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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
This is the Only State in India Without a National Park…..Can You Believe It?
While there are over a 100 national parks dotted across India, there is one state that has no national park at all. It's a difficult guess but then here's the surprising name and it is Punjab ! Yes, you read that correctly. It is true that whenever we mention India's wildlife diversity, we think of Bengal tigers in Madhya Pradesh, elephants in Jim Corbett, and rhinos in Assam. But considering there are more than 100 national parks and over 550 wildlife sanctuaries in India, Punjab does surprised . So let's find out some crucial reasons behind Punjab not having a national park: Punjab: Granary of India It's a fact that Punjab has extremely fertile land because of which it is also known as the 'Granary of India'. The vast agricultural lands contribute to the country's food production. But it is quite surprising that the state till date has no designated wildlife protection area, Wildlife sanctuaries: However, there are some wildlife sanctuaries in Punjab including: Harike Wildlife Sanctuary, Ferozepur, and Kapurthala districts. It is also a fact that Punjab has one of the lowest percentages of forested areas in the country. Bir Moti Bagh Sanctuary, Patiala These might be relatively small in size but each is beautiful! But these are so small that they can never qualify as a national park. To get the designation of a national park, the sanctuary requires a larger ecosystem and higher levels of protection under India's Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jennifer Garner: From Farm Girl to Hollywood's Sweetheart Watch More Undo Possible reasons for no National Park Well there are might be several reasons contributing to this: High population Urbanisation Agricultural land, and little undisturbed forest area Industrial development Despite all these, Punjab has managed wetland conservation. Harike here is the best example for this as it is a crucial Ramsar Site attracting thousands of birds every winter. Some of the most spotted birds here include Common Myna, Rock Pigeon, Red-vented Bulbul, and Rose-ringed Parakeet, among others. Well, given the state's agricultural significance and water resources, the state plays an important role in migratory bird routes. There is a strong case for at least one national park to be developed in Punjab. So next time someone asks you about Indian geography, you'll can surprise everyone with your knowledge: India's only state without a national park is Punjab!
India.com
23-06-2025
- India.com
Shillong's Hidden Birdwatching Havens Every Nature Lover Must Visit
Located in Meghalaya, Shillong functions as the capital city and earns its name 'Scotland of the East' because of its picture-perfect landscapes together with its pleasant weather. Shillong serves as a natural paradise for birdwatchers because this city exists between rolling hills while forest territory and clear water sources encircle it. The area provides perfect conditions because of its abundant biodiversity to identify diverse bird species. These locations in the vicinity of Shillong offer the best birdwatching experiences that nature enthusiasts should not miss. 1. Umiam Lake Umiam Lake Birdwatchers find Umiam Lake about 15 kilometers outside Shillong to be their perfect destination because it serves as both a tourist hotspot and bird observation site. The artificial reservoir located at Umiam Lake draws many migratory and native bird species while being surrounded by forested hills and plant life. Observations of Himalayan Kingfisher along with Common Myna and Red-vented Bulbul commonly occur at this location. The best times to witness bird activity at Umiam Lake occur during early morning hours and late afternoons. All bird enthusiasts need to see Umiam Lake due to its peaceful atmosphere. 2. Ward's Lake Located directly in Shillong city stands Ward's Lake which showcases an artificial lake that merges with walking trails and flower fields. The urban refuge incidentally attracts Indian Robin, Oriental Magpie-Robin and White-throated Kingfisher species. These birds find suitable shelter because the lake maintains its tranquil waters enclosed by leafy vegetation. Walking around the area provides visibility of birds flying through tree branches as they rest on the branches along the trails. 3. Laitlum Canyons Visitors seeking birdwatching opportunities must experience the breathtaking views of Laitlum Canyons because it stands out as an excellent place to observe birds near Shillong. This region stands about 60 kilometers from the city and features multiple ecological areas including expansive grasslands together with thick forests. The Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher alongside Black Eagle and Blue Whistling Thrush make up the avian sightings possible for birdwatchers in this specific region. The demanding climb up the canyons leads people to both breathtaking landscape views and privileged sightings of uncommon birds native to their environments. 4. Mawphlang Sacred Forest People can find the Mawphlang Sacred Forest about 25 kilometers outside of Shillong because it stands as Meghalaya's biggest sacred grove. Lusai Sacred Forest comprises over 700 plant species and remains an important habitat for a wide range of bird populations during the summer. Visitors to Mawphlang find three rare bird species which include Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Chestnut-tailed Minla and Fire-tailed Myzornis. The magical forest environment together with untouched natural allure transforms it into an exceptional site for birdwatching. Tour guides provide educational tours for visitors interested in studying local nature systems. 5. Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary From Shillong the town situated 48 kilometers northward lies Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary which provides a wealth of birdwatching opportunities. The entire area of this wildlife sanctuary extends across 29 square kilometers where bird watchers can observe over 200 species including three very rare bird species: Ward's Trogon, Long-billed Thrush and Greater Yellownape. Wildlife flourishes throughout Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary because its various habitats include subtropical forests and bamboo thickets alongside other vegetation types. The management provides trails for visitors to follow or hiring guides ensures better opportunities to find rare bird species. 6. Sohpetbneng Peak The Khasi people consider Sohpetbneng Peak to be the 'Navel of Heaven' because of its profound religious value. The peak rises 1,343 meters above sea level to provide panoramic views across the entire valley region where birdwatchers frequently encounter their targets. The Mountain Hawk-Eagle together with the Ashy Drongo and Scarlet Minivet are common bird sightings above the ridges as they use local trees for nesting. Sohpetbneng Peak contains both sacred appeal and breathtaking mountain views which attract bird viewers seeking an unforgettable experience. 7. Sweet Falls Sweet Falls rests only 5 kilometers outside Shillong where visitors can admire its waterfall emanating from the lush forested mountains. Birdwatchers come to Sweet Falls to observe woodland species as the location remains primarily known for its picturesque scenery. Three distinct species found during sightings in this area include the Brown-throated Fulvetta together with the Yellow-browed Tit and the Little Pied Flycatcher. The peaceful forest scenery along with the peaceful flow of water provides an ideal habitat for bird observation in their natural environment. The Town of Shillong Presents an Ideal Conditions for Birdwatchers Shillong exists in India's northeastern corner of the internationally famous Indo-Malayan zoogeographical region because of its significant endemism and biological diversity. The region's diverse topographical features combined with its ideal climate area allows diverse ecological zones to thrive which include alpine meadows together with tropical evergreen forest types. Shillong together with its environment welcomes multiple bird species to the area thereby drawing visitors from both ornithological research and general birdwatching communities. Nature holds a sacred position in the hearts of Meghalaya communities since they actively work to protect their sacred groves. The conservation projects protect animal habitats which creates conditions for future people to appreciate the natural biological treasures of the region. Tips for Birdwatchers Visiting Shillong Birdwatching offers its best opportunities at early morning and late afternoon because these periods maximise bird activity. Professional observers should bring binoculars to view birds better along with field guides and a camera with high-quality zoom capabilities. The visitor must show nature respect by not interrupting birds or their environment during observation. Use the marked paths then follow environmental friendly guidelines. Working with local guides enables you to discover the most suitable bird watching areas in addition to helping identify hard-to-identify species. Before exploring the remote destinations of Laitlum Canyons or Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary check weather reports and accessibility conditions. Conclusion The town of Shillong provides nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers with a unique chance to experience birds in their natural habitats across breathtaking natural sceneries. Sohpetbneng Peak stands among Umiam Lake while Mawphlang Sacred Forest enters its depths to create unique and enriching experiences with the majestic heights of Sohpetbneng Peak. You can discover both the fantastic diversity of birds along with an enriched recognition of Meghalaya's ecological richness by touring its birdwatching hotspots.
Euronews
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Check out the funniest photos in the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
The 2025 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are delivering the goods when it comes to giggles and marveling at the animal kingdom. While there are chuckles to be had, the mission is serious. Under the banner 'Conservation through competition', the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards work to raise awareness. Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam to celebrate the lighter side of wildlife photography, the awards showcase how funny wildlife photography can help promote wildlife conservation efforts. 'Our world is extraordinarily beautiful and interconnected, yet the human race is doing its best to over-exploit and damage it,' says Joynson-Hicks. 'Issues of wildlife conservation and sustainability are gaining momentum globally, yet the messages and images tend to be negative, depressing and enervating.' Professional and amateur photographers can submit their wildlife snaps for free until 30 June and this year's winners will be featured in an exhibition at Gallery@Oxo, London, in December. In the meantime, here are some of our favourites of this year's submissions. "Wandering along the Murrumbidgee River we spotted a few lizards scurrying under the rocks looking for lunch, next thing this junior Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave us a friendly wave." - Trevor Rix. "The image shows lion siblings at play, where one of the siblings seems to pushing the other one to do stuff that annoys their mom. Lions aren't natural climbers, so it looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!" - Bhargava Srivari. "Two joyful mudskippers look they are having the best time in the mud – I just wish I knew what the joke was!" - Emma Parker. "This roedeer was running around and suddenly coming my way. [I] had only one chance and nailed it." - Jeremy Duvekot. "A really spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica. Those gentoo penguins seemed to orderly wait in queue to finally jump into the sea." - Martin Schmid. "Photo taken on October 30, 2024 at Kruger National Park in South Africa outside Skukuza Camp. The Common Myna builds a large nest." - Brian Hempstead. "This was taken in Japan where I was observing a White-Tailed Sea Eagle putting their fish in a hole and protecting it. This one had a fish and saw another Eagle coming in to try and steal it." - Annette Kirby. "A lava lizard takes charge of a Galapagos marine iguana and sets off on a ride. Judging by the iguana's possessed eyes, lava lizard may have taken over its soul, too. These two silly billies were hanging out with a big bunch of marine iguanas on a rocky beach." - Rachelle Mackintosh. Photographers have until 30 June to enter their photos in this year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards. Greenpeace activists stole the wax statue of French president Emmanuel Macron from the Musée Grévin on Monday before planting it outside the Russian embassy in Paris. According to reports, activists posing as tourists entered the famous Parisian museum, located in the 9th arrondissement. After posing as museum employees, they managed to steal the statue, worth €40,000, and hid it under a blanket. A man who identified himself as a member of Greenpeace then contacted the museum to claim responsibility. The museum management immediately informed the police. The activists then took the statue to the Russian embassy in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, brandishing placards and a banner saying 'Ukraine burns, business continues' to denounce France's economic ties with Russia – specifically French imports of gas and fertiliser from Russia. Greenpeace said in a statement that it had "borrowed" the statue and explained their action on social media. 'For us, France is playing a double game,' said Jean-Francois Julliard, Director General of Greenpeace France. 'Emmanuel Macron embodies this double discourse: he supports Ukraine but encourages French companies to continue trading with Russia.' He added: 'We are targeting Emmanuel Macron, because he has a particular responsibility in this situation. He is the one who should be at the forefront of European discussions to put an end to trade contracts between Russia and European countries.' Une publication partagée par Libération (@liberationfr) The protest lasted a few minutes before police intervened. Two people have been arrested, and no news yet on when the wax statue will head back to the Musée Grévin.
