India, a unique subcontinent has vast variations in
geography, climate and vegetation. As a consequence
there is exciting diversity in habitats and wildlife.
The mighty Himalayas, the highest mountains in the
world, offers a wide spectrum of landscapes and wildlife.
Tropical forests in its eastern extremity contrast
with the pine and coniferous woodland of the western
Himalayas. Natural cover varies with altitude and
these evergreen forests are bounded with high alpine
meadows nearer
the snow line and temperature forests of short stout
trees in the elevations. In the foothills are deciduous
trees, with shrubs, bamboo's, fern and grass.
The northern plains, the course of the holy rivers
Ganga and the Yamuna; the Great Thar Desert in the
west; The sunderbans, the marshy swamplands, the
the delta of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, in the
east; the ancient volcanic rock of the Deccan Plateau,
line in the rain shadow of the hills and the Western
Ghats with their dense, luxuriant forest- all provide
fascinating variations inhabitants. These sustain
over 350 species of mammals, 2100 kind of birds-
local and migratory, nearly 350
species reptiles and countless insects.
| The need for
conservation of the environment and the forests
has exercised the minds of Indian rulers from
the earliest of times.In the 3rd century B.C,
the Empror Ashoka issued edicts to protect |
 |
|
forest
and natural wealth. Later during the reign of
the the Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, "forest
free from fear"- were identified and protected.
In more recent times, it was the administrators
and princely rulers who demarcated and reserved
forest a private preserves. Today many of these
form the nucleus of India's wildlife sanctuaries
and parks.
The demand of a rapidly increasing population
continue to put pressure on surviving forest
in India. vast herds of Black Buck, that roamed
the northern and western plains 50 years ago,
are now found only in Sanctuaries and around,
the villages of the Bishnoi tribe, who protect
them. |
The Porject Tiger initiated in 1973, is today a
massive attempt at the conservation of the tiger
and its total enviroment. It covers 23 National
Parks and Sanctuaries and its succes can be gauged
from the
fact that the number of tigers in India has gone
up significantly since the project was launched.
India, currently, has around 80 National Parks
and 441 Sanctuaries dotted around the country. While
some are in accessible many have excellent facilities
for visitors. Depending on the area and terrain,
wildlife watching provides its own excitement. It
may be done from elephant back, from watch towers
or even a boat- and the thrill of spotting herds
of wild elephant, deer, a rhino or even a tiger,
in its
natural environment, is very difficult to match.
| 
©Copyright 2003 Noble House Tours