Uttaranchal
is one of the most beautiful and enchanting region of
northern India. Nature has endowed this land with so much
beauty and spiritual bliss that it is also known as Dev
Bhoomi, the Land of Gods. Ganga, Yamuna and scores of
other rivers originate in Uttaranchal. Among them Ganga
is the most holy and prominent as she represents the soul
of India- rich culture, history and civilization.
Uttaranchal is a 'paradise' for nature lover's and adventure
sports enthusiasts. Mussoorie, the 'Queen of Hills'; Nainital,
the 'Lake District'; Almora, the 'Switzerland of India';
Ranikhet, Pithoragarh, Pauri and Munsyari are just few
highlights for the nature lovers. For adventure and excitement,
one may choose Mountaineering (Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba,
Nanda Devi Kamet, Pindari, Sahastrataal, Milam, Kafni,
Khatling, Gaumukh), Trekking, Skiing (Auli, Dayara Bugyal,
Munsyari, Mundali), Skating, Water Sports like rafting,
boating and angling and Aero Sports like Hand Gliding,
Paragliding (Pithoragarh, Jolly Grant, Pauri). The State
is also a treasure house of exotic flora and fauna and
is an ideal location for eco-tourism, as well as wildlife
tourism. The world-famous Corbett National Park is the
pride of Uttaranchal. Other important sanctuaries are,
Rajaji National Park, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Asan
Barrage, Chilla etc. Uttaranchal is broadly divided into
two zones Kumaon and Garhwal.
Surrounded
by Tibet in the northeast, Nepal in the east and Himachal
Pradesh in the northwest, the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas
is bounded by the Tons River in the west and river Kali
in the east where it forms the western boundary of Nepal.
Out of approximately 2,500 km. Of the entire Himalayan range
over 650 km is within Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas, which
happens to be the central part of the Great Himalayan chain.
Garhwal has several wilderness trails through dense forests
of Deodar, cypress, oak, pine and rhododendron that harbor
a large variety of Himalayan faunas. These lead to lush
verdant valleys and undulating green meadows carpeted with
alpine flowers in summer.
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