Wildlife Adventures

Wildlife Weekend Getaways from Delhi

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Delhi is the political capital of India and also the starting point of many travel itenary. However, when you require a break and want to get away from the hustle bustle of this city, head out for a weekend wildlife getaway to the nearest sanctuary where you may get to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger or other rare Indian wildlife animals. Spend a relaxed time over the weekend and come back rejuvenated; ready to take on Delhi full on!

There are majorly five wildlife sanctuaries near Delhi namely Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan), Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh) and Kanha  Park (Madhya Pradesh) that form part of a weekend wildlife tour package. It is best to book a package from a reputed wildlife tour operators present in India so that your boarding and lodging arrangements are taken care of while you enjoy popular wildlife destinations near Delhi.

To begin with, towards the North of Delhi you will find the Corbett National Park. This park is 300 Km from the capital city. If you are travelling by road from here, follow the Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar route to reach this national park. From Ramnagar you will reach the park with other road transportation available on this broad gauge track. The nearest airport, Phoolbagh in Pantnagar is at a distance of 50 Km from this park. The best time to visit this park is between November and June. However, summers are the best time to view the wildlife of Corbett, especially the tigers that come out of the forests to drink water. The Corbett  Park is out of bounds during the monsoons usually from July till October.

The Ranthambore National Park and the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary lie towards the south of Delhi. You can visit Sariska first and then if time permits extend your wildlife tour to Ranthambore. Sariska wildlife sanctuary is around 200 Km from Delhi. It is open throughout the year however certain jungle tracks are closed during the monsoon season and the breeding season. The best time for you to visit this park is from late winters, around January or February. Although, April to June is a good time to see Indian wildlife of Sariska at the waterholes. Ranthambore National park is just 450 Km from Delhi. The park remains opens from October through to June. The best time to visit this park is during the winters i.e. from November to February.

Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park falls in the South Eastern side of Delhi. Bandhavgarh is 250 Km whereas Kanha is 991 Km from Delhi. Best time to visit Kanha is from February to June whereas you can visit Bandhavgarh between March to June. You can go to both these  parks either by road or rail.

So pack your bag for a weekend wildlife gateway to any of the above national parks and have a wonderful time exploring their wilderness. Do not forget to carry your camera!

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Posted in Bandhavgarh National Park, Corbett National Park, Kanha National Park, Ranthambore National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife Adventures, Wildlife India | No Comments »

Most Visited Bird Sanctuaries in India

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Owing to its varied geography, climate and presence of a long coastline, India is the home to several species of birds. Not only can you spot numerous regional birds here, but scores of migratory birds also make India, their temporary habitat. Bird sanctuaries in India are therefore a hot spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

With more than 1200 species of avifauna present in India, it has forever been one of the favored destinations for tourists. Among the most distinguished bird sanctuaries in India, the following are the most visited ones:

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Situated in Rajasthan in Northern India, Bharatpur Bird sanctuary is an exclusive reserve for rare avifauna and Indian Wildlife. It is a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention, and hence is also a World Heritage site.

Over 350 species of birds can be seen in this 29 Sq Km Park. One third of these are migrants, who have made this sanctuary their wintering ground. Since Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies on the Central Asian Flyway of the Asia Pacific Global Migratory Flyway; it is a wintering ground for a large number of migratory water-bird that breeds in the Pale arctic region.

The endangered Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus) uses this bird sanctuary as its only wintering ground. Apart from this, you can also find several species of Pelicans, Cranes, Larks, Geese, Eagles, Hawks, Ducks, Shanks, Wagtails, Stints, Warblers, Flycatchers, Wheatears, Buntings and Pipits in this sanctuary.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres of land around the Vembanad Lake, near the Backwaters. It is home to a large number of migratory birds like Flycatcher, Teal, Siberian Stork, Crane, Parrots and Wood Beetle. Apart from these, native birds like the Kingfisher, Heron, Egret, Owl, and Cuckoo are seen in plenty in this sanctuary.

The best way of viewing birds at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is by riding a houseboat or motorboat. In case you want to experience the rustic rural touch, try to get hold of a local rice boat or fishing boat. These will help you to watch the birds at play without them being disturbed by the sounds of motor.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

Traveling to Ranganathittu  Sanctuary for watching birds can be an exhilarating experience for you. Away from the busy schedule of fast passed life, spending a day amidst nature can be quiet rewarding.

This Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River and is laden with rare avian species. It is a happy breeding ground for many migratory birds like Open Bill Storks, Spoonbills, Darters, Little Cormorants, White Ibis, Egret, Partridge, Heron, River Tern, Snake Bird, Stone Plougher and other exotic bird species, which flies all the way from Australia, Siberia and even North America. There are several local inhabitants like Peacocks and Kingfishers. Take a boats ride along the river to spot all these beautiful birds.

Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, Orissa

Covering an extensive area of 1100 Sq Km and situated to the south west of Puri, the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. This sanctuary is a home to some of the most amazing avifauna of the world and hence attracts a large number of tourists. It has been reported that as many as 9 Lakh migratory birds fly to this bird sanctuary during winters. The commonest of birds in Chilka Lake are Geese, Eagle and Flamingoes. Apart from these the Jacana, the Purple Moorhen and the Herons are simply a delight to watch.

Boating in the crystal clear water of Chilka Lake to spot these beautiful creatures will surely be an enjoyable experience that you will cherish throughout your life.

Porbadar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary is situated in the heart of Porbandar city. Spread across an area of about 1 Sq. Km, this bird sanctuary is home to various rare and migratory species of birds. If you visit this sanctuary during winters you would get an opportunity to spot birds like Flamingos, Pelicans, Spoonbills, Avocets, Coots, Pintails, Little Cormorants, Little Grebes, Shovellers, Whistling Teals, Herons, Terns, Jacanas, Red Shanks and Ruffs to name a few.

So, pack your bags and take a wildlife tour to India at the earliest. And yes, do not forget to carry you camera with you. You would certainly love to capture every moment of bird watching in India with your camera and preserve their pictures for the rest of your life.

Posted in Adventure, Bird Sanctuary, India Tour, India Travel, Wildlife Adventures, Wildlife India | 2 Comments »

3 New Tiger Cubs born in Panna National Park

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

In a major development to efforts to revive the tiger population in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna reserve; a relocated tigress has given birth to three cubs. This is a first of its kind. And the good news comes exactly a year after Panna reserve was declared having no tiger population left. The tigress which has given birth was relocated from Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh) to Panna in March last year.

Making an official announcement, a park official said, “We have spotted three healthy cubs with the tigress brought from Bandhavgarh National Park on May 7. With this recent development the state government’s tiger rehabilitation plan in Panna has proved to be a great success”.

“The cubs are believed to be around 20 days old and were spotted when their mother was taking them out of her den. The tigress is in a fine condition. The cubs have opened their eyes. This usually happens after 10 days of birth”, said R. Sreenivasa Murthy, field director, Panna. “Though we had prior indications that the tigress has given birth last month, it could not be confirmed because she was hiding at a place which was difficult for us to reach. The news could be confirmed only when the tigress decided to move her cubs to a better place of the reserve”, he further elaborated.

Panna reserve , which once had more than 30 big cats, lost its entire tiger population due to illegal poaching. In an attempt to rehabilitate tigers in Panna, two tigresses, one from Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh) and another from Kanha Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), were relocated here on March 6 and March 9, 2009 respectively. A tiger from Pench reserve (Madhya Pradesh) was also relocated on November 14 the same year in Panna National Park.

“This relocated tiger had disappeared on November 26. However after much effort it was brought back to Panna on December 25. Thereafter, the tiger has settled comfortably in the new environs of Panna reserve which is evident from the birth of the three cubs”, an official said.

“It is for the first time that a relocated tigress has given birth in India”, said Mr. Murthy. In the year 2008, two tigresses and a tiger were relocated to Sariska in Rajasthan, after it lost its tiger population. These animals have not yet been able to breed. It was reported that these tigers which were brought from Ranthambhor National Park, could have been siblings.

In some more good news from Panna reserve, officials are anticipating that the second relocated tigress could also be expecting very soon. Due to this security in and around the park has been beefed up. Entry of tourists has been banned keeping in mind the safety of the tigers. Panna officials were also tightlipped over the present location of this tigress due to security reasons.

With the recent development, the government has planned to relocate six more tigers in Panna reserve in the near future.

For more information visit http://www.panna-national-park.com/

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Places to see around Corbett National Park

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Tourism in Corbett National Park has been steadily growing since its inception. However many tourists are not aware of the fact that there are several other attractive places to see around this national park like Corbett Museum, Garjia Temple, Nainital, Raniket and Haldwani to name a few. So if you are one of those planning a Corbett Wildlife Tour anytime soon, make sure that you extend your trip and visit the following nearby places to fully experience the magic of Incredible India.Corbett Tiger

Dhikala:

Dhikala is located at the edge of the Patli Dun valley through which the Ramganga River flows. It presents an awesome view of the valley with the Kanda ridge acting as its backdrop. If you watch this site from the watchtower near Dhikala it seems to be all the more impressing. You can even visit the Dhikala chaur and the Phulai chaur. A drive through these chaurs will enable you to view various wildlife animals. Another popular spot of Dikhla is the old rest house which is a historic structure built over a hundred years ago.

Garjia Temple:

The Garjia temple is a huge rock in the midst of river Kosi and is located 14 Km from Ramnagar. It falls on your way to Ranikhet. A huge fair is held here on every year in this temple in the month of Kartik Poornima.

Bijrani:

The area in and around Bijrani was once the shooting ground for shikaris. The terrain at Bijrani is dry and has diverse vegetation.

Jhirna:

Jhirna rest house lies inside the southern premises of Corbett National Park. The landscape around this rest house is dry and the vegetation consist mostly scrubs. In addition to this the hills to the north of Jhirna are covered with dense patches of bamboo further enhancing the beauty of the region.

Corbett Museum:

Corbett Museum at Dhangarhi is a place where you will find the belongings of Mr. Jim Corbett. Many interesting historical facts about this legend can be found in this museum.

Nainital:

Nainital is located at a distance of about 66 Km from the Jim Corbett National Park. Situated at an elevation of 1,938 Mt above sea level, this place got its name from an eye shaped lake which is set amidst mountain surrounded by thick alpine trees. Nainital is also known as a ‘Lake District’ because it is home to five beautiful lakes named Nainital, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, and Sattal. It is a glistening pearl of the Himalayan range since it is blessed with fantastic natural splendors and a variety of flora and fauna. So whether you are travelling alone or you are with your family, Nainital is perfect for you. You can enjoy nature as well as participate in some adventurous activities.

Ranikhet:

Ranikhet literally means the queen’s meadow. It is a hill station in Almora district of Uttarakhand and is situated 90 Km from Jim Corbett National Park at an altitude of 1,869 Mt above sea level. Known for being the base for Kumaon Regiment and Naga Regiment of the Indian Army, this place is a must visit since it gives an invigorating view of the snow clad peaks of Himalayan range besides vast varieties of flora and fauna.

Bhim Tal:

This place is located at a distance of about 84 Km from Jim Corbett National Park. Lying at an altitude of 1,375 Mt above sea level, Bhim Tal’s main attraction is the Bhimtal Lake. You will find that this lake has a small island at its centre.

Haldwani:

At an average height of 425 Mt above sea level lies the beautiful place called Haldwani. It falls in the Nainital district of Kumaon and is 58 Km from the Jim Corbett National Park. Popularly known as the ‘gateway of kumaon’ you feel that you are in the lap of nature once you view the dusk and dawn of Haldwani.

Now that you know the places that you can visit around Corbett National Park all you need to do is to get in touch with a tour operator who will provide you with complete information on tourism in Corbett National Park and also offer you an attractive package in order to make your visit to this national park a pleasant occasion.

Source: Ezine

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Posted in Corbett National Park, Holiday Tour Packages, India Tour, India Travel, Kumaon, Wildlife Adventures, Wildlife India | 1 Comment »

Kaziranga National Park – Best Place to See Tigers

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Kaziranga National Park has always been a title of a noteworthy success story of preservation of one horned India Rhinoceros and other wild lives in the North East India. Kaziranga National Park has been the homeland of the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, but today it is counted among best national parks that provide the safest shelter to wild lives like tiger as well. Though, the Corbett National Park enjoy the status of the best home for tigers in India, but as per the recent survey conducted by the non-governmental organisation, Aranyak, Kaziranga National Park could be more better place to see tigers. Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand and the Kanha tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh were, believed to be areas of highest tiger density, but the recent observation shows a whole new and different story.Save Tiger

The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh even said a preliminary report from the second nationwide tiger census is currently underway, and things are very encouraging about Kaziranga. Perhaps, Kaziranga National Park  is showing an increase in tiger density. As per the recent studies done by Aranyak, it has been found that the Kaziranga National Park situated in Assam has 32 tigers for every 100 sq km, in comparison to the Corbett, which has 20 for the same area. This evaluation was based on the monitoring of tigers with the camera trap technology that was used by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for conducting wide tiger census.

In the first phase, the tiger census was completed in southern India and some major parts of north India where WII scientists spotted some tigers in naxal-affected tiger reserves. However, after scientists entered naxal-affected Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chattisgarh and Palamu Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand they got tiger excreta samples. Commenting on this tragic evidence, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, said, “The evidence of excreta samples of the endangered Indian tiger found in the Naxal-dominated reserve area is the most unexpected news.” The second phase of this project, which involves data collection through satellite, is also in progress. Apart from this, in the third phase the Wildlife Institute of India would use the collected data for camera trapping sessions.

Adding to this, as per one of the officials of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the probability of tigers in Kaziranga is also expected to reach around 100 to 200. Initially, Kaziranga, which is just known for its rhinos and elephants, had about 30 tigers in 1972, and 86 in 2007. Therefore, the initial indications on tiger census are definitely encouraging.

India just has an estimated tiger population of just 1,400. The effort to save the Indian tiger certainly remains a mounting task as an international demand for tiger parts has created a profitable trade option. “The recent statistic is surely an encouraging sign and many expect that Kaziranga will emerge as the best and safest place for tigers in coming days”, said one of the officials of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

For more information about Kaziranga National Park visit http://www.kaziranga-national-park.com/

About Kaziranga National Park:

Kaziranga was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.Kaziranga Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1940, the Kaziranga National Park boasts of the largest population of one-horned rhinos.As early as in 1908, Kaziranga was declared a reserve forest and hunting was banned here. But today Kaziranga National Park is counted among best national parks that provide the safest place for the life of tiger.

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Corbett Tiger Reserve Park

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Corbett national park was also known by the name of Hailey National Park or Ramganga National Park. Its present name, Corbett Tiger Reserve Park came from the famous conservationist and naturalist Edward James Corbett who had spent majority of his childhood in this jungle. His winter residence is just outside the premise of the park, at Kaladhungi, which is now converted into a museum. This park attracts many national and international tourists since it is India’s first national park and is also one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries of Asia.Corbett Tiger

Corbett national park covers an area of 520 Sq Km and is situated at the foothills of western Himalayas. The best thing about this tiger reserve is that you can enjoy the wildlife of this park by travelling in open jeeps. These Jeep safaris have experienced guides who will guide you to about 20 KM into the jungle to show you all the famous areas within the sanctuary.

The “Project Tiger” initiative started by the government of India to protect tigers was initially started at the Corbett National Park in 1973. Today, this national park has the highest number of tigers in India. Therefore it is also known as the “Tiger Country” of India.

Hilly ridges, flat valley and mixed deciduous forest constitute the landscapes of the national tiger park through which the Ramganga River also flows. Jim Corbett has 488 different varieties of flora, 33 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians and 7 species of fishes. Along with these there are 585 different kinds of birds like king vulture, kingfishers and eagles to name a few. Wildlife in Corbett also has mammals like leopards, porcupine, tiger, leopard cats, fishing cat, jungle cat, jackal, Indian wild dog, mongoose, civet, otter, barking deer and goral.

Moving on you can engage yourself in many thrilling activities like fishing and angling, elephant safari, and jeep safari in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. It is open from November to June and the first three months i.e. Nov to January is perfect for watching birds of the park. You can reach this Tiger reserve from Rampur by a bus or a taxi. In case you want to stay overnight you will have number of hotels to choose from. All the hotels situated nearby Corbett national park offer cheap accommodation and transportation facility. Corbett wildlife tour conducted by travel agents usually offer attractive wildlife tour packages.

Visit Corbett if you too love wildlife. Enjoy its splendid landscape and the diverse flora and fauna. Return home with an everlasting and mesmerizing experience.

Source: Buzzle.com

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Corbett National Park – The Most Preferred Destination for Wildlife Tourism in India

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Indian Wildlife has that ‘Wow’ factor and the varied biodiversity that attracts the visitors from all over the globe. In fact, over the last few years, wildlife tourism in India has given opportunity to many visitors to unravel the treasures of Indian wildlife. There are around 90 national parks and 482 wildlife sanctuaries that pull many wildlife lovers to come here and explore its unique beauty, but Corbett National Park has always been one of the few national parks that have gained extra attention in the last few years.Corbett Tiger Reserve

Due to its diverse topography and extensive cover of forest, in recent times Corbett National park has emerged as the most preferred destination for wildlife tourism. In fact, if we look at the recent statistics mentioned in the latest book of the state forest department for 2008-09, in the year 2008-09, almost 3 lakh wildlife lovers visited various sanctuaries and national parks in the Uttarakhand state as against 247,000 in 2007-08. The key point is that the Corbett National Park is one national park that alone attracted around 2 lakh tourists during the same period.

Being considered as the first choice for all wildlife visitors from abroad and home, Corbett National Park has also gained the revenue of Rs 306.38 lakh for the department when the total revenue through wildlife tourism in Uttarakhand stood at Rs 378.31 lakh. In terms of revenue generated, it has beaten many other wildlife parks and sanctuaries.

Today the wildlife tourism at Corbett National park offers great opportunity for sighting the variety of wild animals and birds in their natural habitat. About the flora of the Corbett it is generally said that there are around 50 mammal species, 580 species of birds, 110 species of trees, and around 20 species of reptiles. Going for the Corbett wildlife packages can be the best alternative to explore the wilds of the forest through naked eyes that are usually designed keeping in mind the rich legacy of wildlife.

Without doubt, ever since Uttarakhand as a state came into an existence on Indian map, Corbett National park has played the vital role in boosting the wildlife tourism. It is constantly growing leaps and bound since 2000-01.

About Corbett National Park

The Corbett National Park is one of the most popular national parks of India. Today it is counted among the India’s best national parks that have managed to retain its primeval ambience and has its own major attractions like Tiger, Indian Elephant and Leopard. Set up in the year 1936, today this national park is spread across some 920.9 square km at an altitude of 600 to 1100 meters about the foothills of the western Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. In the span of 73 years, it has grown considerably and now even includes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as one of the vital part of its 1,319 sq km of reserved forest area. For more information visit official website at http://www.corbett-national-park.com/

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