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The Region
This region
comprising the state if Sikkim and the adjoining parts of North
Bengal - Darjeeling and Kalimpong, lies between Latitude 27 and 28
degrees North, and Longitude 87 to 89 degrees East. It is a rugged
strip of vertical mountain country. Wedged between Nepal, Tibet,
Bhutan, and the North Bengal Plains of India. This tiny region is
just 90 kms wide and 150 kms deep. The grain of the country rises
from near sea level to 8500 meters, in a short distance, The great
Himalayan Range with its giant spurs – singelila and Chola,
virtually enclose this region in a titanic horseshoe. Starting from
the plains of North Bengal tangled interlacing ridges rise rang
after range to the foot of the great wall of high peaks and passes
opening into Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.
The
climate varies between the tropical heat of the valleys and the
alpine cold of the snowy regions. With rainfall averaging 348 cms,
it is the most humid region of the Himalayas. Dry season is from
November to April. The altitudinal zones of vegetation range from
tropical , sub tropical, temperate to Alpine – some places only 10
kms in a direct line separates the palm growing valleys from
perpetual snow. The telescoping of terrain - from the pleasant humid
foothill valleys below 1000 meters, to the arctic cold of the snow
capped peaks up to 8000 meters, has created marked altitudinal
zonation in the humidity, rainfall, climate and vegetation. This
factor is responsible for the great variety and abundance of the
resident bird life, making this area arguably one of the richest
areas of its size anywhere in the world. Dr. Salim Ali -one of
India's foremost ornithologists has recorded 527 species of resident
birds. In addition there are vagrants, and transients on migration.
It is estimated that more than 30 percent of the species of the
Indian Sub continent can be spotted in this region.
Our research
is based on source material from Krys Kazmierczak & Raj Singh's
book; "A Bird Watchers Guide To India". We have located suitable
birding sites in association with local guides to create tours for
bird watchers. Keeping in mind constraints of movement,
infrastructure, time and local conditions, we have evolved exciting
itineraries. These cover some of the best known birding sites in
North Bengal and Sikkim, as well as new areas pioneered by us - such
as Tholung valley and Samthar. We are exploring other potential hot
spots. Our tours operate over a range of 900 meters to 4500 meters
in elevation.
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