Category: Educational Resources

Human creativity is amazing. Out of just a piece of land, we create beautiful and wondrous structures. Using our creative wisdom, we create amazing craft out of scratch. People do not even know how some of the wonders of the world were created considering the technology available during the time period it was built. These monuments are celebrations of human creativity. To signify these wonders we have created a list of new Seven Wonders of the World.

1. The Great Wall of China

• Built during 220 BC & AD1644
• Built by- Various emperors & dynasties.
• Average Visit Per Year: 10 million people

The Great Wall of China is one of the most amazing manmade structures in the world.

Unlike popular belief, it is actually a group of walls and fortifications instead of a single wall.

The construction of the wall started more than 2000 years ago and it was completed by various dynasties of various locations.

Construction started by the Zhou dynasty in 770 BC to protect their territory from the invasion of northern states. The Han dynasty extended the wall to protect Silk Road trade.

The most well-known parts of the wall were built by the Ming dynasty between the years 1368 and 1644.

Materials used to build the wall include bricks, sand, soil, and stone. Legend has it that the workers who died while building the great wall were buried inside it.

However, no proof of the same has been found yet. The total length of the Great Wall is around 21,196 km.

2. Taj Mahal

• Built from 1632-1648.
• Built by- The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
• Average Visit Per Year: 8 million visitors

Taj Mahal is one of the greatest statements of love in history. The white marble structure, located in the city of Agra, was built between the years 1631 and 1653.

It incorporates Islamic, Indian, Persian and Iranian architectural styles and is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. Taj Mahal served as the tomb of both Mumtaz and Shah Jahan.

Shah Jahan’s wife Mumtaz passed away while giving birth to her 14^th child. Engulfed by the grief of her passing, Shah Jahan decided to build a beautiful mausoleum in memory of his wife, resulting in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Through the building of this masterpiece, the wealth of the Mughal Empire was depleted but it now stands as a reminder of India’s rich history.

3. Petra

• Built during  4th century B.C. &  2nd century A.D
• Built by -The Nabatean kingdom
• Average Visit Per Year: 1 million

Petra is a sandstone city built by Nabataeans, an Arab tribe, in 3^rd century BC in the southwest of Jordan. The capital city was carved out of sandstone and is well-known for its unique architecture and impressive water management system which includes dams, conduits, and cisterns.

Petra flourished as a center for the spice trade while it was occupied by the Nabataeans.

The city was later conquered by the Romans in 106 AD and became a Roman province. It continued to prosper until trade routes changed and the city started to decline.

The city had around 30,000 inhabitants. In the 4^th century AD an earthquake destroyed many of the city’s buildings but the entire city was not ruined.

By the beginning of the eighth century, Petra was abandoned as it was no longer important as a commercial or political location.

The city was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It contains hundreds of buildings, tombs, temples, gateways, baths, and even an open-air theatre. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

4. Colosseum

• Built during A.D. 72-82.
• Built by – Flavian emperors during the first century of the Roman Empire.
• Average Visit Per Year: 6 million tourists

The Colosseum also called Flavian Amphitheater is a massive stone amphitheater located in Rome. It was built under the rule of Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD.

The construction finished under the rule of his son Titus, who opened it to the public in 80 AD with a 100-day games festival.

It is a four-story, elliptical structure that can hold more than 50,000 spectators and was one of the largest amphitheaters built during that time.

Unlike other amphitheaters of that period, which were built against hillsides to provide additional support, the Colosseum was a free-standing structure made of concrete and stone.

The spectators were protected from the sun by massive retractable awnings. The Colosseum was used for entertainment purposes which include gladiator combats and wild animal fights.

Colosseum was used for four centuries until the public taste for gladiator combats and other such entertainment changed and it was abandoned.

The structure was damaged by natural phenomena such as earthquakes and lightning.

Even though at least two-thirds of the structure has been ruined, Colosseum still stands as an important symbol of the ancient Roman Empire.

5. Chichen Itza

• Built during 5th-13th century
•  Built by-  The Maya-Toltec civilization.
• Average Visit Per Year: 2.6 million tourists

Chichen Itza is an ancient city built by the Mayan civilization in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The city was a significant urban centre of the Mayan culture and one of their largest cities having several structures made of stone including residential properties, all connected by a network of paved roads.

The most famous structure of Chichen Itza is El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan. The structure has a pyramid shape with a total of 365 steps.

Twice a year, during spring and autumn equinox, a triangular shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent. As the sun sets, people get an illusion that a giant serpent is moving down the structure. There is a serpent head made of stone at the base of the northern side of the temple.

The shadow moves down the temple and joins the serpent head. The Mayans were known for their incredible accuracy in astronomy.

This must have been included in their architecture also.

Other impressive structures in Chichen Itza include the Great Ball Court, the North Temple, the Steam Bath, Temple of Warriors and El Mercado.

There are no records available as to why the city was abandoned by its dwellers in the 1400s.

6. Machu Picchu

• Machu Picchu, Peru– 1.2 million
• Built in the mid-15th century
•  Built by -The Incas
• Average Visit Per Year: 1.2 million

Located in the slopes of the Andes, Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel in Peru built during 1450s. It was abandoned a century later. It may have been built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.

The most impressive fact about the buildings of Machu Picchu is that it is built without using mortar. The stones are cut and wedged together in such a way that not even a credit card can be inserted through the gaps.

The location of Machu Picchu is no stranger to earthquakes but its engineering style prevented it from being completely ruined. During earthquakes, the stones of the buildings bounce and then fall back into place.

The existence of Machu Picchu was not known to the Spanish colonialists who came during the 16^th century even though the locals knew about its existence.

Machu Picchu remained hidden to the outside world until Professor Hiram Bingham was led to it by a Peruvian guard who then revealed it to the world in 1911.

7. Christ the Redeemer

• Built  during 1926-31
• Built by-The Roman Catholic archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro.
• Average Visit Per Year: 180,000 People

Christ the Redeemer is a monumental statue of Jesus Christ overlooking Rio de Janeiro from atop Corcovado Mountain. The statue is 30 meters high and arms of the statue are 28 meters wide.

It was designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski. Construction started in 1922 by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva and French engineer Albert Caquot and was finished after 9 years.

It was built out of reinforced concrete and the outer layers were modeled out of soapstone due to its ease of use.

The statue has been damaged due to lightning strikes many times. Continuous maintenance work has to be done as the statue is exposed to natural elements.

Seven Wonders of the World – MAP Representation

To sum up

The New Seven Wonders of the World was selected through a campaign that began in 2000.

People all over the world cast their votes through the telephone and the internet. The campaign was started by Canadian-Swiss businessman Bernard Weber who established the New7Wonders foundation.

Even though it was a worldwide campaign, not everyone would have voted in it and therefore what is considered as the seven wonders may not be as amazing to some as other structures are.

One person’s opinion of wonder may not be the same as another’s. But the structures that have made it to the list are in fact wondrous and show what human beings are able to imagine and create.

Also Read: General Knowledge For Kids (105 Questions and Answers)

The Great Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were all part of the list once and since then a new list has been created.

This shows that human creativity is timeless and new and more amazing structures are yet to come.

A park, which is officially recognized by the country to protect the flora and fauna, to give the future generations an unimpaired visual treat of nature, is known as a National Park. Indians are fortunate enough to have a lot of National Parks. Here are some of the important national parks in India.

1. JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

Jim Corbett National Park one of the most famous national parks in India named after the naturalist Edward James Jim Corbett. In fact, this is the first National Park in India.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1936
• Best time to visit: October- February
• Famous for: Bengal tiger, Red fox, Black bear, Jackal
• Location: Nainital, Uttarakhand

How to Reach there: View Direction

2. SUNDERBAN NATIONAL PARK

Home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, Sunderban National Park is located in West Bengal. The mangrove forest is one of the most famous tourist attractions. This forest area is an isolated place with no forest connection to other tiger-occupied lands. Sunderban forest got its name from the Sundari Tree.

• Declared as a National Park on 1984
• Best time to visit: September to March
• Famous for: Royal Bengal Tigers
• Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

How to Reach there: View Direction

3. Gir National Park

Gir Forest National Park is one of the best places to spot wild Asiatic Lions. Earlier it was used by the Nawabs as a hunting place, but in 1990 when it was discovered as a National Park, it was aimed to preserve the Lion species. In 1990, there were only 12 lions and today it has more than 600 lions.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1975
• Best time to visit: December to March
• Famous for: Wild Asiatic Lions
• Location: Gujarat

How to Reach there: View Direction

4. Silent Valley National Park

Enriched with the alluring beauty of flora and fauna, Silent Valley National Park is located in the lap of God’s own country-Kerala. It is named so because of the absence of the noisy cicadas. A second story says that it got its name because of the lion-tailed macaques(scientific name- Macacasilenus), present there.

• Declared as a National Park on 1980
• Best time to visit: December-April
• Famous for: Lion-Tailed Macaques
• Location: Palakkad, Kerala

How to Reach there: View Direction

5. Kaziranga National Park

Famous for the conservation of the endangered species- one-horned rhinoceros, it is well- known as the “Home of Big five”, the animals being Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Eastern Swamp Deer, Wild Water Buffalo.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1974
• Best time to visit: November to April
• Famous for: One-horned Rhinoceros
• Location: Assam

How to Reach there: View Direction

6. Bandipur National Park

Best known for the varied wildlife, Bandipur National Park is one of the most prominent national parks in South India. It once served as a hunting reserve for the Maharajas of The Kingdom of Mysore and was named as Venugopala Wildlife Park in 1931. Later on in 1973, it was established as Bandipur Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.

• Declared as a National Park on 1974
• Best time to visit: October-March
• Famous for: Tiger, Leopard, Indian Elephant
• Location: Karnataka

How to Reach there: View Direction

7. Eravikulam National Park

The oldest National Park of Kerala, along the Western Ghats of Idukki district, Eravikulam National Park has the largest population of endangered NilgiriTahr. This place is also famous for the “Neelakurunji flowers”, a flower that blooms only once in twelve years.

• Declared as a National Park on 1978
• Best time to visit: September to November and April to June
• Famous For: NilgiriTahr
• Location: Kerala

How to Reach there: View Direction

8. Kangchendzonga National Park

Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, Kangchendzonga National Park and is known for its enthralling scenic beauty of nature. Tholung monastery, one of the most sacred monasteries in Sikkim is located in this park.

• Established on: 1977
• Best time to visit: April to May
• Famous for:Moschus, Himalayan tahr
• Location: Sikkim

How to Reach there: View Direction

Also Read: 7 Major Mountain Ranges in India

9. Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park, also known by the name, Kanha-Kisli National Park, is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh. This is also the first tiger reserve to reintroduce Barasingha (Swamp Deer) in India.

• Established on: 1933
• Best time to visit: Mid October to June end
• Famous for: Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Swamp Deer
• Location: Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

10. Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Besides the attractive flora and fauna, the park is famous for the 2400-year-old Kanheri caves, an important Buddhist learning center, sculpted by Buddhist monks then. This park was earlier known as Borivali National Park.

• Declared as a National Park on:1983
• Best time to visit: September to March
• Famous for: Tigers, Porcupine, HanumanLangur
• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

How to Reach there: View Direction

11. Dudhwa National Park

Situated under the sub-Himalayan area called Terai belt, Dudhwa National Park comprises a diverse alluvial plain. This acts as a home to various endangered species like Hispid hare, Swamp deer, and Bengal Florican.

• Declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary on 1977
• Best time to visit: 15^th November to 15^th June
• Famous for: Swamp Deer, Tiger
• Location: Uttar Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

12. Panna National Park

Winner of the ‘Award of Excellence’ in 2007 as the best maintained national park of India, Panna National Park is well-known for its wildlife and avifauna. In 1993, it was declared as the twenty-second Tiger reserve of India.

• Declared as a National Park on:1981
• Best time to visit: January to May
• Famous for: Blackbuck and spotted deer
• Location: Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

13) Gorumara National Park

Primarily known for its population of Indian rhinoceros, Gorumara National Park is located in the Himalayan foothills in Northern West Bengal. Gorumara is also home to numerous tropical Orchids.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1994
• Best time to visit: October to May
• Famous for: Giant squirrels, Cobra, Python
• Location: West Bengal

How to Reach there: View Direction

14. Simlipal National Park

Being the seventh largest National park in India, Simlipal National Park got its name from the abundant red silk cotton trees growing in this place. The beautiful Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls add charm to this national park.

• Declared as a National Park on:1980
• Best time to visit: November to June
• Famous for: Bengal tiger, Asian Elephant, Gaur
• Location: Odisha

How to Reach there: View Direction

15. Satpura National Park

Rich in biodiversity and an exotic diversity of flora and fauna, Satpura National park is one of the first declared Reserved forest area in India for its ecological and commercial importance.

It is named so because of the Satpura Ranges. ‘Pandav caves’( according to Indian religious belief, it is a place where the Pandavas and Draupadi spent some of the parts of their exile here )is one of the main attractions of this place.

• Declared as a National park on 1981
• Best time to visit: November to February
• Famous for: Barasinghas
• Location: Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

16. Periyar National Park

It lies in the middle of Cardamom Hills in Kerala and is well-known for its stillness and greenery.

It is surrounded by the Periyar Lake, formed when Mullaperiyar Dam was erected.

There are almost 35 species of mammals, 266 species of birds and 45 species of reptiles including the threatened ones.

Pamba and Periyar are the two main water bodies that help the flora and fauna in this sanctuary.

• Declared as a National Park: 1982
• Best time to visit: September to April
• Famous for: Elephants, Indian wild dog, Barking Deer
• Location: Kerala

How to Reach there: View Direction

17. Pench National Park

Pench National Park is undoubtedly, one of the star attractions of Madhya Pradesh. It serves as  a domicile for a large species of fauna. The name is so because of the Pench river flowing through this national park.

Declared as a National Park on: 1977

• Best time to visit: February to April
• Famous for: Bengal Tiger, chital, sambar
• Location: Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

18. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary

A hidden gem of beautiful destination, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is a dwelling home for the majestic Bengal tigers.

Pandupol Hanuman Temple with attached waterfalls, is nestled within the rocky hills of Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1979
• Best time to visit: October to June
• Famous for: Serpent eagles, Hare, Boars
• Location:Rajastan

How to Reach there: View Direction

19. Ranthambore National Park

Housed with the historical Fortress within the park premise, Ranthambore national park is a part of the Project Tiger and has been a home to the Royal Bengal Tigers since 1974. The park is noted for the different varieties of snakes within it.

• Declared as a National park on: 1980
• Best time to visit: November to March
• Famous for: Different species of snakes
• Location: Rajasthan

How to Reach there: View Direction

Also Read: General Knowledge For Kids(105 Q & A)

20. Manas National Park

Known for its rare and endangered wildlife, Manas national park is famous for the Wild water buffalo. Since it originates from the Manasriver, it has been named as Manas national park. This park is also famous for maintaining the maximum number of endangered species from India, listed in the Red Book.

• Declared as a Sanctuary on:1928
• Best time to visit: October to May
• Famous for:Assam roofed turtle, golden langur
• Location: Assam

How to Reach there: View Direction

21. Van Vihar National Park

Shining beacon in the field of conservation, Van Vihar national park is one of the most admired national parks in India. This park divides the animals into two categories, carnivorous and herbivorous. All herbivorous animals are let to roam freely whereas the carnivorous are kept inside enclosed areas.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1979
• Best time to visit:July to September
• Famous for: Bengal tiger, Nilgai, Sloth bear
• Location: Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

22. Keoladeo National Park

Earlier known by the name Bharatpur National park, Keoladeo National Park is a home to the exotic birds and animals. Though it was declared as a national park in 1982, it got its recognition from UNESCO in 1985.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1982
• Best time to visit: August to November
• Famous for: Migratory birds like Palaeartic migratory waterfowl,especially during the winter time
• Location: Rajasthan

How to Reach there: View Direction

23. Rajaji National Park

Cuddled between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic plains,Rajaji national park is distinct for its scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity. It is named after Sri. Rajgopalachari (known as Rajaji), a famous freedom fighter.

• Established on: 1983
• Best time to visit: November to June
• Famous for: Tiger, leopard, Himalayan bear
• Location: Uttrakhand

How to Reach there: View Direction

24. The Great Himalayan National Park

A magnificent national park and a place to relax for the tourists, away from the hustle-bustle of the city life, The Great Himalayan National Park, is a habitat to numerous flora and fauna. The park got its recognition from UNESCO in 2014.

• Established on: 1984
• Best time to visit: March to June and Mid September to November
• Famous for:Bharal, Himalayan Brown bear, Snow leopard
• Location: Himachal Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

25. Bandhavgarh National Park

‘Bandhav-garh’ means fort of the brother, and is believed to been gifted by Lord Ram to his brothe Laxman.This is the largest tiger reserve in India. It has the highest number of Royal Bengal Tigers in India.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1968
• Best time to visit: October to June
• Famous for: Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic jackals, sloth bears
• Location:Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

26. Nagarhole National Park

Enriched with its enchanting beauty of flora and fauna, Nagarhole national park is a domicile to a number of majestic reptiles such as vine snake, tortoise, King Cobra and Indian Rock Python. It was declared as the thirty seventh Project Tiger, Tiger reserves of India.

1. Declared as a National Park on: 1988
2. Best time to visit: April to May
3. Famous for: Elephant, Guar, and Tiger
4. Location: Mysore, Karnataka

How to Reach there: View Direction

27. Bannarghatta National Park

Bannarghatta National Park is adorned with India’s first butterfly enclosure within it. The butterfly conservatory is a circular enclosure with a poly-carbonate roof. Apart from this, ancient temples, a zoo, a pet corner, an animal rescue centre, an aquarium, a snake house and a safari park adds charm to the park.

• Declared as a National Park on:1974
• Best time to visit: November to June
• Famous for:Different butterflies and endangered species of Tiger, wild boar
• Location: Bangalore, Karnataka

How to Reach there: View Direction

28. Wandoor Marine National Park

This park is also known by the name Mahatma Gandhi National Park. It was created to protect marine life like the corals and nesting sea turtles in the area. The park has two major islands- Labyrinth Islands and the Twin Islands.The islands are uninhabited land, but there is a population of about 7000 people, in the adjacent villages.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1989
• Best time to visit: November to January
• Famous for: King cobra, pit viper, day gecko
• Location: Andaman Islands

How to Reach there: View Direction

29. Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai National Park is one of the national parks in india with the dual status of a national park and a wildlife sanctuary. It was declared as a tiger reserve in 2007, in an effort to conserve the tiger population.

The three types of forests- Tropical moist deciduous, Tropical dry deciduous, Southern Tropical dry thorn forests enrich the beauty of the forest.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1990
• Best time to visit: December to June
• Famous for: Royal Bengal Tigers, Giant Malabar Squirrels
• Location: Tamil Nadu

How to Reach there: View Direction

30. Jaldapara National Park

Being a paradise for the bird watchers, Jaldapara national park is one of the places in India to spot the Bengal floricans. But it is well-known for its population of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros. This park is famous for Elephant safari.

• Declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary on: 1994
• Best times to visit: September to December and March to May
• Famous for: One-horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tigers and spotted deer
• Location: West Bengal

How to Reach there: View Direction

31. Pin Valley National Park

Garnished with the majestic Pin river, Pin Valley national park is considered as home to the “grey ghost of Himalayas”, the Snow leopard. It hasthe second oldest monastery- Kungri Monastery in it.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1987
• Best time to visit: October to July
• Famous for: Siberian Ibex and the rare Snow leopard
• Location: Himachal Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

32. Orang National Park

This is nick named as Mini Kaziranga, due to the similarity in landscapes. But it is officially called as Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park. It is situated along the shores of the river Brahmaputra. It is the 49^th Tiger reserve of our country.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1999
• Best time to visit: November to February
• Famous for: Rhino and Tiger
• Location: Assam

How to Reach there: View Direction

33. Desert National Park

Being an excellent example of the ecosystem, Desert national park is a haven for the migratory and resident birds of the desert. The endangered Indian bustard is the major attraction of this National park. It migrates to nearby places in different times. It also has a collection of fossils of animals and plants of 180 million years old.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1980
• Best time to visit: November to January
• Famous for: Great Indian Bustard and Falcon
• Location: Rajasthan

How to Reach there: View Direction

34. Mrugavani National Park

Well-known for the deer and peacock population, Mrugavani national park is home to a plethora of plant and animal species. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year. Mrugavani national park also provides a reading room, an auditorium, a center for education and a museum for the travelers.

• Declared as a National park on:1994
• Best time to visit: Can be visited throughout the year
• Famous for:
• Location:Telangana

How to Reach there: View Direction

35. Kishtwar National Park

Acquainted with nature in its best form, Kishtwar national park is elevated with narrow valleys. Besides mammal viewing and bird watching, it offers aeye-soothing view of nature and its serenity.

• Declared as a National park on: 1981
• Best time to visit: May to October
• Famous for: Endangered snow leopards, Himalayan jungle crow, Paradise flycatcher, Griffon Vulture
• Location: Jammu and Kashmir

How to Reach there: View Direction

36. Anshi National Park

Also known by the name Kali Tiger Reserve, the Anshi National Park is surrounded by lush greenery.  In 2007, Anshi national park and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary were together granted the status of Project Tiger tiger reserve, and then it was called as AnshiDandeli Tiger Reserve.

• Declared as a National park on: 1975
• Best time to visit: November to June
• Famous for: Bengal tigers, Black panthers and Indian elephants
• Location: Karnataka

How to Reach there: View Direction

Also Read: Geography Quiz For Kids (107 Questions and Answers)

37. Mount Harriet National Park

Mount Harriet National Park has the third highest peak in Andaman Islands. The park is named in the memory of Harriet c Tytler, the second wife of Robert Christopher Tytler(a British army officer). The backside of the twenty rupee note has the image from this park. ‘Kalapathar’- a place where criminals were dropped to death, is a notable feature of the park.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1987
• Best time to visit: January to March
• Famous for: Robber crabs, Andaman wild pigs
• Location: Port Blair, Andaman

How to Reach there: View Direction

38. Inderkilla National Park

Though this newly established national park,is well-known for being a habitat to the most significant species of animals, but it is considered to be one of the least visited national parks in India.

• Established on: 2010
• Best time to visit: October and November
• Famous for:wide range of exotic species of birds and plants.
• Location: Himachal Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

39. Namdapha National Park

The name Namdapha is a combination of two Singpho words- ‘nam’ means name and ‘dapha’ means origin( river which originates from Dapha Bum glaciers).  It is also known as Northeast’s most Paradisiacal gem. Miao museum is one of the major attractions of this place, it houses the animal specimens including snakes and frogs, a large number of bird skins, mammal pelts, and skulls. Besides this, it has the highest number of Snow Leopards in the world.

• Declared as a National park on: 1983
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Famous for: Snow Leopards
• Location: Arunachal Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

40. Hemis National Park

This park is named after the  HemisGompha monastery in Ladakh. It showcases a wide variety of landscape of Ladakh, with many species of fauna and avifauna. The boundary of the Indus river enriches the beauty of the park.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1987
• Best time to visit: May and early October
• Famous for:Shapu sheep and Snow Leopard
• Location:Ladakh

How to Reach there: View Direction

41. Dachingham National Park

The literal meaning of ‘Dachingam’ is ‘ten villages’, which were included to form the Dachingam National park. This park was initially created to assure clean drinking water for Srinagar. And later on, it was declared as a National park in 1981.

• Declared as a National park on: 1981
• Best time to visit: April to October
• Famous for:Hangul, Kashmir stag
• Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

How to Reach there: View Direction

42. Betla National Park

Betla national park is one of the first national parks in India to become a tiger reserve under Project Tiger. The beautiful Pristine Waterfalls, natural hot springs and a smattering of monuments can be traced in this park. There is a full-fledged library and a museum in the park, to enrich the visitor’s knowledge of the park.

• Declared as a National Park:1986
• Best time to visit:November to March
• Famous for:Elephants, Wolf, Jackal,
• Location: Jharkhand

How to Reach there: View Direction

43. Bison National Park

Also known as Rajbari national park,is one of the best places where the Mother nature can be witnessed at her best.It was made with an aim to protect the endangered species of plants and animals.

• Best time to visit: Can be visited at any time of the year
• Famous for: Gaur, deer, Golden Langur
• Location: Tripura

How to Reach there: View Direction

44. Blackbuck National Park

Blackbuck National Park is also known as Velavadar National Park. It is well-known for the population of Blackbucks. Herds of Blackbucks are found in the northern side of the park. This is also conservation center for Wolves and Lesser Floricans.

• Established on: 1976
• Best time to visit:December to March
• Famous for: Blackbuck antelopes, Male Nilgai
• Location: Gujarat

How to Reach there: View Direction

45. Buxa National Park

Buxa Tiger reserve was created as the 15^th Tiger reserve in India in 1983, and it was declared as a national park in 1992. Buxa Fort is an important landmark of this reserve as this was one of the forts used as a detention camp during the Indian freedom movement.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1992
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Famous for:Red jungle fowl, Blue rock thrush
• Location: West Bengal

How to Reach there: View Direction

46. Campbell National Park

World famous for its extraordinary collection of wave-sculpted rock formations and the twelve Apostles, Campbell National Park has a very pleasant moderate climate, even when the other places in India experience the scorching weather conditions. This park is separated by a buffer zone known as the Galathea National Park.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1992
• Best time to visit: March to October
• Famous for: Crab-eating Macaque, the Megapode, Nicobar Pigeon
• Location: Great Nicobar

How to Reach there: View Direction

Also Read: Top 17 Best Apps For Teachers and Educators

47. Guindy National Park

Being the 8^th smallest national park in India, is an extension of the ‘Raj Bhavan’(Guindy Lodge- official residence of the governor of Tamil Nadu).The Guindy Snake Park and the Children’s Park are major attractions of the park.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1978
• Famous for: Blackbuck, chital or spotted deer
• Location: Tamil Nadu

How to Reach there: View Direction

48. KasuBrahmananda Reddy National Park

Also known by the name, Chiran Palace or ChiranFort, is a vast area of rich flora and fauna. It is named after one of the most famous leaders and the former Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh- KasuBrahmananda. The park houses hundreds of varied species of trees, birds and insects.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1998
• Best time to visit: July to September and November to February
• Famous for:
• Location:Telengana

How to Reach there: View Direction

49. Kudremukh National Park

Kudremukh National Park is a nature’s paradise. Kadambi Waterfalls and the Hanumangundi Falls are one the most popular and unique attractions of the park. Besides this, the park is also surrounded with rich coffee and tea plantations.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1987
• Best time to visit: March to May
• Famous for: Tiger, Leopard, Indian giant squirrel
• Location: Karnataka

How to Reach there: View Direction

50. Madhav National Park

Madhav National Park is named after one of the kings of Scindia dynasty- MadhoRaoScindia. This park is rich in biodiversity. MadhavSagarlake and SakhyaSagar lake are the two important biodiversity support systems in the park.

• Established on: 1958
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Famous for:Dhawda, Tiger, Common langur
• Location: Madhya Pradesh

How to Reach there: View Direction

51. Nokrekh National Park

Famous for the population of red panda, Nokrekh National Park has always generated curiosity in the minds of people. Simsang River game reserve, the NokrekPeak and Ronbang Dare Waterfalls fall under the attractions of this park. The Garo Hills, including the Siju Cave houses many natural limestone caves. The whole cave is covered in water.

• Declared as a national park on: 1986 but the final notification was issued in 1997
• Best time to visit:October to May
• Famous for: Red Panda, Asian Elephant, Marbled Cat
• Location: Meghalaya

How to Reach there: View Direction

52. Pampadum Shola National Park

Pampadum Shola National Park is the smallest national park in Kerala. It unfolds the enchanting beauty of nature. The park’s richness in uncontaminated humus has been an interest of recent studies.

• Declared as a National Parkon: 2003
• Best time to visit: April to September
• Famous for: Medicinal plants and varieties of Eucalyptus
• Location: Kerala

How to Reach there: View Direction

53. Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park

Also known as Phawngpui National Park, houses many wildlife animals like Slow Loris, Tiger, Leopard, Stump-tailed macaque and many more. It is well-known for its exotic species of flora and fauna, and the area is strictly reserved for the betterment of wildlife.

• Declared as a National park on: 1992
• Best time to visit: November to February
• Famous for: Orchids and Rhododendrons
• Location: Mizoram

How to Reach there: View Direction

54. Tadoba National Park

Tadoba National Park is the oldest and the largest national park in Maharashtra. The park is named after the Tribal god-‘Tadoba’. It is said that Taru, the village chief was killed in a mythical encounter with a tiger, and then a shrine was built there in his memory. Later on, it was developed into a national park.

• Established on: 1955
• Best time to visit:April to May
• Famous for: SambarTadoba, Indian Paradise Flycatcher
• Location: Maharashtra

How to Reach there: View Direction

55. Valley of Flowers

Known for the meadows of a variety of flora and endemic alpine flowers, Valley of flowers national park, is a high-altitude Himalayan valley, that has been recognized internationally and referred in Hindu religion.

Three British mountaineers were on their way back from an expedition, and they lost their way in between, and happened upon this valley, which was full of flowers. This is how, the valley got its name.

• Declared as a National Park on: 1982
• Best time to visit: Julyto mid-August
• Famous for: Asiatic black bear, Snow leopard
• Location:Uttrakhand

How to Reach there: View Direction

Conclusion

National Parks in India clutch a special place in the heart of wildlife explorers. However, wildlife conservation and beautification of National Parks in India are essential to the main real charm. Besides, it provides an eye-soothing view to the travelers and a fun-filled family trip

Tribes in India refer to a section of the population who are indigenous to the state or region and who live away from the main society. The 20 major tribes of India have been classified based on their geographical isolation, characteristics, features, culture and backwardness. The tribes in India are called by the collective term ‘Adivasis.’

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The maximum population of tribes in India is in Orissa, Rajasthan, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The largest number of tribes in India is in Madhya Pradesh followed by Bihar. Delhi, Pondicherry, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab are states where there are no tribes.

We give below an overview of the 20 major tribes of India.

1) Bhils Tribe

The Bhils are a tribe found mostly in the mountain ranges of Udaipur and in some districts of Rajasthan.

The Bhils are the largest tribes in India.

They speak the Bhili language. Their celebrations are the Ghoomar dance, Than Gair-a dance drama and the Baneshwar Fair.

2. Gonds Tribe

Found in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh and in parts of Maharashtra, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, the Gonds are the second biggest tribe in India.

They are known for their valor and speak many Indian languages including the Dravidian Gondi language.

They have houses of mud walls and thatched roofs in the Gondi forests.

Agriculture is their main occupation. Keslapur Jathra and Madai are their festivals.

3. Munda Tribe

This tribe is found in Jharkhand and parts of Chattisgarh, Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.

Their life is simple and basic. They speak the Mundari language. The Mundas were hunters in the past but now are laborers in farms.

They follow the Sarna religion owing allegiance to a God called Singbonga. Their language is Killi and Nupur dance is the main entertainment.

The Munda tribes celebrate the Mage, Karam, Sarhaul and Phagu festivals.

4.Santhal Tribes

The Santhal tribes are a major tribe of West Bengal. They are also seen in parts of Bihar, Odisha, and Assam and are the largest tribe in Jharkhand.

They depend on agriculture and livestock for their living and are great hunters. In addition to traditional festivals like Karam and Sahrai, Santhali dance and music is a major attraction.

5.Toto Tribe

Totapara village in Alipurdoar district of West Bengal is home to the Toto tribe.

Their language has no script and is influenced by Nepali and Bengali.

They trade vegetables and fruits to maintain their simple life. They believe in God Ishpa and Goddess Cheima, though they proclaim to be Hindus.

6. Bodo Tribe

The Bodo tribe is found in Assam and parts of West Bengal and Nagaland.

They are believed to be the early indigenous settlers of Assam. They speak a Tibetan-Burmese language, the Bodo.

The weaving of handloom products is an intrinsic part of their culture.

They celebrate the Baishagu festival in spring, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

7.Angami Tribe

The Angami Nagas is one of the major tribes found in the district of Kohima in Nagaland.

The men dress in white Mhoushu and black Lohe. The women wear Mechala and ornaments of beads, mask pendants, bracelets, etc.

The tribe is best known for the famed Hornbill Festival which attracts crowds from various parts of the world.

Their intricate art and woodwork and work in bamboo and cane are beautiful. They speak different dialects like Gnamei, Ngami, Tsoghami.

8.Bhutia Tribe

The Bhutias are mainly found in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal and Tripura.

They are of Tibetan ancestry and speak Lhopo or Sikkimese language.

They are known for their art and cuisine. The steamed meat dumplings called momos are their staple food.

Thukpa, noodles in a broth, is another of their dishes. Losar and Loosong are the festivals celebrated.

9. Khasi Tribe

This tribe is mainly spotted on the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya and in parts of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The tribe plays plenty of music and a wide range of musical instruments like drums, guitars, flutes, cymbals, etc.

Their major festival, the Nongkrem festival is five days long when the women wear a dress called Jainsem and the men a Jymphong.

10. Garo Tribe

Garo tribes are mainly found in the hills of Meghalaya and parts of Assam, Nagaland and West Bengal.

The tribe is one of the few matrilineal societies in the world. Garo architecture is quite unique. Nokmong, Nokpante, Jamadaal and Jamsireng are some of them.

The tribal women wear a variety of traditional ornaments. The men wear their traditional dress with a turban with feathers stuck in them. The festival of Wangala is their celebration.

11. Nyishi Tribe

This tribe inhabits the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh with the majority of them from districts of Kurung Kumey, Papum Pare, Upper, and Lower Subansiri.

Nishi is the language spoken by them. A good majority of them have converted to Christianity.

The rest still follow a religion involving spirits associated with nature. The Nyokum festival, celebrated in February every year, is dedicated to the goddess Nyokum.

12. Warli Tribe

The tribe is found in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

This tribe is well known for the Warli Art, where a  mixture of cow dung and earth, rice paste, bamboo stick, red ochre are used to create art, paintings and murals.

They conduct the Tarpa dance during the harvest season and the Warli Folk Art Dancing People Festival during March of every year.

13. Chenchu Tribe

This tribe is indigenous to Andhra Pradesh and inhabits the forests of Nallamala Hills.

They are also present in the districts of Kurnool, Nalgonda, Guntur.

They hunt and trade in jungle products like honey, roots, gums, fruits, and tubers. They speak a language with Telugu accent and are a very ritualistic lot.

14. Siddis Tribe

This tribe of Karnataka is believed to have descended from the Bantu people of Southeast Africa.

History says that the people were brought in as slaves by the Portuguese. They are found in various parts of Karnataka. The majority of them are Christians while others follow Hinduism and Islamism. They are fond of ritual practices, dance and music.

15.Soliga Tribe

The Soligas inhabit the dense forest areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

This indigenous group is comprised of five different groups namely Male Soliga, Kadu, Burude, Pujari, Urali Soliga.

The Soligas speak the Sholaga language, which has Kannada and Tamil influence.

Their main source of livelihood is the sale of Raggi, honey, wild turmeric, algae, bamboo, etc harvested by them.

16. Kodava Tribe

This tribe from Mysore, Karnataka is concentrated in Coorg. Well known for their bravery, the tribe is a patrilineal tribe from Kodagu or Coorg.

They speak the Kodava language.

They are basically agriculturists. The people of the tribe, both men and women, are very passionate about hockey.

In addition to the traditional festivals of Kailpodhu, Puttari and Kaveri Sankraman, they celebrate the Kodava Hockey festival every year.

17. Toda Tribe

The Todas are found in parts of the Nilgiris mountain in Tamil Nadu.

Their livelihood depends on cattle farming and dairy. Their skill in architecture is reflected in the oval and tent-shaped bamboo houses with thatched roofs.

Toda embroidery work, Pukhoor, is well acclaimed. Their most important festival is Modhweth.

18. Irular Tribe

The tribe inhabits areas of the Nilgiri mountain in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

They are the second-largest tribe in Kerala and are found mostly in the Palakkad region.

They are mainly farmers and dependent on the production of paddy, dhal, Raggi, chilies, turmeric, and plantains.

They are ritualistic, believe in their own Gods and are known for their skills in black magic.

19. Kurumba Tribe

This is a major tribe found in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They are one of the earliest settlers of the Western Ghats.

They lead a simplistic lifestyle depending on agriculture and gathering of honey and wax.

They are adept at formulating traditional herbal medicines. They are well known in the region for their skills in witchcraft and magic.

20. Great Andamanese Tribe

This tribe includes the Jarawa, Jangil, Onge, and Sentinelese on the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

They are known to be the first inhabitants of the island. They speak the Bo, Khora, Jeru and Sare languages.

They keep to themselves and refrain from interacting with outsiders.

India has about 645 tribes in total. The Government of India is keen on the development of these tribes and incorporating their contributions to mainstream society.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs plans and co-ordinates the development programs for the tribes

UNESCO defines a Biosphere Reserve (BR) as a natural landscape that covers a large area of terrestrial, coastal, marine or a combination of these ecosystems. The purpose of creating biosphere reserves is to conserve biodiversity, protect the culture and tradition, and also maintain the economic development of the area. The establishment of biosphere reserves is guided by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program of UNESCO. India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, which we will learn more in detail in this blog.

Criteria for Designation of Biosphere Reserves

• An area that must possess viably conserved and minimally distributed core area of the esteem of nature conservation.
• The core area ought to be of a bio-geographical unit and sufficient to support viable populaces representing all trophic levels within the ecosystem.
• The managing authority needs to make sure of the cooperation/involvement of nearby communities to bring a lot of knowledge and experiences to interface biodiversity preservation and socio-economic improvements whereas overseeing and containing the conflicts.
• Areas potential for preservation of conventional rural or tribal modes of living for harmonious utilization of nature.

Structure and functions of Biosphere Reserves

Core Zone

The core zone must include an appropriate environment for various plants and animals, including predators and endemism.

This zone often preserves economic species and also represents relevant genetic reservoirs wit exceptional scientific interest.

While realizing that perturbation is a key ingredient of the ecosystem, this area is to be protected from human innovation and pressures external to the system.

Buffer Zone

The buffer zone surrounds the core zone. The activities of this area are managed in a way to help the core zone to remain in its natural condition.

The activities include restoration, fishing, demonstration sites, tourism, grazing, recreation, etc which are permitted to decrease its impact on the core zone.

Educational activities and researches are to be carried out effectively. Human activities are likely to continue if it does not unfavorably influence biological diversity.

Transition Zone

The transition zone is the outermost portion of the biosphere reserve. It is a zone of cooperation where management and conservation skills are used and managed with concern to the biosphere reserve.

This includes croplands, recreation areas, settlements, managed forests and other economic uses specialized in this region.

Have a look at 18 World Famous Biosphere Reserves in our Country

Sl No	Name	Area (in km2)	Location (State)
1	Cold Desert	7770	Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh
2	Nanda Devi	5860.69	Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand).
3	Khangchendzonga	2619.92	Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and Sikkim.
4	Dehang-Dibang	5111.5	Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh
5	Manas	2837	Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang districts (Assam)
6	Dibru-Saikhowa	765	Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam)
7	Nokrek	820	Part of Garo hills (Meghalaya).
8	Panna	2998.98	Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh
9	Pachmarhi	4926	Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.
10	Achanakamar –    Amarkantak	3835.51	Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of M.P. and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattishgarh State.
11	Kachchh	12,454 km2	Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State
12	Simlipal	4374	Part of Mayurbhanj district (Orissa).
13	Sunderbans	9630	Part of delta of Ganges and Brahamaputra river system
14	Seshachalam Hills	4755.997	Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh
15	Agasthyamalai	1828	Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney  Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala.
16	Nilgiri	5520	Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka).
17	Gulf of Mannar	10,500 km2	The Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu).
18	Great Nicobar	885	Southern most islands of Andaman And Nicobar (A&N Islands).

1) Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh

The Cold Desert is spread over 7,700 square kilometers and covers the Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

It extends from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. This cold desert is located on the leeward side of the Himalayas and hence doesn’t receive any monsoon rain.

This region has a very harsh climatic condition with avalanches, snowstorms, and blizzards. The growing season is very short and water availability is minimal, with only runoffs from glaciers.

This cold dessert is home to the snow leopard, Tibetan Gazzle, Himalayan Black bear, Himalayan brown bear, golden eagle, Himalayan snowcock, Tibetan Wolf, and more.

In fact, this biosphere reserve has many rare species of flora and fauna that are not seen elsewhere.

2. Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand

The Nanda Devi National Park was established in 1982 and declared a biosphere reserve region by UNESCO in 1988. The biosphere reserve includes Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of the Flowers National Park.

The inner part of the biosphere reserve comprises the Nanda Devi peak and the Rishi glacier (both north and south). This reserve forest area has 312 flowering plant species and 114 bird species.

The Himalayan musk deer, brown bear, snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, and langurs are seen here.

3) Khangchendzonga or Kangchenjunga, Sikkim

This biosphere reserve area located in the eastern Himalayan region includes three ecoregions, namely alpine shrub and meadows, broad-leaved and coniferous forests, and grasslands.

It is spread over an area of 6032 square kilometers and contains 14 protected areas, of which 1 is in Nepal, 1 in Bhutan, and the remaining 12 in India.

The protected areas in the Indian region are Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Khangchendzonga National Park, Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary, Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary, Neora Valley National Park, Singalila National Park, Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, and Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary.

4) Dihang-Dibang, Arunachal Pradesh

This biosphere reserve was established in 1998 and includes Dibang wildlife sanctuary and Mouling National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.

The biosphere reserve has sub-tropical forests, pine forests, temperate forests, coniferous forests, sub-alpine woody shrub, alpine meadow, grassland, and bamboo brakes. Such a wide variety of vegetation also means that this biosphere reserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Rare animals like the musk deer, red ghoral, red panda, Sclater’s monal, Blyth’s tragopan, and Mishmi takin are found here.

5) Manas, Assam

The Manas biosphere reserve area is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and comprises of grasslands and forest.

There are endemic and rare species such as the golden langur, pygmy hog, hispid hare, water buffalo, and Assam roofed turtle here. A major tributary of the Brahmaputra River flows through the dense forests of the Manas biosphere reserve.

6) Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam

The Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere reserve was established in 1997. It covers an area of 765 square kilometers in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.

This biosphere reserve consists of semi-evergreen trees, mixed deciduous forests, salix swamp forests, grasslands, and canebrakes.

There are 35 species of epiphytic orchids and 8 species of terrestrial orchids in this reserve forest area. The biosphere reserve has 36 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles, and nearly 50 species of birds.

7) Nokrek, Meghalaya

The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve located in the West Garo Hills in Meghalaya was added to UNESCO’s list of biosphere reserves in 2009.

It comprises of the Nokrek National Park and the Balpakram National Park. This biosphere reserve has eight species of cats, 7 species of primates and a large variety of birds.

8) Panna, Madhya Pradesh

The Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh is spread over an area of 4300 hectares. It was declared as a tiger reserve in 1993. Apart from tigers, this national park is home to leopard, sloth bear, sambhar deer, nilgai, Indian vulture, chinkara, blossom-headed parakeet, and many other species.

The northernmost areas of this reserve have teak forests while the eastern region has Kardhai trees. The catchment area of the Ken River lies in the Panna National Park and the nearby Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.

This tiger reserve had a mere 40 tigers, which dwindled to zero because of poaching that was supported by the forest officers. In 2012, three tigers were brought from other tiger reserves. Now, there are about 10 tigers in this reserve.

9) Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve was established in 1999. It is located in the Satpura mountain range in Madhya Pradesh.

The unique feature of this biosphere reserve is that it has animals from the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. Spread over an area of 4926.28 square kilometers, this biosphere reserve covers Bori Sanctuary, Pachmarhi sanctuary, and Satpura national park.

One can see wild mango trees, silver fern, sal, and Arjun trees here. Animals in this reserve include nilgai, tiger, leopard, chital deer, sambhar deer, Indian giant squirrels, flying squirrels, wild bear, guar, Indian wolf, and wild dogs.

10) Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh-Chattisgarh

Located in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, the Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve is spread across an area of 3835.51 square kilometers.

This biosphere reserve has three rivers – Narmada, Johilla, and Son and the mountain ranges – Vindya and Satpura. The forest has 1500 plant species that include deciduous trees, ferns, and angiosperms.

This reserve forest area has more than 105 medicinal species, of which 25 are very rare.

As for the animals, this biosphere reserve has blackbuck, wolves, tigers, jackals, foxes, and monkeys. There are more than 13 snake and lizard species, 170 bird species, and many frog species.

11) Kutch, Gujarat

The Rann of Kutch is spread over an area of 7500 kilometers in the Thar Desert, Gujarat which is India’s largest salt desert.

This biosphere reserve contains the Little Rann of Kutch, Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Chari-Dhand wildlife sanctuary, Kutch desert wildlife sanctuary, and the Banni grasslands.

This salt desert is home to the Indian wild ass and thorny scrub. During the flooding season, it becomes the breeding ground for greater and lesser flamingos.

12) Simlipal, Odisha

The Simlipal biosphere reserve area comprises of Similipal Tiger Reserve, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, and Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

This biosphere reserve covers 2750 square kilometers. The forests have sal trees, champak trees, eucalyptus, and red silk cotton trees. Several varieties of orchids also grow here.

This biosphere reserve area has 1076 plant species, 42 mammal species, 242 bird species, and 30 reptile species.

13) Sundarban, West Bengal

The Sundarbans are in the delta region where the rivers Ganga, Megha, and the Brahmaputra flow into the Bay of Bengal.

This biosphere reserve has two eco-regions – freshwater swamp forests and mangroves and consists of open and closed mangrove forests, barren land, and agricultural land.

The mangrove forests of Sundarbans cover nearly 10,000 square kilometers, of which 4260 square kilometers area is in West Bengal, India, and the rest in Bangladesh.

The Bengal tiger, flying foxes, pangolins, spotted deer, wild boars, and fishing cats are some of the animals found in this reserve forest area.

14) Seshachalam, Andhra Pradesh

The Seshachalam biosphere reserve is located in the Tirumala Hills in the Eastern Ghats.

It is spread over an area of 4756 square kilometers. Geologists believe that these mountains were formed about 3.8 to 540 million of years ago in the Precambrian era.

This biosphere reserves in India includes Sri Venkateswara National Park and Idupulapaya.

There are nearly 178 species of birds including the white-backed vulture, Yellow-browed Bulbul, and Large Hawk-Cuckoo.

15) Agasthyamala, Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala

The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is located in the Tamilnadu – Kerala border and covers an area of 3500.36 square kilometers.

It was established in 2001 and was added to the list of UNESCO’s biosphere reserves in the year 2016.

This biosphere reserve has more than 2000 species of medicinal plants, of which 50 are rare herbs. Elephant, tiger and Nilgiri Thar can be seen in the forests.

16) Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu-Kerala

The Nilgiri biosphere reserve covers an area of 5000 square kilometers. It includes Waynad, Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Mukurti, Silent Valley, Aralam, and Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

It is the first biosphere reserves in India established in India and covers Kerala, Tamilnadu, and Karnataka.

There are over 370 bird species, 39 fish species, 31 amphibian species, 316 butterfly species, 100 mammal species, and 80 reptile species in this biosphere reserve.

As for the flora, there are nearly 3300 species of plants and 175 species of orchids that grow in this region.

17) Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu

This shallow bay in the Indian Ocean that lies between the southern tip of India and the west coast of Sri Lanka. There are more than 3600 species of flora and fauna as well as 117 species of corals in this coastal region. This biosphere reserves in India cover 10,500 square feet of area, which comprises of 21 islands and islets in the Gulf of Mannar region. The animals found here are dugong (sea cow), sharks, dolphins, sea cucumbers, pearl oysters and many varieties of fishes.

18) Great Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island

 

The Great Nicobar biosphere reserve covers almost the entire area of the Nicobar Island.

This biosphere reserves in India have many endemic species that aren’t seen elsewhere. Some of the species found on this island are Nicobar scrubfowl, giant robber crab, saltwater crocodile, giant leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar long-tailed Macaque, and reticulated python.

UNESCO introduced the concept of biosphere reserves to establish a strong ecological foundation and create a protective network for natural resources.

These biosphere reserves in India not just protect the flora and fauna but also people who are dependent on these natural resources.

‘Sight words’ is a term associated with reading. It normally refers to a set of words that appear repeatedly on a page in books while reading.

Sight words form the basics of reading lessons for children. The child is taught to recognize these words quickly and accurately.  This will help the child to attain fluency in reading. Only when reading is fluent can the child understand and comprehend the written matter.

SIGHT WORD LISTS – AN OVERVIEW

The Dolch word list and the Fry word list are the most popular sight words list.

Dr. Edward Dolch has 200 sight words used in teaching students from Kindergarten to third grade.

He prepared this list by studying words that frequently occurred in children’s books during the 1930s and 1940s.

Dr. Edward Fry developed a word list based on words that frequently appeared in reading matter used from Grades 3 to 9 in the 1950s.

This list contains the most widely used 1000 words in English. The list includes words found in current books, textbooks, and newspapers.

Though there are almost 1000 sight words in the English language, the most commonly used is around 100 of them.

Words like I, we, on, all, who, the, he, was, does, me, be, there, am, then, at, an, so, are examples of sight words.

TEACHING OF SIGHT WORDS

Basic understanding of sight words:

It should be understood that the sight words cannot be taught through phonics. They cannot be sounded. In phonics, the child is taught to decode each word and read. Decoding of sight words will not make sense.

The sight words cannot be associated with illustrations and hence pictorial flashcards cannot be used.

Flashcards with the words written on them can be used. Readers are expected to recognize the words by looking at them.

Teaching sight words focus on the reading words that occur frequently without having to decode each and every word.

Hence it is critical that the instructors spend time to teach the children the right usage and pronunciation of these words.

When:

The language skills of children develop between the ages of three and five. This is not a written rule and hence these words can be taught as and when the child is found to be receptive.

Literacy experts suggest that a child in Kindergarten should be introduced to 20 sight words. The child should have mastered 100 sight words by the end of First Grade.

The sight words have to be stated several times to a child till he gets to read, say and use it right. The students are taught to memorize these words by sight as these words do not comply with any spelling or grammar rules.

They have to recognize these words instantly while reading. In short, the readers need to learn to by heart these words. This way reading becomes simpler and comprehension easier.

Methods:

Sight words can be taught in different ways.

-The most common method is to see and say. The child sees the word on a card and says the word while underlining the word with his finger.

-Spell reading is another technique used. The child says the word, spells the word and reads the word once again.

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– Air writing or skywriting is another method used where the child says the word and writes the letters in front of the word in the air.

-Table writing is a method where the child writes the letters on a table, first looking and then from memory.

-Arm tapping is yet another way where the child says the word and then spells out the letters tapping on his arm.

– Creating a song the lyrics of which resemble a familiar nursery rhyme or tune. The words are replaced with spellings of sight words.

– Creating a story on how the letters of these words look and how they are connected. Children build associations quicker by listening to stories.

The frequency of lessons and the child’s attention span determine whether all techniques are to be used. Ideally, the use of all these techniques, are recommended in the teaching of sight words.

The repetitive seeing, hearing, speaking, spelling, singing and writing of the words will ensure long term memorization.

How:

A child can be taught three to five new words in a day. These words can be reviewed before the start of the next day’s lessons.

If the child is able to recognize the words he can be taught another set of three to five words.

The pace can be slowed down if it is found that the child does not remember the first set of words.

It is said that the child has to recognize the word in about three seconds.

This is not a universal norm that needs to be followed. The pace of learning is dependent on factors like the age of the child, memory skills, and varies from child to child.

The words can be taught through simple games where they get a turn to read the words.

The teacher observes the child for correct reading. When they go wrong, the teacher takes the turn to read correctly without offending the children.

Word walls are found to be very effective in the teaching of sight words.

The teacher and children together prepare colorful charts with the words displayed on them. It acts as an interactive, ongoing platform for the different words taught and used frequently.

Books with repetitive matter and word search books help the child to identify the sight words being taught. Children get excited when they come across words they have learned.

Follow up of the techniques:

It is imperative that the teacher or instructor know to what extent the children have understood the lessons that have been taught.

Manipulative techniques like mixing up the letters and getting the children to rearrange them correctly help the teacher to understand their level of grasping. Magnetic alphabets or letter tiles can be used.

The children can be asked to identify sight words in print on the page of a book. They have to point out the specific word surrounded by other words, spaces, and punctuation marks. Kindergarten children may be rewarded each time they find the word.

Alternatively, the children could be asked to perform an activity each time the teacher came across the sight word in small group reading sessions.

Play-acting can be done with children forming the letters with their bodies.

These activities will reinforce the child’s knowledge too. Learning to read is not easy.

Identifying sight words increases the child’s confidence to read. Fluency in reading is the key to the understanding of the reading matter.

Each word matters in language and literature. Words help us to read, write, think and talk.

Words help to communicate. Hence it is essential to provide children with the right basic education. Sight words have to be memorized as there is no other way to master them.

The initiative and creativity of the teachers go a long way in the teaching of sight words. Their dedication and motivation are paramount to the success of the child’s learning.