Rhino Tourism in India.

Whoever started the rumour that Rhino horns have medicinal properties needs to be run down by a Rhino-stampede! How dare he float such a supposition without scientific proof? Look what he’s done. Even though science clearly says a Rhino-horn is not medicinal, people in this day and age are still hunting and killing Rhinos for their horns – simply based on a rumour and nowadays – a superstition. The outcome?

World Rhino Population in 1970 – 85,000.

World Rhino Population in 2012 – 11,000.

90% reduction in just 40 years!

Do the math. How long would it take us to completely wipe out this species? And any guesses as to how long the Rhinos have been on this planet?

So before the humans do away with this species on this planet, you may want to visit the Rhino in its natural habitat. Here are the best options in India:

·         Kaziranga National Park in Assam – 430 square kms – home to the largest population of Rhinos in India - 86% of India’s Rhinos – about 1900 Rhinos found here. This population of Rhinos is also two-thirds of World population of Rhinos!

·         Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary – 39 square kms – home to the second largest population of Rhinos in India. Rhino-breeding is also in progress at this Sanctuary.

·         Orang National Park in Assam – 79 square kilometres – home to the third largest population in India.

·         Manas National Park in Assam - 2837 square kilometres – home to the fourth largest Rhino population in India.

And here’s a teaser to get you going….

·         The Indian Rhinoceros can weigh between 1600 – 4000 kgs and is the 4^th largest land animal which can grow up to a height of 6 feet.      

·         It is strictly herbivorous.

·         He can race upto a speed of 48 kms per hour.

·         The Indian Rhino has a single horn made of keratin – same substance that makes our hair and nails. The Rhino’s horn is mistaken for being medicinal and is sold in the Asian black market. This misunderstanding cost the lives of over 70,000 Rhinos in 40 years.

And the following is the best reason why we ought to let the Rhinos live longer on this planet.

·         While the humans (Homo-sapiens) can take trace their origins back to about 3 million years, the Rhinos have walked this planet for 50 million years!

What you can do to help?

·         Contribute money towards the efforts of saving the Rhino. Check online for the sites.

·         Spread the word about saving Rhinos. Blog about Rhinos.

·         Educate people about the misconception about Rhino Horns.

Rhino horns sold in black market for which rhinos are hunted and killed.

Pix courtesy: thehindu; sahealthblog; bengalnewz;

Waterfall Tourism in the Monsoons in India.

August to November are the best months of the year to watch the waterfalls in India. That's when the gently cascading waters would transform into gushing, plunging, voluminous, outstanding, powerful and intimidating water bodies - adding magnetism to an already attractive mountain landscape.

While some have the luxury of being perennial, some aren’t!

Meaning – no rainfall….no waterfall. So now you know why you need to visit the nearest waterfalls this monsoon.

The three waterfalls of India which have topped the lists are:

Kunchikal Falls – 1493 feet drop - the highest waterfalls in India and the second highest waterfalls in Asia. It is located in the Western Ghats and is caused by the River Varahi in Shimoga District of Karnataka State. While Rivers Tunga and Bhadra flow through the Shimoga District, Rivers, Sharavathi, Gangavathi, Tadadi and Kali originate in this District. But that’s not the cause for the highest waterfalls in India. It is being on the Western Ghat slopes and receiving one of the highest degrees of rainfall in the country that is causing it. The popular ‘Jog Waterfalls’ and ‘Barkana Falls’ which draw thousands of tourists are also in Shimoga District.

 Barehipani Falls – 1309 feet drop – a two-tiered waterfall which is the second highest waterfalls in India and is formed by River Budhabalanga in in Mayurbhanj District of Orissa State. The falls are situated in the Simlipal National Park which is home to 100 Royal Bengal Tigers and 432 Asian Elephants among other wildlife.

 Langshiang Falls – 1106 feet drop – the third highest waterfalls in India which is formed by River Kynshi in West Khasi Hills District in Meghalaya State. These falls are just 10kms away from the biggest River Island of Meghalaya State – ‘Nongkhnum Island’.

And my personal favourites are:

 Jog Falls – 829 feet drop – the second highest ‘plunge-waterfall’ in India – formed by Sharavathi River in Shimoga District in Karnataka. 1500 steps lead downhill from the view point to the bottom of the hill - opposite the falls giving you the complete full-frontal view of the falls which is a rarity considering that most natural landscape surrounding natural waterfalls do not permit the fully frontal up-close view. It’s the monsoon water that turns this stringy drop to a full-blown avalanche of white frothy water causing misty surrounding.

Hogenakkal Falls – 66 feet drop – formed by River Kaveri in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu State. Its claim to fame is its resemblance to the Great Niagara Falls because of which it is also called the ‘Niagara of India’. Boat rides are major tourist attraction here.

Dudhsagar Falls – 1017 feet drop – formed by River Mandovi on the Goa-Karnataka border in Goa State. It is a multi-tiered waterfall located in Bhagwan Mahavir Wild Life Sanctuary on the Western Ghats. During the monsoons, the Dudhsagar Falls swell up to a width of 100 feet making it one of the most powerful falls in India. Riding the train over the Falls is a major tourist attraction. Trekking around these Falls is another major tourist attraction. Tourists are allowed in this area only from October.

Dhuandhar Falls – 98 feet drop – formed by River Narmada in Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh State. This is a large roaring waterfalls which is heard from a distance. In peak monsoon, these Falls look like there are taking the Earth with them. The cable-car ride over these Falls is a uniquely thrilling experience.

Kiliyur Falls – 300 feet drop – formed by overflow of Yercaud Lake in the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. It is a picturesque multi-tiered waterfall which falls down a stone slope. The monsoon-volume of the water in the Falls causes several mini umbrella falls on the slopes – increasing its visual appeal.

Meenmutty Falls – 984 feet drop – the highest waterfalls of Kerala State in Wayanad District. Scores points on visual eye-appeal of a thundering waterfall in dense virgin forests of the Western Ghats.

Pix courtesy: Wikipedia, mytraveltalk, odiya, walkthroughindia, kingnutin.flickr, thinkingparticle.

Ladakh

Honeymoon in the monsoon months

Are you recently married or planning to get married in these monsoon months? After marriage you certainly would like to go out with your newlywed partner for a sweet honeymoon in some corner of India? 

The answer from your side is certainly yes! But you are little confused and puzzled about your destination,  right! As most of the places in India are blessed with rain in these months of monsoon, you cannot go out freely. I believe, regular travelers too do not like these months of monsoon as it creates lots of inconvenience while traveling.

But do not worry there are many places in the northern India which do not get affected by this south-west monsoon. So plan for your trip to those places of India where you will not get caught up with rain.

In the valleys of Kashmir there is a place named Ladakh. Not much explored, but a place where the pristine beauty of nature will endear you. Here is a place where you can commune with God Himself.

Ladakh is wedged between Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas in the south. Ladakh or Kashmir as a whole can be your best destination for touring or honeymooning in between the months of June to September in India. That is if you do not like rains.

 

 

  Ladakh, situated at an altitude of around 3500 m and shadowed by the world’s highest peaks, is really a land of pristine beauty. The presence of white crowned high mountains all around makes the flowing river look tiny, along with glistening glaciers making their way through this picturesque land of Ladakh.  

Being sparsely populated area and not much ventured by the tourists, this place is still maintaining its natural beauty.

 Ladakh hardly receives any water from the rain; the main source of water in this place is the snow-melted water.  The same water is used for irrigation through small streams, which is preferred by the farmers than rain water.

 

 This land of many passes has Buddhist monasteries all around, which are really worth visiting. Other than the mesmerizing surroundings, the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the monasteries is so relaxing that it makes you forget all your worries.After this meditation hour of the morning, you can go for different outdoor activities like white water rafting, trekking, jeep safaris and mountaineering.

 

Shopaholics and foodies don’t worry.There are lots of things in your store too. The place is well known for the Ladhaki artifacts. 

So you can shop Ladhaki artifacts such as Buddhist relics, Pashmina and Cashmere shawls and stoles. Foodies can savour the varieties of Ladhaki, Kashmiri, Tibetan and European dishes, which the place is well known for.

While visiting Ladakh, the nearby places that you can include in your itinerary are Leh, Khardung-La ,Zanskar, Nubra valley and Panamik.

So I think I have given one solution to your problem of choosing the destination. So what are you waiting for? Plan for your trip and make the arrangements right now.

One moment, sorry! I have forgotten to tell you of how to reach the place and the precautions to be taken while travelling.

There is an airport in Ladakh’s capital Leh, in which services are provided by Indian Airlines. From the airport there are regular buses and shared jeep- taxies to take you to your destination.

There is no rail facility in Ladakh, you can go there only by flight or buses. Now hurry up!  Book your stay and flight as soon as possible, as the flights and hotels are usually full in the summer months.

Some Precautionary Measures:

• As Ladakh is situated at a great height you may feel sick on the first day, as body takes time to acclimatize with the surroundings, so you can consult your doctor before starting the tour for the remedy.
• Though you are visiting in summer, you need to carry woolen garments, as the atmosphere is quite cool there.
• Do not eat much before travelling by road to Ladakh, as you may get nausea while travelling through the hilly roads.