Eco Tourism in India

The immense popularity of eco-tourism stems from the fact that people are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental hazards and the importance of the existence of diverse flora and fauna. The ecological diversity of India is arguably the most varied in the world. It is home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna. Animal lovers through out the world hope to rediscover the wild life of India and there is no reason to doubt that India is becoming a very popular destination for big game lovers. Among the few extremely popular eco-tourism spots, Chennai Crocodile Bank, Gir National Park, Corbett National Park, The Sundarban and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary are famous worldwide. Tourism infrastructure around these reserved forests and sanctuaries have developed and these places have become very important tourist locales.

Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is the first of its kind in India. This beautiful sanctuary at the foot hills of the Himalayas, is a flourishing place for the flora and fauna. The Corbett National Park is only 145 km away from Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar. You can reach get to this place on a rented car but if you wish you can also travel by a bus. This 201 sq mile park named after legendary naturalist Jim Corbett, has a good number of tigers, leopards and elephants. Corbett National Park is a tiger’s haven. There is also plenty of deer and wild boars. With 110 species of trees, 50 species of mammals and 580 species of birds, the park is the ultimate eco-tourism destination for all the animal lovers across the world.

The Sundarban

The mangrove swamp in the South of West Bengal is the place where the Royal Bengal Tigers rule. These majestic big cats are fascinatingly beautiful and extremely dangerous. Unfortunately these animals are now on the verge of extinction. This marsh land has become a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures in yellow and black strips. Deer, antelopes, gaur and wild pigs also have made this marsh land their home.

Chennai Crocodile Bank

Chennai Crocodile Bank shelters seven species of crocodiles among which three species are Indian. Occupying an area of 3.2 hectare, this is also the largest crocodile breeding center in India. Located 42 km away from the coast of Chennai, the sanctuary plays host to a number of Indian and African crocodiles and alligators. This bank has produced more than 6000 crocodiles. There is also a large reserve of venomous and non- venomous snakes. These fearsome predators need the wilderness to flourish and this is just the place that is perfect for their habitation. The crocodile bank is 35km south of Chennai and is situated beside the scenic East Coast Highway. If you travel from Chennai to Mahabalipuram, the crocodile bank falls on the wayside.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also called Ghana Bird Sanctuary, is spread over an area of 232 sq km. The place is a fantasy in feathers. The best time to visit the place is between the months of August and October. Leave the birds to themselves and simply enjoy the beauty of the scene. Bharatpur is reachable from Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You can take a bus from any of the three places. The nearest station from Bharatpur is Agra. It has its own railway station and almost all major trains halt at Bharatpur.

Gir National Park

Home of the Asiatic lion, this beautiful place on the west of India in the state of Gujarat is the one of the most popular tourist destination. It is a big game watchers paradise. The King of the jungle with all its splendor can be found in Gir. Home to one of the rare species in the world, Gir holds a position of great importance in the eco-tourism map of India because of the fearsome predators that it hosts. Sprawling over 3386 sq km, Gir National Park has a remarkable mix of deciduous forest along with teak, acacia and banyan. This is a protected area and hunting these magnificent animals is illegal. Gir National Park is easily accessible. There is a railway station at Sasan itself. There is also a bus stop. You may use your own vehicle to get there if you so desire. Sasan is 100kms from Diu, 160 km from Porbander and 160kms from Rajkot. Train and bus services are available from Junagadh and Veraval.

Eco-tourism in India has flourished because of the immense bio-diversity that exist nowhere else in the world. It must, however, be realized that there is immense potential still to be tapped in terms of making optimum use of the available natural resources.