The
reason for this richness of species is the region's highly varied climate,
the associated diversity of vegetation as well as its wide altitudinal
range, which extends from sea level to the Himalayas. Another unique factor
is the subcontinent's geographical position that overlaps between three bio
geographical provinces - the Indo-Malayan (South & Southeast Asia),
Palearctic (Europe & Northern Asia) and Afro Tropical (Africa).
Of the 8650 species of birds in the world, India is home to as many as 1200
(roughly 14%), out of which 141 are endemic to this region. What's even more
astonishing is that of the 27 Orders and 155 Families that bird life has
been classified into, India has 20 Orders and 77 Families.
Duration : 15 Days/ 15 Nights tour by road and
flight
Destinations Covered : Kolkata -
Namdhapha -
Kaziranga -
Nameri - Guwahati
Arunachal Pradesh, in the extreme northeast of India, is one of the
most biologically diverse parts of the subcontinent. Its avifauna is a
unique blend of Himalayan, Sino-Tibetan and Indo-Burmese species. Though
less explored, about 665 species of birds have been recorded within the
state. Marvels such as Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Snowy-throated Babbler,
Beautiful Nuthatch, Blyth's Tragopan, Ward's Trogon, Rufous-necked Hornbill
are a few rarities of this remote region. Namdapha.
Namdapha's habitat is classified into tropical, temperate and alpine
types. The multi-layered evergreen timberland that clothes the lower slopes
is probably the largest remaining dipterocarp forest in India. These forests
are best explored on foot. Dense foliage and edges of water bodies reveal
Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Snowy-throated Babbler & Grey-bellied
Tesia. Blyth's Kingfisher, Small Prantincole & Ibisbill and the globally
threatened White-bellied Heron frequent the river. Namdapha is also good for
sighting the Lesser Necklaced Laughing Thrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill,
Long-tailed Sibia, Sultan Tit and Pied Falconet - the tiniest and rarest of
the Indian raptors. The higher reaches of the sanctuary gives one a chance
to see rarities such as Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Brown-throated Fulvetta
and Long & Wedge-billed Wren Babblers.
Guwahati, the bustling capital of Assam is one of the best places in
the world to see the highly endangered Greater Adjutant at close range.
Kaziranga is a superb tract of land whose rich avifauna is
overshadowed by the One-horned rhinoceros for which the park is renowned. On
account of its dense bird life, this low-lying grassland with several large
shallow lakes and patches of open woodland is considered as 'Bharatpur of
the East'. The marshes support many species of waterfowl and an elephant
ride reveals grassland species such as Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin and
Chestnut-capped Babbler.
The adjoining
Panbari forests are home to Fairy Bluebird,
Puff-throated Babblers, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Grey Peacock Pheasant and
flocks of the much sought after Spot-winged Starling in winters.
Tea plantations and adjoining scrub and cultivation can be explored for the
Rufous-necked Laughing Thrush, Common Green Magpie and Thick-billed Warbler.
Nameri National Park, the second Tiger reserve in Assam after Manas
National Park (which is now closed), covers an area of 200 sq km with the
river Jia Bhoroli enriching its diverse habitat. Sighting of wild animals is
difficult here but the park has 370 species of birds. Nameri is known to be
a good place to sight the White-winged Wood Duck, the uncommon Ibis-bill,
Ruddy Kingfisher, Wreathed hornbill, Long-billed Ringed Plover, Sultan Tit,
Yellow-bellied and White-throated Fantail.
