35 km from Dandeli is Syntheri rocks, awsome
monolithic granite structure amidst thich forest, with the perennial
river Kaneri flowing by its side. There are innumerable trekking
trails and fishing spots at Dandeli.
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The Kulgi Nature Education Camp, run by the
Karnataka Forest Department is spread over 10 acres near Kulgi
village. In the sanctuary. It has well furnished tents, dormitories,
a herbarium, well stocked library, video film screening etc. Jungle
safaris are arranged for tourists both during morning and evening
hours.
KARNATAKA
KABINI
Kabini river lodge provides a breathtaking view.
Patches of bright blue pools, green trees of varying heights, and
animals roaming free. If you dare to take a walk in the forest, you
are bound to take home some unforgettable memories. Elephants,
leopards, antelopes or may be a tiger pair, these make exciting
pictures.
You can also hire a tent and spend a night in the
jungle. The low sizzle of the campfire is occasionally broken by a
roar or a trumpet.
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BHIMESHWARI
A natural habitat for the finest game fish-Mahaseer that weighs
100 lbs and fights like a tiger. Cauvery is abound with many types
of fish and other water animals. Bhimeshwari 117 kms from Bangalore
has abundant wildlife like elephants, deer, boars, monkeys,
jackals,crocodiles, otters and even leopards. Birds like heron,
ibis, cormorantand kingfisher are found in plenty.
There is a fishing camp that provides enthusiastic anglers a
chance to try their luck at fishing. The fishing camp provides all
amenities like cots, mosquito nets, toilet and even a kitchen. Food
is served in Gol-Ghar the open air dining rooms.
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Tented camps with bonfires light up the nights making the
surrounding all the more mysterious.
BHADRA SANCTUARY
Located
in the Chikmaglur & Shimoga districts, Bhadra is one of the most
fascinating sanctuaries. The great Indian gaur, barking deer, flying
fox, mongoose, elephants, panthers, macaque, bulbuls, barbett, blu
jay, kingfisher, robin, weaver, drongo and many other exotic
creatures have made Bhadra their home.
Biligiri Rangana Hills
At a height of 5091 ft, this is a must for
wildlife lovers. Rare species like gaur, chital, sambar, bears,
elephants, panthers and tigers roam the forests. You can enjoy the
serenity of the temples amidst the thick forests or join the Soliga
tribe dancing to a brisk tune.
Little Rann of Kutch
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Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat situated in the
Thar Desert was established in January 1972 as a sanctuary for the
last population of Indian wild ass (khar). This extraordinary
area gets partly inundated by about 2 feet of water in the monsoon
months (July-September). Once below sea level, this area was raised
by earth movements which cut it off from the Gulf of Kutch, and was
broken up by later earth movements into the flat saline areas (where
people can be seen making salt), and higher grounds with sandy,
salt-free soil. The wild ass depends on the thorny scrub of the
higher ground area for its feed. Also found in this park are
chinkara gazelle, nilgai antelope, wolf, blackbuck
antelope, hyena, desert fox, jackal, desert cat, and caracal.
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NETARHAT -in Bihar
Situated 150 km away from Ranchi the Netarhat plateau area
spreads over 41 sq.km at 3700 ft above sea level. The plateau
consisting mainly of granite, has the appearance of a horseshoe. The
name Netarhat, seems to have been derived from 'Netar' and 'Hatu'
which, in the local dialect, mean bambooand bazar respectively.
Curiously enough, the English words, 'nature' and heart contain
elements of the same word!
Netarhat is cool and tranquil thanks to its copious rain. During
the monsoon season, Netarhat overflows with nature's charms. Karam,
khair, bamboo and various flora such as the sunflower, peeli kaner
and other plants soothe the eye, spreading their fragrance in the
air. Nature- lovers will find lots to fascinate them there.
The Netarhat forest is in the proximity of the Palamau (Betla)
Tiger Sanctuary. Bears, monkeys, wild pigs, snakes and other species
are a common sight here with the odd tiger and elephant occasionally
spotted. The oraons, the Birhoras, the Kisans and Birjeeys are the
main tribal communities.
Near Netarhat are some areas closely rivaling it in beauty.
Magnolia sunset point, 12 km away from Netarhat, is a lovely place
from which to view a sunset or a sunrise. From here, the silver
cascades of the Lodh Waterfalls, one of the highest waterfalls in
the State, can be seen in the distance. Another scenic spot located
12 km away from here is the Loer Ghagari waterfall. The sweet sounds
of the stream are the only noise that punctuate the silence, apart
from animal and bird sounds. The thicket is so dense that the sun
does not penetrate the area fully.
CHEERAPUNJI-Rain, Oranges and
Honey
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Once famed for having the highest rainfall in the
world, Cheerapunji has now slipped to second spot in those rankings.
When it rains there, it pours. However when it doesn't rain, it is
extremely pleasant. Grey clouds wander about the sky so low that you
are tempted to touch them.
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Tour Packages......................
Cheerapunji lies on the southern edge of the East
Khasi hills of Meghalaya. It is a 56- km, two hour drive from the
State Capital, Shillong. Just outside Cheera, as it is fondly
called, is Mawsmai village, where the misty hills covered with lush
vegetation begin their slope into a deep,deep valley. From a vantage
point, one can see the famous Nohsnglthiang falls. On the southern
side beyond the hills, lies Bangladesh, barely 10 kms away. The
Mawsmai village is an enchanting picnic spot. The waterfalls, the
Mawsmai limestone caves-said to be kilometers long and full of
stunning stactites and stalagmites- are tourist attractions.
Cheera is not really so much a place to 'see' as
a place to 'feel'. The inhabitants are Khasis, the tribe of Khasi
hills. They speak khashi, though they script in the English
alphabet.
An old Presbeterian Church built in 1848, the
Cheera Theological college established in 1887 and a Ramakrishna
Mission of similar vintage, proclaim the antiquity of the town.
The British once frequented the Cheera for its
'rain, oranges and honey'. Cheera used to be a prolific producer of
oranges. The British had even built a tiny airstrip in the valley,
in order to transport the fruit to Calcutta and then to England.
Today the airstrip has disappeared with disuse because there are no
oranges to transport out. Why widespread orange cultivation has
stopped is not clear. Some attribute it to changes in climate,
others to deforestation. Another version ha it that an epidemic
destroyed the crop, and cultivation has never been the same again.
However, enough oranges are produced to make the orange flavoured
honey that the region is famed for.
Despite its obvious tourist potential, Cheera has
not been developed as a tourist destination. The notable shyness of
the people who look at you curiously from behind their half closed
doors, contrasts with their disarming affabilty and chattiness once
they get to know you a little better. Tourism would boost the town's
economy which, at present, revolves around a single source of
employment.-the state owned Mawmluch Cheera Cement Factory, which
produces 250 tonnes a day.
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Tour Packages......................
Two years ago, the locals set up the Sohra
Employment generation and Development Council. The council wants
Cheerapunji to be given its due importance as a tourist centre by
opening up hotels and restaurants.
Cheera is a place you would love to linger, but a
dearth of hotels forces you to back to Shillong.
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