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K I Y S E N V I S RESOURCE PARTNER On ECOTOURISM ISSN: 0974-6072

Newsletter Volume 15 Number 3 October - December 2017 BEST OF ECOTOURISM IN INDIA - A COMPILATION OF BIOSHPERE RESERVES, NATIONAL PARKS, SNACTUARIES AND ECO DESTINATIONS By Shri D.T. Bhutia; Prabhakar Gurung ENVIS RP on Ecotourism “The Earth does not belong to man; Man belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” — Chief Seattle

Stretching from the Himalaya to coast to alpine vegetations including medicinal Majuli, Assam coast legacy, India with its highly plants, and at different diversified nature is one of the popular altitude and thus representing a rich eco-tourism destinations in the world. ecosystem that also include many glaciers, Whether it is the backwaters of Kerala or waterfalls, lakes and streams. Amongst shifting sand dunes of Thar Desert or the the mammals the snow leopard, wetlands in the Himalayan region or Himalayan Tahr, wild dog, Himalayan black natural caves in the Khasi and Garo hills, bear, red panda, Himalayan blue sheep, India throughout the decades has been a serow, goral and takin are the major one stop eco-tourism hub housing a good attractions for wildlife enthusiasts and population of flora and fauna. The The largest river island in the world that is birds like Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, country is just not about tracing the located in the Brahmaputra River in Osprey, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier, historical diorama but the pleasure Assam, Majuli is home to several migratory Tragopan Pheasant, Green Pigeon, Tibetan treasure pours when you roam like a birds. The island is mostly inhabited by the nomad to seek the natural panorama. Let's Snowcock, Snow Pigeon, Impeyan Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis and Mising go for a refreshing journey through some Pheasant, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Sunbird tribes. Nonetheless… influenced by the of the best ecotourism destinations in and Eagle make it a haven for lovers. Brahmaputra River, the island comprises a India from this article. The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve unique ecosystem and preserves a rich also offers lot of adventure activities like K h a n g c h e n d z o n g a B i o s p h e r e agricultural base. The region is also home trekking, hiking, and camping which Reserve, Sikkim to a large number of amphibians. The makes it easier for the travelers to explore island is formed by the Brahmaputra river Covering an approximate area of 1,784 the rich biodiversity. The Green Lake Trek in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an square kilometers and ranging from an and Dzongri Goechala Trek are some of the anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by altitude of about 1,800 meters to 8,500 best alpine treks in Sikkim that passes the Subansiri River in the north. Mājuli meter the Khangchendzonga Biosphere through the Khangchendzonga Biosphere island is accessible by ferries from the city Reserve or Khangchendzonga National Reserve. of Jorhat. The island is about 300–400 Park is one of the high altitude national Nearest Railhead: New Jalpaiguri kilometres (186–249 mi) east from the parks in India and the only national park in state's largest city —Guwahati. It was Nearest Airport: Bagdogra Airport Sikkim. It is home to a large variety of formed due to course changes by the river

1 Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly Wreathed Hornbill, Old World babbles, and services. Recently set up Kaziranga the Lohit. Mājuli is the abode of the vultures remain the major attractions. The National Orchid and Biodiversity Park Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture. Mājuli Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary is also one of established at Durgapur village is a latest is 20 km from Jorhat. One can take the the largest homes to reptiles like attraction to the tourists. It houses more bus or a hired taxi to the Nimati Steamer Reticulated Python, Rock Python, and King than 500 of orchids, 132 varieties Ghat from where ferry services ply. The Cobra. Kaziranga National Park has been of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 12 distance takes over three hours to cover, granted maximum protection under the species of cane, 46 species of bamboo and with three bus rides and two ferry rides. Indian law for wildlife conservation. a large varieties of local fishes. On the north bank is the river Subansiri Various laws, which range in dates from Nearest Railhead: Guwahati and on the south bank, the mighty the Assam Forest Regulation of 1891 and Nearest Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Brahmaputra has excided the island from the Biodiversity Conservation Act of 2002 Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati the main land. Lakhimpur town is to the have been enacted for protection of north and Golaghat is to its southwest. wildlife in the park. Poaching activities, Sunderbans National Park, West The town of Sibsagar is on the southeast particularly of the rhinoceroses for its Bengal and Jorhat is to the south. On the horn, has been a major concern for the extreme east is Dibrugarh District. authorities. Between 1980 and 2005, 567 l The Vaishnava Satras founded by rhinoceroses were hunted by poachers. Sankardeva Following a decreasing trend for the past l The colourful culture of the tribes few years, 18 one-horned rhinoceroses were killed by poachers in 2007. Reports l Migratory birds have suggested that there are links l The Ali-ai-ligang festival in Feb-March between these poaching activities and l Pottery making funding of terrorist organizations. But l Mask making these could not be substantiated in later l Paal Namm festival in the end of years. Preventive measures such as winter construction of anti-poaching camps and l Folgu utsaav(holi) maintenance of existing ones, patrolling, Home to the world's largest mangrove l Madhya Majuli intelligence gathering, and control over forest, the Sunderbans National Park l Namoni Majuli the use of firearms around the park have covers an approximate area of 1,330 l reduced the number of casualties. Since Ujoni Majuli square kilometers. It is the royal residence 2013, the park used cameras on drones l The sunset in winter of the Bengal tiger and the region with 54 which are monitored by security guards to l Exotic homespun masks crafts small deltaic islands is also a shelter to a protect the rhino from armed poachers. l the natural beauty. variety of bird, reptile, invertebrate Observing the wildlife, including birding, Nearest Railhead: Jorhat species and amphibians. Some of the is the main visitor activity in and around Nearest Airport: Jorhat Airport endangered species, other than the Royal the park. Guided tours by elephant or Jeep Bengal Tiger, which are found in the Kaziranga National Park, Assam are available. Hiking is prohibited in the Sunderbans National Park are the park to avoid potential human- Saltwater Crocodile, River Terrapin, Olive conflicts. Observation towers are situated Ridley Turtle, Gangetic dolphin, Ground at Sohola, Mihimukh, Kathpara, Foliamari, Turtle, Hawks Bill Turtle and Mangrove and Harmoti for wildlife viewing. The horseshoe crab. Among the endemic Lower Himalayan peaks frame the park's marine mammals…the Bryde's whale, landscape of trees and grass interspersed Humpback whale, Irrawaddy Dolphins, with numerous ponds. An interpretation Ganges River Dolphins, and Humpback centre is being set up at the Bagori range Dolphins are sparsely found near the of Kaziranga, to help visitors learn more coastal area. Many conservational about the park. The park remains closed projects are being undertaken by the A world heritage site that is the home to for visitors from 1 May to end-October due g o v e r n m e n t t o p r o t e c t t h e r i c h the Great One-horned rhinoceros, the to monsoon rains. Four tourist lodges at biodiversity of Sunderbans National Park, Kaziranaga National Park, covering an Kohora and three tourist lodges outside which is one of the best national parks in approximate area of 430 square the park are maintained by the West Bengal. The park being located at the kilometers, is one of the best national Department of Environment and Forests, confluence of many distributaries of the parks in North East India that features a Government of Assam. Private resorts are Ganges and Bay of Bengal receives some highly diversified ecosystem. With the available outside the park borders. unique geographical features, mudfalts influence of the River Brahmaputra and Increase in tourist inflow has led to the being one of those features that is largely its tributaries the Kaziranga Park mostly economic empowerment of the people dependent on tidal currents. The comprises of fertile and alluvial soil and living at the fringes of the park, by means Chargheri Char mudflat in the Sunderbans also provides some unique geographical of tourism related activities, encouraging is open for the tourists, and can be visited features such as sandbars, beels, and a recognition of the value of its protection. during low tide. Click here for detailed chapories. It houses a good population of A survey of tourists notes that 80 percent information about Sunderban Tiger mammals, reptiles, insects, amphibians found rhino sightings most enjoyable and Reserve. that foreign tourists were more likely to and birds. Among the animals tigers, Nearest Railhead: Howrah and Sealdah leopards, hispid hare, fox, jackals, bears, support park protection and employment Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhash Chandra and more are sighted AND from the bird opportunities financially, while local Bose International Airport, Kolkata kingdom the Great Indian Hornbill and tourists favored support for veterinary

2 Mawlynnong, Meghalaya region is an ideal location for birding. Miao Museum - Maintained by the According to the administration records, Namdapha park authorities, Miao Museum the village number of Jotsoma is 268285. is located near to the Field Director's The village has 552 houses. Office. One of its rooms is selected for Six kilometers away from Kohima town is a keeping the animal specimens collected place called Shohuza in Jotsoma where a from Namdapha and surrounding areas monument was erected as a tribute to over the course of several surveys and Major General John M. L Grover, his decades. There are many snake and frog soldiers of the 2nd Division, 33 Corps of the specimens as well as a large number of bird British Army and the people of Jotsoma. It skins, mammal pelts and skulls. For was in Shohuza that Gen. Grover and his greater interests, there is a complete troop camped, this was where all military skeleton of a large python mounted on the wall. A second room displays the clothing, Located in the East Khasi Hills in tactics and decisions were made which led tools and village life of the local people. Meghalaya, Mawlynnong is considered as the allies to a historic victory against The museum is open on all the working Asia's one of the cleanest villages in the Japan in the Second World War. days. midst of a rich biodiversity. The area Commemorating the first anniversary of surrounding the Mawlynnong village is a the monument on April 16, Jotsoma Miao Mini Zoo (Miao) – The Miao zoo is basket of abundant natural beauty reflected on the Second World War and its situated opposite to the museum near the comprising of an evergreen forest that is a significance not just to the world but the Field Director's Office. Several primates shelter to a large number of animal and people of Jotsoma. found in Namdapha are housed in the zoo, including hoolock gibbons, pig-tailed bird species, living Root Bridge, waterfalls Nearest Railhead: Dimapur and natural caves. macaque, Assamese macaques, stump- Nearest Airport: Dimapur Airport tailed macaque and slow loris. Small Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. Namdhapa National Park, Arunachal carnivores will include Himalayan palm The waste is collected in the dustbins civet and other small mammals like made of bamboo, directed to a pit and Pradesh porcupines and leopard cats. Among the then used as manure. A community other attractions are black bears and an initiative mandates that all residents enclosure with a gharial. Outside the zoo is should participate in cleaning up the a large enclosure with sambar and barking village. Smoking and use of polythene is deer. banned while rainwater harvesting is encouraged. Moti Jheel (@buffer zone) – by making a 10 mile walk of two to four hour from the The travel magazine Discover India forest department campsite, the tourists declared the village as the cleanest in Asia can find Moti Jheel. It is a small natural in 2003, and the cleanest in India in 2005. One of the largest national parks in India pool (or jheel) situated atop a plateau This reputation has boosted local tourism; that covers an approximate area of over called Gibbon's Land. The path to Moti in 2017 NPR reported that, according to 1,985 square kilometers, the Namdhapa Jheel is steep, but runs through beautiful the village headsman, incomes had National Park is widely known for housing deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, increased by 60 percent due to increased four kinds of felines – the common Indian with moss-laden branches and trees tourism. leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard covered in epiphytes. The path is a superb Nearest Railhead: Guwahati and tiger. Nonetheless the vast ecosystem bird watching trail, where one can find Nearest Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath comprising of an extensive montane forest specialties like the Green and Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati and dotted with several species of plants, Rufous-throated Fulvetta. Gibbons, Jotsoma village in Kohima, Nagaland diversified landscape at different altitude capped langur, Malayan giant squirrels and that ranges from an elevation of 500 meter smaller squirrels can usually be sighted. to 4,500 meters makes it an eco-tourism During the rains, it is not uncommon to haven. Located in the north-eastern state come across a mountain lizard (Japalura) of India- Arunachal Pradesh, the or keeled box turtle. Although the pool is is the largest small and often overgrown with protected area in India and is the perfect vegetation; but could be a good option for Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. some kind of leisure walk. Recognized as one of the richest areas in Raja Jheel (@buffer zone) - Raja Jheel can biodiversity in India, the park harbors the be reached by a path bifurcating from the northernmost lowland evergreen main path between Hornbill and Firmbase rainforests in the world at 27°N latitude. just before Rani Jheel. The jheel is about The area is also known for extensive an hour's walk from Rani Jheel. Raja Jheel One of the remotest villages of India that is Dipterocarp forests among the last great is a forest swamp that is now completely located deep in the indigenous territory of remote wilderness areas of Asia. overgrown with vegetation, but the main Nagaland and close to Kohima the Jotsoma Namdapha and its adjoining areas, is attraction is the habitats and bird life en village is considered as one of the best flanked by the Patkai hills to the south and route to the swamp. The path to Raja eco-tourism destinations in North East south-east and by the Himalaya in the Jheel continues to the mountains beyond India that host abundance natural beauty. north and lies close to the Indo-- the swamp, and can be resulted in a steep The village, in the middle of highly tri-junction. and difficult route on further trailing. The diversified eco-system, is mostly Attractions in Namdapha tourists can avail the camping experience inhabited by tribal settlements. The

3 on the way to Raja Jheel at a small stream Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Nearest Airport: Kullu Manali Airport or in a valley, which is about a twenty-minute Airport, Leh Bhuntar Airport walk from Rani Jheel. Great Himalayan National Park, R a n t h a m b o r e N a t i o n a l Pa r k , Other Activities: Himachal Pradesh Rajasthan Elephant ride Trekking Boat Ride River crossing Nearest Railhead: Tinsukia Railway Station, Assam Nearest Airport: Dibrugarh Airport, Assam Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Popular for its tiger population, the Ranthambore National Park that covers an Reserve, Ladakh Spreading over an area of 1,170 square kilometers and ranging from an altitude of area of 392 square kilometers is another 1,500 meters to 6,000 meters, the Great best eco-tourism destination in India Himalayan National Park is home to more having diverse landscape layered by dry than 300 fauna species and numerous deciduous forest. The Ranthambore plant species. The park because of National Park is home to several animal comprising an extensive exceptional and bird species that include the tiger, natural beauty and conservation of leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, hyena, biological diversity with alpine meadows, sloth bear and chital among the mammal several streams, lakes, glaciers and snow species AND Graylag Goose, Woodpeckers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Parakeets, Asian Located at an altitude of 4,595 meters, the capped peaks has been recently declared Palm Swift, Dove, Sandpipers, Gulls, Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Terns, Great Crested Grebe, Eagles, comprises of the Lake Moriri, which is one The Great Himalayan National Park is Darters, Cormorants, Flamingos, Ibis, of the high altitude lakes in India, and its home to more than 375 faunal species. So Pelicans, Storks, Pittas, Shrikes, Treepies, surrounding environment that include the far species of 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 and more among the bird species. Changthang plateau region. The area is reptiles, 9 amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 Ranthambhore wildlife sanctuary is known home to some of the endemic alpine mollusks and 127 insects belonging to six for its Bengal tigers, and is one of the best animal and bird species including the orders have been identified and places in India to see these animals in their Tibetan Wolf and Snow Leopard among the documented. Most of the Himalayan fauna natural jungle habitat. Tigers can be easily mammals, and Black-necked Cranes, Bar- has been given protection under the high spotted even in the daytime. The best headed Geese, Brown-headed Gulls, Great priority protection category of Schedule I times for tiger sightings at Ranthambhore Crested Grebe, Ferruginous Pochard, of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, National Park are in November and May. Black-necked, and Grebe Podiceps 1972. The state government of Himachal The park's deciduous forests are nigricollis among the bird species. The Pradesh has banned hunting in the state characteristic examples of the type of lake is at an altitude of 4,522 m (14,836 for more than ten years. A trek of 35 to 45 jungle found in Central India. Other fauna ft). It is the largest of the high altitude km in any of the park's valleys brings one include the Indian leopard, nilgai, wild lakes entirely within India and entirely into the high altitude habitat (3,500 m and boar, sambar, striped hyena, sloth bear, within Ladakh in this Trans-Himalayan above) of animals such as blue sheep, snow southern plains gray langur, rhesus biogeographic region. It is about 16 miles leopard, Himalayan brown bear, macaque, mugger crocodile and chital. (26 km) north to south in length and two to Himalayan tahr, and musk deer. Best The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of three miles (3 to 5 km) wide. The lake has sightings can be made in autumn trees, plants, birds and reptiles, as well as no outlet at present and the water is (September–November) as animals start one of the largest banyan trees in India. brackish though not very perceptible to their seasonal migration to lower taste. altitudes. The GHNP also supports a great An economic valuation of the tiger reserve estimated that its flow benefits are worth The lake is fed by springs and snow-melt diversity of plant life thanks to its wide 8.3 billion rupees (0.56 lakh / hectare) from neighboring mountains. Most water altitude range and relatively undisturbed annually. Gene-pool protection services enters the lake in two major stream habitats. From the lofty pinesand spruces (7.11 billion), provisioning of water to the systems, one entering the lake from the and the great, spreading horse chestnuts neighbouring region (115 million) and north, the other from the southwest. Both of the lower valleys, to the dense cushions provisioning of habitat and refugia for stream systems include extensive marshes and prostrate branches of the alpine herbs wildlife (182 million) were some of the where they enter the lake. It formerly had and junipers, the park presents an endless important services that emanated from an outlet to the south, but this has become variety of vegetation. Although some areas the tiger reserve. Other services included blocked and the lake has become a have been modified by grazing, this is one nutrient cycling (34 million) and endorheic lake. The lake is oligotrophic in of the few areas of the Western Himalayas sequestration of carbon (69 million). nature, and its waters are alkaline. where the forests and alpine meadows can be seen in something approaching their Ranthambhore is one of the best national Accessibility to the lake is largely limited original state. The subalpine zone is parks in the country for spotting a tiger. to summer season, though Karzok on the richest in species, followed by the alpine The majestic predator can be spotted northwest shore and the military facilities and upper temperate zones. ambling or basking under the sun. Rides on the eastern shores have year-round are carried out at 6:30 and 14:30. Each Nearest Railhead: Joginder Nagar Railway habitation. ride lasts for about three hours. There are Station Nearest Railhead: NA two options of vehicles for the safari: 20

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