Monday, July 8, 2013

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: CHERAI BEACH KOCHI (KERALA)

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: 

CHERAI BEACH KOCHI (KERALA)


(All the images are subject to IPR)




Cherai beach is different from many beaches in the sense that it is very clean and shallow and thus, ideal for the purpose of swimming and sunbathing. Being so near from the main Kochi city, an important commercial capital of Kerala, the Cherai beach is an enticing option for anybody who wants to get away from the din of city life momentarily.




Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




Cherai beach stands surrounded by tall coconut trees and green paddy fields.This  is the golden beach of Kerala and is also famous by the name of 'Princess of the Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The main beach area has been newly added with the 400 meters long walkway. The high mask lamps along the edges of the walkway make the Cherai beach enjoyable even during the night. Apart from that, the beach is also well known for its fresh & delicious seafood.







Sea Crab
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha



Occasionally, people also see dolphins in the water. Cherai Beach is rightly considered as one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala. It is a beautiful combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by lush green coconut palms and paddy fields. There is also a park for children on the beach. One can also ride the water-scooter and speedboats, which are available here on rent. 





Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Chinese Fishing Net
Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha





The lovely Cherai Beach bordering the Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming. The sea on the Western side and the backwaters on the East give this upcoming tourist destination a uniqueness which can be found only in Kerala. Thick coconut groves and Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront are added attractions.

Friday, July 5, 2013

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: KOCHI LAKE KERALA

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: 

KOCHI LAKE KERALA



(All the images are subject to IPR)



Vembanad or Vembanad Kayal or Vembanad Kol is the longest lake in India  and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes in India. 

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha





A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in KuttanadKochi Lake in Kochi



Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha







Photo (c ) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha































The Port of Kochi is located around two islands (the Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam) in a portion of this lake known as the Kochi Lake




Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




















Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha



















The celebrated Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of this lake, in the Kuttanad region, known as thePunnamada Lake





Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha



















High levels of pollution have been noticed at certain hotspots of Vembanad backwaters. 


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha



Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




Thursday, July 4, 2013

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: ATHIRAPPILLY FALLS KERALA

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: 
ATHIRAPPILLY FALLS KERALA

(All the images are subject to IPR)


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

The Athirappilly Falls is situated 1000 ft above sea level on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats, Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. 





Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha



Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirapilly-Vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species are seen. The Western Ghats is one of the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world. This valuable natural world is already degraded by mining and hydro electric projects. 



Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha
















Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha













Environmentalists claim that Athirapally is a one-of its-kind riparian ecosystem in Kerala. The Vazhachal forest division is the second most biodiverse area in the State. The International Bird Association has declared it an "Important Bird Area" and the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation has recommended that the area should be declared a sanctuary or a national park.


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha















Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha














The Wildlife Trust of India says it represents one of India's best elephant conservation efforts.Any disruption to this fragile ecosystem will spell disaster. 




Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha







Tuesday, July 2, 2013

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK KERALA

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA:
 ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK KERALA


(All the images are subject to IPR)



Photo(c)Dr Ajay kumar Ojha

The Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Kannan Devan Hills of the southern Western Ghats. The wildlife park with an area of 97 sq. km. can be reached via Munnar, the famed hill station of Kerala. Located in the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district in Kerala, after reaching Munnar, one has  to take the road going to Rajamala to reach this national park.


Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha





During the colonial days, the High Range Game Preservation Association managed the current park area as a game preserve for the erstwhile Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company. The local tribal members of Muduvan community, known for their tracking skills were employed as game watchers. They are the original inhabitants of the Kannan Devan Hills in which the national park is located. The area was taken over in 1971 by the Kerala Government and declared as a sanctuary in 1975. It was upgraded to a national park in 1978 in recognition of its unique ecological values. The planter community and the Muduvans continue their association with the protection and management of the park.



Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




The national park is a protected area and is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area that is in Rajamalai, the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam.


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha



Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




Eco-friendly vehicles from the entrance of the park carrying  the  visitors and the forest personnel climb up the winding tarred road, the sprawling tea plantations on  left would become more visible and so would be the panoramic view of the valley. Upon reaching the checkpoint, after alighting from the vehicle visitors  are allowed inside the park only after completing the mandatory checking of the belongings. The only motorable road inside the park passes through the southern extremity inside the tourism zone (Rajamala) to the Rajamallay tea estate.


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha


As one keeps moving inside the park, he/she would notice sudden popping up of heads from grassy slopes or a pair of prominent horns from the edge of a rock watching your movements. These are the crowd pullers of the national park - the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to the southern Western Ghats. Once a shy animal, the Tahr over the years became less apprehensive to human presence. The fully grown male is known as a 'saddle back' and is much bigger and darker than the female and has a silvery saddle like patch on its back. Its predators include wild dog, leopard and tiger.



Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha












 The park comprises mostly of high
altitude grasslands and with sholas (stunted group of evergreen forests) located in the valleys and folds of the park.  Shrub lands are seen along the bases of the cliffs.
Standing inside the visitor zone of the park, one could spot the Anamudi peak, which is the highest (2695 m) south of the Himalayas. Turner's valley, which splits the national park roughly in half from northwest to southeast, is the deepest in the area. 








Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha
























Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

 Besides the Tahr, perhaps the crowning glory of the park area is the once-in-twelve-year flowering spectacle resulting from mass flowering of the shrub Neelakurunji (Strobilanthus Kunthianum). This phenomenon was last recorded in 2006.When it comes to faunal wealth in the park area, giving company to the Nilgiri Tahr are the rare Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter and dusky striped squirrel. Elephants make seasonal visits to the park area.


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha





For  birdwatcher, the park area is a dream come true. The park is home to about 120 species of birds, which include endemics like black and orange flycatcher, Nilgiri pipit, Nilgiri wood pigeon, white-bellied shortwing, Nilgiri verditer flycatcher and Kerala laughing thrush. The park remains open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. It will remain closed during the breeding season of the Nilgiri Tahrs that usually occurs between January and March, every year.

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha




 Eravikulam is about 13 km from Munnar. The nearest railway station is Aluva, about 120 km from Munnar and Ernakulam, about 130 km from Munnar. Madurai, about 142 km and Cochin International Airport, about 150 km.


Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha