Bird lovers of Indore are elated as migratory birds arrive to keep their winter date

Bird lovers of Indore are a happy lot because the winged visitors have started to arrive to keep their winter date. The absence of large flocks of the Rosy starling birds has become a concern for them because these birds come in huge flocks and usually kick start the arrival of birds in the region. But - this time they are missing.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 6 November 2016.

Experts feel that the arrival of birds this year has been less and slow when compared to last year but expect the numbers to go up because the region had experienced good rainfall this year. Expectations are that nearly 30,000 birds could arrive by December to spend the winter days till February next year.
Once the temperature drops with the start of snowfall in Himalayas the arrival of the birds will be more evident. They will traverse thousands of kms from their breeding grounds to escape the harsh temperatures there. Most of the duck species will be seen in shallow ponds and lakes with abundant floating, emergent and fringing vegetation which is not too tall or dense. Then there will be the grassy environments like swampy meadows, flooded fields, and shallow freshwater marshes that are aplenty in the outskirts of Indore.


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Hydroelectric power projects in the Himalayas at major risk from melting of glacial lakes

A recent study carried out by Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Potsdam, Germany has revealed that the number of glacial lakes in Himalayan regions have sky-rocketed in the past few years. AS a result, the region is witnessing continuous ice-melting due to glacier recession.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 18 October 2016.

Climate change and global warming are the twin factors behind such a major loss of ice sheet and, because of this excessive melting of ice, Himalayan dams located close to these glacial lakes are likely to experience overwhelming flood in the near future. It is estimated that out of the 177 hydropower projects (HPP) that are located close to Himalayan glaciers, more than a fifth could be under threat from floods caused by the outbursts of glacial lakes.
Many of these lakes are in India.
The number of hydroelectric power projects in the Himalayas has been increasing during the last decades and many more are planned. Obviously, the dangers keep increasing and requires swift and proper action.


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Amarnath Yatra could become a religious tourism plan by including local sights

Amarnath Yatra could very soon become a religious tourism plan by including local sights. This is being considered by the Central government and the Jammu and Kashmir government. The move is expected to boost local economy by absorbing the footfalls of tourists.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 17 June 2016.

The Home Ministry has taken the initiative to hold preliminary discussions with the state government to evolve ways and means to link the annual Amarnath Yatra with tourism packages so that local population can reap benefits. The Amarnath cave shrine is situated in the Himalayas at a height of 12,756 feet. Pilgrims usually take one of two routes - one of these is from South Kashmir's picturesque Pahalgham and the other is through Northeast Sonamarg. Both are well known tourist spots.
However, the pilgrims are generally focused with the Yatra route and do not venture into other places of tourist attraction like Gulmarg in North Kashmir or the Mughal gardens and Dal lake in Srinagar city. The present proposal will offer them other places.
The cave shrine had been discovered by a Muslim named Buta Malik in 15th century and, ever since then, his family has been receiving a part of the offerings made by the devotees.


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Nepal extends validity of permits to climb Mount Everest

Climbing Mount Everest is the main source of revenue for Nepal but, the earthquakes of 2015 have seriously damaged the potentials. At least 19 climbers were killed in the massive earthquake when huge blocks of ice buried their tents at the base camp of the 8,850-metre (29,035 feet) Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Therefore, Nepal has extended the validity of the climbing permits of hundreds of foreigners who had been forced to abandon the Himalayas after twin earthquakes in 2015. This step has been taken to encourage them to return to the mountains. This has been reported in ibnlive.com dated 1 March 2016.

It seems more than 800 foreign climbers, each of whom had paid up to $11,000 for their permits, had to cancel their expeditions after the April quake triggered landslides and massive avalanches across the Himalayas. Hence, a decision has been taken to allow the climbers to climb on the same permit this year and in 2017. Hopefully this would see Nepal revive tourism that contributes four percent to GDP. The climbing season usually begins later this month but hiking officials say foreign bookings have dropped sharply. Moreover, Nepal's infrastructure was badly hit in the quakes and, coupled with a prolonged transport blockade along the border with India over a political dispute, it has further hit supplies of fuel and equipment.


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Winter tourism in Uttarakhand - see snow-capped Himalayas from the air

#Kedarnath #uttarakhand #Himalayas Uttarakhand is keen to promote winter tourism and the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) has introduced a new chopper service from the state capital to Kedarnath. It offers tourists a breathtaking view of snow-capped Himalayas from the air. The fare is Rs 18,000 per person for the 135-minute flight.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 24 January 2016.

Identified as 'Kedar Darshan', it is an aerial trip to the Kedar valley. A team of five tourists can avail of these rides every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am onward in the day from Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun. The route is - for first 45 minutes, they will fly over snow-covered Himalayan peaks, which offer breathtakingly scintillating view. On reaching Kedarnath, they will halt for 45 minutes and then return to the helipad in another 45 minutes.
The allotted time of 45 minutes is sufficient for the tourists to soak in the scenic beauty. They can click photographs and enjoy a stroll of the area in all-terrain vehicles.
GMVN is offering a 50% subsidy in the fares to attract tourists. The Kedar Darshan is a precursor to the winter festival which is scheduled to be held in Kedar valley.

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