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India's
unique topography, terrain, climate and vegetation, brings out natural
diversity that cannot be witnessed anywhere else in the world. One such
variation is also present in India's wild forested regions.
Tropical forests in India's east present a total contrast with the pine
and coniferous woodland of the Western Himalayas. The natural cover of
India varies with high altitudes and these evergreen forests are bounded
with high alpine meadows nearer to the snowline and temperate forests of
short stout trees in the lower elevations. In the Himalayan foothills are
decidious trees, with shrubs, Bamboos, fern and grass.
Indian Forest Range
India's northern plains, the course of the holy rivers Ganga and the
Yamuna; the Great Thar Desert in the west; the Sundarbans, the marshy
swamplands, in the delta of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, in the east;
the Deccan Plateau, lying in the rain shadow of the hills and the Western
Ghats with their dense; luxuriant forests - all provide fascinating
variations in habitats. These forests sustain 350 species of mammals, 2,
100 kinds of birds - local and migratory, nearly 350 species of reptile
and countless insects.
Preserving Forests in India
The need for conservation of the environment and the forests has
excercised the minds of Indian rulers from the earliest of times. In
recent times,it was the administrators and princely rulers who demarcated
and reserved forests as private preserves. Today many of the forested
regions form the nucleus of India's wildlife sanctuaries and parks.
Facts About Tropical Rain Forests
* More than half of the world's estimated 10 million species of plants,
animals and insects live in the tropical rainforests.
* Rainforest plants are rich in secondary metabolites, particularly
alkaloids. Biochemists believe alkaloids protect plants from disease and
insect attacks. Many alkaloids from higher plants have proven to be of
medicinal value and benefit.
* Currently, 121 prescription drugs currently sold worldwide come from
plant-derived sources. And while 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are
derived from rainforest ingredients, less than 1% of these tropical trees
and plants have been tested by scientists.
* Promoting the use of these sustainable and renewable sources could stop
the destruction of the Rainforests. By creating a new source of income
harvesting the medicinal plants, fruits nuts, oil and other sustainable
resources, the rainforests is be more valuable alive than cut and burned.
* Sufficient demand of sustainable and ecologically harvested Rainforest
products is necessary for preservation efforts to succeed.
Indian Forest Trails
Discover the flora and fauna of nestling within the natural boundaries of
the Indian wildlife sanctuaries and national parks with an expert
naturalist who identifies plants, trees and habitats of forest creatures.
Listen and learn as a naturalist guides you through the evergreen and
hardwood forests that surround the winding paths of various natural
habitats. The naturalist will also introduce you to the many species of
wildlife that inhabit these wild hubs.
Major Regions For Forest Trails In India
If you are a nature lover and the wildlife has always fascinated you with
its beautiful natural surprises, then visit the numerous Indian wildlife
sanctuaries whose areas are extend over several hundred thousands of
square kilometers, where wildlife can be observed within their natural
habitats. Each and every wildlife sanctuary and national park in India
supports several variety of species, even if they are popular about a
particular animal or is a protected wildlife reserve, such as the the
Project Tiger Reserves in India.
If you like to check out the rare and endangered species, then visit
Gir
Forests in Gujarat, popularly known as only surviving home of the
Asiatic
lions. Next endangered animal is Rhino, whose two preserved natural
habitats are situated in the Northeastern state of Assam and the national
parks are
Manas
and
Kaziranga
with a significant population of the great one horned Rhinos.
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary down south in the state of Kerala, is one of the
best sanctuaries in India for watching and photographing elephants at
close quarters. The animals usually found in this sanctuary, beside the
elephants, include Tiger, Bison, Spotted Deer, Gaur etc.Other only safe
natural dwelling places for endangered animals include
Keibul
Lamjao National Park in Manipur for Thamin Deer,
Dachigam
for Hangul or Kashmir Stag, and
Velvadhar
in Gujarat for Blackbuck.
The diverse terrain in Uttaranchal and the climate of the state are
another reason why this place is fast catching up as the nature walk hike
and trek destination. included in this region are the are the high alpine
meadows and arid snow covered wastes of thick tropical rain forests of the
Terai region and deciduous forests covering the hills of the Himalayan
region. these varied lands harbour an immense variety of wildlife and
vegetation, some unique in the world that a lover of nature and wildlife
will find much of interest.
Arunachal
forests is another place where you would like to have your forests
trails to reach its conclusion. The forests of natural forests are the
only surviving rain forests of India and sixty-one percent of the
Arunachal state is covered in the natural blanket of forested land. Among
the major natural forest trails offered within state include the
Namdapha
National Park.