Location : Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Nearest Access : Bharatpur
Main Wildlife Found : Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Boar, Migratory Birds
Coverage Area : 29-sq-kms
Bharatpur Tour Packages
Bharatpur Lodges & Resorts
About Bharatpur Bird SanctuaryBharatpur One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar.
Flora in Bharatpur More than 300 species of birds are found in this small wildlife park of 29-sq-kms of which 11-sq-kms are marshes and the rest scrubland and grassland. Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the centre of the park. 'Ghana' means dense, referring to the thick forest, which used to cover the area.
A Man Made Natural World While many of India's parks have been developed from the hunting preserves of princely India, Keoladeo, popularly known as Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary, is perhaps the only case where the habitat has been created by a maharaja. In earlier times, Bharatpur town used to be flooded regularly every monsoon. In 1760, an earthen dam (Ajan Dam) was constructed, to save the town, from this annual vagary of nature. The depression created by extraction of soil for the dam was cleared and this became the Bharatpur Lake.
At the beginning of this century, this lake was developed, and was divided into several portions. A system of small dams, dykes, sluice gates, etc., was created to control water level in different sections. This became the hunting preserve of the Bharatpur royalty, and one of the best duck - shooting wetlands in the world. Hunting was prohibited by mid-60s. The area was declared a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage Site in December 1985.
Major Wildlife Attractions
The major attractions of tourists visiting the park are the numerous migratory birds, who come from as far away as Siberia and Central Asia and spend their winters in Bharatpur, before returning to their breeding grounds. Migratory birds at Bharatpur bird sanctuary include, several species of Cranes, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks, Eagles, Hawks, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits, etc.
Other Travel Attractions
Bharatpur Govenment Museum : One of the major attention grabber after the Bharatpur sanctuary is Government Museum of Bharatpur, which provides a glimpse of the past royal splendour of Bharatpur.
Bharatpur Palace : Not far from the museum is the Bharatpur Palace, an marvellous structural blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
Lohagarh Fort : The invincible Lohagarh Fort, which remained unconquered despite several attacks by the British regime.
Deeg Palace : Situated just 32-kms away from Bharatpur is the Deeg Palace. A strong and massive fortress, Deeg Palace was the summer resort of the rulers of Bharatpur and houses numerous beautiful palaces and gardens.
Best Time to Visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary is open throughout the year, still the ideal visiting months are from August-November for resident breeding birds and October- February for migrant birds.
Trips within Bharatpur Wildlife Sanctuary
There are well-defined forest trails, which can easily be covered on foot or on a cycle or you can also hire a rickshaw that are available on hire. Rickshaw pullers have been trained by the park management in bird watching and are quite knowledgeable. Boats are also available on hire. A early morning boat trip or a late evening one is quite a rewarding experience to check out the hidden surprises of Bharatpur.
How to Get there
Air : The nearest airport is situated at Agra, which is 56-kms from Bharatpur.
Rail : Regular rail services connect Bharatpur with all the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Agra. The Bharatpur railway station is 6-kms from the park
Road : An excellent network of roadway services connects Bharatpur to all the major cities of the Rajasthan and its neighbouring states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana. Bharatpur is well connected by road from Agra (56-kms, 5 hours), Delhi (176-kms, 5 hours) and Jaipur (176-kms, 6 hours), all of which have airport facilities too.
General Info / Tips
Note : Do not forget to carry a binoculars for watching the birds. Bird watching depend greatly on season, timing, and patience, so its better to visit the sanctuary during the visiting period.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Hill Station In India »Hill Station In Kerala
General Information :
Area : 38,863 sq km.
Area : 38,863 sq km.
Population : 31,838,619
Capital : Thiruvananthapuram
Language : Malayalam
Kerala, popularly regarded as 'God's own country', is probably the most beautiful, exotic and picturesque state of India. Flanked by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats (mountain ranges) in the east, Kerala abounds in exotic and beautiful Hill stations, lovely beaches and serene and calm backwaters. The unparallel natural beauty of Kerala attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world round the year. And rightly so, the National Geographic Traveler ranked it as One of the 50 'Paradise Found' on the earth.
The hill stations of Kerala are known for their exotic charm and beauty that can't be defined in words. Located amidst the lush green vegetation with numerous milky waterfalls, ravishing rivulets, splendid springs, lakes and hill-plantations, they provide an enthralling experience to tourists. One of the major advantages of holidaying in Kerala hill station is that they are relatively less crowded in comparison to hill stations of north India.Spice and tea plantations on the hill slopes provide you an enchanting sight. The fresh and pristine air filled with the fragrance of cardamom and pepper makes you spellbound. Amidst such surroundings you feel like as if you are in heaven.
The verdant vegetation around the hills supports a variety of wildlife too. There are numerous wildlife sanctuaries located in the region, which house some of the endangered species of wild animals and birds.Some of the most scenic and beautiful hill stations in Kerala, which offer a lifetime experience to its visitors, are Munnar, Vythiri, Idukki, Vagamon and Wayanad. We welcome you to Kerala to explore and enjoy the beautiful moments of your life in a natural paradise which you would relish and remember all your life.
The hill stations of Kerala are known for their exotic charm and beauty that can't be defined in words. Located amidst the lush green vegetation with numerous milky waterfalls, ravishing rivulets, splendid springs, lakes and hill-plantations, they provide an enthralling experience to tourists. One of the major advantages of holidaying in Kerala hill station is that they are relatively less crowded in comparison to hill stations of north India.Spice and tea plantations on the hill slopes provide you an enchanting sight. The fresh and pristine air filled with the fragrance of cardamom and pepper makes you spellbound. Amidst such surroundings you feel like as if you are in heaven.
The verdant vegetation around the hills supports a variety of wildlife too. There are numerous wildlife sanctuaries located in the region, which house some of the endangered species of wild animals and birds.Some of the most scenic and beautiful hill stations in Kerala, which offer a lifetime experience to its visitors, are Munnar, Vythiri, Idukki, Vagamon and Wayanad. We welcome you to Kerala to explore and enjoy the beautiful moments of your life in a natural paradise which you would relish and remember all your life.
Most visitors come to Kerala for its magnificent beaches and backwaters. But less well known are the Southern Ghats, hills rich in cardamom, pepper and tea plantations, and which have the highest peak south of the Himalayas - Anaimudi - standing at 2,694 meters (8,839 feet). The main tourist offices will tell you that there are three hill stations in these hills - Munnnar, Pirmede and Ponmudi - as well as the hill wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady. In fact all but Thekkady are small settlements offering little in the way of tourist facilities. However, the views of the ghats and the plantations are a reward in themselves and especially worth seeing if you prefer to keep off the well-beaten tourist track. The hills are accessible throughout the year although very wet and misty during Kerala's two monsoons, the southwest and the northeast (late May-early November).
Hill Station In India »Hill Station In Kashmir »Srinagar
General Information about Kashmir :
Area of Kashmir : 20.36 Sqkm
Population of Kashmir : 2,23,361(apprx.)
Capital of Kashmir : Srinagar
Major Languages spoken in Kashmir : Dogri, Hindi,English, Urdu,Kashmiri,Punjabi
Introduction :
Though the whole of Jammu & Kashmir, India is pleasant, few of the places are truly a haven for the tourists to Jammu & Kashmir, India. Travel to hill stations of Jammu & Kashmir and experience the outstanding heights and engaging climate. Tour to Kashmir Hill Stations and indulge in the most challenging wild sports in the mild surroundings. Enjoy the Travel to Sonamarg and Travel to Patnitop in Kashmir , still uneplored. Enjoy every bit of it while on your most flavoured tour to Jammu & Kashmir. Reach few of the highest points of the world in Kashmir, India and be the most privileged to have seen this glittering crown of India - Jammu & Kashmir.
Set like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful. Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range and The Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and south respectively. They are the source of great rivers, which flow down into the valleys, forested with orchards and decorated by lily-laden lakes.
The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘Paradise on Earth’ where they journeyed across the hot plains of India, to the valley’s cool environs in summer. Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s many formal, waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. Anecdotes of four and five centuries ago describe their love for these gardens, and the rivalries that centred around their ownership. They also patronized the development of art & craft among the people of Kashmir, leaving behind a heritage of exquisite artisanship among thes people and making the handicrafts of the land prized gifts all over the world.
Hill Stations in Kashmir state of India :
Srinagar Hill Station : The City of House Boats Kashmir's most well known city, Srinagar, stands by the clear waters of the Dal Lake, and the rushing Jhelum. During the days of the Raj, the ruler of Kashmir let the British come to Srinagar but did not allow them to build. So they took to the water and lived in houseboats on the lovely Lake! And the houseboats stayed on to become a symbol of the beautiful valley and famous hill station.
Sonamarg Hill Station : Beat the heat at the hill resort of Sonamarg. The meadow of Gold, Sonamarg is one of the many famous hill resorts of Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg is a major gateway to Ladakh besides being a popular base for adventure sports. The spectacular valley of Sonamarg derives its name from a legend. As per the legend there is a well in the Sonamarg valley whose water can turn anything into gold. The other possible reason for the name Sonamarg could be its location on the route to Central Asia. Sonamarg is in fact wrapped in sycamore, alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine.
Gulmarg Hill Station : Gulmarg, or meadow of flowers, is an apt term indeed for this idyllic flower-laden meadow at an altitude of 2,730 metres, in Baramulla district. Situated at a distance of 51 km from Srinagar, it is a saucer-shaped bowl overhanging the main valley of Kashmir. The towering peaks above the meadow are covered with dense forests of tall conifers and gigantic fir and pine trees, all vying with each other to touch the azure skies. A clear day offers some breathtaking views from Gulmarg : fields of rice; clusters of walnut, pear and mulberry; meadows, ridges and forests that lead to the snow slopes of Khilanmarg; the majestic Nanga Parbat peak over a 100 km away.
Ladakh Hill Station : The barren beauty of Ladakh with snow capped peaks and clean azure sky have attracted the intrepid traveler since the region was opened to tourists in the 1970s. Since then, Ladakh has become a favorite haunt for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts. The rugged terrain and the majestic mountains around, make an exotic cocktail for an adventure sport lover. But before you decide to fly away to the land of Buddhist monasteries and brave people, it is imperative to understand that you need at least a week to enjoy your tour to Ladakh. Since, acclimatization it self needs at least a few days in Ladakh.
Patnitop Hill Station : Patnitop is a hill station at 112 kms from Jammu about 60 kms ahead of Katra (Base for famous shrine of Vaishnodevi). Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 m, across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes.
Pahalgam Hill Station : Pahalgam is an ideal place for an adventure sports enthusiast. It offers wonderful treks, skiing, mountaineering and camping sites. Facilities for roller-skating, table tennis, badminton and cards are available at the Pahalgam Club. One can take a temporary membership at the Pahalgam natural golf course. In route to Pahalgam one comes across the beautiful Lidder Valley with tourist spots at Mattan, famed for its springs and the hillside cave shrine of Aishmuqam. The river Lidder is an angler's delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. The large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick forests. Pahalgam is in Anantnag district which is famous for Kashmir handmade "gabbas" and exquisitely designed wooden toys.
Area of Kashmir : 20.36 Sqkm
Population of Kashmir : 2,23,361(apprx.)
Capital of Kashmir : Srinagar
Major Languages spoken in Kashmir : Dogri, Hindi,English, Urdu,Kashmiri,Punjabi
Introduction :
Though the whole of Jammu & Kashmir, India is pleasant, few of the places are truly a haven for the tourists to Jammu & Kashmir, India. Travel to hill stations of Jammu & Kashmir and experience the outstanding heights and engaging climate. Tour to Kashmir Hill Stations and indulge in the most challenging wild sports in the mild surroundings. Enjoy the Travel to Sonamarg and Travel to Patnitop in Kashmir , still uneplored. Enjoy every bit of it while on your most flavoured tour to Jammu & Kashmir. Reach few of the highest points of the world in Kashmir, India and be the most privileged to have seen this glittering crown of India - Jammu & Kashmir.
Set like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful. Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range and The Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and south respectively. They are the source of great rivers, which flow down into the valleys, forested with orchards and decorated by lily-laden lakes.
The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘Paradise on Earth’ where they journeyed across the hot plains of India, to the valley’s cool environs in summer. Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s many formal, waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. Anecdotes of four and five centuries ago describe their love for these gardens, and the rivalries that centred around their ownership. They also patronized the development of art & craft among the people of Kashmir, leaving behind a heritage of exquisite artisanship among thes people and making the handicrafts of the land prized gifts all over the world.
Hill Stations in Kashmir state of India :
Srinagar Hill Station : The City of House Boats Kashmir's most well known city, Srinagar, stands by the clear waters of the Dal Lake, and the rushing Jhelum. During the days of the Raj, the ruler of Kashmir let the British come to Srinagar but did not allow them to build. So they took to the water and lived in houseboats on the lovely Lake! And the houseboats stayed on to become a symbol of the beautiful valley and famous hill station.
Sonamarg Hill Station : Beat the heat at the hill resort of Sonamarg. The meadow of Gold, Sonamarg is one of the many famous hill resorts of Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg is a major gateway to Ladakh besides being a popular base for adventure sports. The spectacular valley of Sonamarg derives its name from a legend. As per the legend there is a well in the Sonamarg valley whose water can turn anything into gold. The other possible reason for the name Sonamarg could be its location on the route to Central Asia. Sonamarg is in fact wrapped in sycamore, alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine.
Gulmarg Hill Station : Gulmarg, or meadow of flowers, is an apt term indeed for this idyllic flower-laden meadow at an altitude of 2,730 metres, in Baramulla district. Situated at a distance of 51 km from Srinagar, it is a saucer-shaped bowl overhanging the main valley of Kashmir. The towering peaks above the meadow are covered with dense forests of tall conifers and gigantic fir and pine trees, all vying with each other to touch the azure skies. A clear day offers some breathtaking views from Gulmarg : fields of rice; clusters of walnut, pear and mulberry; meadows, ridges and forests that lead to the snow slopes of Khilanmarg; the majestic Nanga Parbat peak over a 100 km away.
Ladakh Hill Station : The barren beauty of Ladakh with snow capped peaks and clean azure sky have attracted the intrepid traveler since the region was opened to tourists in the 1970s. Since then, Ladakh has become a favorite haunt for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts. The rugged terrain and the majestic mountains around, make an exotic cocktail for an adventure sport lover. But before you decide to fly away to the land of Buddhist monasteries and brave people, it is imperative to understand that you need at least a week to enjoy your tour to Ladakh. Since, acclimatization it self needs at least a few days in Ladakh.
Patnitop Hill Station : Patnitop is a hill station at 112 kms from Jammu about 60 kms ahead of Katra (Base for famous shrine of Vaishnodevi). Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 m, across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes.
Pahalgam Hill Station : Pahalgam is an ideal place for an adventure sports enthusiast. It offers wonderful treks, skiing, mountaineering and camping sites. Facilities for roller-skating, table tennis, badminton and cards are available at the Pahalgam Club. One can take a temporary membership at the Pahalgam natural golf course. In route to Pahalgam one comes across the beautiful Lidder Valley with tourist spots at Mattan, famed for its springs and the hillside cave shrine of Aishmuqam. The river Lidder is an angler's delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. The large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick forests. Pahalgam is in Anantnag district which is famous for Kashmir handmade "gabbas" and exquisitely designed wooden toys.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Welcome To Delhi Tourism
The India Gate commemorates Indian soldiers who died in World War IDelhi is India's main point of arrival for overseas visitors, and the major transport hub for destinations in the states of rajasthan, the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh as well as central north India. Delhi city, the showacse of India, has been the centre of political activity from time immemorial. The ancient fortness, majestic buildings and historic ruins find their modern counterparts in the tall skyscrapers, diplomatic enclaves and well-planned townships of New Delhi. The people here, their lifestyles, traditions and even the climate are a rich and varied mixture of all that is india.
Lotus Temple in South DelhiDelhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Having been the capital of several empires in ancient India, Delhi was a major city in the old trade routes from northwest India to the Gangetic Plains. Many ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance have been erected in its history.[7] The Mughals built a section of the city (now known as Old City or Old Delhi) that served as the capital of Mughal Empire for a long period. During the British Raj, New Delhi was built as an administrative quarter of the city. New Delhi was declared the capital of India after India gained independence from British rule in 1947. As the seat of the Government of India, New Delhi houses important offices of the federal government, including the Parliament of India, making Delhi a powerhouse of Indian politics.
The Akshardham TemplePublic transport in Delhi is provided by buses, auto rickshaws, a rapid transit system, taxis and suburban railways.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
India Cricket News
India vs Australia Cricket Series 2007-08
IND vs AUS, Day 4, Perth Test: India end Australia's winning streak (AUS 2:1)India recorded one of their most amazing Test triumphs overseas when they beat Australia by 72 runs in the thrilling third cricket Test to snap the champion team's record 16-match winning streak at Perth on Saturday.
Set 413 to win a world record 17th Test in succession, the Australians were dismissed for 340 to allow the spirited visitors to reduce the margin to 2-1 in the four match series with one full day to spare. Not many had given the Indians any hope at the WACA, regarded as the fastest pitch in the world, but Anil Kumble and his men came out firing on all cylinders to not only pull off a sensational victory but raise hopes of levelling the series.
The Indians celebrated wildly and hugged each other after R P Singh castled last man Shaun Tait, bringing an end to a dramatic Test which saw fortune fluctuating from one team to the other on the four days.
Michael Clarke, who has struggled to find his peak form in the series, was the highest scorer for the Australians with 81 while Michael Hussey (46) and captain Ricky Ponting (45) were the other notable performers. With the hosts reeling at 253 for eight, tailenders Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) and Stuart Clark (32) used the long handle to good effect to give the Indians some anxious moments.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Kumaon A Little paradise on Earth
Kumaon proper constituted of an old Rajput principality, which became extinct at the beginning of the 19th century after its annexation in the Gurkha war of 1815. For seventy years after the annexation, the region was governed by three administrators, Mr. Traill, Mr. J. H. Batten and Sir Henry Ramsay, on non-regulation basis. Till 1891 the division comprised of the three districts of Kumaon, Garhwal and the Terai. Later, the two districts of Kumaon and the Tarai were redistributed and renamed after their respective headquarters of Nainital and Almora.
As it is today...
Presently, the Kumaon (or Kumaun) region is spread over an area of more than 35,000 sq. kms. and is headquartered at Nainital. It is one of the two main regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand (earlier known as Uttaranchal), a hilly state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. The region is spread over the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar with the town of Nainital serving as the administrative center.
Situation
It has the serene and peaceful Tibet towards its northern side, on the east is the beautiful Nepal, Uttar Pradesh lies towards the south and on the west, lays the Garhwal region. The Kumaonis, as the people of the region are called, are well known for their bravery and martial skills. The Kumaon Regiment, one of the best regiments of the Indian Army, calls Kumaon its home. Haldwani, Nainital, Rudrapur, Almora, Pithoragarh, Mukteshwar and Ranikhet are among the most important towns of the region.
Geography and the Landscape
Apart from the vast Himalayan tract, the region has two sub-mountain strips called the Terai and the Bhabhar. Up till the1850`s, the sub-mountain strips had an almost impenetrable forest that provided shelter to a large number of wild animals; but after that, the numerous clearings of trees made the area accessible and cultivable. Since then, the strips, having rich and fertile soil, attract a large number of people from the hills who cultivate the rich soil during the hot as well as the cold season and return to the hills during rains.
As for the rest of Kumaon, it is a maze of mountains, all a part of the Great Himalayas, some of which are among the loftiest known. Dotting the landscape, which is only 225 kms. in terms of length and a mere 65 kms. in breadth, are over thirty peaks rising to staggering heights of 5500 m. or more. Among the rivers rising chiefly in the southern slope of the Tibetan watershed, lying to the north of the loftiest peaks, are the Gori, Dhauli and Kali. The rivers flow through the extraordinarily deep and strikingly beautiful valleys and gorges of the Kumaon hills. The main rivers are the Sharda (Kali), the Pindari and Kailganga, whose waters join the Alaknanda. The river Sharda (Kali) also acts as the international boundary between India and Nepal. The route currently used to make the holy pilgrimage to the Kailash-Mansarovar, goes along this river, crossing into Tibet at Lipu Lekh pass.
Flora and Fauna
The Chir Pine, the Himalayan Cypress, the Pindrow Fir, Alder, Sal (or iron-wood), and Saindan are the main varieties of trees growing in the region. As far as the geological formations are concerned, Limestone, Sandstone, Slate, Gneiss and Granite are the principal ones. The area has a number of mines of Iron, Copper, Gypsum, Lead and Asbestos, but almost all of them are under-utilized.
Climate
The climate is mild except in the regions of the sub-mountain strips of Tarai and Bhabhar and the deep valleys. The amount of rainfall received by the outer Himalayan range is almost twice that of the central hills as the outer Himalayas are the first ones to be hit by the monsoons. The precipitation is normally in the average proportion of 2000 mm to 1000 mm. Winter season without snowfall is almost unheard of in the higher ridges and in some years, the snowfall is spread throughout the whole of the mountain tract. Severe frosts are witnessed often, especially in the valleys.
As it is today...
Presently, the Kumaon (or Kumaun) region is spread over an area of more than 35,000 sq. kms. and is headquartered at Nainital. It is one of the two main regions and administrative divisions of Uttarakhand (earlier known as Uttaranchal), a hilly state of northern India, the other being Garhwal. The region is spread over the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar with the town of Nainital serving as the administrative center.
Situation
It has the serene and peaceful Tibet towards its northern side, on the east is the beautiful Nepal, Uttar Pradesh lies towards the south and on the west, lays the Garhwal region. The Kumaonis, as the people of the region are called, are well known for their bravery and martial skills. The Kumaon Regiment, one of the best regiments of the Indian Army, calls Kumaon its home. Haldwani, Nainital, Rudrapur, Almora, Pithoragarh, Mukteshwar and Ranikhet are among the most important towns of the region.
Geography and the Landscape
Apart from the vast Himalayan tract, the region has two sub-mountain strips called the Terai and the Bhabhar. Up till the1850`s, the sub-mountain strips had an almost impenetrable forest that provided shelter to a large number of wild animals; but after that, the numerous clearings of trees made the area accessible and cultivable. Since then, the strips, having rich and fertile soil, attract a large number of people from the hills who cultivate the rich soil during the hot as well as the cold season and return to the hills during rains.
As for the rest of Kumaon, it is a maze of mountains, all a part of the Great Himalayas, some of which are among the loftiest known. Dotting the landscape, which is only 225 kms. in terms of length and a mere 65 kms. in breadth, are over thirty peaks rising to staggering heights of 5500 m. or more. Among the rivers rising chiefly in the southern slope of the Tibetan watershed, lying to the north of the loftiest peaks, are the Gori, Dhauli and Kali. The rivers flow through the extraordinarily deep and strikingly beautiful valleys and gorges of the Kumaon hills. The main rivers are the Sharda (Kali), the Pindari and Kailganga, whose waters join the Alaknanda. The river Sharda (Kali) also acts as the international boundary between India and Nepal. The route currently used to make the holy pilgrimage to the Kailash-Mansarovar, goes along this river, crossing into Tibet at Lipu Lekh pass.
Flora and Fauna
The Chir Pine, the Himalayan Cypress, the Pindrow Fir, Alder, Sal (or iron-wood), and Saindan are the main varieties of trees growing in the region. As far as the geological formations are concerned, Limestone, Sandstone, Slate, Gneiss and Granite are the principal ones. The area has a number of mines of Iron, Copper, Gypsum, Lead and Asbestos, but almost all of them are under-utilized.
Climate
The climate is mild except in the regions of the sub-mountain strips of Tarai and Bhabhar and the deep valleys. The amount of rainfall received by the outer Himalayan range is almost twice that of the central hills as the outer Himalayas are the first ones to be hit by the monsoons. The precipitation is normally in the average proportion of 2000 mm to 1000 mm. Winter season without snowfall is almost unheard of in the higher ridges and in some years, the snowfall is spread throughout the whole of the mountain tract. Severe frosts are witnessed often, especially in the valleys.
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