Natural Tourist Attractions in India MODULE – 4

Natural Diversity as
Tourist Attraction

12

NATURAL TOURIST Notes

ATTRACTIONS IN INDIA

India is a vast country with immense geographical and cultural diversity. The
diversity varies from the Himalayan Mountain in north to coasts in the south
and from Thar Desert of Rajasthan in the west to the humid forests of the North-
East. Even the climatic conditions vary from the equatorial in the south to the
polar region in the higher slope of northern mountain. This rich diversity is bound
to create many natural attractions for the tourists visiting these places. The
people from plain and Southern India would like to visit the Himalayan hill
stations in search of a cool climate during summer. Similarly, people from the
north would like to see the coastal areas. This plays a great role in providing
opportunities for the development of tourism in the country. Each geographical
region has its own beauty. Life has become very hectic and mechanical. People
now prefer to go back to nature to refresh themselves. Natural beauty is now
very much in demand not only by domestic tourists but also international
tourists. In this lesson we shall read about India’s geographical features and
appreciate what it has to offer to tourists to see, enjoy and appreciate.

OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
z describe the physical features of India;
z explain distribution of tourist places in India;
z identify the natural attractions of tourist regions popular with the WildLife;
z describe the different Bird Sanctuaries in India and
z illustrate the various hill stations in India.

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12.1 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA
The physical features of India refer to the physical appearance of the country
in terms of altitude, geological history, formation and geographical characteristics.
Based on this criterion, India can be divided into four major regions (Fig. 12.1):
1. The Northern Mountains Regions
2. The Great Northern Plains
Notes
3. The Peninsular Plateau
4. The Coastal Plains and Islands.

12.1.1 The Northern Mountains

The Northern boundary of the country is formed by the mountain system of the
Himalayas. It stretches from Jammu and Kashmir in the Northwest to the hill
ranges of Purvanchal in the East. The literal meaning of the Himalaya
(Him+Aalay) is the abode of snow. It is one of the youngest fold mountains
of the world, rising to over 8000 meter above mean sea level. Being the highest
mountain system of the world, it also has the highest peak of the world.
Himalayas can be divided into mainly three parallel ranges running from West
to East direction:
a. Greater Himalaya or the Himadri
b. Lesser Himalaya or the Himachal
c. Outer Himalaya or the Siwalik
Greater Himalaya or the Himadri: It is the northern most range with an
average height of 6000 meter AMSL. Its width varies between 90 km to 120
km. The greatest peak of the world, the Mt. Everest, 8848 meter (Nepal) is
in this range. The great peaks in Indian Territory are Kanchenjunga (8598 meter),
Makalu (8481 meter), Dhaulagiri (8172 meter), Manaslu (8156 meter), Nanda
Devi (7817 meter) etc. Many of the high mountain passes like Bara Lacha La,
Shipkila, Thangla La, Nathula, Zojla etc. are located in this region of the
Himalaya. This area is also very much in demand for adventure tourism activities
like rockclimbing, trekking, and watching the natural beauty of the region.
Lesser Himalaya or the Himachal: This range runs almost parallel and to the
south of the Himadri. Its altitude varies from 1800 to 3000 meter and its width
is 60 to 80 km. The Dhauladhar, the Pirpanjal, Mahabharat Range and Mussoorie
Range are included in this section. It is a complex mosaic of forest covered by
ranges and fertile valleys. There are many hill stations like Shimla, Kullu, Manali,
Dharamshala, Chail, Chakrata, Mussoorie, Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet, and
Darjeeling besides many others in this region.

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Notes

Figure 12.1: Physical Features of India

The British rulers in India developed some of these hill stations to escape the
heat of the summer seasons. These hill stations are very much in demand even
today, particularly in the summer season, to get respite from the scorching heat
of the sun in the plains and plateau region of the country.
Outer Himalaya or the Siwalik: They are the southern most range of the
mountains and are popularly known as the foothills of the Himalayas. Its altitude
varies from 900 to 1500 meter and its width from 15 to 50 km. They are the
newly formed ranges of the Himalayas. To the south of this range are the great
plains of North India. The adjoining land between plains and the mountains is
known as the Terai region. It has very dense vegetation which is deciduous in
nature and is characterized by many long, flat-bottomed valleys known as Duns,
for example Dehra Dun.

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Tourist Attraction 12.1.2 The Northern Plains
The Great Northern Plains are placed between the Himalayas in the north to
Peninsular Plateau in the south. It extends from the western boundary of the
country from Punjab and Rajasthan to the Ganges delta and the Brahmaputra
plain in the East. It has three main river systems namely the Indus, the Ganges
and the Brahmaputra. It is almost 2400 km in length from west to east. Its width
varies from 200 km in Bihar to about 500 km in Punjab and Rajasthan. One
Notes of the most important characteristics of the Great Northern Plains has been the
rise of many religions as well as being the center of civilization since time
immemorial. Many of the religions, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism
have evolved from this area. There are many cultural and religious centers in
the plains, which have emerged as the centers of tourism for foreign as well
as domestic tourists. Almost the entire region is famous for various kinds of
attractions for tourists. These are religious places, heritage sites and historical
monuments etc. about which you will read in different lessons in this course
of Tourism. In fact they are the driving force for growing tourism in the plains
of the country.

12.1.3 The Peninsular Plateau

The Peninsula Plateau is located to the south of the Great Northern Plains. It
is surrounded by seas from three sides. It is one of the oldest land features of
world. The Narmada river divides this peninsula into two parts. The Central
Highland is north of the Narmada river and the Deccan Plateau lying to the South
of this river.

The Central Highland: It is very important for the availability of minerals and
fossil fuels like coal. Varieties of minerals like iron-ore, bauxite, copper,
manganese, lead, zinc, coal, mica, nickel etc. are found in abundance. These
minerals are the backbone for industrial development. Many of them are very
essential for the development of infrastructures. The area offers great employment
opportunity to the people as well as tourism.

The Deccan Plateau: It covers an area of about 7 lakh sq. km. Its Northern
boundary is along the Satpura Range, Mahadev Hills and Rajmahal Hills.
Together they form the base of the triangular shape of the Deccan Plateau. Its
two sides run along the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats and converge at the
southern tip of the Peninsula. It stretches over Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Many of the east flowing
rivers originate from the Western Ghats and drain downwards to the east because
it slopes towards the eastern side. The Plateau can be divided into three distinct

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zones, namely the Deccan Trap, also known as the area of black cotton soil, Tourist Attraction
the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Western Ghats is one of the world’s top ten “Biodiversity Hotspots”. The hot
spot includes many national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserve and
reserve forests. Many of them are designated as the heritage sites. The hill-
stations and heritage sites are in good demand for tourists. There are many
tunnels in the way. They provide beautiful picturesque scenic beauty with
numerous waterfalls. They provide connectivity through road and railways. They Notes
play an important role in promoting tourism by reducing the time, distance and
money of the tourists.
The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous mountain range along the eastern coast
of India. The Nimaigiri hills of Koraput and Mahendragiri hills of Ganjam
districts of Odisha attain a height of about 1500 meter. These hills are thickly
forested. Udagamandalam (Ooty), situated in Nilgiri Hills, is a very favoured
hill station of South India. The southern parts of these broken ranges are lower
in height. The southern part of this culminates in the form of a tip, joining both
the Ghats – Western and Eastern.

12.1.4 The Coastal Plains and Islands

The Coastal Plains of India are found on both coasts – eastern and western.
Western Coastal Plain is confined between the Western Ghats and the Arabian
Sea. It starts from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat in the North to Kanyakumari
in the South. Several cascading waterfalls may be observed which attract tourists
from various regions. This plain is simply divided into three.

The northern plain is known as Konkan Plain, the middle one as Kannad Plain
and the southernmost as Malabar Plain. There are a number of long and narrow
lagoons and backwaters e.g. Vembanad which is very famous in Kerala.

The Eastern Coastal Plains are located between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay
of Bengal, starting from the southern part of the Gangatic Delta to Kanyakumari.
Near Kanyakumari both plains – Eastern and Western meet and converge into
one. This plain is about 120 km wide. These plains are very rich in soil fertility,
producing abundance of rice. There are many rivers draining through this plain
creating delta at their mouths. There are many lagoons formed along this coast
and they are the center of attractions for the tourists. Chilka, Pulikat and Kolusu
lakes are famous which attract tourists in great number.

There are two groups of Islands. All together there are 247 islands with India.
They are scattered into two groups - Andaman and Nicobar Group and
Lakshadweep Group. There are 222 islands in the Bay of Bengal and remaining

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Tourist Attraction 25 islands are in the Arabian Sea. Both groups of islands are quite different in
terms of their formation.

The islands in the Arabian Sea are mostly made up of coral deposits, hence,
known as coral islands. The islands of the Bay of Bengal are basically made
up due to tectonic activities, related to the formation of the Tertiary Mountain
system. If one sees the extension of the Himalayas from Northeastern States
further down towards the Bay of Bengal, it appears that it is the Himalayan
Notes orogeny. The islands are very special particularly from the point of view of
tourism.

ACTIVITY 12.1
Take an outline map of India and show different physiographic regions of the
country. Locate your position on the map. Write the characteristics of the area
where you are living, in terms of physiography. Write an account of the tourism
activities in your area. If the tourism activities are not found in your areas,
prepare a list of reasons for it.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 12.1

1. Write any three characteristics of the Deccan Plateau.
2. Which of the Ghats is the Biodiversity Hotspots in India?
3. Differentiate the Andaman Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.

12.2 DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTS PLACES IN INDIA

Almost the whole of India has many attractions for tourists both natural and
cultural. Therefore, tourist centers are distributed throughout the country. These
attractions are very closely associated with certain types of physiographic
regions of the country. For examples, hill-stations are on the hills and mountains
which offer cool climatic conditions. The mountainous region offers adventure
tourism such as rock climbing, trekking angling, parachuting, rafting etc.
Himalayan rivers provide the base for white water rafting in the Ganga, the
Alaknanda, Chenab, the Beas etc. The beaches are found along the sea coasts.
The combination of sea, sand and sun is very attractive for tourists such as
Kovalam the world famous beach in Kerala. Many areas are full of forests. They
have a number of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries; protected forests which
are charming for some tourists. Religious faith of the people is a great attraction

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for many of the tourists. Hence, those places are also much sought after by the Tourist Attraction
people. Some important places for tourists are shown in the Figure 12.2.

Notes

Figure 12.2: Major Tourist Destinations in India

12.2.1 Major Tourist Circuits

There are several tourist centers in India, but some of them are more in demand
in comparison to others. Hence, certain special arrangements are provided to
facilitate the tourists to visit these circuits without much difficulty.

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Tourist Attraction It is also kept in mind that it should be easy and quick to move with comfort
and economy. For this purpose, many tourist circuit routes have been developed
by the tour operators depending upon the demand from the tourists. Some of
the important among them are:
1. Delhi – Agra – FatehpurSikri – Jaipur – Delhi.
2. Gwalior – Khajuraho – Bhopal – Gwalior.
3. Sarnath – Kusinagar – Bodh Gaya – Sarnath.
Notes
4. Bhubaneshwar – Konark – Puri – Chilka –Bhubaneshwar.
And many more are in operation. We can get the details regarding the location
and routes of transits circuits from Fig. 12.3.

Figure 12.3: Major Tourist Circuits in India.

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12.3.2 Hill-Stations Tourist Attraction

Hill-stations are located on the hill and mountain slopes (Fig. 12.4). They are
cool even in the summer season. This is because of the height. With increasing
height of 165 meter, temperature decreases by 1°C. It happens because the air
is sparse at higher altitude. Sun’s radiation reaches the surface first. Land surface
is warmed up and the surface radiates the heat in the form of long waves. Thus,
the air is warmed up. Since the air is less dense and sparse, the effectiveness
of the sun’s heat is less. That is the reason why places lying over the hills and Notes
mountains slope are cool even in summer. This type of climatic condition is very
much comfortable and pleasant. People from different parts of the country wish

Figure 12.4: Major Hill stations in India

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Tourist Attraction to stay at the hill-stations for some days when the sun is very hot in the plains
and the plateau.

12.3.3 Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism is one in which tourists are involved in some exploration of
less known areas or places particularly in a hostile environment. It can involve
some degree of risk or physical damage to them. There are three types of
Notes adventure tourism (i) Aerial adventure (ii) Water adventure and (iii) Land
adventure.
Aerial adventure includes mainly parachuting and paragliding, water based
adventure tourism are rafting and water skiing. In India, land adventure is very
popular and includes rock climbing, angling, mountaineering, trekking, mountain
biking, skiing etc. This type of tourism is more concentrated in the rugged
mountainous terrain. In India, these are more popular in the Himalayan and
plateau region.
Table 12.1 Details of Major Treks in India

Name of the Treks Height Days Difficulty Level Suitable Period for
(meter) Trekking
Mesmerising Markha Valley 5150 12-15 Moderate June to October
Frozen River Trek of Ladakh 3850 17-21 Extremely January to March
Strenuous
Striking Stok Kangri 6153 11-13 Easy June to October
Glorious Goecha La 4940 12-15 Moderate March to May
Holy Kinner Kailash Circuit 6500 12-16 Moderate to July to October
Strenuous
Pin Parvati Valley (of Gods) 5319 13-17 Moderate to June to October
Strenuous
Hemkund and Valley of Flowers 3853 9-13 Easy May to October
Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapoban 4463 9-13 Moderate May to October
Boundless Nanda Devi 4268 10-13 Moderate June to October
Dodital – Mythological Lake 4150 6-8 Moderate May to October
Majestic Khatling Glacier 4200 12-14 Moderate May to October
Inexplicable Lake of Roopkund 5029 7-9 Moderate May to October
Garhwal Mountains-Kuari Pass 4575 9-12 Moderate April to mid-June
and August to
September
Perfect Panchachuli Base Camp 4260 7-10 Moderate May to October
Engrossing Milan Glacier-Kumaon 4150 13-15 Moderate to June to October
Strenuous
Soft Adventure of Pindari Glacier 3990 11-13 Easy May to October
Kafni Glacier-the Hidden Gem 3892 9-11 Easy May to October
Padam-Darcha - Adobe of Snow 4950 9-12 Easy June to October
Hiking the Hemis-Nimaling 5270 8-10 Moderate June to October

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The Table 12.1 shows places for trekking in the Himalayan region. Apart from Tourist Attraction
them, there are many more other trekking routes in the Himalayas as well as
in the plateau areas.
Adventure tourism has been gaining popularity in the recent times. Many such
programmes have already been prepared while television channels like National
Geographic, National Geographic Wild, Animal Planet, Discovery, Discovery
Science etc. are making them popular.
Notes
12.3.4 Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks Tourism
A wildlife sanctuary is an area specially planned where any human interference
is banned. No one can hunt or shoot any of the animals in the area. Hence, it
is a protected area and effort is made to keep the surrounding in its original
state. National parks are areas where native plants and animals and their habitats,
places of natural beauty, historic heritage and aboriginal cultural heritage are
protected. Hence, both wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have great
importance in maintaining the awareness about the natural habitat.
The tourism activities are taken up in the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
It gives an idea of their importance in our life. Though organisation of tours
within the pristine environment causes some ill-effect on the surrounding, still
they create awareness about their importance.
The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are mostly associated with the rugged
terrain where there are more forested areas. They make 4.5 percent of total
geographical area. The area is also less in demand because of the undulating
character of the surface where agricultural activities are not well developed.
There are 442 wildlife sanctuaries. Among them, there are 41 Tiger Reserve
Forests. Some of the Wildlife Sanctuaries are developed for some special
purposes like Bird Sanctuary. National Parks are of greater importance at the
national level. Today there are 102 National Parks encompassing 39,919 sq. km.
of area and many more are under the process of national recognition. Manas,
Kanha, Ranthambore, Dudhwa, Bandhavgarh, Jim Corbett, Rajaji, Kaziranga are
all very favoured choice of tourist.

12.3.5 Beach Tourism

Beach is a land form found along the sea coast of an ocean or sea. It is usually
made up of sand, particles, gravels, shingles and pebbles generated from the rock
fragments by wave erosion and deposition. Hence, beaches are typically
developed in the areas along the coast where wave action deposits the eroded
materials. India has a sea coast of about 7000 km. This great length of sea coast
provides beautiful beaches and a restful and quiet environment with abundant
nearby greenery, perfect to relax and refresh. It rejuvenates the body and mind

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Tourist Attraction of the visitors. Walking on the water soaked sandy beach along the blue clean
water of the ocean generates romanticism. The unending site of the ocean water
has a unique feeling of getting away from the earthly worries. The sunrise and
sunset are really beautiful to watch from the beach. The sea, sand and the sun
annihilate all worries. The locational advantage of beach attracts many tourists,
both national and international.
The important beaches of India can be seen in the figure 12.5.
Notes

Figure 12.5: Major Beaches in India.

ACTIVITY 12.2
Take two outline maps of India. On one map, show the hill-stations of India.
Based on this map, try to find the answer of the following questions:
a. What is the pattern you find on the map?

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b. Where are the most hill-stations located? Tourist Attraction

c. What are the reasons for concentration of hill-stations in the Himalayan

region?
On the other map, show the sea beaches of the country. What are the main
reasons for the growing popularity of tourism on beaches?

Notes
INTEXT QUESTIONS 12.2
1. Describe the major tourist circuits of India.
2. Name the major hill stations in northern India.
3. Explain three types of adventure tourism.

12.4 MOST POPULAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN INDIA

z Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan is spread over 392 sq.kms
and located just 130 kms away from Jaipur. The deciduous forests of
Ranthambore provide great opportunity to observe wildlife viewing of the
tiger. Tourists can spot other animals like sambar, chital and panthers. Early
morning and late afternoon safaris take tourists to possible spots where tiger
and some of its cubs may cross their path.
z One of India’s prime destinations for spotting the wild at their natural habitat
is the Corbett National Park located at the foothills of Himalayas in
Uttarakhand. Rare flora and fauna make it the wildlife hub of India. Corbett
Park gives endless possibilities of interacting with the wild animals, so
tourists come and connect with these magnificent creatures and discover a
unique bond they share with nature.
z Sheltered in the Vindhya Ranges of Madhya Pradesh, the Bandhavgarh
National Park was the original home of the precious white tigers where
they were first sighted in Rewa. The lush greens of this wild paradise are
spread across 437 sq. kms of land. There is a lot for the wildlife enthusiasts
who can look forward to. Nilgai, Chinkara and wild boars are amongst those
easily sighted. Spotting a fox could be tricky. Since the park boasts of a
healthy population of tigers there are extremely favourable chances of seeing
them.
z Perched high on the Western Ghats in God’s own country Kerala has the
picturesque Periyar National Park and tiger reserve. The park is widely
known for the large herds of Indian elephants which thrive on the Periyar
River nestled in the dense forests of the Cardamom Hills.

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Tourist Attraction z Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a haven for the wild. It is the habitat
of the one horned rhinoceros, a paradise for wild elephants and water
buffalos, a prominent tiger reserve and a world heritage site. Hog deer, sloth
bears, capped langoors and some of the largest pythons in the world can
be found here. One can probably see the Gigantic Dolphins when the rivers
are in spate.

Notes z Enshrined in the swamped mangroves at the tip of Bengal is the kingdom
of Royal Bengal Tigers known as Sunderbans National Park. A UNESCO
World Heritage Site, the Sunderbans are spread over a massive area of 4264
sq kms, disappearing towards the south into the sea. The swamps help
tourists to locate the striped beasts seen resting in the estuarine mangroves,
escaping the scorching heat. Tourists can also see snakes, crocodiles, fishing
cats and other marine species.

z One of India’s best tiger reserves, the Kanha National Park is in the valleys
of Banjar and Halon in Madhya Pradesh. Wildlife lovers from all corners
of the world flock to Kanha to catch a glimpse of its tigers, spotted deer
and wolves.

z The Mudumalai National Park is a passage to its neighbouring wildlife

reserves situated at the crossroads of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka in
the north west of the Nilgiri. It has a large variety of fauna and an interesting
mix of flora with tropical green forests in one corner and dry deciduous in
the other. Tourists can enjoy exciting safari at Mudumalai. Animals found
here are sambhar, chitales, wild boars, primates and elephants along with
the exclusive tigers.

z The last preserve of the Asiatic Lion, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is on the brink
of peninsular Gujarat in the south western belt of dry deciduous forests. One
of India’s prime wildlife attractions, Gir is a famous hub for the big cats,
which includes lions as well as leopards. In fact, Gir has the largest number
of leopards in the country. The sanctuary’s water are known to be infested
with numerous crocodiles.

z Keoladeo is in Rajasthan and has many varieties of birds. Formerly a duck

hunting reserve of the Maharajas, it has now become one of the largest areas
for migratory birds. Tourists enjoy the famous Siberian Crane, Warblers, and
Babblers, Red Kite, Vulture and Sociable Lapwing among others. Lush green
lands and lovely lakes, makes it a treat for tourists to see and enjoy.

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12.4.1 Famous Bird Sanctuaries of India : Home to over 1200 species of Tourist Attraction
birds
India is a home for many species of local as well as migrant birds. Bird
sanctuaries in India are popular among bird watchers. Some of the local beautiful
birds are Peacock, Great Indian Bustard, Indian Horn-bill, Kingfishers and
Indian Eagle “Garuda”, a Sacred Bird of Hindus. The Great Indian Horn-bill
is the largest amongst all the horn-bills found in the forests of India. Kulik
(Raiganj) Bird Sanctuary is one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Asia. Notes
Nawabganj is an ideal tourist destination for twitching and bird watching in
India. Twitching is referried to those who travel long distances to see rare birds.

z Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan is one of the most famous bird

sanctuaries in India. It is also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
Thousands of rare and highly endangered birds come here during the winter
season. During winter season it is the most wanted site by the bird watchers
who flock over here to see some of the most exotic birds in the world.
z Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is home for several colourful winged migratory
bird species who visited India from north of the Himalayas.
z The Salim Ali bird Sanctuary is home to many varieties of local and
migratory birds, situated in Chorao Island along the river Mondovi in Goa.
Sparrows, beautiful peafowl, parrots, pelican, Indian giant squirrel and other
rare species of fauna can be spotted here.
z Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also known as Vembanad bird sanctuary is
situated in Kerala. It offers a home to a large number of migratory birds
like flycatcher, teal, Siberian stork, crane, parrots and wood beetle. Riding
on a houseboat is the best way for bird watching in Kerala. Other bird
sanctuaries in Kerala are Mangalavanam and Thattekkad bird sanctuaries,
situated on the banks of the Periyar River and famous for some of the rarest
species of birds and other unique fauna.
z Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Kaveri river
in Karnataka. The exotic migratory birds like light Ibis, egret, partridge,
heron, river tern, snake bird, and stone plougher are a major tourist
attraction. It is located about 20 kilometres from the famous Brindavan
garden which lies adjoining the Krishnarajasagara dam.
z The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu is the oldest bird
sanctuary in India. The Vedanthangal lake region attracts a variety of birds
such as pintail, garganey, grey wagtail, blue-winged teal, common sandpiper.
One sixth of landmass of Tamil Nadu is covered with forests, which is
paradise for animal lovers and bird watchers. Kunthakulam bird sanctuary

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Tourist Attraction and Pulicat lake bird sanctuary are also famous for bird watching situated
on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
z Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary is one of the best bird sanctuaries in India,
situated near Chittor in Andhra Pradesh. The habitat has rugged high hills
and deep valleys and Kaigal and Kaundinya are two beautiful streams, which
flow through the sanctuary. Kaundinya sanctuary offers the best of wildlife
and bird watching in India. Kolleru lake bird sanctuary also brings a variety
Notes of migratory birds to its largest fresh water Kolleru Lake.
z Chilka Lake Bird sanctuary located near Puri in Odisha is very popular
among tourists. It is the most beautiful brackish water lake in Asia and
famous for a rich variety of birds. Chilka Lake serves as a bird sanctuary
and is the largest winter ground for migratory birds in India. It is also one
of the best bird watching spots in India.
z In Maharashtra Mayani Bird sanctuary, attracts many migratory birds,
such as flamingos from Siberia which come in large numbers. It is one of
the most prominent and famous bird sanctuaries in India.
z Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary comprising a huge lake and ambient marshes,
is situated in Ahmadabad, Gujarat. Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary is the largest
wetland bird sanctuary in India, where one can spot flamingos, pelicans,
spoonbills, avocets, coots, pintails, small cormorants, small grebes and
shovellers. It is one of the busiest tourist spots in India.

12.5 HILL STATIONS: NATURAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Popular Hill Stations in India

z Shimla used to be the summer capital of the British when they ruled India.
Now it’s the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is a cool, charming town
enveloped by Oak, Pine and Rhododendron forests. It is famous for its
colonial style buildings and historic railway. The old Christ Church, with its
beautiful stained glass windows, mesmerizing views from scandal Point, and
the Viceregal Lodge are the landmarks of this town. It is also interesting
to watch the sunrise and sunset from the Observatory Hill.
z Manali, with its soothing backdrop of the Himalayas, offers a blend of
tranquility and adventure that makes it one of northern India’s most popular
destinations. Located in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, it’s a magical
place bordered by cool pine forests and the raging Beas river.
z Darjeeling, in West Bengal, is also famous for its lush tea gardens and for
a stunning view of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak. The
town is dotted with monasteries, botanical gardens and a zoo. Darjeeling

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is a wonderful place to walk around, and explore the tea estates, villages, Tourist Attraction
and markets.
z The hill station of Nainital, in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is a
popular summer retreat. It has the emerald coloured Naini Lake and many
forests. Long walks in the forests and boating in the Naini Lake are major
tourist attractions.
z Mussoorie, near Dehradun in Uttarakhand, is a popular weekend destination
Notes
for North Indians. It has a lot of facilities developed especially for tourists.
Cable car to Gun Hill, beautiful nature walk along Camel’s Back Road,
Kempty Falls, or horse ride to Lal Tibba which is the highest peak in
Mussoorie are beautiful places. The mighty Himalayas can also be seen from
here.
z Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has lovely lakes and
beautiful houseboats and Shikaras. The gardens have a distinctly Mughal
influence, as they were created by the Mughal emperors. Srinagar also has
the largest Tulip garden in Asia while adventure lovers come here for snow
skiing in winter.
z Munnar, in Kerala, is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations. The
Kundale Tea Plantations, which surrounds a picturesque lake, offers the best
opportunity to see the tea being picked and processed. The area is blessed
with the natural beauty of winding lanes, misty hills, and forests full of exotic
plants and wildlife. It is interesting to see enthusiasts trek to Anamudi, the
highest peak in South India, explore Eravikulam National Park, or go rock
climbing and paragliding. No wonder, tourists like to visit Munnar whenever
an opportunity comes their way.
z Ooty in Tamil Nadu is a soothing place to escape the summer heat for which
you can take the scenic toy train from Metupalaiyam. Ooty’s most popular
attractions include the 22 hectare Government Botanical Gardens where a
flower show is held there every May as part of the Summer Festival, boating
on Ooty Lake, and climbing Dodabetta Peak for an excellent view of the
Nilgiri hills.
z Kodaikanal is nestled 120 kilometers from Madurai in the Palani Hills of
Tamil Nadu. It has a large variety of flora and fauna. Over here, you can
see orchards of pear trees, charming buildings with gabled roofs. Herbs and
aromatherapy oils are some of the most interesting things to buy in
Kodaikanal, with the eucalyptus oils being particularly popular.
z Mount Abu, situated at an altitude of 1220 m above the sea level is the
highest point on the Aravalli Ranges. Mount Abu literally means the ‘Hill

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Tourist Attraction of Wisdom’ and is a green oasis located in the lush green-forested hills. It
is in direct contrast to the barren desert of Rajasthan and is the only hill
station in Rajasthan.
In Mount Abu you will see the Dilwara Jain Temples which are the best
examples of Jain architecture in India. The interiors of the temple are
extravagantly carved on white marble. The Vimal Vasahi Temple and Tejpal
Temple are the most remarkable among all. This hill station is also very
Notes famous for its Nakki Lake. An ancient temple dedicated to goddess Durga,
Adhar Devi Temple, is located 3 kms to the north of Mount Abu. It is built
in a natural crack in a rock.

Figure 12.6: Mount Abu Hill Station

The neighbouring areas of Mount Abu also have interesting tourist places like
the Guru Shikhar (15 km), Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple (11 km), Mount Abu
Wildlife Sanctuary (8 km), Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and Museum.
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is home to species of birds, panthers, sambhars
and wild boars.
z Khandala is a hill station in the Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra.
It is on the road link between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan plain.
Lonavala is set amongst the slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range and has
become famous because of nature’s gift of beautiful valleys, hills, milky
waterfalls, lush greenery, and pleasant cool winds. Major attractions are
Kune Falls, Tiger’s Leap, Duke’s Nose, Shivaji Park, Rajmachi Park,
Ryewood, Lohagad Darshan and Amruntanjan point.

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Table 12.2 Some other Popular Hill Stations in India Tourist Attraction

State Where Hill Station

Andhra Pradesh Araku Valley Horsley Hills
Gujarat Saputara Wilson Hills
Himachal Pradesh Chail Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Kasauli, Manali,
Shimla, Kufri, Palampur
Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Leh
Notes
Karnataka Kudremukh, Kemmangundi, Madikeri,
Nandi Hills, Chikkamagaluru
Kerala Munnar, Devikulam, Nelliampathi,
Ponmudi, Vythiri, Vagamon
Madhya Pradesh Pachmarhi
Maharashtra Lonavla, Amboli, Chikhaldara, Khandala,
Lavasa, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran,
Panchgani, Toranmal
Meghalaya Nohkalikai
Odisha Daringbadi
Rajasthan Mount Abu
Sikkim Gangtok, Pelling, Lachung
Tamil Nadu Ooty, Coonoor, Kodaikanal
Uttarakhand Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora, Auli, Kausani,
Ranikhet
West Bengal Kalimpong, Kurseong

Figure 12.7: A Hill Station

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Notes

Figure 12.8: Hill Stations in India

INTEXT QUESTIONS 12.3

1. Define Wildlife Sanctuary and Bird Sanctuary.
2. Why do tourists visit Wildlife and Bird Sanctuaries?
3. Why is Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary famous?

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WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

z India is divided into four major physiographic divisions. They are (a)
Northern Mountains, (b) Great Northern Plains, (c) Peninsular Plateau and
(d) Coastal Plains and Islands. All of them are very important for tourism
perspectives.
z They provide great diversity in the country. The diversity may be seen as Notes
major attractions for tourism.
z The diversity is in terms of physiography, climate, culture and tradition,
historical and cultural heritage. In fact, the greater diversity of the country
provides immense opportunities for tourists to visit different places.
z Some areas are very suitable for scenic beauty and good for adventure
tourism.
z Nature tourism is also very popular. One example may be the Himalayas.
The desert of Rajasthan is also very rich in culture and tradition.
z The coastal area is very rich in beach tourism. Tourists from the country
and outside the country prefer to visit. In the same way the islands are also
very popular.
z The hills and the slope of the Himalayas are also great in demand as hill-
stations. Therefore, the greater diversity of the country provides greater
opportunity for tourism. Hence, the proper accelerating policy of the
government is encouraging tourism greatly in the country.

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. Describe the different geographic regions of India.
2. How physiography of India promotes the tourism activities?
3. Write an account on tourist centers in India.

ANSWER TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

12.1
1 Deccan plateau is divided into three parts, Deccan Trap, Western Ghats and
Eastern Ghats.

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Tourist Attraction It covers an area of 7 lakhs 59 km. Its average height ranges from 500 meter
to 1000 meter.
2. The Western Ghats
3. Andaman Nicobar is rocky whereas Lakshadweep is made up of coral.
Andaman has large sized islands with big numbers whereas Lakshadweep
islands are smaller in size and less numbers.

Notes
12.2
1. There are many tourist circuits in India. The tourists used to visit the places
in the routes. Those places are very important in terms of tourism. They
are made/ organized by tour operators. Because of their greater demand?
2. There are many hill stations in north India. Important among them are: –
Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Mussoorie, Nanital, Darjeeling, Mt. Abu, Dharamshala.
3. Three types – Aerial, Water and Land
(a) Arial Adventure tourism – Parachuting and Paragliding
(b) Water Adventure tourism – Rafting and water skiing
(c) Land Adventure tourism – Rock climbing and angling

12.3
1. Wildlife Sanctuary is a planned area for preservation of wildlife from human
interference. Bird Sanctuary is a special type of wildlife sanctuary for
conservation of variety of bird species in their natural habitat.
2. Tourists are keen to visit the natural behaviour of the animals and birds.
3. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is famous because it is the largest wetland bird
sanctuary and busiest tourist spot in India.

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