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Yoga & Panchkarma

Garhwal Division

• Asan Barrage - The wetland at Asan Barrage, is situated near the confluence of two perennial rivers Asan and Yamuna. The lake attracts a large number of waterfowl, both waders and divers. The birds listed as globally threatened species and in the IUCN Red Data Book have been observed at Asan. Though it may not be large in size, the sheer abundance of Avifauna makes it an ideal place for bird lovers, Ornithologists and Naturalists alike, who can travel easily up to the site, and see thousands of birds who have travelled miles to be there. To watch a mallard or a red crested pochard, gently swimming a few hundred yards in wilderness is indeed an unforgettable sight.

  Asan Barrage serves as a winter passage halt for trans-Himalayan migratory birds. These birds are spotted here on their way to southern India (October-November) and again on their way back (late February-March). By the end of October the Asan witnesses the arrival of migrants from Pale arctic region. The first to arrive is the shoveller followed by ruddy shelduck, mallard, coot, cormorant, egrets, wagtails, pond heron to name a few.

  Birds of prey like pallas fishing eagle, marsh harrier, greater spotted eagle, osprey and steppe eagle add to this magnificent diversity. Asan has the privilege of hosting a more than thirty year old nesting site of the Pallas Fishing Eagle, which it reconstructs every winter. While, rest of the year this nest is shared by other birds of prey. During winter months 90% of the waterbird population comprises the following 11 migratory species, namely brahminy duck, pintail, red crested pochard, gadwall, common pochard, mallard, coot, wigeon, common teal, tufted duck, shoveller. 

Winters might be the most exciting season for the bird lovers, but for the serious birdwatcher the other months of the year (early May to September end) offer just as exciting opportunities to see local migrants like painted stork, open billed stork, night heron. A flock of 25- 40 painted storks can be seen in these months every year.

The Asan Reservoir is a small man-made wetland of ca. 4 sq km area, located 40 km west of Dehradun, in the west of Dehradun valley on Dehradun - Paonta road. Geographically it is situated between latitude 30° 24’-30° 28’ N and longitude 77° 40’-77° 44’ E, near the confluence of the rivers Asan and Yamuna. The barrage is 287.5 m long, the river bed being 389.4 m above sea level, with minimum and maximum water levels respectively at 402.4 m and 403.3 m asl. The Asan reservoir exists throughout the year and is fed from the river Asan and the discharge channel of Yamuna through Dhalipur power house. Although the water level is controlled, it often goes down, and swampy islands in the middle become visible, attracting a variety of marsh-loving birds like egrets, herons and lapwings etc.

• Govind Wildlife Sanctuary - In the beautiful and captivating environs of the Uttarkashi district is Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1955, covering an area of 953 sq km includes mountains like Swarg Rohini, Black Peak and Bandarpunch. Apart from the sanctuary, the place is a popular tourist destination, mainly because of the beauty of its snow-clad peaks and glaciers. Attracting many trekkers and famous for its lush green beauty is Hari-ki-Dun. The wide variety of animal species that live here includes Himalayan black bears, tahr, serow, monal, snow leopard, brown bears, trogopan, chir, bharal, musk deer, koklas, kaleej pheasants and chukor.

• Nanda Devi National Park  - Spread over an area of 630 sq km, just next to the Nanda Devi Peak (which is the second highest mountain in India - 7816 m), is the Nanda Devi National Park. It was established in 1980. The first men on record to have reached this Sanctuary, while yet in its pristine form, were the British Mountaineers Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman. The area had largely remained undisturbed till then, except for Tilman's successful attempt on Nanda Devi in 1936. However, from 1950 onwards the increasing number of treks and climbing expeditions to the area has somewhat affected the virgin character of this place. A unique mix of flora and fauna is characteristic of this park. The fauna includes the brown and Himalayan black bears, Himalayan thar, snow leopards, serow and chir pheasants.

• Rajani National Park - Rajaji National Park is distinct for its pristine scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity. A paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the wildlife of the park is blessed with elephants, tigers, leopards, deers and ghorals as its best known life forms. Three sancturies in the Uttaranchal, Shivaliks - Rajaji, Motichur and Chila were amalgamated into a large protected area and named Rajaji National Park in the year 1983 after the famous freedom fighter Late Sri C. Rajgopalachari; popularly known as "Rajaji". This area is the North Western Limit of Asian elephants. Spread over an area of 820.42 sq km, Rajaji is a magnificient ecosystem nestled in the Shivalik ranges and the beginning of the vast Indo–Gangetic plains, thus representing vegetation of several distinct zones and forest types like sal forests, reverine forests, board–leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassy. It posseses as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species.The abundance of nature’s bounties heaped in and around this park, are bound to attract a large number of wildlife conservationalists, nature lovers and eco-friends to visit this most breathtaking wilderness area.

  Rajaji National Park is situated along the hills and foothills of Shivalik ranges in the Himalayan foothills and represents the Shivalik eco-system. On the map it is located between Haridwar (Latitude 290 56’ 40”) and Dehradun (Latitude 300 20’ North) and 790 80’ E Longitude (Dehradun 780 01’ 15” E (Ramgarh), Chillawali- 770 54’ 30” East).

• Valley of Flower

Kumaon Division

• Ashok Sanctuary - Pithoragarh, the picturesque hill district of Uttaranchal Pradesh, houses amidst its greens, the Askot Sanctuary, which adds more dazzle to its already splendid beauty. Lying in the lap of Kumaon Himalayas at a height of 5412 ft, snow-capped mountain peaks and fine temples are an integral part of Pithoragarh. The highlights of the sanctuary are snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deers, snow cocks, tahra, bharals, monals, chirs, koklas, pheasants and chukors.

• Corbett National Park - India's first and finest park spread over 520 sq km along the banks of the Ramganga river, just 300 km northeast of Delhi in the foothills of the Himalayas is the Corbett National Park.
  Established initially as Hailey National Park on August 8, 1936, in honour of Sir Malcolm Hailey, then governor of the United Provinces, the name was changed to Ramganga National Park in 1952. In 1957, it was finally named as Corbett National Park in honour and memory of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter, naturalist-turned-author and photographer who had helped in setting up the park and demarcating its boundaries.

  The elevation of the Park ranges between 400 m and 1210 m. The multipurpose hydel dam at Kaulagarh lies at the southwestern fringe of Corbett. The lake inside, with its scenic charm, has added to the beauty of the park. Many species of water birds, both migrant and non-migrant, frequent its water. Crocodiles and long snouted fish-eating gharial have found new homes here and their numbers have increased. They can often be seen sun basking on the sand banks. For anglers too, the lake is a paradise. Fish, such as the mashseer, abound in the lake and river. The Park offers different kinds of vegetation along its varied topography which comprises hilly and riparian areas, temporary marshy depressions, plateaus and ravines.

  110 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 species of bamboo are found here. There are three distinct seasons in Corbett: Cold - Nov. to Feb., Hot - March to June, Rainy - July to Oct. . Over 50 mammal, 580 bird and 25 reptile species have been listed in the Corbett. Also astounding is the insect life here. Corbett is a known haven for tigers, largely owing to the success of WWF funded project-tiger that was launched on 1^stApril 1973. Other animals which add to its attraction are: Leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat, Himalayan black bear, dhole, yellow-throated morten, elephant, porcupine, chital, barking deer etc. Some of the birds commonly seen here are osprey, crested serpent eagle, blackwinged kite, shikra, pallas's fishing eagle, spotted eagle, minivets, shrikes, babblers etc.