Travel Lakshadweep
Hundred Thousand Islands
India-Bangladesh Sunderbans Ecosystem Forum
Apr 5th
Calling it ecologically vulnerable would be an understatement. We’re talking about the Sunderbans. Forty percent of this ecosystem lies in India, and the rest in Bangladesh. The Sunderban Tiger – which has seen better days – is on the decline. This forum also plans to take a joint tiger census, too.
The forum will be launched in September 2010. Minister Jairam Ramesh stressed the need to conserve this stretch of land as it affects the region’s climate, sea level and mangrove growth.
The forum’s efforts will lay special emphasis on afforestation, prevention of islands’ erosion, management of mangroves and conservation of the tiger. The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 300 crore to be spent in West Bengal; and most of it on the Sunderbans. The project will also look into eco-tourism.
Free Travel For Indians!
Mar 16th
Planning to visit Ireland dear Indians? And are you above 66? Here’s some interesting news for ya folks. Take the Irish rail, and you can go free on it! Yes, free.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced that this scheme commences from 17 March on St Patrick’s Day. It will be on until 31 December 2010. This offer is only for those travelling within the Republic of Ireland. It could later be extended to Northern Ireland, too.
Kochi – A Hot Cruise Destination!
Dec 2nd
The year 2009 has ushered in a lot of good news for cruisers and the sea-lovers. You can expect international cruises, local riverine ones and also cruising and yachting events.
Can you imagine the varied cruise destinations you’ll be visiting on such a cruise? Well… they range from anywhere between Dubai, Muscat and other Middle Eastern ports to South East Asian ones such as Singapore, Penang, Phuket and Komodo. Visit the exotic destinations in Hawaii, Australia and South America.
Cochin, on the Western Indian coast, might be a newcomer on the international cruising scene, but it is surely a grand one that is fast catching up with other established ports of call. With its serene beaches, good port facilities, beach resorts and conducive tourist environment, Cochin is India’s best cruise destination!
Capturing Little Daman In India
Nov 22nd
Nani Daman, or Little Daman, is tucked away in the northernmost part of the Maharashtra-Gujarat border. It belongs to the Union Territory of Daman and Diu. It was a Portuguese colony, and so, one of the reasons tourists visit this place is for its history and culture. The other being the abundantly and cheaply available liquor. Something else that captures you is the presence of three rivers and two beaches in this tiny place. Nani Daman’s own jewel is the Devka Beach, 5km from town. As the beach is rocky, people prefer to wet their feet at the two amusement parks here.
Besides the beach, visit the Nani Daman Market and the Portuguese-built St Jerome Fort which has a view over the Damanganga Creek. The fort was built in 1627 to keep away Mughal conquerors. The fort covers 12,250 sq.m and has three bastions and two gateways. The giant gateway facing the river has a large statue of St Jerome and two big human figures, on either side of the gateway. The Church of Our Lady of the Sea within the fort is a beautiful Gothic-style construction.
There is a fabulous five-hour city tour organized by one of the leading hotels, which will take around the sights and sounds of the city. Visit churches, forts, rivers, gardens and historical monuments.
India’s Tears – Loktak Lake, Manipur
Nov 15th
Loktak Lake, located in Manipur, is the largest natural freshwater lake in northeastern India. It is covered with phoomdis, which is a mass of floating vegetation. The lake was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990. The lake is the lifeline of the people of southern Manipur. People depend on it for their livelihood, food and transport.
It is home to several types of riverine migratory fishes from the Irrawady – Chindwin river network, and also has resident and migratory waterfowl, some coming from as far as the Himalayas. The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a floating wildlife reserve and the lone place where you’ll find the Saigai deer. Also called Manipur brow-antlered deer, it has an estimated population of 106 (in 1991). The lake and the nearby areas house about 425 species of animals. There are 116 species of birds, too.
The lake suffers from a lot of environmental, climatic and wildlife threats. People have been uprooted, animals and birds displaced and the lake and the land itself have undergone tremendous irreversible changes. Though there have been many governmental and private efforts to bring the lake back to life, a lot needs to be done still.
Visiting India? Don’t Miss Cochin
Nov 13th
Planning a vacation to India? Well… here’s your chance to experience God’s Own Country!! Cochin, Kerala’s commercial capital, is situated on the South Western Malabar coast in India. It is replete with beaches, backwaters and beautiful places to visit. There are waterfalls, lakes, houseboat rides and trekking routes to choose from.
This emerging cruise destination is an adventure-lover’s haven. A yachting berth, world-famous port and a tourism-friendly atmosphere make it a popular must-visit. If shopping is your forte, Cochin has that, too! Bargain on the streets or buy from handicraft emporiums and curio shops.
So what are you waiting for? Pack up and land in Cochin.
Visit: www.hotelscochin.net
Flying Fish – Spot Them On Your Lakshadweep Cruise
Aug 12th
There are 40 types of flying fish living in the warm tropical waters of the world. The Arabian Sea is no different. Their torpedo-shape, wing-like pectoral fins and a forked tail helps them literally fly into the air. Sailors say they can even be spotted near the deck of the ship! So imagine how powerful they are compared to fish their size.
While you take a cruise to Lakshadweep, make sure you watch out for these tiny creatures jumping outta the blue waters. They grow up to about 18 inches and some have large pelvic fins, giving them the name, four-winged flying fish.
This ability of theirs help them to evade larger fish who would otherwise feed on them. Smart, eh? From within the water itself they gear up speed and shoot into air. For this they need a deep section of the water so as to get the right propulsion. Some go as fast as 60km/hr and travel about 200m in the air before returning to the water. As they are attracted to light, fishermen lure them easily onto smaller boats or nets.
They might not be as majestic as dolphins to watch, but are truoly an interesting sight.
The World at Cochin! – India’s First Oceanarium is here
Aug 8th
The world’s very first oceanarium was built in Singapore. The state government of Kerala is planning to establish the country’s first oceanarium in Vypeen, Cochin. Work on the structure will start by the end of this year.
It will span over 40 acres in the Puthuvype area, and have a 300-m tunnel through which you can watch the ‘ocean’ and the creatures in it. There will be sharks, rays, corals, variety of fishes and other sea animals and plants. Along with this there will be a convention centre, an amphitheatre and a museum.
The idea of the oceanarium was conceived by the Fisheries Department, and will be a public-private enterprise jointly supported by the Kerala State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) and an investment advisory group, IL&FS. The authorities are planning to build it on par with the ones in the US, UK, Europe and East Asia.
A research centre which will also come up nearby will help scientists and students to study underwater and sea life. Once it is ready, this structure will be a major attraction in the country, and will definitely attract a large number of tourists.