New Delhi: India is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world with a variety of landscapes. There are several biodiversity hotspots in the country which are extremely rich in diverse flora and fauna. From the ice-cold majestic Himalayas in the north through forests, lakes, marshes, and dunes of the Thar desert to the tropical rainforest and lush forests of the Nilgiris hills in the south, India is blessed with a dynamic geography. There is also the Western Ghats and the Sundarbans.
The mangroves and swamps along the extensive coastline add significantly to the range of ecosystems available for a rich diversity of flora and fauna to thrive. In this article, we will take a look at those places in India where you can explore the biodiversity of India as a tourist and a nature-lover.
Places where you can explore India’s biodiversity
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is situated around the peak of Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli Garhwal district. The reserve has the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. The Valley of Flowers National Park is famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is a biodiversity hotspot. It covers an area of 39,100 hectares, and spans the Manas river. It is part of the Manas Tiger Reserve, and the site’s scenic beauty includes a range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests. The place is home to rare and endangered species, including tiger, swamp deer, greater one-horned rhino, Bengal florican and pygmy hog.
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in Sikkim and is a biodiversity hotspot. It includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the third highest peak in the world, Mount Khangchendzonga. The place is home to more than 500 species of birds.
Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve located in the Western Himalayas, within Himachal Pradesh. The place is home to over 500 species of plants, of which 118 species are medicinal plants. One can find there several species of fauna that are on the Red List of IUCN as Critically Endangered Species like the snow leopard, Himalayan wolf and Tibetan antelope.
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal is the third largest biosphere reserve in terms of area. Sundarbans has a very rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. The place is famous for the Bengal tiger which is the largest apex predators in the forests of the Sundarbans. The river beds and wetlands are home to gharials and crocodiles.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats in South India. It is India’s largest protected forest area, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India’s first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna. It has the largest population of Asian elephants in India, and other animals found there include the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, chital deer, sambar deer, golden jackal, dhole, Indian boar, black buck, and Indian spotted chevrotain.
India boasts incredible biodiversity, offering nature lovers stunning destinations. This article explores six key biodiversity hotspots: Nanda Devi, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Khangchendzonga, Cold Desert, Sundarbans, and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserves. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
