| Wild
Life |
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| CORBETT
NATIONAL PARK |
| India's
first and finest park spread over 520 sq.
kms. along the banks of the Ramganga river,
just 300 kms. northeast of Delhi in the foothills
of the Himalayas is the Corbett National Park. |
| Established
initially as Hailey National Park on August
8, 1936, in honour of Sir Malcolm Hailey,
then governor of the United Provinces, the
name was changed to Ramganga National Park
in 1952. In 1957, it was finally named as
Corbett National Park in honour and memory
of the latc Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter,
naturalist-turned-author and photographer
who had helped in setting up the park and
demarcating its boundaries. |
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Corbett
is regarded as one of the true bird
parks of the world. Out of the 2,060
species and subspecies of birds recorded
in the Indian subcontinent, over 600
species/subspecies of birds have been
recorded from Corbett at one time or
another. This number is greater than
the total number of bird species found
in Europe and represents around one
fourth of the available diversity found
in India. Out of the 69 species of raptors |
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found in India, 49 can be seen in Corbett
making it a striking element of the local
avifauna. The reserve, which covers 520 sq.
kms. is not less than a paradise for bird-watchers.
European bird-watchers are some of the keenest
visitors to the reserve during winters when
the bird diversity is at its peak.
Birds which can be spotted at the banks of
River Ramganga on the outskirts of Corbett
Park include Brown Fish Owl, Himalayan Kingfisher,
Brown Dipper and Plumbeous/White-Capped Redstarts.
One can also see Little/Staty backed Forktails
and Mountain/Rufousbellied Hawk-Eagles here.
Inside Corbett Park, Blue Whistling Thrush
and Red Jungle Fowl are immediate possibilities.
But with some efforts one can spot Oriental
White-eye, Jungle Owlet, Alexandrine Parakeet,
Himalayan Swiftlet, Lesser Fish-Eagle or even
Great Thick-knee, Stork-billed Kingfisher
and many more. Mammals include Tiger, Indian
Elephant, Chital, Sambhar, Muntjack (Barking
Deer), Hog Deer and Common Langur. A trip
to these magnificent Sanctuaries will also
take you through Jaipur (Pink City) and Agra
(City of Taj) which will add the experience
of Indian culture, heritage, history and hospitality
to your memories.
With elevations in the Park ranging from 400m
to 1210m there is a rich diversity in habitat.
Animals of the Himalayas and those of peninsular
India can both be seen here and over 50 mammal
and 25 reptile species have been recorded
at Corbett. Among the predators are the tiger,
leopard, diverse species of lesser cats and
the dhole - the wild dog. |
General
Information
Area: 520.8sq.km.
Altitude: Between 400mt and 1,100mt.
Temperature: Summer: 46°C
19°C & Winter: 25°C 4°C
Main entry point: Dhangarhi,
Main Tourist Centre & Dhikala.
Tourist season: Nov. 15 to June15
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| Govind
Wild Life Sanctuary |
| In
the beautiful & captivating environs of
the Uttarkashi district is Govind Wildlife
Sanctuary. The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary established
in 1955, covering an area of 953sq.kms. includes
mountains like swarg Rohini, Black Peak and
Bandarpunch . Apart from the Sanctuary, the
place is a popular tourist destination, mainly
because of the beauty of its snow-clad peaks
and glaciers. Attracting many trekkers and
famous for its lush green beauty is Hari-ki-Dun.
The wide variety of animal species that lives
here includes Himalayan black bears, tahr,
serow, monal, snow leopard, brown bears, trogopan,
chir, bharal, musk deer, koklas, kaleej pheasants
and chukor. |
General
Information
Area: 953sq.km.
Altitude: Between 1,300mt. and 6,315mt.
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| Rajaji
National Park |
| Surrrounded
by mountains, Dehradun endures as a perfect
retreat with beautiful spots for picnic and
excursions. Its pleasent climate adds further
to its charm and makes it an attractive tourist
destination. Established in 1996 on the edge
of the Dehradun valley is Rajaji National
Park, covering an area of approx 820sq.kms.
The wildlife here includes elephant, tiger,
panther, bear, chital, sambar, wild boar,
kakar, python, monitor lizard and a large
variety of avian fauna. You find many opportunities
of viewing these animals in their natural
habitat here. |
General
Information
Area: 820sq.km.
Altitude: 300 to 1350 mts.
Tourist Season: Nov.15 to june 15 |
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| Nanda
Devi National Park |
Spread
over an area of 630 sq. kms., just next to
the Nanda Devi Peak (which is the second highest
mountain in India -7816 mts.), is the Nanda
Devi National Park. It was established in
1980. The first men on record to have reached
this Sanctuary,
while yet in its pristine form, were the the
British Mountaineers Eric Shipton and Bill
Tilman. The area had largely remained undisturbed
till then, except for Tilman's successful
attempt on Nanda Devi in 1936.
However, from 1950 onwards the increasing
number of treks & climbing expeditions
to the area has somewhat affected the virgin
character of this place.
A unique mix of flora and fauna is characteristic
of this park. The fauna inlcudes the brown
and Himalayan black bears, Himalayan thar,
snow leopards, serow and chir pheasants. |
General
Information
Area: 630 sq. kms.
Altitude: Bewteen 2,400 mts. and 6,817
mts. |
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| Askot
Sanctuary |
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Pithoragarh,
the picturesque hill district of Uttaranchal
Pradesh, houses amidst its greens, the Askot
Sanctuary, which adds more dazzle to its already
splendid beauty. Lying in the lap of Kumaon
Himalayas at a height of 5412 ft., snow-capped
mountains peaks and fine temples are an integral
part of Pithoragarh. The highlights of the
sanctuary are snow leopards, Himalayan black
bears, musk deers, snow cocks, tahra, bharals,
monals, chirs, koklas, pheasants and chukors. |
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