Some Wild Inspiration on World Environment Day

We are just counting days now. Counting days to immerse ourselves in the world of travel again. But while we are cooped up inside our homes, the world outside is working towards returning to normalcy. We recommend these four biodiversity hotspots where you can embrace the beauty of nature and wilderness in all its glory, once we are past the current global pandemic. From trekking to camping and river rafting to rock climbing, it’s a wild wild world and we can’t wait to hit the road again!

Western Ghats

The Western Ghats also known as the Sahyadri range stretches along the western coast of India, covering an area of nearly 1,600 kilometres and bordering the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. A Unesco World Heritage Site, these ghats are endowed with lush rainforests. Home to a wide range of flora and fauna, the Western Ghats are a great spot for outdoor activities like mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, camping and jungle walks.

Best time to visit: After October when winter begins to set in.

The Himalayas

Well, the Western Himalayas to be precise. Spread across three states—Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand—the Himalayas are home to a variety of wildlife. One can also  experience a number of adventure activities here including skiing and paragliding

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Ladakh is from mid May to mid September.  You can visit Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between October to May.

The Indo-Burma Region (Northeast India)

Home to nearly 163 globally endangered species including the one-horned rhinoceros and the wild Asian water buffalo, the Indo-Burma Region is quite rich in biodiversity. A variety of ecosystems can be found here that support a large number of animals that are restricted to these forests.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Northeast India is from October to mid-May.

Activities to do: Jungle safari in Kaziranga National Park, trek to Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya, boat rides along the world’s largest river island, Majuli in Assam

Sundaland (Nicobar Island)

One of the richest biological hotspots on the planet, the Sundalands includes the Nicobar group of  Islands in addition to Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia.The Great Nicobar Islands is one of the reserves named by Unesco for promoting sustainable development. These islands have a rich marine ecosystem including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Aquatic species such as dolphins, whales, turtles, and crocodiles can be found here.

Best time to visit: Between October and May

Activities to do: sightseeing, watersports, Mangrove kayaking