INTRODUCTION
Jammu and Kashmir State being the
crown of the country holds great tourist
potential, now all it requires is a
platform to bring well charted
destinations to the people’s table so that
they can discover and see the striking
picturesque offered by the nature. From
the tourist’s point of view, Kashmir
valley holds comparatively more
potential which is being exploited
consistently but efforts are required to
promote eco-tourism in Jammu city as
well. One among such amazing sites is
the Manda Zoo which has several facilities for the visitors which make it valuable and convenient
for all sections and age groups of the society. Manda, a habitat for unique flora and fauna promises a
source of enthusiasm for nature lovers visiting this park as a daily routine for walking either in the
early hours of the day or in the evening.
Flora
The environment of the park provides a visual treat to the seers accentuating a soothing sense to
experience scenic beauty. Trees of different shapes, sizes and varieties cover most of the area in the
zoo leaving behind a short stretch for walk .These include massive trees with beautiful and appealing
flowers and small shrubs. One can find array of Drumstick tree, Night jasmine trees, parrot tree,
False Quinine tree, Buffalo Horn tree, Golden Shower tree, Margosa tree, Indian Coral tree, Garlic
Pear tree, monkey Face tree, Bridal Couch tree, Pride of India, Women’s Tounge tree and Heliotrope
Tree. The intention behind giving amazing names to the trees was to assist the visitors in correlating
and memorizing these fascinating names. These trees stretched along the whole route are present on
both sides, thus allowing a visitor to have an impression of wandering through the woods. Manda, a
place away from the polluted city offers close contact with the nature to rejuvenate the soul and it is
indeed a heaven to find mental solace.
Fauna
A nature lover would not mind the chirping
of birds while tracing the track. Besides
eye-catching flora, the zoo houses
noticeable animals like Leopard, Peacock,
Deers, Nilgai, Mynah, Pigeons,
multicolored birds, wild boars, swans,
bulbul, monkeys etc. The depressing fact
associated with this place is that with the
urbanization, the area of the Manda forests
is shrinking but as we all know a fulfilled
zoo demands a dedicated effort from the
government time and again so in order to create a tourist friendly park of national level,
administration dole out duties to concerned departments and make sure that the assigned work is
completed within stipulated time period.
Introduction About Village
Manda is a village near Jammu in India. It is considered to be the most northern site belonging to
the Indus Valley Civilisation. It was excavated by Archaeological Survey of India during 1976-77 by
J. P. Josh
Excavation
Excavation at Manda revealed a 9.20 m deposit with threefold sequence with two sub periods in
Period I. Period II has early historical pottery of types comparable with those of same period from
Northern part of India and period III is represented by Kushan antiquities and house walls with 3 m
wide street.[2] After the Kushan period, the site seems to have been deserted
Historical significance
Manda is situated on the right bank of Chenab River in the foothills of Pir Panjal range, 28 km
northwest of Jammu, and considered as northern most limit of Indus Valley or Harappan
Civilisation.[2]
It is considered as a site established to procure wood from Himalayan Sub hills and send downriver
to other towns of Indus Valley Civilisation.[3] As this site is situated at Himalayan foothills, it gets
significance by establishing northernmost limit of geological boundary of Indus Valley Civilisation.
Artefacts found
Pre Harappan Red ware (15%-25%) Harappan Red ware including Jars, dishes, dishes-on-stand,
beakers, goblets etc. and Copper double spiral headed spin (having west Asian affinity), tangled
bone arrow-heads, terracotta bangles, cakes, chert blade etc.[1]
Significant finds include Potsheds bearing incised Harappan Script and one unfinished seal
Trip to Manda
Born and brought up in the city of Temples, you must have seen a childhood full of fun and frolic.
You also must have had a fair share of photos in your albums which held the beautiful memories of a
fun filled outing done in the mesmerising scenery of Jammu. Lets take a trip down the memory lane
and educate the coming generation of smart phones and tabs, to go out and have themselves a day
out playing and exploring all that Jammu has to offer:
Manda Zoo: Remember going to the
Manda zoo and be thrilled about
seeing all that wild life including
beautiful peacocks, deers, nee gai,
porcupine, owls, ducks and the list
goes on. And then the climax came
when the moment to see some large
carnivores: The big cats. Jaguars used
to move in a commanding swagger
and the amazement to look at those
beautiful creatures gave another kind
of thrill.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’d also see magnificent black bears and Bengal tigers. These days,
this zoo has indeed developed well and incorporated some rather exotic animals for display,
providing them a safe and natural habitat at the same time.
BRIEF HISTORY
Zoos and Wildlife protected areas around the world are being looked upon as centres for imparting
education and spreading awareness about wild animals and plants with their habitat concerns and
conservation scenario .With urban concrete conglomerations fast stretching out in all corners, such
spaces are a boon for the city dwellers. A visit to Zoo can be a picnic for fun but it provides a
readymade large captive audience for spreading awareness about conservation and wildlife issues .
Manda Zoo near Jammu is not only morning
walker’s paradise and abode for wildlife
researchers but it has a great potential in
spreading green consciousness among visitors
under Ecotourism as well. Manda has unique
assemblage of dry deciduous trees and shrubs as
well as subtropical animals to attract nature
lovers. It is the only green lung located near
Jammu city overlooking river Tawi as an ideal locale for studying and enjoying nature .
Nature lovers and wildlife trekkers can
enjoy unique diversity of trees like Tinish
Tree, Ougeinia oojeinensis (Sannan in
Dogri), Tree of Sadness, Nyctanthes
arbor tristis (Koori in Dogri), Toothbrush
Tree, Acacia modesta (Phulaai), Beaded
Pod Tree, Acacia nilotica, Black Cutch
Tree, Acacia catechu (Kher in Dogri), Frywood Tree, Albizia lebbeck (Sareen in Dogri), Indian
Gooseberry, Emblica officinalis (Aami in Dogri), Wild Krishan Kadamb, Mitragyna parvifolia
(Kaim in Dogri), Wild Persimmon Tree (Rajain in Dogri), False Quinine Tree, Hymenodictyon
excelsum (Kunaina in Dogri), Parrot Tree, Butea monosperma (Palaah in Dogri), Drumstick Tree,
Moringa oleifera (Sohaanjana in
Dogri), Buffalo Horn Tree,
Oroxylum indicum (Taatra,
Marinjan in Dogri), White Teak,
Gmelina arborea (Chitti Kanseer in
Dogri), Java Plum, Syzygium
cuminii (Dhallan in Dogri), Wood
Apple Tree, Aegle marmelos (Bill
Pattri in Dogri), Monkey Face
Tree, Mallotus philippensis (Kamilla in Dogri), Wild Heliotrope Tree, Ehretia laevis (Chamrode in
Dogri), Popcorn Tree, Sapium sebiferum (Makhan in Dogri), Garlic Pear Tree, Crataeva adansonii
(Baarna in Dogri), Chacolate Twig Tree, Elaeodendron glaucum (Ganger, Gangeda, Marindu in
Dogri), Agnimanth Tree, Premna latifolia (Kali Kanseer in Dogri), Nettle Tree, Trema politoria
(Dand Koochan in Dogri), Indian Coral Tree, Erythrina indica (Thubb in Dogri), Cluster Fig Tree,
Ficus racemosa (Rumbal in Dogri), Red Cedar Tree, Toona ciliata (Tun in Dogri), Indian Ash Tree,
Lannea coromandelica (Kaimbal, Gadhambal in Dogri), Silk Cotton Tree, Bombax ceiba (Simbal in
Dogri), Curry leaf Tree, Murraya koenigii (Drounkal in Dogri), Golden Shower Tree, Cassia fistula
(Karangal, Karoungal in Dogri), Hoop Tree, Pride of India, Melia azedarach (Dhraink in Dogri)
Manda Zoo has attractive assembelage of butterflies like Peacock Pansy (Mor Phanfadi in
Dogri),Blue Pansy (Neeli Phanfadi) ,Grass Yellow, Lime Butterfly (Nimbu Phanfadi in Dogri),
Sailor, Plain Tiger, waterfowl including Mallard, Coot (Tikkri), Spotbilled duck, Barheaded geese
(Rajhans) , elegant peafowls (Mor, Myura), Cinerous vulture (Gridh), Barn Owls (Ulloo), Eagles,
Parakeets, Barking deer (Kakkad), Hog deer (Paada in Dogri), Sambar, Cheetal , Neelgai (Goond in
Dogri), Porcupine (Seyh in Dogri) , Himalayan Black Bear (Haput in Kashmiri, Richh in Dogri),
Leopard (Chitra, Mirg in Dogri), Pangolin (Sarkhal, Salla in Dogri). Python (Sangani in Dogri),
Monitor Lizard (Gho in Dogri), Black Partridge (Kala Teetar), Grey Partridge is also seen in the
wildlife sanctuary. Exotic birds like Turkey and Emu are also seen in Manda zoo. Among other
attractive birds, Paradise flycatcher (Poon chiri in Dogri, Doodhraj), Scarlet Minivet (Surkholi in
Dogri, Rajlal, Bulalchashm in Hindi ), Tailor bird (Darjainu, Darzi), Jungle Babblers (Farol, Sod,
Dadder in Dogri), Scarlet sunbird (Lal Angaarta in Dogri), Purple sunbird (Angaarta, Shakarkhora in
Urdu), Indian Grey Hornbill (Doaa in Dogri, Dhanesh in Hindi), Green Pigeon (Preu in Dogri,
Hariyal in Hindi), Fan flycatcher (Pakhi Phatoonu in Dogri), Barbets (Kudroo in Dogri, Basanta in
Hindi), Hawk Cuckoo (Papeeha), Bulbuls (Peenja in Dogri) , Weaver bird (Baregdu in Dogri, Baya
in Hindi) with their sweet melodies and artistic nesting behaviour add further thrill and charm to the
nature walk in the wilderness around .
LEAPORD
Leopards are graceful and powerful big
cats closely related to lions, tigers, and
jaguars. They live in sub-Saharan
Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia,
India, and China. However, many of
their populations are endangered,
especially outside of Africa.
Fast Facts
Status: Near threatened
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size:
Head and body, 4.25 to 6.25 ft (1.3 to 1.9 m); tail, 3.5 to 4.5 ft (1.1 to 1.4 m)
Weight: 66 to 176 lbs (30 to 80 kg)
Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:
INTRODUCTION
The leopard (Panthera pardus) (English pronunciation: /ˈlɛpərd/) is one of the five "big cats" in
the genus Panthera. It is a member of the family Felidae with a wide range in sub-Saharan
Africa and parts of Asia.[2] Fossil records found in Italy suggest that in the Pleistocene it ranged as
far as Europe[ and Japan.
Compared to other members of Felidae, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a
large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but has a smaller, lighter physique. Its fur is
marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes are smaller and more
densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguar's do. Both leopards and jaguars
that are melanistic are known as black panthers.
THE EMU
The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is the
second-largest living bird by height, after
its ratite relative, the ostrich. It isendemic to
Australia where it is the largest native bird and the
only extant member of the genus Dromaius. The
emu's range covers most of mainland Australia, but
the Tasmanian emu and King Island
emu subspecies became extinct after the European
settlement of Australia in 1788. The bird is
sufficiently common for it to be rated as a least-
concern species by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature.
Introduction
Emu The Emu is a large, tough flightless bird found in many parts of Australia and New Guinea. It
is Australia’s largest bird and the only member of the Genus: Dromaius. The Emu is the second
largest bird in the world, the largest being the similar looking, Ostrich. Although Emus resemble
Ostriches, emus have a longer, lower profile and 3 toes on each foot (Ostriches have only 2 toes on
each foot). The closest relative to the emu is a Cassowary, another flightless bird.
Emu Description
The emu can grow to be as tall as 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height (1 – 1.3 metres at the shoulder) and
weigh up to 45 kilograms (99 pounds). Male and female emus are similar in appearance although
females are generally larger. Emus have soft, long, brown feathers on their plumage which has a
shaggy appearance and shorter downy feathers on their heads. The shafts and tips of their feathers
are black and the energy from the sun is absorbed through the tips and the loose-packed inner
plumage insulates their skin from the heat allowing the emu to be active during the heat of the day.
When temperatures are very hot, the emu pants to help maintain its body temperature.
SPOTTED DEER
The chital (pronounced or cheetal (Axis axis), also
known as spotted deer or axis deer, is a deer found in
theIndian subcontinent. The species was first
described by German naturalist Johann Christian
Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. A moderately sized deer,
male chital reach nearly 90 centimetres (35 in) and
females 70 centimetres (28 in) at the shoulder. While
males weigh 30–75 kilograms (66–165 lb), the lighter
females weigh 25–45 kilograms (55–99 lb). The
species is sexually dimorphic: males are larger than
females, and antlers are present only on males. The
upper parts are golden to rufous, completely covered
in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of
legs, ears and tail are all white. The antlers, three-pronged, are nearly 1 metre (3.3 ft) long.
Facts about Indian Axis Deer
Kingdom: Animalia
Scientific Name: Axis axis
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Axis
Mating Season: Not specified
Age of Maturity: 12 months
Gestation Period: 220 days
Number of Offspring: One
Height: 85 cm and 90 cm
Weight: 80 kg
ASIAN BLACK BEAR
The Asian black bear (Ursus
thibetanus, previously known
as Selenarctos thibetanus) is also
known as moon bear andwhite-
chested bear. It is a medium-
sized bear species and largely
[2][3]
adapted to arboreal life. It lives
in the Himalayas, in the northern
parts of the Indian
subcontinent, Korea, northeastern China, the Russian Far East, the Honshū and Shikokuislands
of Japan, and Taiwan. It is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, mostly because of deforestation and
hunting for its body parts.[1]
The species is morphologically very similar to some prehistoric bears, and is thought by some
scientists to be the ancestor of other extant bear species (aside from pandas and spectacled
bears).[2] Though largely herbivorous, Asian black bears can be very aggressive toward humans, who
frequently trap or kill them for traditional medicine
Introduction
The Asiatic bear species lives in eastern Asia. They can be found in alpine and tropical forested hills
and mountain regions of Afghanistan, Malaysia, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Russia and Taiwan.
They are thought to be the closest bear relative of the American black bear. They are also known as
the Himalayan black bear, the Tibetan black bear or the moon bear.
These bears are black with a whitish or creamy colored ‘Y’ on their chest. They have large ears and
their hair is extra long and fluffy around their neck and shoulders. In the bear world they would be
considered medium sized.
Crocodiles (subfamily Crocodylinae) or true crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in
Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. Crocodylinae, all of whose members are considered true crocodiles, is classified
as a biological subfamily. A broader sense of the term crocodile, Crocodylidae that includes Tomistoma, is not used in this
article. The term crocodile here applies to only the species within the subfamily of Crocodylinae. The term is sometimes
used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes
thealligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae), the gharial and false gharial (family Gavialidae), and all other living and
fossil Crocodylomorpha.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Subfamily: Crocodylinae
Cuvier, 1807
Crocodile size, morphology, behaviour and ecology differ somewhat among species. However, they have many
similarities in these areas as well. All crocodiles are semiaquatic and tend to congregate in freshwater habitats such
asrivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water and saltwater. They are carnivorous animals, feeding mostly
onvertebrates such as fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, and sometimes on invertebrates such
as molluscs andcrustaceans, depending on species and age. All crocodiles are tropical species that, unlike alligators, are
very sensitive to cold. They separated from other crocodilians during the Eocene epoch, about 55 million years
ago.[3] Many species are at the risk of extinction, some being classified as critically endangered
