Nature of India - national parks and reserves for active recreation

India covers an area of ​​the Indian subcontinent in southern Asia. The country shares borders with China, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bhutan. From one side, the shores of India are washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal, and from the other, by the Arabian Sea. About 60% of the state’s territory is mountainous. The territory of India is separated into seven natural landscape zones. On the north of the country are the Himalayan and Karakoram peaks, stretching from the west to the east. To the south, there is the Indo-Gangetic plain, the Indian desert, the southern plateau, the east and west coasts, and a group of islands in the Indian Ocean. The largest rivers in India, which are the Ganges, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra, flow into the Bay of Bengal, originating in the Himalayas. The highest point of India is Mount Kangchenjunga. The country has a tropical climate. Indian landscape is diverse. Here you can find swamps, tropical and mangrove forests, flood meadows, deserts, and glaciers.

One of the most famous national parks in India is Ranthambore National Park. It is located in the Rajasthan state. In 1957, the park was a nature reserve, but 24 years later it turned into a national park. Ranthambore covers an area of ​​1,334 square kilometers and has become the best place in the whole of India where you can see tigers in their natural habitat. There is a big fortress on the territory of the park, which was built in the 10th century. There are many ruins of ancient buildings, scattered among the jungle. During your visit to the park, you can go on safari which is held here twice a day. There is a unique opportunity for you to see how tigers hunt or care for their offspring.

The main task of Kaziranga National Park, which was created about a century ago, was to preserve a population of horned rhinos. The park was created by the efforts of the wife of the Indian Viceroy’s House in Assam. Kaziranga occupies an area of ​​668 square kilometers and is very popular among tourists. The population of horned rhinos is only 750 species in the whole of India. However, thanks to the efforts of Kaziranga employees, the population stopped to decline and in the near future, there is hope for an increase. In addition to rhinos, the fauna of the park is represented by Bengal cats, elephants, tigers, bears and a large number of birds. A lot of them can be seen in Kaziranga during the migration period. You can move around the park on elephants or by the means of special equipment. Other types of transport simply get stuck in the swampy soil. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Another park called “Manas” has borders with the Kaziranga National Park. Here flows the Kaziranga’s River. It received its name in honor of the goddess of snakes. “Manas” is located right on the border of India and neighboring Bhutan. The inhabitants of the park can freely cross the state border, which is the river separating the park. “Manas” is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, which makes this place charming and unique. The snow-white peaks look very beautiful in contrast with the lush greenery of the national park. The park is inhabited by tigers, rhinos, and a number of rare birds. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to see rare swamp deer. You can move around Manas either by jeeps or elephants, and this will give a special touch to your visit to Manas.

In 2005, the “Nanda Devi National Park” and the “Valley of Flowers National Park”, united and became a single national park. It is located in the western Himalayas and is included in the list of UNESCO heritage sites. The park is super popular among tourists because of the Skeleton Lake (Roopkund) located on its territory. In the 20th century, a large number of human remains, pack of animal’s remains, different things and objects, were found on the shore of the lake. It was later discovered that an expedition died here. The cause of death was a storm, which is the size of a tennis ball. Apart from that, the park attracts climbers with its glaciers sited at an altitude of 6000 meters. During the monsoon season in the Flower Valley, bloom more than 500 kinds of flowers. A flower carpet of incredible beauty covers an area of ​​approximately 20,000 square meters. By the way, about 40 of these plants are medicinal herbs.

On the island of Chorao in the Goa state there is a unique bird sanctuary named after Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist from India. The island is washed by the Mandovi and Mapusa rivers. The reserve has become a habitat for more than 400 species of birds. Most of the birds fly on Chorao in October, when they arrive here for the winter period. Lots of different birds can be seen here up until March when they fly away to their native lands. The territory of the reserve is a combination of moorland and mangrove forests, that is why there are no paths on the island and it can only be explored from boats. In addition to birds, during an excursion here you can see crocodiles, but for this, you have to ask a guide to lead a group around their habitats.