The Big Cats of India

Felidae is the biological family of cats and member of this family is called Felid. Big Cats Tiger, Lion, Leopard and jaguar are define this family. The only cats able to roar are come under big cats family.These “roaring cats” are also sometimes called as “Great Cats”. Big cats also includes cheetah, snow leopard, and cougar. The Asiatic lions or some time called Indian lion is one of the four great cats  found in India, the other great cats of India are the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard and the snow leopard. There is an Cheetah reintroduction plan running by the Indian government, to bring the cheetah back to India. Seven sites in the four states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh have been shortlisted as potential homes for the cheetah.The Great Indian Tigers in are a bit larger than those Panthera found in Indonesia or Bali.

The Big Cats of India

Great Indian Lion: 

The Indian lion are quit similar to African in looks, Asiatic lion are smaller and lighter but are equally aggressive as African. The habitat of the Asiatic lion is very small they survives today only in the Gir National park of Gujarat and only about 411 lions are left. About 150 yeas ago Asiatic Lion was found in large parts India along with Cheetah. Big cats of India lost their jungle habitat in India because of rising human population which almost convert their habitat area to farmlands.The Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was selected to relocated the lions form Gir National Parks.The Gujarat state has been resisting the relocation, since it would make the Gir Sanctuary lose its status as the only home for big cats in India. Indian lions are highly social animals, living in small units called prides with just two or three females, these prides are smaller than Africans.Indian lions prey deer, nilgai and chinkara.

Indian-lions

Royal Bengal Tiger: 

The Bengal Tiger is  the largest one from the four “Roaring Cats of India”.The Bengal tiger is the second largest subspecies after the Siberian tiger, recent studies have shown that Bengal Tigers are, on average, larger than the Siberian Tigers. Tiger do not live in prides so every tiger has its own territory to live. Tiger habitats usually include dense forest area, proximity to water, and full of prey sources. Bengal Tigers live in many types of forests, including wet and evergreen jungle like Bengal, the mangrove forest of the Ganges Delta. The Royal  Bengal Tiger also found in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Bengal tigers eat a variety of animals found in their natural habitat, including deer, wild boars,water buffalo etc.The Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India.India is the home for the world’s largest population of tigers.In the Big Cats dairy of India there are only 1411 Royal Bengal Tigers left as per record.Conservation efforts called “Project Tiger” is on his way to Save Bengal Tigers. Bandhavgarh national park has been an excellent habitat of tiger and is known for the highest density of tigers in the world.

The-royal-bengal-tiger

White Tiger: 

White tigers have been known to inhabit many parts of East Asia and in India. The habitat range of while tiger’s in India is much reduces due to poaching. While comparing to orange tigers ,white tigers tend to be larger both at birth and at full adult size. Hundreds of white tigers are in captivity in India, and good news is that their numbers are on the increase. The nandan kanan national park is one of the park where White Tigers are found in India.

White-Bengal-Tigers

Indian Leopard: 

The range of leopard has decreased because of hunting and loss of habitat. There are also fragmented populations in India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, and Pakistan and because of its population, it is listed as a “Near Threatened” species.  Compared to other members of the Felid family, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull.  It is similar in appearance to the jaguar. The leopard is an agile and stealthy predator. The leopard is known for its ability in climbing, and it has been observed resting on tree branches during the day.Because of loss of habitat  and continuously deforestation leopard and human interaction can occurred.Basically leopards avoid targeting humans as prey, healthy leopards prefer wild prey but injured leopard can do. Two extreme cases occurred in India, Leopard killed 125 people and another one killed more than 300 after injured by a poacher. Both the man eater leopard were killed by the hunter Jim Corbett.In India the leopard preys on deer such as chitals and muntjacs. Indian leopards are distributed all over in India. Jim Corbett National Park is the best place for Indian leopards. A variation of  leopard is black leopard also known as black panther found in India.

Indian-leopard

Black Panther: 

A black panther is a large black cat, Black leopards or black panther are found at most densely forested areas of Assam and Nepal, from Travancore and other parts of southern India. Number of Black panther’s in India are very less, can be appear some time in rural area of India.

Black-panther-In-India

Snow Leopard: 

Snow leopard also know as  Ounce in India.  Snow leopards are the king of mountain. Snow leopard very less studied member of “The Great Cats” family. Snow leopards bodies are stocky, their fur is thick they are perfect for living in a cold mountainous environment. Its currently occupied range is poorly mapped but as per the record Snow leopard found in Himalayan regions of North India. The diet of the snow leopard varies across its range and with the time of year, and is dependent on prey availability, In the Himalayas it preys mostly wild sheep and goats  and some smaller prey such as hares and birds. Population of the snow leopard was estimated 200-400 in India. Hemis National Park  Ladakh is one of the conservation park for snow leopards in India. Because of disputed border with Pakistan create additional conservation challenges for snow leopard areas. Conservation programs for Snow leopard in India is supported by the native peoples as well.

Snow-Leopard-Himalayan-Region-India

Clouded Leopard: 

The another felid of Himalaya is “The clouded leopard” found from the Himalayan foothills through mainland northeast India to neighbor countries. The powerful predator of hills has been classified as vulnerable with suspected to be fewer than 10,000. The smaller length felid is more beautiful in appearance with longish body and tail. The rarely seen in wild, Clouded leopards are threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, illegal hunting.

Clouded-leopard

Asiatic Golden Cat: 

The Asiatic golden cat is one of the medium-sized wild cat found in Southeastern Asia. The feline species is comes very close to fall in the category of Vulnerable due to fastest regional deforestation, hunting pressure and habitat loss. Arunachal Pradesh and some part of its neighbor states are the only place for Indian golden cat to spot.

Indian-golden-cat

Things To Do in Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park has long been the favored getaway for explorers and wildlife lovers in India. Here are nine things that attract people to the wild adventure that is Corbett.

1. Jeep safari

Jim Corbett National Park is most famous for its flora and fauna. The park houses many endangered species such as tigers, chital, sambar and even the humble deer. A great way to explore the landscape and see these animals going about their daily life is on a jeep safari. Ask your driver to go off the fixed route and you’ll get some rare insights into the animals’ lives.

Jeep safari in corbett national park

2. On the shoulders of giants

An elephant safari lets you have an adventure within an adventure. The size of the creature deters predators from coming too close for comfort. They maneuver the grasslands with ease and in silence, with only the occasional sound of their trumpet aimed at a bully trying to intimidate the gentle giants.

elephant safari corbett national park

3. Camping in Corbett

There are plenty of resorts in Corbett, but camping is a great experience for those who like to rough it out – though they do have basic amenities.

resorts in corbett national park

4. Click away

Corbett is a favourite of wildlife photographers, who spend days looking for the illusive tiger, often in vain. But the region’s majestic terrain offers great landscape shots as well, like panoramic views of the Shivalik and the Himalayas. The lesser discovered Terai region is a great place to capture views that go beyond the frequently seen compositions.

bird watching corbett national park

5. Far away festivals

The resorts and campsites usually offer fantastic packages on festivals. Particularly around New Year and Christmas they offer plenty of holiday packages, complete with champagne, feasts and safaris. The music here isn’t played from giant speakers. Rather, the chirping birds and rustling leaves take on that role. For some, this is a luxurious and intimate way to enjoy the festivities, far from the hustle and bustle of the big, bad, cities.

Festive stay @ Corbett

6. Take the wheel

The rivers in and around Corbett are spectacular places to drive or walk by. If you can get the permission, you can have a cozy little picnic set to the sound of serene water flowing by. The rivers are rich in many forms of minerals and sand. The result of this is a vibrant location with countless hues of gold, brown, and rust.

rivers in and around corbett national park

7. See creatures

To spot Corbett’s exotic marine life you should dedicate a few hours to The Ramganga. This is home to the exotic mahseer fish, the endangered gharials, mugger crocodiles, otters and turtles amongst others.

crocs  corbett national park

8. Bird watching

Many species of rare birds call the Corbett their home. And owing to the Ramganga’s rich marine life, you can spot many birds feasting here. Kingfishers, fish-eagles, storks and many other birds are seen here in large numbers swooping down to grab a bite. In winters, this reservoir is visited by many migratory birds and the bird lovers that follow them. The birds come from as far away as Europe and Central Asia.

kingfisher corbett national park

9. Star gazing

The best part about places away from the big cities and their bright lights is gazing at a sky full of stars. For those who spend all their days in the urban world, this is a rare and welcome sight. You can spend hours spotting the different constellations. Some are visible with remarkable ease and unexpectedly bring out the child in you as you gaze in wonder.

night in corbett national park

Things To Do in India’s Switzerland (Uttarakhand)

When it comes to natural beauty, Uttarakhand is considered one the richest States in India. The state also has some of the most important spiritual cities in the country that incredulously co-exist alongside adventure capitals. Uttarakhand is a beautiful example of the paradox that is India. We look at things to do in Uttarakhand that make this state unforgettable.

1. At the gate of the Gods

Uttarakhand has always been called Devbhumi (Land of the Gods) largely because in this State one can find some India’s holiest places and shrines. It has been attracting innumerable devotees and believers for over 1000 years. The most revered amongst such places is Haridwar (the gateway to God), where people come to wash away their sins with a dip in the Ganga. Haridwar is a revered Hindu pilgrimage destination and it is particularly crowded during the world famous Kumbh and Maha Kumbh Melas. The two festivals have become an uber-magnet not just for devotees but also aspiring and professional photographers. Haridwar is not just a place but an experience that’s simply incomparable.

2. The Real Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a city that attracts a diverse crowd. It has revered ancient temples but it also a hub for adventure sports like rafting, rappelling and more. The contrast makes it very popular amongst people of North India. Rafting is organized in Shivpuri near Rishikesh and is seasonal. But the temples attract worshippers and photographers from all over. Rishikesh is also the premier yoga hub of the nation and at the Patanjali School educates people from the world over about yoga, meditation, ayurveda and other holistic measures. People stay at the school for months on end learning how to reshape their lives.

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

3. Divine Dehradun

Thanks to its natural beauty and pleasant climate, Dehradun serves as a vital escape from the harsh Indian summers. While vacationing in Dehradun one of the things to do is visiting the Rajaji National Park. The sanctuary houses many rare species of flora and fauna. Hitting one of the many trekking, hiking or biking trails is a great way to balance the increased appetite created by the fresh and clean air. While you burn off the calories you’ll also discover the hidden side of Dehradun at a languid pace.

4. The holy four

For centuries, a drastically diverse crowd has been flocking to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. The four places are together called the Chhota Chaar Dhaam (The smaller holy four centres). The locations have long enchanted people with their unparalleled beauty, their divine history and, since recently, their adventurous side. Pilgrims looking for salvation have been braving the trying conditions to reach them as they are the sources of the holy rivers, Ganga and Yamuna. Recently these conditions have become a major draw for Uttarakhand tourists, especially biking enthusiasts and campers who love the scenic journey and locales. The glaciers that support the two rivers are slowly melting, which has added to their attraction. Kedarnath, the hardest to reach location, is only accessible to the general public in specific months.

Glaciers of Uttarakhand

5. India’s Switzerland

Kasauni is a small hillstation located in Bageshwar. It is known for its serenity and small town charm, quite distinct from the bigger hillstations of the region. It offers panoramic view of the Himalayas and a quiet escape from urban life. Kasauni’s beauty led Mahatma Gandhi to hail it as the Switzerland of India. In Kasauni, you can visit the Anashakti Ashram which was home to Mahatma Gandhi while he wrote his discourse on Anasakti Yoga. In your sightseeing list, you must include a visit to see the Himalayan peaks that are shaped like a trident. If you are staying with a homestay, your hosts can teach you how to make an aipan, a regional and traditional style of rangoli.

6. To do in Nainital

Nainital is one of North India’s most popular hillstations. It is the land of nine lakes and enthralling activities, suitable for the entire family. In Nainital the most popular activity is boating. One can choose from several options like row boats, pedal boats and sail boats to discover the corners of Naini Lake. A cable car ride will lead you to Snow View from where you can enjoy lovely vistas of the region. A walk up and down the mall road is a lovely way to spend an evening or start the day. Many day trips from Nainital can be organized easily. The most popular amongst them are trips to Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal. Walking and hiking trails are found all over the hillstation with countless hidden secrets to share.

Lake Nainital

7. Must see Mussoorie

Due to its close proximity from Delhi and well-connected roads, Mussoorie is one of the many poplar hillstations in Uttarakhand for tourists. Other than a pleasant climate and picturesque locales, the hillstation has plenty of activities to offer. The Mall road is great place to spend hours walking and exploring the local market, maybe picking up trinkets as souvenirs. Kempty Falls is a lovely waterfall where lots of families come to enjoy a dip in the water followed by a fun picnic. A lovely and exciting ropeway ride leads you to Gun Hill, the second highest peak of Mussoorie. Here one can enjoy divine vistas of the Himalayan ranges and of the town below.

Gun Hill, Mussoorie

8. Wildlife Wonders

Jim Corbett National Park has been the favoured getaway for wildlife lovers in India. It doesn’t just offer a chance to see rare animals in their natural habitat but also a choice of exclusive experiences. Jeep safaris, elephant safaris, camping, festive celebrations and photography are all available for your entertainment at this sanctuary. The park is closed during certain months but is a great getaway during the most pleasant seasons in North India.

Jim Corbett National Park