Page 42 - Connect 2024-25

Biodiversity and Ecotourism Adventure Tourism in the Deserts and Coasts Beyond
The Western Ghats provide excellent opportunities for its mountains and forests, India is home to some of
ecotourism as it is one of the eight “hottest hotspots” the most magnificent beaches and vast deserts, each
of biological diversity in the world. The region offers offering a different type of adventure.
travellers to participate in conservation programs,
observe diverse fauna that includes rare and endangered Desert Adventures
species, and take up eco-friendly activities to support For an outstanding desert experience, there is the Thar
sustainability pertinent to environmental awareness. Desert in Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. A
look at the hostile beauty of India’s deserts and enriching
Himalayan Adventure Tourism cultural experience can be experienced by taking camel
Often known as the “Roof of the World,” the Himalayas safaris across the golden sands of Jaisalmer, dune
offer several of India’s most stunning and exciting bashing in dune cars, and camping in the desert under
adventure opportunities. Its vast mountain range brings starry nights.
new meaning to adventure travel.
The Indian Himalayas house hundreds of trekking Coastal Adventure Sports
routes—from easy ones that can be trodden by first- Plenty of water sports are available in India, with its
timers to high-altitude and difficult ones that test the best long coastline and island regions. Barring the waters
of climbers. The conventional listing for trekking goes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and
such as: Goa, one can dive into scuba and snorkeling. Here one
Trekkers take the strenuous Everest Base Camp Trek can find beautiful coral reefs and the amazing world of
starting from India, passing through secluded villages marine creatures. Some noted destinations for surfing,
and breathtaking scenery. parasailing, and jet skiing are Goa, Kerala, and Tamil
One of the most famous treks is the Roopkund trek to the Nadu.
otherworldly 16,499-foot “Skeleton Lake” surrounded
by snow and obscured by legend. Safety and Sustainability in Adventure Tourism
The Chadar Trek is a special winter hike that crosses the The planners and outfitters must ascertain that the places
frozen Zanskar River and offers an unearthly experience are free from the risk of the effects of natural disasters
in the middle of the severe Ladakh winter. and should provide safety means to the tourists.
The Valley of Flowers is more of a walkable hike, it
epitomizes the floral splendor of the Himalayas and has
been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meadows
here turn vibrant with color during the monsoon season.
High-altitude adventure in Uttarakhand, Himachal
Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir provides the ultimate test
of endurance and skill for the professional mountaineer.
Peaks like Stok Kangri, Mount Nun, and Kangchenjunga
have enough challenges to keep the climbers coming
from all over the world.

Adventure sports
The Himalayas, being the abode to countless splendid
natural wonders, are a place where most of the adventure
sports take place, aside from trekking.
Although Himachal Pradesh’s Bir-Billing is known
worldwide as one of the best sites for paragliding sport,
the Himalayan landscape airborne views are simply
awesome. Rishikesh, popularly known as the “Adventure
Capital of India,” is extremely famous for white-water
rafting at the Ganges River. The tough Zanskar River
in Ladakh is home to one of the isolated white-water
rafting experiences in India. During the snowing season,
skiers and snowboarders visit Gulmarg and Auli, two
popular spots for winter sports.

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