|
Indian
Union covers an area of about 3,267,500 square kilometres and
stretches from north about 3,200 kms and from east to west about
3,000 kms. In the north are the snow-covered Himalayas
with some of the highest peaks of the world. In the south, the
triangular Deccan plateau is bounded by jungle-covered hills to the
north and by the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal on the other two
sides. Between the Himalayas and the Deccan lies the fertile
Gangetic Plain, about 1,920 kms long, with the Great Indian Desert
to the west of it.
Inevitably, this vast region has a diverse climate. There is, thus,
a great variation in physical and climatic conditions and
consequently, in the character of vegetation. Such environmental
conditions have greatly influenced the character of wildlife.
Because of its geographical position the wildlife of India comprise
numerous representatives of Malayan, north and west-Asian, European
and African Fauna.
India has a unique fauna and excels in the range and diversity of
its wildlife. There are over 500 species of mammals, 2,060 species
of birds. 748 species of reptiles and 30,000 species of insects. To
preserve its unique wildlife, India has created 11 National Parks
and 135 Sanctuaries in the country, covering a total area of 26,000
sq. km.
Click here for Tour Packages......................
Some of India's best birdwatching venues in northern India include
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoladeo (Bharatpur) Bird Sanctuary and
Corbett National Park
Sariska wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Project Tiger. The
Sanctuary extends over an area of 800 sq. kms, and has a wide
spectrum and rich population of wildlife. A rich avifauna of more
than 200 species of birds, which inlucdes Babbler (Common, Jungle &
Large Grey). Black/Red Headed Bunting. Little Brown Dove, Crested
Serpent Eagle, Pale Harrier, Gray Hombill, White Breasted
Kingfisher, Small Minivet, Golden Oriole, Great Gray Shrike, Tailor
Bird, Wryneck Woodpecker and many more, makes it an ideal place for
birdwatching.
Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, better known as Bharatpur Bird
Sanctuary, is considered the best bird marsh in the world. It has 29
square kms of marsh, woodland and scrub. It is also described as
"one of the msot magical palces for birdwatching on earth" featuring
both nesting indigenous as well as migratory water birds.
Click here for Tour Packages......................
It is a big shallow lake divided by various roads and dykes into
smaller compartments, depth nowhere exceeding 2.5 metres. More than
330 species of birds have already been identified. Local birds such
as Painted Storks, Open Bill Storks, Spoonbills, Cormorants,
Darters, Ibises, Moorhen, Pheasant - tailed Jacana, Purple Coot,
White-breasted Waterhen, Paddy Bird, Night Heron, Comb Duck (Nukta)
and Dabchick, begin nestling when the rains are about to start.
Migratory birds start arriving in October which include a variety of
Ducks, Geese, Raptors, Waders, Warblers and Cranes (including the
Siberian Crane, of which there are about only 350 birds in the world
and the Sanctuary is the wintering ground for about 52 such Cranes).
 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 avilauca diversity found in India. Out of
the 69 species of raptors found in India, 49 can beseen 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
birdwatchers. European birdwatchers 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.
Click here for Tour Packages......................
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.
|
