Monday 14 May 2012

Wildlife Tourism in Kerala


Wildlife tourism can be an eco and animal friendly tourism, usually showing animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism, in its simplest sense, is watching wild animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife tourism is an important part of the tourism industries in many countries including many African and South American countries, Australia, India, Canada, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Maldives among many. It has experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent years world wide and is closely aligned to eco-tourism and sustainable-tourism. India has a rich forest cover which has some beautiful and exotic species of wildlife – some of which that are even endangered and very rare. This has boosted wildlife tourism in India. The places where a foreign tourist can go for wildlife tourism in India are the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park, and Corbett National Park. Kerala has a forest area of 11,125 sq km, which covers almost 29 percent of the total land area of the state. There are Five National Parks and 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala. These parks and sanctuaries cover 2250 sq km, which is 24 percent of the total forest area and 6 percent of the total land area of the state. All these National Parks and sanctuaries are famous tourist destinations and are frequently visited by tourists to experience the enjoyment of watching wildlife in their natural habitat and to get a feel of the scenic excellence of Kerala. The following are the Wildlife Sanctuaries of Kerala. • Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Tiger Reserve) • Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary • Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary • Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary • Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary • Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary • Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary • Chenthuruni Wildlife Sanctuary • Peechi-Vaazhaani Wildlife Sanctuary • Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary • Aaralam Wildlife Sanctuary • Mangalavanam (Bird Sanctuary) • Thattekkaad (Bird Sanctuary) Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerela are : Elephants, gaur, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, sloth bears, leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger,panthers, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrels, Hanuman langurs, peacocks, star tortoises, wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen, bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..

ECHOTOURISM EMERGING TOURISM SECTOR IN KERALA


ECHOTOURISM EMERGING TOURISM SECTOR IN KERALA
Ecotourism India has developed recently, for the concept itself is a relatively new one. Ecotourism entails traveling to places that are renowned for their natural beauty and social culture, while making sure not to damage the ecological balance. Ecotourism in India has grown significantly in recent years in India since the country has a diverse geography which led to the development of many tourists destinations. These various destinations not only de-stress the tourists but also rejuvenate them. There are various ways in which tourists can enjoy nature in India. And this has given ecotourism in India a major boost. Ecotourism is a growing area in the tourist friendly state of Kerala. Ecotourism in Kerala has taken off in a big way because Kerala has many destinations known for their natural beauty and exquisite landscape. Kerala is one of the greenest destinations in India. The landscape is covered with coconut palms in the coastal areas. The paddy fields shimmer with the emerald green of new shoots. The banana plantations are filled with the whisper of waving green banana leaves. The tea plantations are a green blanket that covers the hill ranges as far as the eye can see, in the Western Ghats in Kerala and the backwaters are fringed with coconut plants that trail the tips of their long leaves in the rippling water, as you float by. You can appreciate the verdant beauty of Kerala on Kerala tours with Kerala backwater. The wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala are popular ecotourism destinations. Tourists from all over the world come to see tigers, elephants, deer and animals native to the Malabar region, such as the Nilgiri Tahr, in the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala including Periyar, Wynad, Silent Valley and Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. In recent times the rubber plantations and tea estates have also opened their doors to tourists who travel to Kerala, seeking a green getaway. The Portuguese, Dutch, French and English colonial rulers of Kerala established the plantations of Kerala during colonial times. The crops they introduced to Kerala include rubber, grown for its latex, and tea - England's favorite drink. These crops grew and flourished in Kerala's pleasant climate. Sheltered from the sun by tall trees, the plantations and their lodges, offer tourists a relaxing getaway on Kerala tours. You can visit the plantations of Kerala on ecotourism vacations in Kerala and Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Ecotourism is gaining popularity all over the world today, especially with the emergence of the alert, independent traveler in search of experiential holidays. Renowned as God's Own Country, Kerala is a tourism destination that focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly development of tourism. A rich biodiversity and unmatched natural attractions make the State a unique ecotourism hotspot, of which the world is largely unaware. To explore the ecotourism possibilities in Kerala, a host of products have been developed with the active support and involvement of the local community. Unfolding in the following pages are some of these products that will make every journey to Kerala truly enriching. Products that will let the traveller discover God's Own Country - all while respecting the nature, environment and the community. The wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala are popular ecotourism destinations. Tourists from all over the world come to see tigers, elephants, deer and animals native to the Malabar region, such as the Nilgiri Tahr, in the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala including Periyar, Wynad, Silent Valley and Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.