2024 Valparai

 Valparai, nestled in the Anamalai Hills of Tamil Nadu, is a lush haven for wildlife enthusiasts. This picturesque region is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including the majestic great hornbills that nest in the towering trees of the coffee plantations and forests. Valparai is also home to the endangered lion-tailed macaques, often seen in the dense canopies. The area supports a variety of bird species, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Despite the challenges of habitat loss, conservation efforts continue to protect these unique species and their habitats, ensuring Valparai remains a vital sanctuary for its diverse flora and fauna 

The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, covering a significant portion of the country, is a biodiversity hotspot known as the "lungs of the Earth." Spanning approximately 6,000,000 square kilometers, it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Andes in the west. Home to an incredible variety of species, Brazil boasts the highest biodiversity, including numerous plant species, freshwater fish, and mammals. The rainforest's dynamic ecosystem supports jaguars, poison dart frogs, and the endangered golden lion tamarin. Despite threats from deforestation, conservation efforts aim to protect this vital natural treasure, ensuring the survival of its unique flora and fauna 

Nestled in Madhya Pradesh, India, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a wildlife sanctuary sprawling across 716 square kilometers. Established in 1968, the park is a vibrant tableau of biodiversity, renowned for its large leopard population and various deer species. This park also holds historical significance for being the first to capture a white tiger in 1951.   

The park is divided into three primary zones: Tala, Magdhi, and Khitauli, with Tala being the richest in biodiversity, especially tigers. The park is home to 37 species of mammals, over 250 bird species, and a variety of butterflies and reptiles. The grasslands of the park become a breeding sanctuary for sarus cranes during the rainy season.   

Bandhavgarh is globally recognized for its high density of Bengal tigers, including the famous Charger and Sita. The park continues to captivate visitors, serving as a haven for these majestic creatures and a wide array of other wildlife species.  

Kaziranga National Park represents one of the last unmodified natural areas in the north-eastern region of India. Covering 42,996 ha, and located in the State of Assam it is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. The fluctuations of the Brahmaputra River result in spectacular examples of riverine and fluvial processes in this vast area of wet alluvial tall grassland interspersed with numerous broad shallow pools fringed with reeds and patches of deciduous to semi-evergreen woodlands. Kaziranga is regarded as one of the finest wildlife refuges in the world. The park’s contribution in saving the Indian one-horned rhinoceros from the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century to harbouring the single largest population of this species is a spectacular conservation achievement. The property also harbours significant populations of other threatened species including tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo and bears as well as aquatic species including the Ganges River dolphin. It is an important area for migratory birds.

Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent in terms of total area. (It is larger than both Oceania and Europe.) This unique continent has a very scarce native human population. The Antarctic is a cold, remote area in the Southern Hemisphere encompassed by the Antarctic Convergence. The Antarctic Convergence is an uneven line of latitude where cold, northward-flowing Antarctic waters meet the warmer waters of the world’s oceans. The Antarctic covers approximately 20 percent of the Southern Hemisphere.

One of the driest, coldest and darkest places on earth, Antarctica is a land of extremes, a frozen desert of incredible beauty, isolation, but also has a vast wilderness & thriving diversity. The coldest place on earth is home to some of the most well-known animals on earth, including Emperor Penguins, Leopard seals, Orcas, Albatross and Blue whales.

 The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that sees (or saw) thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane come here during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the National Park their home. It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It is also a declared World Heritage Site. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is recognized as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It originated in as a royal hunting reserve during the 1850s and was a game reserve for Maharajas and the British. The park is home to over 370 species of birds and animals such as the basking python, painted storks, deer, nilgai and more. It was also known as the breeding ground for the rare and elusive to spot Siberian crane.

Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.

Kaziranga National Park represents one of the last unmodified natural areas in the north-eastern region of India. Covering 42,996 ha, and located in the State of Assam it is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. The fluctuations of the Brahmaputra River result in spectacular examples of riverine and fluvial processes in this vast area of wet alluvial tall grassland interspersed with numerous broad shallow pools fringed with reeds and patches of deciduous to semi-evergreen woodlands. Kaziranga is regarded as one of the finest wildlife refuges in the world. The park’s contribution in saving the Indian one-horned rhinoceros from the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century to harbouring the single largest population of this species is a spectacular conservation achievement. The property also harbours significant populations of other threatened species including tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo and bears as well as aquatic species including the Ganges River dolphin. It is an important area for migratory birds.

 The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that sees (or saw) thousands of rare and highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane come here during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to have made the National Park their home. It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It is also a declared World Heritage Site. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is recognized as one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It originated in as a royal hunting reserve during the 1850s and was a game reserve for Maharajas and the British. The park is home to over 370 species of birds and animals such as the basking python, painted storks, deer, nilgai and more. It was also known as the breeding ground for the rare and elusive to spot Siberian crane.

 Concealed in an intriguing cover of natural wonder, Spiti is a radiant door for those looking for isolation in the joy of nature. Lahaul Spiti the travel industry draws in a large number of individuals consistently towards its intriguing magnificence and unadulterated climate. Spiti is verged on the northern side by Ladakh, Tibet in the East, Kinnaur in the South-East and Kullu valley in the North. Among other species, the area is home to the Siberian Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica), the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Pika (Ochotana roylei), Himalayan Wolf (canis lupus laniger) and Weasels (Mustela spp). The avifauna of the region includes the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis), Golden eagle (Aquia chryaetos), Chukar partridge (Alectronics Chukor), Himalayan Snow Cock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) and a host of Rosefinches (Corpodacus spp).

 This sanctuary is placed in Pandarkawada district of Yavatmal that encloses an area of 148.63 sq.km.  Named after the Lord Tippeshwar for its temple inside the park, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected tiger habitat in Yavatmal District of Maharastra, situated close enough from Nagpur, Wardha, Chandrapur and Yavatmal. Mainly, the sanctuary sprawls amongst the Patanbori and Parwa Ranges of the Pandarkawad Forest Division. This sanctuary is widespread for its exotic hilly-undulating territory and wildlife miscellany. 

It shelters mammals like leopards, sloth bears, jackals, Wild dogs, Nilgai, Spotted deers and Sambar deers and some exquisite birds like Crested serpent eagles, Brown fish owl, Indian nightjar, Oriental honey buzzards, Racket tailed drongos, Asian paradise flycatchers, Rock bush quails, Francolins etc. Though it's difficult it track this wildlife in raw terrain of Tipeshwar Sanctuary on every single safari but it a great indicator how diverse and healthy this ecosystem is. 

The Nilgiris, the famed ‘Blue Mountains’, are India’s hill-station retreat of choice. Just 11 degrees north of the equator, but at a height of 6000 feet, they offer salubrious weather virtually year-round. The exceptional natural beauty and unique bio-diversity led the UN to declare the Nilgiris India’s first international biosphere.

Panapara is a haven of delights for those seeking privacy and pristine nature along with luxury and easy access to the world.

 Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. Situated in a transition zone between the dryness of the Kalahari and the wet Lowveld vegetation.This rich transitional zone attracts an incredible variety of game animals, flora and fauna that are not often found living side by side. Virtually all of the animal species native to southern Africa can be found here, including the Big 5, wild dog, Roan, Tsessebe, Sable antelope and more than 360 species of bird.Pilanesberg National Park, or Pilanesberg Game Reserve as it is often called, is located in the Bojanala Region, within the North West Province and relatively near Johannesburg. With an area of 550km², it is the fourth largest park in South Africa. 

Alaska is a U.S. state in the northwest extremity of the United States West Coast, just across the Bering Strait from Asia. The Canadian province of British Columbia and territory of Yukon border the state to the east and southeast. When it comes to wildlife, Alaska is famous for salmon, moose, caribou, bears, whales, bison, puffins, jellyfish, etc. When it comes to scenery there are glaciers and fjords, mountains, and more lakes, rivers, and waterways than one could dream of.

Volcanoes national park is a stop center for all Rwanda gorilla safaris sheltering the highest number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area. The strategic location of the VNP roughly 2 hours drive from Kigali international airport make it the most accessible gorilla national park in the world. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National park is a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects among other creatures.

Spanning on a 160 sqkm area in the northern part of Ruanda, Volcanoes national park is part of the great Virunga volcano conservation region spanning to cover Virunga national park Congo and Mgahinga national park Uganda. It was initially a small area around Karisimbi, Mikeno and Visoke volcanoes which was gazetted to protect the Mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching.

Nagarhole National Park (also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park), is a national park located in Kodagu district and Mysore district in Karnataka, India. It is one of India's premier Tiger Reserves along with the adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve. This park was declared the thirty seventh Project Tiger, Tiger reserves of India in 1999. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats Nilgiri Sub-Cluster of 6,000 km2 (2,300 sq mi), including all of Nagarhole National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls. The park has a healthy predator-prey ratio, with many tigers, Gaur, elephants, Indian leopards, and deer (Chital, Sambar)

Bandipur National Park, an 874-sq.-km forested reserve in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is known for its small population of tigers. Once the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Mysore, the park also harbors Indian elephants, spotted deer, gaurs (bison), antelopes and numerous other native species. The 14th-century Himavad Gopalaswamy Temple offers views from the park's highest peak.

Hyderabad, with its unique geographic position, diverse vegetation, and rich cultural heritage, has a variety of habitats that support a wide range of avian life. The vibrant and melodious birds of the city, which have evolved from dinosaurs, are often considered modern-day dinosaurs. These warm-blooded creatures are covered in feathers, capable of flight, colorful, toothless, and lay hard-shelled eggs. In Greater Hyderabad, you can find 315 bird species across 60 families, including Grebes, Cormorants, Pond Herons, Egrets, Coots, Moorhens, Kingfishers, Indian Rollers, Babblers, Magpies, and Orioles, making the city a haven for bird enthusiasts. 

The Arctic is the region around the North Pole, usually understood as the area within the Arctic Circle. It includes parts of Russia, Scandinavia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.During summer, the tundra is the main vegetation and, in the warmest parts of the Arctic, shrubs, willow, and birch can be found. Animal life is poor in the number of species. There are, for example, polar bears, arctic foxes and musk oxen.

Alaska is a U.S. state in the northwest extremity of the United States West Coast, just across the Bering Strait from Asia. The Canadian province of British Columbia and territory of Yukon border the state to the east and southeast. When it comes to wildlife, Alaska is famous for salmon, moose, caribou, bears, whales, bison, puffins, jellyfish, etc. When it comes to scenery there are glaciers and fjords, mountains, and more lakes, rivers, and waterways than one could dream of.

Kanha National Park, also known as Kanha Tiger Reserve, is a vast expanse of grassland and forest in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Tigers, jackals and wild pigs can be spotted in Kanha Meadows. The elevated plateau of Bamhnidadar is home to birds of prey. Animals often gather at the watering holes of Sondar Tank and Babathenga Tank. The park’s flora and fauna are documented in the park's Kanha Museum.

The ICRISAT Campus in Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana is known to be rich in flora and fauna with an abundance of birds in particular. Some of the species of birds spotted at the campus are below. This place is famous for many migratory birds , coastal birds , aquatic birds & passerine birds.

Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. Its animals include lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of Maasai people.

The Okavango Delta is a vast inland river delta in northern Botswana. It's known for its sprawling grassy plains, which flood seasonally, becoming a lush animal habitat. The Moremi Game Reserve occupies the east and central areas of the region. Here, dugout canoes are used to navigate past hippos, elephants and crocodiles. On dry land, wildlife includes lions, leopards, giraffes and rhinos.