Subhasis Banerjee

PANNA Only 28kms from the ancient ruins of Khajurao along the banks of the River Ken, this National Park of 542 sq km of natural Teak forests harbours a variety of wildlife. Alternating valleys, steep gorges, grassy meadows and cascading waterfalls forms the ecosystem of the Park. It is home to a variety of wildlife species like the Tiger, Panther, Wolf, Caracal, Dhole, Black Buck, Chowsingha, Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambar and a variety of primates. A Gharial Sanctuary has also been formed in the River Ken near the beautiful Raneh Falls . The avian population includes Paradise Flycatcher, Common Pochard, Teal and a variety of Geese. Accessibility :   The Park is only 28kms drive from Khajuraho and 87kms drive from Satna. Khajuraho is connected by air and Satna is well connected by rail and road. Accommodation : A Forest Rest House is available inside the Park. The state Tourism Department also runs a Tourist Lodges at Panna. Season : November to June.  

KARERA This 202 sq km bird sanctuary was created mainly to preserve the highly endangered Great Indian Bustard. The sanctuary houses a huge lake inside, which is replete with birdlife throughout the year. The population of birds in this sanctuary also includes a large variety of Goose, Duck, Flamingo, Stork, Cormorant and Hornbill coexisting with some wildlife like Indian Wolf, Indian Wild Dog, Jackal, Hyena and a variety of antelopes. Accessibility : A 62kms drive from Shivpuri on the Jhansi - Shivpuri road takes one to the sanctuary. Shivpuri is situated 115kms southwest of Gwalior and is well connected by roads.   Accommodation : A Forest Rest House is available inside the Park. Season : November to June.

Chambal A huge wildlife sanctuary of 3,902sq kms in the Chambal valley, it abounds in wildlife. With a typical central Indian terrain covered with mixed deciduous forests and large grasslands, the Park extends into the neighbouring states of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The sanctuary houses a major Gharial Sanctuary and Breeding Centre inside. Fauna of the sanctuary includes Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Dhole, Hyena, Jackal, Indian Wolf, Caracal, Chital, Gaur, Barking Deer and Indian Wild Buffalo. The sanctuary is also very rich in avifauna. Accessibility : 65kms from Gwalior, the sanctuary is accessible by road. Gwalior , on the other hand, is very well connected by air, rail and road, which is only 64kms south of Agra and 275kms south of Delhi . Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses are available inside the Park. There are also a number of standard and luxury Hotels in Gwalior . Season : November to June.

ANDAMAN ISLANDS Stretching along the southern expanse of the Bay of Bengal, the emerald archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands appear like a string of pearls amidst an azure environment. This isolated chain of 570 undulating islands of more than 8,249 sq km enjoy a tropical humid climate with intermittent showers and is home to three of the oldest tribes of Homo-sapiens in the world – Jarwa, Sentinel and Onge. Existing in isolation, their dwindling population still eke out of primitive living in the densely forested islands of exotic birds and indigenous flora. Out of the 2000 variety of plants found in these islands, 221 are not found anywhere else on earth. Andaman is an ideal destination for those who are inclined to take a bit of sun and wind and enjoy a laid-back holiday amidst the silver-sandy beaches and creeks spread over the meandering coastline, offering an excellent variety of water sports. Port Blair is the capital of this union territory and has a bleak historic pa...

GANPATIPHULE Sparkling blue waters of the Arabian Sea, endless stretches of golden-silver sand, sun beams dancing through the swinging palms and a whispering cool breeze mark Ganpatiphule, one of Maharashtra’s virgin beach resort along the Konkan valley, complimented by the exquisitely tasty Alphonso mango, which grows here in abundance. Accessibility : By road, Ganpatiphule is 375kms south of Mumbai. The nearest railhead is Ratnagiri, another 45kms south. Accommodation : The state run Tourist Lodge makes stay comfortable in Ganpatiphule. Season : Throughout the year.

MAHABALESHWAR At an altitude of 1372 metres, it is the largest hill station of Maharashtra and is frequented by the Bollywood film industry for their outdoor shootings. The place abounds in natural beauty and houses the historic Pratapgarh Fort built by the legendary Maratha emperor, Chatrapati Shivaji. Mahabaleshwar may be called the ‘land of view points’. Echo, Hunting, Babington, Malcolm, Monkey, Elphinstone, Kate’s, Wilson and Ladwick points along with Arthur Seat provide mesmerizing views of the surrounding hills, forested slopes and the verdant valley below. The huge tabletop plateau of Panchgani is an important excursion from here. Accessibility : 120kms north, Pune is the nearest air and railhead from Mahabaleshwar and is well connected by roads. Accommodation : There are many good Hotels and Resorts apart from a Tourist Lodge in Mahabaleshwar. Season : Throughout the year.

MATHERAN At an altitude of 803 metres, it is a pristine hill station amidst the lush green Jambol Forests of the Shayadri Range . There is a blanket ban of motor transport in this virgin hill station and therefore, one has to travel by the heritage Toy Train through the forests crisscrossed by streams, waterfalls, mystic valleys and floating clouds with sudden glimpse of the pertaining wildlife. Like Mahabaleshwar, Matheran is also dotted by viewpoints, the major ones being Panorama, Park You, Alendria, Louisa, Monkey and Khandala points. The splendid Charlotte Lake behind a dam also provides the drinking water of the town. Accessibility : Mumbai is 108kms west of Matheran. By road or rail, one has to reach Neural and then take the toy train to come to Matheran. Accommodation : There are a variety of Hotels and Resorts in Matheran along with a Tourist Lodge. Season : October to May.

MURUD JANJIRA \ Secluded from the main land by a narrow strip of backwater and built on a rocky outcrop rising from the Arabian Sea, this fort is a marvellous piece of engineering which was once the administrative seat of the illustrious Maratha emperor, Chatrapati Shivaji. The silver-sandy beaches on the main coast with the backdrop of steep forested hills make it an ideal destination to relax and contemplate. The virgin beaches of Kihim, Kashid, Navgaon and Akshi nearby must be visited to experience their sedate tranquillity. Accessibility : The place is easily approached by a drive of 167kms from Mumbai. Accommodation : Apart from a Tourist Lodge, there is a Resort and a Hotel. Season : Throughout the year.

RATNAGIRI A serene, calm, sedate and secluded seaside resort, girdled by the Arabian Sea in the west and green hills, valleys and murmuring streams on the others, Ratnagiri is another virgin and unpolluted seaside paradise of Maharashtra, again a natural home of the exquisitely tasty Alphonso mango. Accessibility : Ratnagiri is a railway station on the Konkan Railway. Mumbai is 419kms from here. Accommodation : The state run Tourist Lodge is the best available accommodation here. Season : Throughout the year.

SHIMLA The erstwhile summer capital of British India, after the capital was shifted from Kolkata to Delhi, in the foothills of the Shivalik Range is a glamorous and popular hill station. The 12kms crescent shaped ridge at 2,213 metres, which is surrounded by woods of stately Oak, Fir and Rhododendrons, offer a splendid view of the snow-clad ranges of the upper Himalayas. The places of interest include the Mall, the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum, Summer Hill, Jakhoo Hill, Prospect Hill, Sanjhwali, Chadwick Falls, Glen and Annandale. Interesting excursions from Shimla include Kufri, Fagu, Theog, Craignano, Masobra, Taptapani, Naldera, Solan, Narkanda, Hatkoti, Rohru, Jubbal, Rampur, Chail and Kasauli. All these places have earned their reputation as pristine hamlets in the Shivalik Hills for their natural beauty and uninterrupted views of the perennially snow-clad Himalayan peaks at a distance. Accessibility : Kalka is 96kms and Chandigarh 117kms south-west from Shimla by r...