Nanda Devi National Park

Posted by admin | Posted on 08-03-2011

Category : Indian wildlife

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Nanda Devi national park spread over a large area of 630 square kilometer, just next to spectacular Nanda Devi peak. Nanda Devi national park is located in the upper Himalayan ranges of Chamoli district in the Garhwal division in the state of Uttarakhand. The Nanda Devi mountain, which is the second highest peak in India fence the park from three sides. Because of its natural surroundings and exotic ambiance, Nanda Devi national park is a home some unique variety of flora and fauna in the world. The rich biodiversity of the park spellbind people with its scenery and wildlife. Together with valley of flowers, Nanda Devi national park is inscribed as an UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1988.

Nanda Devi national park is a home of some exotic wildlife species. The park is more of in seclusion due to its difficult terrain. This wild sanctuary is one of the best in world because of its faunal population. some of the Himalayan species like serow, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan musk deer are common here. Other than that bharal, grosbeaks, rose finches, ruby throat, common langur, brown bear and warblers are also dominant here. The entire of Nanda Devi national park area lies within the western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). It has more than 100 bird species includes Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Redstart, Indian Tree Pipit, Vinaceous-breasted Pipit, Nutcracker and many more. The park is also a home of about 27 varieties of butterflies.

The park is covered with high altitude flora such as fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper. The park has two circle, outer and inner. The inner part of the park has a drier conditions and almost nil vegetation near the Nanda Devi glacier. The scenery changes drastically from outer to inner circle. Vegetation changes from alpine to to junipers scrubs that dominate the vegetal growth of inner circle. Apart from juniper vegetation, grasses, prone mosses and lichens are also give way to other type of vegetation. Nanda Devi park is also famous for ‘valley of flower’, which house some of the rarest floral species in the world. There is around 312 floral species found in this national park.

Invaluable Suggestions

Park is open from 1st May and close on 31st October.

Visitors has to move in a group and one group is consists of 5 members. Not more than two groups are permitted in one day and not more than four groups are permitted in one week.

Visitor above 14 years of age only can enter the park.

The terrain is rough and tough. So, you must medically checked checked and should take all precautionary measures.

You shouldn’t damage any floral and fauna. It will be a punishable offense.

Never play radio or any other sound device as it may irritates wild animals.

Nanda Devi park is in high altitude and have chill almost most of the years. So, take appropriate clothes with you.

You need to take permit from the field director before entering into the park.

There is no tourist facility available in the park. Tourist stay near by Joshimath.

Trekking is a great experience in Nanda Devi Park. So, before leaving prepare yourself for some adventure sports.

Getting There:

By Air : The nearest airport is at Jolly Grant at Dehradun at a distance of around 295 km from the Nanda Devi National Park.
By Train : The nearest railhead is Rishikesh at a distance of 276 km. Rishikesh is connected with Joshimath by a Metalled road.
By Road : Metalled roads are there till Joshimath from where one has to trek to reach this place.

Sultanpur National Park

Posted by admin | Posted on 08-03-2011

Category : Indian wildlife

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Sultanpur National Park is located in Gurgaon District, Haryana, India. It has an area of 1.43 square kilometres. It is a protected area where over 250 species of birds have been sighted. Sultanpur area on the Farukhnagar Gurgaon road was a low lying marshy area which used to get inundated during monsoons. Sultanpur-Bird-SanctuaryThe collected brackish water attracted a large variety of animals and aquatic plants which in turn attracted migratory as well as a variety of resident birds. Earlier this was a favourit hunting grounds of the rich and famous around Delhi and the rulers of the small principalities in the area excelled in the sport of waterfowl hunting. Dr. Salim Ali, the doyen of Indian Ornithology is largely responsible for converting this hunting grouonds to a Bird Sanctuary. He was a frequent visitor till the last days. It was officially declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1971, thanks to the keen interest of Dr. Ali. In 1991, the Sanctuary was upgraded into a National Park.

Climate

Tropical. Hot summers and chilly winters. The monsoon hits Sultanpur in July and continues till mid-September

FLORA AND FAUNA
The resident bird population include Gray and Black Franklolins, Hoopoe, Indian Roller, Drongo, Paddyfield Pipit, at least five variey of larks, three types of egrets, Purple Sunbird, Kingfishers, Lapwings, Indian Courser, Bushchats, Indian and Magpie Robins, Prinias, Black Kites, Shikra, Marsh Harrier, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black Shouldered Kite, Sarus Crane, Comb Duck, Spotbilled Duck, Cormorants, Night Heron, Spotted Owlet and two types of Parakeets.

Sultanpur National Park

Migrants includes almost all common ducks who visit Northern India, including, Teal, Gaganey, Northern Shoveller, Pintail and Brahminy Duck. Various species of Storks and ibis as well as Spoonbills are also commonly seen in the park.

Other migratory waterbirds like Sandpipers, Plovers, Black winged Stilt, Green Shank, Red Shanks, etc. also visit this Sanctuary in good numbers. Summer Migrants include Asian Koel, Cuckoos, Golden Oriole, Bee Eaters, and others.

The Sanctuary has a large number of resident Neelgai(Boselaphus tragocamelus Pallas) besides some jackals, porcupines and mongooses.

When to visit
Between October and March. During winter, the chances of sighting the wildlife are more.

HOW TO REACH SULTANPUR NATIONAL PARK

Sultanpur is 47 km from Delhi and 16 km from Gurgaon. Delhi has the nearest airport. Gurgaon has a railway station and Metro Railways is likely to connect Gourgaon with Delhi soon. Bus service from Delhi to Gurgaon is frequent and convenie

Where to stay
The Haryana Tourism Corporation runs a tourist lodge inside the park with air-conditioned and general rooms. Facilities include a restaurant, bar and cottages. Rates vary from Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,200 for air-cooled and air-conditioned rooms. Or, stay in Delhi or Gurgaon and drive down to Sultanpur.