Abbey falls, Madikeri fort & The Raja’s seat etc.,
Agumbe hill station
Agumbe is a tiny village in the Shimoga district of the Malnad region in Karnataka.
Also known as “The Cherrapunji of the South”, Agumbe pioneers in rainforest conservation programs, trekking and tourism.
It is well known as “Hasiru Honnu” meaning green is gold.
This is because Agumbe has a variety of medicinal plants .
It receives the heaviest rainfall in the South India and has many rivers, streams and waterfalls in the area. Agumbe is home to one and only Rainforest Research Station located in the Country. It is covered with lowland rain forests. Hiking and trekking through the hills gives a glimpse of the hills and beautiful waterfalls that flow through the dense jungles.
Malgudi Days, the famous serial based on R.K.Narayan’s novel was shot in Agumbe.
It receives the heaviest rainfall in the South India and has many rivers, streams and waterfalls in the area. Agumbe is home to one and only Rainforest Research Station in India and has been equipped with the first automatic weather station in India.
It has been created to monitor the changes that happen in the rain forests.
Nandi hills
One of the most popular hill stations in Karnataka is the legendary Nandi Hills – a Hilltop with an ancient fortress.
Besides being picturesque and serene, it is popular amongst bikers who enjoy the ride to the top of the hill
Biligirirangana hills
The Biligirirangana Hills, also known as BR Hills, is a lofty hill range in Karnataka that is known for its diverse species of flora and fauna.
It is situated in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, at a distance of about 254 km from Bangalore.
It is considered to be the wildlife corridor that connects the Eastern Ghats to the Western Ghats.
Yana hills
Yana Hills are located in the Sahyadri mountain range of the Western Ghats and fall under the must-see category of hill stations in Karnataka.
Yana village is in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka and is famous for two rare and unusual rock formations.
The gigantic rock formations stand majestically amidst the verdant environs of evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
This is confirmed by the Geological Survey of India which says rock formations in the area have rich minerals such as limestone, manganese and iron
Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar is located in Satara district of Maharashtra . It is the most beautiful and most popular hill station located in the western ghats.
It is one of the few evergreen forests in India served as the summer capital for the British people.
The natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar attracts nature lovers, film directors, holidaymakers, peace seekers and adventurers alike.
Matheran
Matheran is a Hill Station in Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
It is also the smallest hill station in India.
The term 'Matheran' suggests "forest on top".
Lusting greeneries, serene environments and unpolluted ambience.
Matheran is an eco-sensitive region, declared by Government of India.
It is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed, which makes the place different from others.
Panorma Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area.
Khandala - Lonavala Khandala hill station is a twin hill station of Lonavala located in the pune district of Maharashtra.
The location of Khandala lies at 5 km from Lonavala hill station. Tourists can experience the pleasing atmosphere, splashing waterfalls, lush greenery, amazing hills and cool climate at Khandala.
Khandala has been blessed with nature's beauty in abundance. The natural splendor, combined with peaceful surroundings, makes the hill station the perfect holiday spot.
Khandala is counted amongst one of the most visited tourist destinations in India.
Khandala town is smaller than Lonavala but it has same beauty as that of Lonavala.
Due to the higher height from the mean sea level, Khandala hill station has the cool & pleasant climate. As this spot is lokcated far away from cities, it has clean air & less pollution.
Kemmannugundi hill station
Kemmannugundi is a hill station in Chikkamagaluru district in the state of Karnataka.
This was the summer retreat of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and as a mark of respect to the king, it is also known as Sri Krishnarajendra Hill Station. Nainital
Nainital is a beautiful hill station in the state of Uttarakhand and is located alongside the foothills of the Kumaon region of the outer Himalayas.
Nainital is famous for its scenic mountain views and is commonly known as the Lake District of India.
It is one of the most popular hill stations in North India.
Situated at an altitude of 1938 m, Nainital derives its name from Naini Lake.
Nainital is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the town is spread around the beautiful Naini Lake.
Mussoorie – the queen of hills
Mussoorie is a wonderful hill station in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand.
It is situated in the foothills of Himalayas and is known as the “Queen of Hills”.
The name Mussoorie is often attributed to a derivation of 'mansoor, a shrub which is indigenous to the area.
The lush green hills, majestic view of the Shivalik ranges and the Doon Valley attracts thousands of tourists .
It is also famous for the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration where officers are trained for the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service
SHIMLA
Shimla is a beautiful Hill station in Himachal Pradesh and is also its capital. Shimla has been blessed with natural beauty and is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. Apart from its natural attractions, Shimla is also famous for its architectural buildings, wooden crafts and apples. A heaven for adventure seekers who wish to indulge in adventure sports and activities like river rafting, rock climbing etc Shimla is formed by seven hills and also have two popular hill stations Chail and Kufri in it.
KUFRI
Kufri is a charming hill resort at the foothills of Himalayas, positioned at the southern part of Himachal Pradesh 13 kms from Shimla.
The picturesque place is branded for its pleasant type of weather and beautiful magnificence
Chail is popularly known as "hiker's paradise". Kullu and Manali
Kullu or Kulu is the capital town of the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh.
This valley is famous for its temples, beauty and its majestic hills covered with pine and deodar forest and sprawling apple orchards
Manali is an amazing retreat, immensely popular especially among adventure freaks .
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is a hill town and a popular skiing destination situated in Jammu and Kashmir
It is surrounded by forested hills and meadows, snow-capped peaks.
The scenic beauty of this place has made it a popular filming location for many Bollywood movies.
The most popular activity here is skiing, as well as the cable car ride, the Gulmarg Godola, which is one of the highest cable car facilities in the world.
Srinagar
Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The city of Srinagar is one of India’s popular tourist attractions because of its historic gardens, beautiful houseboats, river and pleasant climate.
It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.
It is among the most beautiful hill resorts in North India.
Mount Abu
Mount Abu is a popular hill station in Rajasthan.
This is the only hill station in the deserts of Rajasthan and is located at a height of 1220 m above the sea level.
It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat for centuries.
Mount Abu has many tourist attractions in the form of temples, lakes and forts. Dilwara Jain Temples.etc
ISLANDS Andaman & Nicobar group of islands are like sparkling jewels, floating in isolation amidst the azure blue water of Bay of Bengal.
The gorgeous green surroundings, captivating corals reefs, soft sands, bright sun, smooth water, gently swaying coconut trees, rich forests and smooth sea waves all around, makes for a heavenly ambience. An archipelago consisting of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks, Lakshadweep floats in seclusion amidst the deep emerald green water of the Arabian Sea.
A geographical extension of the Maldives island chain, Lakshadweep has 10 inhabited islands and 17 uninhabited islands with a total geographical area of 32 sq. kms.
Beaches along the coast provide numerous recreational opportunities for millions of people.
Boating, fishing, swimming, walking and sunbathing are among the numerous activities enjoyed by beachgoers.
Beaches provide unique habitats for a variety of plants and animals. India offers a wide range of tropical beaches with silver/golden sand.
States like Kerala and Goa have exploited the potential of beaches to the fullest.
There are a lot many beaches in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
These states have very high potential to be develop them as future destinations for prospective tourists.
Baga Beach
Baga Beach, situated in North Goa, is a very busy tourist spot and is just 10 kilometres away from the capital of Goa, Panaji.
This place is very famous for its night life. The beach also hosts varieties of water sports and many attractions like parasailing, windsurfing and kite surfing, to name a few. Calangute Beach Hailed as the “Queen of the beaches”, Calangute beach is the largest one in the northern region of Goa.
The night life at the beach presents a live wire experience with many foreign holiday makers and locals dancing into the night to great upbeat music.
It happens to be a perfect place for partying. Water sports like skiing, surfing and parasailing are also prominently played here. Vagator Beach
Vagator is another renowned beach in the northern parts of Goa, noted for sunset viewing.
Tourists throng to this place for it’s beauty.
The beach of Vagator is classified into two – the right side of the sea, as you face it, is called as the Big Vagator and its left side is known by the name of Little Vagator . Vagator Beach
Vagator beach is one of the most scenic beaches in Goa that is situated immediately north of the Anjuna beach .
The crescent shaped beach has become a favorite spot among tourists for midnight parties.
The beach is also well known as the 500 Old Portuguese fort of Chapora is situated nearby.
Anjuna is 18 kms from Panaji, Goa.
The village of Anjuna is a five square mile enclosure nestling between the Arabian Sea and the Hill overlooking the beach.
The beach is known for its swaying palms, soft sands and natural beauty.
It has an unusual rocky formation overlying a cove of white sand and black rock that juts into the Sea. Activities in Anjuna Beach
Adventure Sports Wind surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, paragliding Other Activities: Swimming, Sun Bathing Situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the Calangute Beach is located in the north of Goa in India.
Due to its incredible beauty and serenity, it's known as the 'Queen of Beaches'.
It is one of the most popular beach in Goa with a host of facilities to cater to visitors, including golden sand along the beach and water sports. Colva is Goa's longest beach with 20 km of virgin white sands that are fringed with palms and drenched with the sun.
The small village of Colva is located in south Goa, 39 km away from Panaji (the old name for Panjim) the capital of the state of Goa.
Adventure Water Sports- Beach lovers can try their hand on water scooter rides, jet skiing, speed boat rides, snorkeling, swimming, banana boat rides, motorboat rides, etc. Kerela has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world.
Kovalam consists of three successive small crescent beaches.
Kovalam beach is a strip of golden sand lying side by side between the serene blue waters of the Arabian sea and the rich greenery of coconut palms.
The Kovalam Beach which is in Kerala is 16 Km from the capital city of Kerala-Thiruvanathapuram City. Small village at a distance of 51 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city and 24 km south of Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram district, in the southern part of Kerala.
Beach is excellent throughout the year, but during the winters, the peak season.
Beach is quite with peaceful green surroundings and less crowd, when you can laze around, stroll by the sea water, swim or just relax to make your days absolutely wonderful, at most reasonable rates. Puri Beach- Odisha
One of the major attractions of Odisha, Puri Beach is a sacred venue the pilgrims who visit the place to pay homage to Lord Jaganath.
The beach lies on the fine white sands and rolls in from the Bay of Bengal, making it one of the favorite spots for both Indian and foreign beach lovers.
Located at a distance of 35 kms from the Sun Temple and 65 kms from Bhubaneshwar, the beach at Puri offers a unique opportunity to witness the beautiful sunrise and the sunset at the same place. Puri Beach is a beach in the city of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is on the shore of the Bay of Bengal.
It is known for being a tourist attraction and a Hindu sacred place.
The beach is the site of the annual Puri Beach Festival, which is co- sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, the city of Odisha.
The beach hosts sand art displays, including work by international award- winning local sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik.
Rameshwaram Beach Rameshwaram beach is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus.
Other popular activities in and around Rameshwaram beach includes bird watching and visit to the local marine life observatory.
There are wide variety of sea turtles, crabs, sponges, star fish, and other marine creatures.
Some of the popular tourist attractions in and around Rameshwaram beach are Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham, Dhanushkodi, and Erwadi. Mahabalipuram Beach Mahabalipuram beach is in Tamil Nadu, India. It is also known as Mamallapuram.
Located 58km from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road, the golden sandy beach is a picturesque place bounded by the shimmering sea and rolling hills.
Identified as the most pristine beaches of Tamil Nadu, the beach attracts thousands of tourists throughout the year.
The beach is an idle place for sunbathing and lazing around. Mahabalipuram beach also has some ancient historical monuments in its close proximity and this is the main reason of attraction of this beach.
Arjuna’s Penance
Dakshinachitra
Five Rathas
Crocodile farm On the way to Mahabalipuram Beach is Dakshinachitra, 28 km from Chennai, a heritage space with exhibitions and workshops of the arts and crafts including traditional home architecture and performing artists of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu hosts a Dance Festival which includes classical dances like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali. Kanyakumari Beach
The beach is located in the southernmost end of the India.
This is India’s land end, the tip of the peninsular India where the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian sea meet.
The confluence of the three is also known as “Thriveni Sangamam”.
Kanyakumari otherwise known as Cape Comorin is supposed to be a famous pilgrim centre and a beach resort. The Kanyakumari beach is a beautiful sight with multi- coloured sand.
There is a lighthouse from where one can get a panoramic view.
Kanyakumari beach is bound by rocks and not an ideal place to play in waves or swimming. Statues of Vivekananda and Thiruvalluvar
Marari Beach
Nestled in the Alappuzha District of Kerala, Marari Beach is a perfect location for holidaying with family or friends.
This beach in Kerala is eternal with coconut palm trees and golden sands.
Marari beach is a peaceful place in Kerala for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Muzhappilangad Beach
Muzhappilangad Beach in Thalassery is the only drive in beach in Kerala and the largest drive in beach in Asia .The sand is hard enough in this beach and you can drive your car on the entire stretch of the beach.
Other attractions include adventure sports like paragliding, parasailing water sports, power boating or a simple catamaran ride.
Alappuzha Beach
Referred to as the Venice of the East, Alappuzha (or) Alleppey has always enjoyed an important place in the maritime history of Kerala.
Today, it is famous for its boat races, backwater holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
Alappuzha Beach is a popular picnic spot.
This beach is also popular for the grand event of Nehru Trophy Boat Race that takes place every year in the month of August. Marina Beach Chennai’s Marina Beach is the India’s longest and world’s second longest beach.
Stretching approximately 13 km, this beach is primarily sandy and is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal.
Watching the sunset and sunrise from the beach is an enthralling experience.
The main attraction is the horseback rides which has become a favourite activity among both adults and kids.
Kovalam Beach
Kovalam is a beach town by the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala located around 16 km south of the city center.
Kovalam has three beaches namely Lighthouse beach, Hawah beach, Samudra beach, the three together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach.
It is well known for its sunset. It ranks high among the foreign tourists.
The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse.
Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them.
Bekal beach
Bekal fort is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in Kerala.
The beautiful beach near the Bekal fort, known as Bekal beach is located in Kasaragod, Kerala.
It is a favourite shooting locale for film-makers.
Varkala Beach Varkala Beach, also known as Papanasham Beach is a beach in Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The word Papanasham means wash away sins.
It is believed that a dip in the waters of Papanasham Beach washes away all the sins in one's life.
It has a long winding stretch of cliff that extends over the Arabian Sea.
Cherai Beach
Cherai Beach is located in Kochi, Kerala.
It is called the golden beach of Kerala and is rightly called "The Princess of the Arabian sea".
The beach is shallow, calm and is ideal for swimming & sunbathing.
Dolphins are seen here occasionally.
Chowara beach
Located at a distance of approximately 10 kilometres from Kovalam, the beautiful village of Chowara is popular for its beach. Om Beach
Gokarna is a small beach town in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka.
The main attraction at Gokarna is the Mahabaleshwar temple.
It is a calm and peaceful beach and has numerous ancient temples in the town.
The beach resembles the Om symbol
Murudeshwar beach
Murudeshwar beach is located in Bhatkal Taluk of Karnataka State.
Murudeshwar beach is one of he most frequented beaches of Karnataka state. The tourists come from all parts of India.
The best attraction of this beach is the Shiva Statue which is the second largest Shiva statue in the world.
Netrani beach
Netrani is a small island located in the Arabian Sea also known as Pigeon Island.
The island is situated off the coast of Karnataka.
It is one of the popular scuba diving destination in India.
It is located about 10 kms into the sea from Murudeshwar town of Karnataka state.
Main attractions at Netrani beach are corals, scuba diving and snorkeling.
St. Mary's Islands
St. Mary's Islands, also known as Coconut Island, are a set of four small islands in the Arabian sea in Udupi, Karnataka, India.
It is said that Vasco da Gama first reached this Island before reaching the Kappad Beach (near Calicut) while finding sea route to India.
The island has two beautiful beaches and crystallized basalt rock formations.
The unique rock formations scattered through out the island giving a special landscape to the place.
The rock formations are one of rarely found in the world.
Puri Beach
The beach is a fine coastline of Bay of Bengal located at a distance of 35 kms from the Sun Temple and 65 kms from Bhubaneshwar.
Puri Beach is quite renowned for its peaceful and calm surroundings.
The beach is a sacred venue for an endless number of pilgrims coming to pay homage to Lord Jagannath.
With the annual Beach Festival taking place in November, the beach has now become a favorite haunt of both Indian and foreign beach lovers. The beaches of Puri are also renowned for the sand sculptures created particularly by the internationally famed Sudarshan Patnaik.
The subjects are generally inspired by sculptures covering the temple walls, characters and episodes from the mythology and also the contemporary events Juhu Beach
The Juhu Beach in Mumbai is one of the most famous Indian beaches.
This beach is known to be the one of the most-visited beaches of India and is situated in 'Ville Parle'.
It is located approximately 18 km from the city center and is a desired location for most film shootings. Juhu Beach borders a posh locality where most celebrities stay and therefore, it is quite common to find famous celebrities jogging along the sands of this popular beach of Mumbai.
Tourists visit this beach because of its peaceful atmosphere and its scenic beauty. Juhu Beach is also famous for its local delicacies and street food. Caves
A cave is a hollow place in the ground, specifically a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter.
Caves form naturally by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India are about 29 rock- cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BC
The caves include paintings and rock cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form.
According to UNESCO, these are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art that influenced Indian art that followed The site is a protected monument in the care of the Archaeological Survey of India and since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Apart from the stunning paintings and sculptures, there were also huge Buddhist mounds like stupas built, massive pillars intricately detailed carvings on the ceilings and walls made big news, giving the Ajanta caves the status of a heritage site. The Ajanta caves are home to paintings and sculptures that depict heavy influence of Buddhist philosophy and religious teachings of the Buddha.
Various incidents from the life of Gautam Buddha and the Jataka Tales are represented and recreated on the walls of these caves.
The paintings on the walls of the Ajanta caves mainly adopt the theme of Jataka tales, the stories with morals that we read as kids.
Every single painting has a story attached to it and the paints used are both rare and made from very expensive and imported materials. Ellora Caves
Wolrd famous Ellora Caves locally known as Verul is situated 30 kilometers from Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
Ellora Caves are World Heritage Site, really impressive rock cut temples & monasteries.
There are 34 caves, structures excavated out of the vertical face of the hills. There are 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (caves 1-12), 17 Hindu caves (caves 13- 29) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (caves 30-34), 22 more caves, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most notable monument is the Kailasa or the Kailasanatha temple in cave 16 which is designed to recall Mount Kailash, the home of god Shiva in the Himalayas.
It is the largest monolithic structure in the world, carved top-down from a single rock.
Elephanta Caves
Elephanta caves is located in the elephant island in Mumbai. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century CE.
The Elephanta island was so named by the Portuguese, after the statue of an elephant near the landing area of the island. These rock cut temples dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva . Elephanta Caves is located on Elephanta Island, (literally "the city of caves") in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves—the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves.
The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the Lord Shiva.
It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork. It is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Elephanta Island The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries.
All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain.
They renamed it Elephanta after they found a large stone statue of an elephant near their landing place.
Unfortunately, the figure collapsed in 1814 and has been reassembled and placed in the garden outside the Bhau Daji Lad Museum at Jijamata Udyan in Mumbai.
Badami Caves
The Badami cave temples are located in the town of Badami in the north-central Karnataka
These caves were built during the regime of the Chalukya Empire around the 6th century. They were discovered by the Pulekeshin I, the great Chalukya ruler.
There are total of four Badami caves.
Out of which three are the Brahminical caves and one is the Jain cave.
Cave I is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Cave II and III to Lord Vishnu and cave IV to the Jain saints. Cave I
It is the oldest of the four caves of Badami.
The cave is beautifully designed with the painting and carved work that leaves the tourists spell binded.
Apart from the walls the ceilings provides the ultimate example of the finest art work of that period.
The ceiling also has the collection of paintings of Shiva and Parvati. Cave II : In this cave you will find Lord Vishnu in different forms and shapes.
Cave III : This is the most interesting cave among the four caves of Badami. The cave contains the wonderful sculptures and paintings of the Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Cave IV : It is the only Jain cave among the other four Badami caves. The cave was completed around 100 years later when the other three caves were completed. The main attractions of the cave include image of Lord Mahavira.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
The twin hills Udayagiri and Khandagiri are located in the vicinity of Bhubaneswar town. These two hills represent one of the earliest groups of Jaina rock-cut architecture in eastern India in the field of architecture, art and religion. The ancient names of the twin hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri are Kumari and Kumara parvatas respectively. There are total 33 rock cut caves on both the hills out of which 18 caves are excavated on Udayagiri hill while 15 are on the Khandagiri hill. Generally caves are single storied but a few of them are double storied also.
Undavalli Caves
Undavalli Caves lies in the Undavalli village in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
It is also believed that these caves were used by the Buddhist monks as the rest houses.
The caves of Undavalli provides the finest example of the rock cut architecture of the Buddhists in India.
It is a four storied cave.
DESERTS OF INDIA ➢ Desert is an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes.
➢ Desert region receives very low rain fall below 150mm per year all falling between July and September. Streams appear during rainy season.
➢ It has arid climate with low vegetation cover.
➢ The climate is harsh with temperatures ranging form near freezing up to 50°C.
➢ The Thar desert has a Tropical dry climate.
➢ East of the Thar Desert, the region running from Punjab and Haryana to Kathiawar experiences a tropical and sub-tropical climate. Indian Desert
➢Indian desert lies towards the western margins of Aravalli hills. ➢ In India the Thar desert extends from the Sutlej River, surrounded by the Aravalli Range on the east, on the south by the salt marsh known as the Rann of Kutch (parts of which are sometimes included in the Thar), and on the west by the Indus River. ➢ Luni is the only river in the region. The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large, arid region in the north western part of the Indian subcontinent that forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan.
The Great Indian Desert Thar lies mostly in the Rajasthan states of India, and extended into the some portion of Haryana, Punjab and Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Thar desert covers eastern Sindh province and some area of Pakistan Punjab as well.The maximum area is covered in Rajasthan, India
It is the world's 17th largest desert, and the world's 9th largest subtropical desert.
About 85% of the Thar Desert is in India, and the remaining 15% is in Pakistan
More than 60% of the desert lies in the state of Rajasthan and extends into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. The Camel also known as “Ship of the desert” is the best way to explore The Great Indian Desert. The Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world, with a population density of 83 people per km2.
In India, the inhabitants comprise Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. In Pakistan, inhabitants also include both Muslims and Hindus.
About 40% of the total population of Rajasthan live in the Thar Desert.
The main occupation of the people is agriculture and animal husbandry.
A colourful culture rich in tradition prevails in this desert. The people have a great passion for folk music and folk poetry.
Jodhpur, the largest city in the region, lies in the scrub forest zone. Bikaner and Jaisalmer are located in the desert proper. The average annual rainfall of the region varies from 100 to 500 mm, it is distributed very erratically, occurring mostly between July and September.
About 23 species of lizard and 25 species of snakes are found here and several of them are endemic to the region.
Some wildlife species, which are fast vanishing in other parts of India, are found in the desert in large numbers such as the great Indian bustard, the black buck, the Indian gazelle, and the wild ass in the Rann of Kutch.
How these animals and insects survive in these harsh conditions, under such high temperature and without drinking water and green vegetation is amazing. Desert for recreation
Thar Desert provides entertaining value in terms of desert festivals organized every year. This festival is held once a year during winters.
The festival has snake charmers, puppeteers, and folk performers.
Camels are an essential part of the desert life and the camel events during the desert festival.
Desert safaris on camels have become increasingly popular around Jaisalmer. Domestic and international tourists frequent the desert seeking adventure on camels.
During the trek tourists are able to view the fragile and beautiful ecosystem of the Thar desert.
This form of tourism provides income to many tour operators and camel owners in Jaisalmer
Black Buck The Great Indian Bustard Chinkara or Indian Gazelle Indian Wild Ass Foxes Vegetation of Thar Desert
The Thar desert is made up of barren stretches of land, many types of cacti and a few types of trees that are usually short and stout, as the growth has been stunted by the hot desert sun.
Most of the native plants grow in small clumps.
The plants which have been most successful in the difficult environment have adapted to the conditions of the desert. It is important, in particular for plants, to have developed water storage systems to be able to provide much needed water to themselves during the dry season.
Significant plants of the desert include gum, Arabic acacia, and euphorbia. However, these plants are only found on the rocky slopes of the hills.
The Great Rann of Kutch The Rann of Kutch is famous for its white salty desert sand and is reputed to be the largest salt desert in the world.
Most of the population in Rann of Kutch comprises of Hindus, Muslims, Jains and Sikhs.
The climate in Rann owing to its desert land is considered to be one of the harshest and hottest temperatures recorded in India. The summer temperatures go as high as 50 degree Celsius.
The winters are also quite extreme with temperatures dropping to as low as 0 degree Celsius.
During the monsoon, the salt desert is covered with water considering its proximity to the Luni, Rupen and Indus rivers.
The Rann of Kutch region is also home to a range of ecologically rich wildlife such as the flamingos and the wild ass that can be spotted around the desert often.
Rann is also a part of a few sanctuaries such as the Indian wild ass sanctuary, Kutch desert wildlife sanctuary etc. It is a paradise for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. The government of Gujarat holds a three month long festival known as ‘The Rann Utsav’ every year starting from December to February.
This is the main source of income for the locals around who welcome visitors from across the globe to savour in local delicacies and to witness the culture and hospitality of Kutch.
At the utsav, there are different cultural events held everydays where travellers can stay in tented accommodations in the desert or can also opt for an authentic stay in mud houses a few kilometers away from the desert. Considering the magnitude of the festival, the accommodation at Rann is expensive during season time and hence it is advisable to pre-book if one wishes to visit the white desert during the utsav. Other than the festival months there is no accommodation option available in the desert, in this case one could opt to stay around Rann or could make a day trip from Bhuj.
Once at Rann Utsav the shopaholics can also indulge in buying authentic Gujarati handicrafts handmade by the Kutchhi people with a variety of options in clothes, bags and other items such as shoes and puppets. Camel Safaris, Local art and handicraft bazaar, a spa, meditation and yoga centre, live music concerts and folk dance shows and evenings White Salt Desert A camel ride on the Rann of Kutch Folk Music Performance
The Cold Desert - Ladakh Desert lands with extremely low temperatures are called cold deserts like Antarctica, which is the largest cold desert in the world.
Ladakh in India is a cold desert that lies in the Great Himalayas on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also known as Khapa-chan, which means snow land.
Extreme cold temperatures make vegetation in Ladakh extremely sparse, but one can find a little vegetation along rivers on high slopes and in irrigated places.
Animals which can be found in the region include blue sheep, yak and wild goat, and several species of dogs. Most of these animals are reared for milk, meat and hides. Spiti Valley One of the most unexplored destinations in Himachal Pradesh, Spiti valley is located at a very high altitude in the eastern part of Himachal Pradesh.
The Spiti Valley is a cold desert mountain valley located high in the Himalaya mountains in the north-eastern part of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
The name "Spiti" means "The Middle Land", i.e. the land between Tibet and India
Famous for its splendid views and untouched natural beauty, Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan culture, Spiti is a destination for trekkers, hikers - only the string hearted.
The Lahaul and Spiti district comprises of both the valleys which are separated by Kunzum pass.
Buddhist monastery and Tibetan culture , Spiti is a destination for trekkers.
WETLANDS & RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA
The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 with the aim of “conservation and wise use of wetlands with local, national and international cooperation for overall sustainable development of the world”.
The Ramsar sites are maintained in Montreux Record to track any major ecological changes that might affect any of the wetland sites positively or in a reverse way.
The Ramsar convention entered into force in India on 1 February 1982. Montreux Record
Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List. The Montreux Record was established by Recommendation of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (1990). Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in which they lie. Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur). Chilka lake (Odisha)was placed in the record but was later removed from it.