FOREST TOUR

LARGEST DELTA IN WORLD

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Sundarban, the largest delta in the world, consists of 10,200 sq km of MangroveForest , spread over India (4200 sq km of Reserved Forest ) and Bangladesh (6000 sq km approx of Reserved Forest ) and is also the largest Mangrove Forest in the world. Another 5400 sq km of non-forest, inhabited region in India , along the north and north-western fringe of mangrove forest, is also known as Sundarban region inIndia . Hence, the total area of Sundarban region in India is 9600 sq km which constitutes the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.

The name Sundarban can be literally translated as "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the (Sundar, "beautiful" and bans, "forest" or "jungle"). The name may have been derived from the Sundari trees that are found in Sundarbans in large numbers.

Home of the Royal Bengal Tigers In the south western part of Bangladesh, in the district of greater Khulna, lies the Sundarbans, "the beautiful forest." It is a virgin forest which until recently owed nothing to human endeavour and yet nature has laid it out with as much care as a planned pleasure ground. For miles and miles, the lofty treetops form an unbroken canopy, while nearer the ground, works of high and ebb-tide marked on the soil and tree trunks and the many varieties of the natural mangrove forest have much to offer to an inquisitive visitor.

Sundarban Biosphere Reserve was constituted by Government of India (GOI)in 1989 and it received the recognition of UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in November, 2001. Sundarban National Park , forming the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, received recognition as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. It has been nominated by GOI for recognition as Ramsar Site (a wetland of international importance). Sundarban Tiger Reserve was constituted by GOI under Project Tiger scheme, in 1973. Sundarban is the only mangrove forest in the world which is the home of Tiger. Sundarban Tiger Reserve has the highest tiger population in the world.

Sundarban has extremely rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Sundarban's highly productive ecosystem acts as a natural fish nursery. Sundarban Mangrove reduces the fury of cyclonic storm and prevents erosion due to tidal action. Finally, millions of people depend on Sundarban Ecosystem for their livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and fuelwood/timber.

Monitoring of tigers, which is popularly known as the “Tiger Census” is in fact an exercise for the estimation of tiger population. The estimation of wildlife or wildlife monitoring is extremely important to the management to ascertain how the species are responding to the current management practices. Based on monitoring results the necessary changes are made in the management practices to make them more effective. The tiger estimation has traditionally been done in Sundarban by “Pug Mark Method” in which the fresh left hind pug mark impression is collected from the field and analyzed. The Pugmark method was field friendly but due to some of the drawbacks, Project Tiger developed a new methodology for the “Monitoring of Tigers, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat”
The Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat Exercise in Sundarban was conducted from 5th January 2006 to 10th January 2006, as a part of All India estimation of Tiger, Co-predators, Prey and Habitat exercise.
First time the methodology of Tiger Census was changed from traditional “Plaster Cast method” to a four Phase elaborate process in which it was the responsibility of PA managers to collect the signages and other information as part of Phase –I. Hence the exercise conducted in January, 2006 as mentioned above was the Phase –I of the All India Tiger, Co-predators, Prey and habitat Monitoring as prescribed by Project tiger, Ministry of environment & Forests.

Sundarban represents a society that is primarily agricultural. The people live in villages adjoining forests which is the home of Tiger. For survival, these people have to fight with the nature day in and day out. The hardships of daily existence have given rise to fraternal feelings and non-communal traditions. Members of both Hindu and Muslim communities worship the same Gods and Goddesses, Gazis and Pirs. The two most famous among them are Dakshin Ray and Banabibi. Dakshin Ray is worshiped as the God of tiger and all those who enter the forests for subsistence, worship Dakshin Ray irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. Banabibi, on the other hand, is considered as the protector of the inhabitants of the forests. She is popular both amongst Hindus and Muslim.

The tiger reserve in Sunderban is a major tourist attraction. The number of tigers in this reserve is among the highest in the country. According to a census conducted in the 1980, the population of tiger here was close to 400. Besides the tiger, other forms of wildlife also inhabit these mangrove forests. The Gangetic dolphin, little porpoise, fishing cat, Indian fox, jungle cat, small Indian civet, common grey mongoose, spotted deer, wild pig, Indian flying fox, rhesus monkey and pangolin are some of the residents here.

The bird sanctuary at Sajnekhali contains a wide variety of birds. The most noteworthy among them are spotted billed pelican, cotton teal, herring gull, Caspian tern, grey heron, large egret, night heron, open-billed stork, white ibis, common kingfisher, brahmini kite and paradise flycatcher. The area is also important for waders, including the Asian dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), a rare winter migrant.

The Sunderban National Park also has a wide variety of flora. There is mangrove scrub, littoral forest, salt water mixed forest, brackish water mixed forest and swamp forest. The distribution of wildlife and vegetation is even throughout the Sunderban area.

INDIAN FOREST

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The forests of India are ancient in nature .Indian people need to have more wildlife education.They are rich in variety and shelter a wide range of flora and fauna and insects.The people venerated forests and a large number of religious ceremonies centered on trees and plants. Even today in parts of India the sacred forests exist and are worshiped. The wildlife in India is equally diverse and rich. From big animals like elephants and tiger and deers and bisons to small reptiles the Indian forests are teeming with life force. But unfortunately most Indians don't understand the importance of this rich wealth of forest and wildlife India has. Felling of tress and illegal poaching of animals are fast depleting the forest and wild life wealth of India. So efforts must be taken to stop these malpractices and conserve the forest and wild life of India.

India is one of the First countries in the world to have stated scientific management of its forests. During the year 1864 the then British India Government started the Imperial Forest Department and appointed Dr. Dietrich Brandis, a German Forest officer Inspector General of Forests in 1866. Having recognized the need to have a premier forest service to mange the varied natural resources of the vast country and to organize the affairs of the Imperial Forest Department, Imperial Forest Service was constituted in 1867.

Having realized the importance of a multi-tier forest Administration in the federal and provincial Governments for effective management of forest resources the British India Government also constituted Provincial Forest Service and Executive & Subordinate Services, which were quite similar to the present day forest administrative hierarchy.

The Indian Forest Service, one of the three All India Services, was constituted in the year 1966 under the All India Services Act, 1951 by the Government of India.

The main mandate of the service is the implementation of the National Forest Policy which envisages scientific management of forests and to exploit them on a sustained basis for primary timber products, among other things. Since 1935 the management of the forests remained in the hands of the Provincial Governments and even today the Forest Departments are managing the forests of the country under the respective State governments.

As per the latest state of forests report of the Forest Survey of India the actual forest cover of India is 19.27% of the geographic area, corresponding to 63.3 million ha. Only 38 million ha of forests are well stocked (crown density above 40%). This resource has to meet the demand of a population of 950 million people and around 450 million cattle. As such, country has to meet the needs of 16% of the world's population from 1% of the world forest resources. The same forest has also to cater for the 19% of the world cattle population.

In it 16 major forests types are recognised, subdivided into 221 minor types. Structure, physiognomy and floristics are all used as characters to define the types.

The tropical vegetation of north-east India (which includes the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya as well as the plain regions of Arunachal Pradesh) typically occurs at elevations up to 900 m. It embraces evergreen and semi-evergreen rain forests, moist deciduous monsoon forests, riparian forests, swamps and grasslands. Evergreen rain forests are found in the Assam Valley, the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and the lower parts of the Naga Hills, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Manipur where the rain fall exceeds 2300 mm per annum. In the Assam Valley the giant Dipterocarpus macrocarpus and Shorea assamica occur singly, occasionally attaining a girth of up to 7 m and a height of up to 50 m. The monsoon forests are mainly moist sal Shorea robusta forests, which occur widely in this region (IUCN, 1991).

The Andamans and Nicobar islands have tropical evergreen rain forests and tropical semi-evergreen rainforests as well as tropical monsoon moist monsoon forests (IUCN, 1986). The dominant species is Dipterocarpus grandiflorus in hilly areas, while Dipterocarpus kerrii is dominant on some islands in the southern parts of the archipelago. The monsoon forests of the Andamans are dominated by Pterocarpus dalbergioides and Terminalia spp.

AMAZON

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At least 50% of rainforests are made up of animals. They are being cut down at the rate of one football field per second, so a lot of animals will be left without a home since they depend on the plants. Rainforests are about 2% of the earth, and 7% of just the land. The tallest layer in the rainforest could be 150 feet high. There are at least 1,400 different tropical plants that have ability to fight againstcancer. In four square miles, there are about 1,800 flowering plants, 750 trees, 125 mammals, and 150 butterfly species. There are four layers in rainforests: the canopy the understory, the underbrush, and the ground. The canopy can be from 60 to 150 feet tall, with branches that fan out like an umbrella that is really close together. Because of this, it blocks the sunlight from the lower plants on the ground level, but also blocks it from rain falling directly on them, and instead, running down the trunks and dripping off the leaves. The vines (lianas) are as thick as a person and climb up the trees for sunlight. In temperate rainforests, there are the following vegetation: bananas, avocados, pineapples, peppers, peanuts, oranges, papayas, lemons, cinnamon, spices, coconut, and sugar. Curare is used as an anesthetic and to relax people for surgery. Quinine from a cinchona tree is used to treat malaria. Rosy Periwinkle has a drug in it that is anti-lukemia and gives patients 99% chance to get the drug in vemision. Epiphyts grow canpoy trees, as well as moss, orchid.

Amazon Rainforests:

In the Amazon rainforests 1,600 species of birds and about 1,000,000,000 species of insects. There are five times more bird species in the Amazon. The oil of the cocoa is used in suntan lotions, cosmetics, and soap. They also grow rubber trees that produce latex for making tires. Kapok trees have silky waterproof fibers used for life preservers, pillows, upholstery, and installation. If 1 Hectacre. = 2.471 Acres, that means that Brazil has over 93 million acres of protected forests and parks!

forFires set by people will be the biggest threat to the Amazon rainforest in coming decades linked to a drier climate caused by global warming. "Fire associated with human activity and drying is likely to be what eliminates the forest rather than the gradual stress of climate change," Mark Bush of the Florida Institute of Technology and U.S.-based colleagues wrote in a study.

Examining the history of fire in Amazonia, they said people were the overwhelming cause of burning in the past 3,000 years with lightning strikes rarely igniting the wet forest. "The Amazon doesn't burn unless people burn it," Bush told Reuters.

A drier climate, more human settlements and burning to clear land for farming would bring risks of ever wider fire damage, they wrote in the British journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B devoted to the Amazon.

Indigenous people in the Amazon basin before Christopher Columbus sailed the Atlantic in 1492 "burned the forest to clear it for agriculture, and perhaps also to improve hunting," they wrote of charcoal records. "After the time of European contact, fires became much scarcer."

The U.N. Climate Panel predicted in a 2007 report that rising temperatures and drier soil would "lead to gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazonia" by 2050.

It also said there was a risk of a "significant" loss of the diversity of species of animals and plants because climate change could drive many to extinction. Its models did not assess fire risks.

"Fire is the greatest climate-linked threat to the Amazon forest," a team led by Jos Barlow ofLancaster University in England wrote in the same journal, adding that the ability of the forest to regrow after fires may have been repeated.

"Episodic fires can lead to drastic changes in forest structure and composition," the said.

But they said there was some hope because farming practices could be changed to avoid burning. Fire is "one of the few aspects of climate change mitigation over which we retain some direct control," they said.

Deforestation -- mainly from burning tropical forests -- is widely considered to contribute about 20 percent of world greenhouse gas emissions. Trees soak up heat-trapping carbon dioxide as they grow and release it when they burn or rot.

A study led by the University of Leeds said trees and creepers in intact parts of the Amazon forest grew faster in the 1980s and 1990s -- apparently spurred by climate change -- and so helped to brake the overall warming.

They cautioned that "this subsidy from nature is now at risk from drought, biodiversity changes, deforestation and climate change itself.

The rainforests - with the Amazon by far the largest - are the planet's air conditioner. They suck up millions of tons of greenhouse gases and store them safely out of the atmosphere. But, as we hack them down, they are releasing these warming gases. Soon, we will reach a point where there is so much carbon in the atmosphere that the system will pack in and stop extracting anything at all.

The fragile Amazon ecosystem is trapped today in a pincer movement: it is simultaneously being cut down and heated up. Let's start with the cutting. Logging by vast agribusinesses has increased to clear space to produce products for Europe and the United States. The biggest slash-and-burn growth industry in Amazonia today is soya production - half of which is shipped to Europe to feed the animals we are going to milk and eat.

Logging is also carried out for a range of other rich-world wants. There are currently no legal restrictions in Britain or the US on selling illegal timber pillaged from the Amazon.

And logging doesn't only trash the trees it chops down and ships off; it also makes the trees it leaves behind much more vulnerable to fire. Until a few decades ago, scientists thought it was impossible for such humid tropical rainforests to burn. But it turns out chopping down trees breaks the dense carapace of leaves that covers the forest, allowing sunlight to break through. This dries out the leaf litter that lies on the floor - turning it into tinder.
So how do you and I stop being part of the problem, and become part of the solution?

AFRICAN FOREST

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To begin with Africa is huge; it is so big that you can put the USA & the Austrslian continent into it &still have a little space left over.It extends from about 37degree north to about 35 degree south.Some of the hottest places on earth are in africa.There are steaming rainforest and dry savvanna grasslands,low lying river valleys and high plateaux,extensive deserts and gigantic lakes,mangroves coasts and surf pounded beaches

Today the African rainforest is home to some of the most celebrated tribal people, the so-called "Pygmies" of the Ituri forest in northern Zaire. The tallest of these people, known as the Mbuti, rarely exceed five feet (1.5 m). Besides the Mbuti, there are three other major rainforest peoples of Africa: the Aka (Central African Republic and northern Congo), the Baka (southern Cameroon), and the Twa (central Zaire river basin). Together these groups account for some 130,000 to 170,000 forest dwellers distributed over a large area of forest. The result is low population density; the Mbuti average fewer than one person for every one-and-a-half square miles (four square kilometers).

The day-to-day life of the forest people is probably simpler than that of the villagers. The women do most of the gathering, using baskets they carry on their backs. Men concentrate on hunting and the collection of honey—perhaps the forest product most prized and highly

sought after by the Mbuti and other forest peoples. The Mbuti will climb more than 100 feet (30 m) into the canopy to reach the honey-containing beehives. When they reach the nest, the climbers burn a type of wood which produces a smoke that stuns the bees and enables the Mbuti to break into the hive and collect the honey.

The small number (in proportion to the sub-Saharan population) of forest people are highly threatened by destruction of their homelands and official government policies to end their forest traditions. No legal land titles have been granted to African forest peoples by Central African governments. During the 1980s and first half of the 1990s, according the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Africa lost the highest percentage of rainforest (10.5 percent) of any forested realm, resulting in a further decline of the forest peoples. Much of the deforestation is the result of the expansion of villages, due to population pressures, into forest areas, and commercial logging by multinational corporations. Logging is especially problematic because logging settlements and roads into the interior open huge tracts of previously inaccessible forest to rapid colonization. Logging camps not only bring unwanted colonists, but also bring disease to the forest people who lack immunity to outside diseases like malaria. In addition, the loggers usually do not bring manioc and produce to trade with the forest people, but instead introduce money, tobacco, and marijuana. Game is becoming scarce for the pygmies from poaching by loggers and the noise created by their heavy machinery and chainsaws.

The recent civil war and mass exodus of refugees from Eastern Zaire, has had unknown effects on the native forest peoples. Thousands of refugees retreated into the rainforest. The extent of the interaction between the refugees and the natives is largely unknown at the time of writing, though reportedly in some areas pygmies were having difficulty trapping sufficient amounts of meat.

Without doubt, you must also understand archacology,which is a major source of information about Africa's past.Documetory sources for african are limited;their coverage

is often chronologically patchy & tends to be geographically peripheral.In addition,many of the documentary sources that we do have are based on the observations of outsiders; such people as explorer,traders, colonial officers & others who did not always understand what they observed & were sometimes prejudies in their assessment of it.

AFRICAN ELEPHANT:

The African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) was until recently considered a subspecies of the African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana).

However, recent reserach involving DNA has produced the results that there are actually three main species of elephant: the two African species (Loxodonta Africana) and (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the Asian (Indian) Elephant (Elephas Maximus). They are typically considered to be different populations of a single species.he North African elephants known as the 'war elephants of Hannibal', were possibly a now-extinct fourth species or a subspecies of the Forest Elephant. The disputed Pygmy Elephants (Loxodonta pumilio) of the Congo basin are often assumed to be another separate species by cryptozoologists (one who studies for animals which fall outside of contemporary zoological catalogs) but are probably Forest Elephants whose small size and/or early maturity is due to environmental conditions.

AFRICAN SNAKES:

There are many different snakes in the world. How do we distinguish them? The following webpage describes 5 of the most dangerous snakes on the continent of Africa. Each snake is a unique species. Although people usually identify things by appearance. Every species is classified by Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family Genus. All snakes fall within the same set of classification until Genus, which defines their specific species. Therefore all snakes are classified as follows:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Elipadae

Genus: ?

Puff Adder

Bitis arietans arietans:

Puff Adder Snakes are the most common in Africa and inhabit most regions omitting parts of the Sahara, tropical rainforests and high altitudes. They are medium sized snakes; adults grow close to 1 meter in length. They have flat, triangular shaped heads. They are usually blackish brown in color. They have fangs 12-18 millimeters long and the venom released in a single bite is incredibly dangerous. Fatality is usually the result of internal swelling, which compromises vital organs.

Black Mamba

Dendroaspis

The Black Mamba isnÕt necessarily pitch black in color, however the dark area around the mouth is where the name came from. This snakes is considered the one of the deadliest and most aggressive snakes when agitated. They are commonly 2 to 2.5 meters in length. They are distictievly recongnizedThey are located in the regions of Africa on ether side of the Ecuador hotter climat

King Cobra

Ophiophagus

The Egyptian Cobra is located primarily in Egypt and additionally other areas of Northern Africa. These Cobras often live in high altitude areas around lakes and streams. They are excellent swimmers. Glands located behind the eyes of the snake produce the deadly neurotoxic venom. This venom is released through 8-10 millimeter fangs upon insertion. The venom of a King Cobra is so deadly it can kill a full grown Indian Elephant in 3 hours. The adults can grow to be 18 feet in length.

Gaboon Viper

Bitis

This giant Viper lives in the equatorial region of Africa. This snake can grow to over 2 meters in length and weigh up to 10 kg. This snake also has the longest fangs to record at 50 millimeters, close to 2 inches. They release immense quantites of less potent venom, compensating for the weakness and remaining incredibly dangerous and often fatal attackers. They prey on large birds and some mammals.

Death Adder

Acanthopis

The Death Adder looks very similar to a viper with a triangular shaped head and vertical pupils. They also are short fat bodies like many vipers of the region. These snakes are primarily found in desrt areas of Afirca. These snakes produce a neurotoxin like like Cobras, causing immediate paralysis of the victim and if untreated: certain death.

AFRICAN TIGER:

Although conventional wisdom has it that there never have been tigers in Africa, there is evidence from fossils that the sabre-tooth species was found in many parts of the continent until about a million years ago. The reason for their disappearance is unclear, but palaeontologists say it was probably caused by dramatic climatic changes opening up the savannahs.

INDIA

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Like a rainbow that colours the infinite sky, India paints the world with her magical hues. To explore India is to discover a land gifted with everything that makes up for a perfect travel package.

NORTH INDIA TOURIST ZONE:

North India includes Delhi,Jammu & Kashmir,Uttaranchal,Punjab, Himachal Pradesh Uttarparadesh,Rajasthan. North India has been a furnished of some of the major historical and cultural development in India over the past 3500 years. The sacred rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Yamuna along with numerous other rivers originate from the North. The Himalayas stretching from Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh cut India off from the rest of Asia and safeguard the country. The states of North India have rich and diverse ethnicity and customs. Monuments like the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and Taj Mahal in Agra are brilliant examples of Mughal Architecture. Qutub Minar built by Qutubbudin Aibak is another wonder of North India. The city of Jaipur(Pink City) in Rajasthan is known for its forts and palaces. Uttar Pradesh ishome to some of the famous wild life sanctuaries in India. Delhi, the capital of India, is a very important part of North India tourism. The city houses some of the most brilliant monuments like the Red Fort, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Jama Masjid, the Lotus Temple and The Parliament house. The city has some famous museums, namely, the National museum, the rail museum, the National Gallery of modern art and Gandhi museum. Himachal Pradesh is the best known hill resorts of India namely Kulu Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala. Jammu and Kashmir is known as “Paradise On Earth” because of it breathtaking beauty. Rajasthan is one of the most colorful and vibrant states of India, dotted with numerous forts and palaces. ransportation to any state or city of North India is varied and convenient. The cities are very well connected to all the major cities around the world by airways, roadways and railways. All types of accommodation facilities are available at every corner of the cities.

EAST INDIA TOURIST ZONE:

Eastern India or “East India” cosists of the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand. This region is famous for its rich cultural heritage which is reflected in the temples and other monuments of architectural importance. This region has also many pilgrim centres for the Hindus, Buddhist and Jains.
Kolkata, the Capital of West Bengal is the source of all political powers.The British rule in India saw a number of wonders in the city of Kolkata like the Howrah Bridge – one of the largest cantilever bridge in the world, the Victoria Memorial and the Indian Museum. Besides, there are also other places in Kolkata which are worth visit by every tourist. They include the St Paul’s Cathedral, Dakshineswar Kali temple, Kalighat, Belur Math,Birla Temple, Science city to name a few. Other places of interest in West Bengal include the city Murshidabad, Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan(where the nobel prize of Rabindranath Tagore has been kept), the Mountainous beauty of the Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik and the forest “sundorban” .

Popularly known as the “Soul of India”, Orissa is located in the Eastern coast of India with Bhubaneswar as its capital. The city has numerous wildlife sanctuaries and pristine lakes, beaches, temples and waterfalls. The two most prominent temples in Orissa which are frequently visited by the tourists include the Sun Temple at Konark and the Jagannath Temple at Puri.

The landlocked state of Bihar is another attraction of the Eastern Part of India. This state is considered to be the land of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Nalanda, perhaps the world’s first seat of higher learning is located here. The Capital of the state, Patna, stands on the banks of the holy river Ganga. Some of the Buddhist and Jain sites in the state include the Vaishali, Patna, Rajgir, Pawapuri, Buddha Gaya, and Nalanda. There are also Muslim sites in and around the city, important among them include the Maner Sharif, Khankah Mujibia, Dargah Sharif, and Khankah Emadia to name a few.

SOUTH INDIA TOURIST ZONE:

Experience the mystery and magic of south India tourism with its fascinating history, rich culture and traditions. The major destinations of south India include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, and Andaman& Nicobar Islands. The exquisite temples are the strongest lures and a wealth of south India. The historic monuments and temples can be found in large numbers in the states of south India. The intricately carved temples are feasts to the eyes and some of them you must visit include Guruvayoor Temple, Kalpathy Temple, Meenakshi Temple,

Murugan Temple, Badami Cave Temple, Tirupati Tirumala Balaji and Saneeshwara Temple. These marvelous structures also stand testimony to the ancient heritage of the empires that greatlypatronized the artistic pursuits. A trip to south India will remain incomplete without a visit to the palm fringed sandy beaches that accentuate the scenic charm of south India. Apart from the beaches, south India is also well known for its captivating wildlife which attracts hordes of wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. Watch the wild denizens roaming in their natural habitat freely along with a large number of migratory birds that frequent the protected forests of South India. Some of the acclaimed wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of south India are Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur National Park.

The fairs and festivals of south India mirror the rich culture and tradition of the people of the region. Passed on from generations, these still are celebrated with utmost zest and excitement. You will find the people clad in their traditional attire and piously following the spectacular rituals. The festivities are marked by important occasions such as harvest, arrival of the monsoons and paying reverence to the worshipped deities. The famous ones are Onam, Aaranmula Boat Race, Pongal Festival and Natyanjali Dance Festival.

WEST INDIA TOURIST ZONE:

Western India comprises of the states of Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra, and is primarily famous for places like Mumbai, Goa, Rann of Kutch, the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora and the Wildlife Sanctuaries in Gujarat. The third largest state in India, Maharashtra overlooks the Arabian Sea and forms an integral part of West India. This coastal state presents a fine blend of tradition and modernity, and is home to several enchanting tourist attractions. Maharashtra’s rich cultural tradition is magnificently reflected in its palaces and monuments which lure hundreds of tourists to Maharashtra from all corners of the globe. Prominent among these monuments are the Gateway of India, Mumbai; Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, Aga Khan Palace, Pune; Aurangabad Caves; and the rock cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora. Lying on the western coast of India, Goa is one of the main states in West India and an endearing abode of scenic charm and beauty. A vacationer’s paradise, Goa presents an exhilarating combination of an unending expanse of spectacular beaches, sensuous golden sands, rich cultural heritage, varied flora and fauna, beautiful churches and magnificent temples. You simply don't need to look beyond the magical land of Goa for the perfect holiday, be it fun, adventure, sunshine, spirituality or just relaxation.

PILGRIMAGES SITES IN INDIA:

VAISHNO DEVI: The temple dedicated to the goddess is the main tourist attraction in Vaishno Devi. Vaishno Devi occupies a crucial place among all the pilgrimage places of India and is most popular for the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi which is located here. It is a highly revered shrine located at a height of more that five thousand feet in the Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Range. Vaishno Devi is also known as Mata Rani and Vaishnavi and is the second most visited one after the Tirupati Balaji temple of Andhra Pradesh.

TIRUPATI BALAJI: Among all the pilgrimage destinations of south India, Tirupati-Balaji has an inimitable position and is recognized for the much popular Lord Venkateshwara deity, which is visited by numerous tourists all the year round. The meaning of the name Tirupati-Balaji is ‘lord of Lakshmi’. The renowned shrine of the deity is located on a hill at Tirumala, which is a cluster of seven hills.

GOLDEN TEMPLE: One of the several tourist attractions in Amritsar, the Golden Temple was constructed by Guru Ram Das in the 14th century. It stands as one of the favorite tourist destinations in India. Also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib as well as Darbar Sahib, it is considered to be one of the most sacred sites of Sikh religion. Reflecting both Hindu and Muslim styles of design and architecture, it exhibits a large dome made of gold.