Coexistence-Animals & Humans. Best 3 Places to Visit!

 

Animal Life!! Living in peace with each other

"Animals are such agreeable friends―they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ― 

George Eliot 

Vishnu-Matsya, 
first animal-human god

What is the most liked video in recent times registered in your 

memory?..before you answer this let me give you another perspective of the same coin.. 

A study conducted recently to gauge the trends in visual media consumption among masses, came out with some facts about short videos aka"snackable content". Study divided videos in two categories: Sprint race (Fun) and the other is Marathon race (Impact). Sprint race videos are like fast food easy to cook eat but hard to digest & leave bad impression behind in body and mind. Whereas the marathon race videos  desire a far deeper preparation beforehand mise-en-place as they call it in french culinary terms, and the consequent steps are equally elaborate and tiresome. But resultant product is worth of every pinch of salt as they say! 

Below is the excerpts from the study-            

Theory of Coexistence & Conflict:

In spite of understanding the critical role played by animals in the story of human evolution. Initially this was more to meet our basic requirement, when we were living life of hunter-gathers animals fed us, and as our mind evolved need for farmland was felt for farming and forests were cut, few wild animals were domesticated to help in farming and other errands. 

Till here I think it was still a coexistence. But than our greed became better on us and atrocity on animals started. Purpose was now to satiate our demonic instinct in form of the uberchic fashionable accessories (prevalent in western world), aphrodisiac medicinal properties( prevalent in eastern world).. Recently cases of intense hate against horses have come in notice in different part of France, where the mute stallions were brutally tortured by cutting their body parts.. Luckily the South East Asia is still living in medieval times and still practicing coexistence theory. 

This madness has no place, 3 key reasons for coexistence are giving below:

Bushmeat is meat from wildlife species that are hunted for human consumption. Bushmeat represents a primary source of animal protein and a cash earning commodity for inhabitants of humid tropical forest areas of Africa, Asia & South America. Bushmeat is an important meal source for poor people especially in rural area. This can be a sustainable tool of coexistence provided commercialization does not invade here and a fine balance between kill and reproduction is maintained.  

Tourism is the most profitable business opportunity for any nation which creates immense employment opportunity as well. This employment helps to mitigate the exodus of masses from rural to urban centers and results in balanced growth across geographies. Many countries are promoting ecologically sustainable tourism to preserve the nature in order to the reap the long term benefit. Wildlife tourism is one of the most niche branch of leisure and entertainment. This is possible only if the designated protected flora and fauna is not disturbed, encroached  and invaded by people with might and ulterior motive. Insatiable carving for fossil fuel and metals is one big cause to the havoc created in forests which has disturbed the wild life and many of the endangered species are on the verge of extinction.

   

Best friends of kids Animals are the best companion a child could ask for. we have plethora of incidents where mutual love care and affection has been witnessed between two of the most pure creation of the God. This mutual love is the result of a trust among both, which oozes out more often with their sign language communication. No prize for guessing why animals find a very prominent places in folk tales, fables, bed time stories in almost all cultures. Isn't it very intriguing as well sad, that the same child as he becomes an adult forgets love, friendship and his childhood bonhomie; and starts the age old cycle of  cruelty 

Conservation: Need of the Hour

These venues are broken down in 3 front:

National Parks an area of countryside, or occasionally sea or fresh water, protected by the state for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife

Wildlife Sanctuary A wildlife sanctuary is an area where animal habitats and their surroundings are protected from any sort of disturbance. The capturing, killing and poaching of animals is strictly prohibited in these regions.

They aim at providing a comfortable living to the animals. India has beautiful wildlife sanctuaries, with dense forests, large rivers, high and beautiful mountains. Few of the these in India are mentioned here. Tourism is not permitted in a wildlife sanctuary. People are not allowed unescorted there.

Biosphere Reserves Biosphere reserves are the protected areas meant for the conservation of plants and animals. It also restores the traditional life of the tribals living in that vicinity. They conserve the biodiversity of that area. This is broken down in 3 sets- Core, Buffer, Manipulation. 

Top 3 of my favorite Locations:

1. Jim Corbett National Park Uttarakhand

A forested wildlife adobe situated in Ramnagr, a beautiful hill town in state of Uttarakhan, Jim Corbett National park came in existence 1936 and got its name in year 1957 after Jim Corbett, the famous naturalist and ace wild life photographer. This Park is the first National Park of independent India and still stands by its legacy of rich flaura fauna and feted as heaven for bird watchers. This beautiful landscape spread over a huge territory of 520 square kilometres is home to the Bengal Tiger. But this ferocious canine is not the only visual trophy a visitor gets here but has many other  breathtaking animals - Barking deer, spotted deer, Elephants, aquatic animals, variety of crocodiles.

 

Nearby Places to Visit: 

Corbett Museum Kaladhungi-A quick tour of history and of wild world of Edward James Jim Corbett can be found here in form of his house, furniture, guns and lot of picture which depicts the heroic feat of Corbett. To get the experience of Himalayan village life one can stay as a guest in nearby houses of villagers at a very nominal charge. This historic delight is on way to Nainital while coming from Ramnagr. 

Corbett Fall: A scenic waterfall surrounded by the dense teak wood forest. In the stream flowing down a variety of aquatic life can be found like fish, prawn, crabs which is a pure bliss especially for small kids who can frolic in the crystal clear spring water.  This place is 3 km away from Kaladhungi corbett museum. 

Distance from Major Cities:

• Delhi: Delhi - Moradabad - Kashipur - Ramnagar (260 Kms)
• Nainital: Via Kaladhungi to Ramnagar (62 Kms)
• Lucknow: Lucknow - Bareilly - Kicha - Rudrapur - Kashipur - Ramnagar (436 km)
• Dehradun : Dehradun - Ramnagar (232 km)

Best Time to Visit: Mid November to mid June

2. Govind Wildlife Sanctuary:

Also known as Govind Pashu Vihar is located in Purola Tehsil of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand.  This pristine place was established in 1955 to protect the endangered Himalayan snow leopard. A nature's paradise spread over 957.3 sq. km. with a varying altitude of 1300 meters to 6323 meters has Naitwar as the entrance and starting place of the sanctuary. 

This Sanctuary experiences heavy snow fall and the vegetation is enriched by the River Tons which is an important tributary of the Yamuna.  This area is extremely rich in medicinal plants and is considered as a mecca for those versed in Ayurveda. There are 15 species of mammals and 150 varieties of birds which call Govind wildlife sanctuary as their home. Few famous inhabitants here are: Himalayan snow leoprad, Himalayan black bear, Brown bear,  the ever elusive Musk dear, Serow. The endangered birds found in this area are Monal pheasant, Koklas Pheasant, Himalayan snow fowl, Golden Eagle,Minivets and Finches.

Trekking is another key attraction this place is known for. With four basic trek routes available in this park ,nature gazers are spoiled by the choices.38km long Sankri- Taluka-Osla-Har Ki Dun is the most favourable route. 60 km long Naitwar-Himri-Droni-Rupin is the most challenging due to the harsh ups and down in the course.  Other two fairly balances routes are Sankri-Taluka-Osla-Ruinsara-40 km and 20 km long Ruinsara-Yamunotri. 

Distance from Major Cities:

• Delhi: Delhi - Dehradun - Uttarakashi- Dharkadhi (460 Kms)
• Nainital: Via Kaladhungi to Ramnagar-Dehradun-Uttarakashi-Dharkadhi (483Kms)
• Lucknow: Lucknow - Agra - Dehradun - Uttarakashi- Dharkadhi (950 km)
• Dehradun : Dehradun - Uttarakashi- Dharkadhi(200 km
• 
  
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun
• Nearest Railway station: Dehradun
• Best time to visit: From April to June and September to November. 

3. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is ascribed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. This renowned biosphere park is located in the Garhwal region in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. This natural beauty is spread across mainly in the base area of Nanda Devi mountain, named after the Himalayan Goddess of same name. Many other prominent peaks also fall in this region:  Nandadevi East (7434mt),Dunagiri (7066mt),Changband (6864mt), Trishul-1 (7120mt) and few more. The valley of flowers National Park is world famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. 

with Surface area of 640,703 hectre landmass; this park completes all 3 criteria of a Biosphere reserve. The breakup of the landmass :  Core area(s)-71,212 ha; Buffer zone(s)-514,857 ha; Transition zone(s)-54634 ha.  The bio reserve consists of reserve forests, evam soyam(civil) forests, panchayat(community) forests, agricultural lands,  grassy slopes, alpine meadows(bugiyals), and snow covered areas.

Seven endangered mammal species find habitat in this park such as snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, musk deer and bharal/blue sheep.    

An approx population of 15000 lives in this area. The buffer zones includes 45 villages and the local communities live here mainly belong to two ethnic groups,- Indo-Mongoloid(Bhotia) and Indo-Aryan. 

the transition area includes over 55 villages .

Rearing cattle for milk and sheep for wool, cultivation of medicinal plants and Tourism are the main source of income for locals.

Distance from Major Cities:

Delhi: Delhi - Haridwar - Chamoli- Joshimath (497 Kms)

• Nainital: Via Ranikhet to Joshimath (271 Kms)
• Lucknow: Lucknow - Bareilly - Nainital- Joshimath (651 km)
• Dehradun : Dehradun - Uttarakashi- Dharkadhi(294 km)
• 
  
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun
• Nearest Railway station: Rishikesh
• Best time to visit: Open to public for 6 months May-October. Mid-June to mid-September is the best time to experience the best climate and the stunning beauty of Flora -Fauna. 

Way Forward:

In the lenses of Evolutionary biology this planet has witnessed interesting life cycle of  many living organisms. Who grew, prospered, dominated the landscape and then suddenly with stroke of time vanished completely. Recent is the incident when a team of Paleontologist unearthed a 13-million -year-old fossil which comes from a newly discovered ape, the earliest known ancestor of the modern-day gibbon.Such discoveries make us reflect, to be kind and considerate towards the one who can not speak and defend themselves.The famous lines depict this analogy aptly-

In fact, the nearer man is to the brute creation the better he is at this game.

"The Kangaroo Marines" by R. W. Campbell

OMNAMAH

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Image Source: Wikipedia, Inshorts