Eco-tour

Walk Nagaland - S04E01

Posted by Rohan Abraham on June 05, 2018

 
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It’s back! Walk Nagaland is back. 

After a rather long period of silence, we have revived our social walks through the country side of Nagaland.

On June 09, 2018, we are walking (most likely in the rain) from Kohima from Khonoma village.  An approximate distance of 18 km.  This walk is going to be one of the easier ones.

Once we reach Khonoma, we have organised a dinner at a local morung where we have organised a short cultural performance as well.

If you are interested, click on this link to know more.  
Not sure what Walk Nagaland is all about? Watch this short clip

Eco-tour

The August Dzukou Rain Festival

Posted by Rohan Abraham on June 05, 2018

 
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August 2018 – If you can’t make it in June or July, join us in August while we set up camp at Dzukou Valley.  The festival will be a ten-day long affair with music and dance, food and rice beer set under the clear skies of the valley.

We have short photography tours of the region along with nature walks to explore every inch of the valley.


Never been to Dzukou Valley? See this short clip. 

Join us for a night, two nights or more while we set up shop up in Dzukou Valley.
Click here to know more

Hindi Blogs

Witch Hazel-Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana tree

Posted by Sheikh Gulzaar on June 02, 2018

 
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Witch HazelParrotiopsis jacquemontiana commonly called as Pohu or Hatab in Kashmiri grows , ,Dachigam, Kupwara, Pahalgam. Its utility in Kangri making makes this shrub important for Kashmir economy. Indigofera heterantha is also prized for Kangri making and grows throughout hills in J&K. Indigofera cassioides is another species found in Jammu region.

More details at: 
http://jkmpic.blogspot.com/2018/05/witch-hazel-tree.html

Snakes

Romulus Whitaker on Snakes and other Reptiles

Posted by Susan Sharma on June 01, 2018

 
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When it comes to snakes, Romulus Whitaker is the last word for the passion and commitment he brings to his life's mission. At the Express Adda in Delhi he responded to all the questions, fears and reservations the common man has when it comes to facing snakes.


He emphasized on the role of parents and teachers in shaping a child's attitude toward snakes.  So this was a conversation with an adult audience, which included many nature lovers and a section of the general public.


 Quote "Especially in a country where we have 50,000 people dying of snake bites every year and many more getting permanently injured by snakes; it’s avoidable. But getting these messages out there, especially to rural India, is not easy. We are a country steeped in misbeliefs, so it gets a little awkward to say that what your grandfather told you is a lie. One has to do it in a much more diplomatic way and get it across to people that snakes are not after us. Snakes are, in fact, very frightened of us."  Romulus Whitaker


Read the detailed report at


https://tinyurl.com/yavtcfv3 


The Session will also be telecast on CNBC TV18 on Sunday, June 3, 1.30 pm.




Travel

Taxi services in Jaipur | Taxi in Jaipur

Posted by Rajputana Cab on May 30, 2018

 
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Rajputana cab one the best choice for Taxi services in Jaipur. Our guide services are also available at Rs 600 for the full day for Taxi in Jaipur. Our packages start from only Rs 1300 and we provide even luxurious services at that price for Jaipur Sightseeing. Get ready to enjoy Jaipur Darshan with Rajputana cab.

Eco-tour

Thai elephant camp pioneering elephant-friendly tourism in Thailand

Posted by Shashwat Raj on May 30, 2018

 
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Government of India should look at replicating this model in the country – World Animal Protection


30 May 2018: Happy Elephant Care Valley, in Chiang Mai, Thailand is about to embark on a landmark agreement to transition to become a truly elephant-friendly venue. This move will end all contact between tourists and elephants at the camp, to meet the growing demand for responsible elephant experiences.


The transformation of the venue is pioneered by World Animal Protection as part of a coalition of leaders in the travel industry, including TUI Group, The Travel Corporation, Intrepid Group, G Adventures, EXO Travel, Thomas Cook Group, and others.


Elephants in many venues across Thailand still offer rides that are the result of elephants suffering a cruel and intensive training process.  A 2017 KANTAR global study showed the number of people who find elephant riding acceptable has dropped by 9% (from 53% to 44%) in just three years. The research also showed that eight out of ten (80%) of tourists would prefer to see elephants in their natural environment, proving elephant-friendly tourism is on the rise.


In India there are around 3000 elephants in captivity and are being used for entertainment purposes such as rides at Amer Fort in Jaipur. Elephants are wild animals and not for our entertainment.


Happy Elephant Care Valley is a ground breaking development for both elephants and tourists. It will be a very real example of an attraction where tourists can see elephants behaving naturally and freely as part of a herd. It will demonstrate that elephant-friendly experiences are possible, without forcing cruel interactions with people. We hope it paves the way for creation of similar facilities in India and brings about a change in the attitude of tour operators and tourist demand for elephant rides. This is replicable and doable in our country and we urge the Indian government to engage other stakeholders to come up with a sustainable solution like this and help protect elephants from abuse,” said Gajender K Sharma, India Country Director at World Animal Protection.

 

The elephants at Happy Elephant Care Valley were previously from farms and riding camps, and until recently it was possible for close interaction between tourists and the elephants, being able to ride, bathe and feed elephants at the venue. This stopped when the travel industry coalition presented a business case demonstrating the rise of elephant-friendly tourism. The transition will see the elephants free to behave as they would in the wild; free to roam the valley, bathing in mud, dust, water or grazing as tourists experience the wonder, standing at a safe distance.


Steve McIvor, CEO at World Animal Protection, said:


“With the support of the world’s leading travel companies, this agreement is a significant milestone for World Animal Protection. It will show that high welfare venues for elephants can be commercially viable for elephant camp owners - encouraging them to value and care for their animals.”

Travel

Leh Ladakh- The Mighty Mountain Kingdom

Posted by Kunal Sutar on May 29, 2018

 
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A Leh Ladakh Trip, India's chilled desert is indeed an once-in-a-lifetime experience. By booking best Leh Ladakh tour packages, you will witness a remarkable natural beauty which is a visual treat for both your eyes & cameras.

Burrowed at an altitude of 3,500 meters beyond the sea level, between the Kunlun Mountain Range in the north and the mighty Himalayas to the south, is a tiny, yet lively town of Leh. Being the major city of Ladakh, Leh enjoys the highest tourism. The reason why Ladakh tour packages are famous is because it not links one of the quiet hamlets and gorges of the district, but is also one of the few residual “Buddhist” destinations in South Asia. All you need to do is book one of the finest hotels in Leh and enjoy your memorable stay in the glorious heaven.

Best Time To Visit Leh Ladakh:

The best time to visit leh ladakh is summer from April till July. The temperature during this season varies from 15 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius. When you book Ladakh packages from Mumbai during this time, you can witness clear sky that offers a splendid panorama. Further, it is one of the most favorable seasons for booking Leh ladakh bike tour packages and wander through the hidden gems.

Another best season to book cheapest Leh Ladakh tour packages is monsoon that spans from July till September. The temperature during this season lies between 3 degrees to 17 degrees Celsius.

Being a chilled desert, Leh Ladakh experiences severe weather changes. The temperatures are so extreme that in winter, one may experiences temperatures range between 0 degrees to -28 degrees.
Since the temperatures are varied and the height only gets higher, travellers are recommended to have precautionary medication for altitude sickness prior to booking embarking on Leh Ladakh road trip.

Best Places to Visit in Leh ladakh:

When you book Leh Ladakh Package Tour Packages From Pune, ensure that you do not skip the visit to Leh Palace.  This place is situated behind the main market has 8 floors and is alike the Potala Palace of Lhasa and continues to belongs to the regal family of Ladakh.

Just ahead of the palace is the well-known Chamba Temple, which is a one-roomed shrine that has a gigantic icon of Maitreya, the Buddha-to-come. Also in the market, at the top of the street, one can witness the beautiful Jama Masjid. Another best place to visit in Leh Ladakh is the Sankar Gompa, which is situated within the city and is one of the oldest structures.

What you need to know before booking Ladakh tour packages?

When you head on Leh lLdakh road trip, the cheapest manner to travel within the area is by the state buses, which ply on fixed routes agreeing to regular time schedules. The most convenient though costly mode of travel, though, is taxi, which is available for rental from any of the hotels in Leh on fixed point-to-point tariff basis.

For visits to the freshly opened areas of Nubra, Dah-Hanu, Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong Lake, it is compulsory to appoint the services of registered and recognized Ladakh travel agents that make the required arrangements including internal transport.

How to reach Leh Ladakh?

By road:
The overland approach to Leh-Ladakh from Kashmir Valley via Kargil is almost 434 kms, which remains open for traffic from early June till Mid-November.

If you are booking leh ladakh bike tour packages, there is a motorable route between Manali and Leh which is around 473 kms long. Open for traffic from round mid-June to early October, this high road traverses the upland chilled desert plateau of Rupsho, where altitude varries from 3,660m to 4,570m. When you book one of the ladakh packages from Mumbai, you will witness a number of high passes falling on the way.  The world's second highest motorable pass is Taklang-La at an altitude of 17,469 feet/5,235 m.

By air:
You can book best Leh Ladakh Tour Packages by air. Leh Ladakh is well connected by air with New Delhi and Jammu and Srinagar.

Wildlife

World Animal Protection urges Indian travellers to avoid animal entertainment venues in Bali

Posted by Shashwat Raj on May 22, 2018

 
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New report finds wildlife attractions in Bali are a living hell for animals
 
  • 100% of venues with captive elephants, tigers, dolphins or civet cats didn’t meet basic needs of animals in captivity
  • 80% of venues with primates didn’t meet the basic needs of captive wild animals
 
22 May 2018: A shocking new report from World Animal Protection has revealed that all wildlife tourism entertainment venues in Bali with captive elephants, tigers, dolphins or civet cats fail to meet even the basic needs of wild animals in captivity. With around 2,72,761 tourists, India ranks third on the list of countries that have tourists visiting Bali in 2017.
 
The Wildlife Abusement Parks report details the results of an investigation into 26 wildlife tourism venues in Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan that house 1,500 wild animals, including elephants, dolphins and orangutans.
 
Bali is a popular travel destination with Indians and registered an increase of 45.59% visitors in 2017 as compared to 2016. But far from being an island paradise, the report paints a bleak picture of the conditions the wild animals are forced to endure day-in, day-out. Almost all of them will spend the rest of their lives suffering in Bali.
 
Elephant rides, dolphin swims, orangutan selfies and circus-style shows, are increasingly popular tourist activities for many travellers to the islandBut some of the most disturbing findings reveal that:
  • All dolphins were kept in severely inadequate conditions – one pool estimated to be 10X20 metres and three metres deep housed four bottlenose dolphins
  • Dolphins at one venue have had their teeth filed down or removed entirely to ensure they are unable to injure swimmers
  • All of the elephant venues offered elephant rides - elephants suffer a cruel and intensive training process that involves severe restraint. Severe pain is also often inflicted to speed up the process and quickly establish dominance. This highly traumatic experience will stay with the elephant forever
  • Nearly 15% of elephants displayed stereotypies – abnormal repetitive behaviours – including swaying and foot shuffling – which indicate distress and suffering
  • All venues with orangutans offered selfie experiences. Forced to entertain queues of tourists, many of these animals lacked freedom of movement, opportunities for social interaction and any stimulating activities.
 
Gajender K Sharma, India Country Director at World Animal Protection, said:
"Bali is becoming a popular destination with Indian travellers. It is an idyllic paradise and its economy relies on the millions of tourists who travel there each year. Sadly, until Bali improves animal welfare at these dreadful venues, World Animal Protection is urging Indian tourists to avoid them. We'd also encourage travellers and tourists to boycott the travel companies that promote and support these venues. Indian travel companies have a responsibility to urgently review their Bali offerings to ensure they are not supporting these appalling establishments. If you can ride, hug or have a selfie with a wild animals, then it's cruel – don't do it, no matter how many 'likes' it will get on social media."
 
Steve McIvor, CEO at World Animal Protection, said:
“It’s a tragedy that Bali, such a beautiful destination for tourists, forces its captive wild animals to endure such grotesque and horrific conditions. In the past, when our teams have investigated animal welfare conditions at other leading holiday destinations, I’ve always been able to recommend venues with good welfare standards. It’s horrendous that there isn’t one venue I can recommend on Bali, Lombok and Gili Trawangan.”
 
To protect wild animals, World Animal Protection has convinced nearly 200 travel companies to stop offering elephant rides and shows in travel packages. Among these are popular Indian companies such as 'Tour My India' and 'Trans India Holidays'.

  • Read the full report on the cruel exploitation of wild animals in Bali here.

Events

WILDLIFE INDIA FORUM 2018

Posted by NITIN KUNJIR on May 17, 2018

 
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Network18, India’s most diversified media conglomerate will host the Wildlife India Forum lead by India's premiere photography magazine, Better Photography, in Bengaluru on 19th May,2018. Others collaborating this this initiative include Toehold, the country's most specialised travel and Photography Company, Sigma and HP. The event will see some of the world’s leading photographers take the stage to showcase award-winning images and to speak on conservation efforts.

The day-long event is packed with a gallery viewing of some exceptional images from around the world, a strong line-up of talks by esteemed professionals and a panel discussion on subjects like conservation efforts that must be adopted in India, essential ethics to abide by in wildlife photography, and steps enthusiasts can take to venture into the field. The panel which will be chaired by Co-founder & CEO of Toehold,Wildlife Photographer, Jayanth Sharma, will comprise of distinguished individuals like Sudhir Shivaram (Wildlife Photographer & Enterpreneur), and H Sathish (President, Youth Photographic Society).

Emphasising the purpose of the symposium, Editor in Chief of Better Photography magazine, K Madhavan Pillai says, “Unless we make a commitment to change, the incredible images brought to us by wildlife photographers will be the memories of a bygone past, with subsequent generations viewing them,perhaps, just as dispassionately, as we do our own relics. It’s time we took a serious view on what we as individuals can do to conserve in our own small ways. It would be vital for the generations ahead.”

The main speakers this time are Vijay Mohan Raj, Joshua Barton, and Roy Mangersnes, who will be imparting their knowledge at the symposium. Vijay Mohan Raj, the IFS chief conservator of Forests, will be delivering the keynote speech. Joshua Barton, an underwater photographer and one of the most well-known expedition leaders in the world, will be talking about his personal perspectives on underwater photography. Roy Mangersnes, who is a multiple award-winning wildlife photographer from Norway, and Toehold mentor, will be talking about the artistic aspects of wildlife photography. Kalyan Varma, an international jurist, award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker, will be speaking on the intricacies of wildlife film making.  

Jayanth Sharma, wildlife photographer,Co-founder & CEO of Toehold, who will also be speaking on-stage, shared some of his thoughts about the upcoming event. “As a company that’s focused on photography and travel, our responsibility to align with the needs and demands of conservationists and environment warriors has never been more important than what it is now. We are happy to partner with Better Photography to create a purpose and goal behind all the amazing adventures we are having around the world. The very wildlife we love, needs to be showcased to the common man in a way that will inspire more and more people to fall in love with the natural world, which is the only way to think of conserving them.”

As with the previous edition, this year toowill see the unveiling of an exclusive photobook, comprising of numerouscaptivating images. Once it is up for purchase, proceeds from the sales of thebook will be used to further wildlife conservation efforts.

Coverage of the event can be viewed later on CNN-News18 and one can follow the #WildlifeIndiaForum to get updates of the event

For more information and to register please visit 
http://betterphotography.in/wildlifeindiaforum/

Travel

Most Memorable Places to See in Udaipur

Posted by rsrajawat on May 17, 2018

 
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Udaipur is also called "City of Lakes", Udaipur is located in the southern part of Rajasthan state, which is near the Gujarat border. It is surrounded by the Aravali range, which separates it from Thar Desert. Udaipur is well connected to the surrounding towns and states through the road, rail and air transport facilities including the Maharana Pratap Airport. Udaipur is spread over 200 square km and stands as the sixth largest city in Rajasthan,  Udaipur Tour Packages

Udaipur is situated around the water lakes and surrounded by the green hills of the Aravallis. Located in the middle of Lake Pichola, the famous Lake Palace is one of the most beautiful places of Udaipur. Fantastic palaces, temples, mansion and countless narrow, crooked, timeless roads combine human reflection to the natural attraction of the city.

1. Lake Garden Palace

The lake garden of Jagannar is probably an inspiration for the Taj Mahal, if the legends are believed. This place has a vast history, and is considered a symbol of friendship between Rajputs and Mughals. A stream of elegant structures looks palatable to this palace, and this palace will impress any tourist who steps up!

2. Lake Palace

This is a symbol of tourism in Udaipur, and it is also a popular wedding hotspot. Javan Niwas or Lake Mahal is a kind of miracle due to its architecture. This palace is located on the island of Jag Residence in Pichola Lake, and it was built in the year 1746. It was then turned into a luxury hotel, and now Taj is a branch of luxury resorts. It is also included in many films. Rajasthan Tour Packages

3. Pichola lake

In Udaipur city, this one man has done miracles. It was built in 1362 and later expanded by Rana Uday Singh in the 16th century. This wonderful lake is surrounded by magnificent palaces, temples, hills and bathing ghats. When you are on one of these lakes, the palace looks absolutely amazing in the evening.

4. The City Palace

Built by the famous Maharana Uday Mirza Singh in 1559, this palace is situated on the banks of Pichola Lake. This castle is a mixture of medieval, European and Chinese architectural styles. It is a house of 11 magnificent temples that were built by different rulers during different periods. The area of ​​the palace is falling with jars, roofs, courtyards, hanging gardens, pavilions and more.

for more info visit : Jaisalmer tour packages

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