India : Wild and Wonderful

Contents: I. Wild wonders: 1. Ass--wild and beautiful. 2. Turtles--slow and steady. 3. Jumbo--an Andaman Yatra. 4. African Jumbos on Bharat Yatra. 5. The silent beauty. 6. Giraffe--tall and beautiful. 7. Siberian crane--long distance commuter. 8. Rhino reigns. 9. Great Indian hornbill--adieu. 10. Kashmir stag--in Peril. 11. Tragopan--call for compassion. 12. Phayre’s spectacled monkey. II. Born free: 1. Sariska--wild wonder of Rajasthan. 2. Ranthambhore--Upbeat. 3. Rajaji national park--nature beckons you. 4. Bhindawas bird sanctuary--on the brink. 5. Harike--an Avian paradise. 6. Mudumalai national park-call of the wild. 7. Periyar--jewel in the crown. 8. Loktak--the floating forest. 9. Gir--where lions reign. 10. Velavadar--the black buk Heaven. 11. Sultanpur lake--pearl in the oyster. 12. Corbett--young at sixty. 13. Sunderbans--non-territory tigers. 14. Chilika--the blue lagoon. 15. Asola Bhatti--wildlife sanctuary amidst concrete jungle. 16. Borivali park--challenge and opportunity. 17. Mollem--wild western ghats. III. Care in captivity: 1. Nehru zoological park. 2. Nandan Kanan Zoo--Mercy home, with a difference. 3. AAZP, Vandalur--a new concept zoo. 4. National Zoological Park--lesson in natural history. 5. Sri Venkateshwara--the thematic zoo. 6. Nandan Kanan--white tiger miracle. 7. Chhat bir--zoo with a difference. 8. Bondla--love at first sight. IV. People’s forests: 1. Eucalyptus--the green gold. 2. Poplars--the green investment. 3. Waste land to green gold. 4. Jhabua--joint forest management miracle. 5. Sadma--jewel of joint forest management. 6. Sukhomajri--the win-win situation. 7. Forests--in service of Lord Jagannath. 8. Lachhiwala--the great escape. 9. Shimoga--nature at its best. 10. Kulu Valley--nature tourism picks up. 11. Eucalyptus--Hi-Tech, friendly timber. 12. Kerala--God’s own land. 13. Ganga lake--a pearl in the oyster. 14. ICFRE--user friendly technologies. 15. Nagaland--new concept Jhoom cultivation. 16. Lady’s slipper and Arunodaya. 17. Young Mizo Association--saga of selfless service. 18. Sikkim--eco-tourism paradise. 19. Meghalaya--abode of clouds.

"The book, "India-Wild and Wonderful" is a lucid account of wilderness areas and their unique biodiversity occurring in various states of India. The book comprehensively captures the conservation scenario of some of the most diverse and unique ecosystems of India, at the same time it also provides insight into some recent technological developments in the forestry sector, which have made significant impact on plantation forestry and sustainable use of forest resources and products. The theme of conservation of natural resources has been presented through smooth, reader-friendly stories/travelogues. The book has 4 chapters. Chapter I deals with ‘Wild Wonders’, describing some unique wildlife species. ‘In-situ’ conservation of forest and wildlife in various sanctuaries/national parks has been dealt in Chapter II. Chapter III deals with ‘Ex-situ’ conservation of wild animals in zoological parks of India is very helpful in nature education. The Chapter IV ‘People’s Forests’ through some recent success stories, highlights important initiatives in participatory management of forest resources, new strides in afforestation and growing importance of nature tourism. This book should help in furthering the interest of naturalists, researchers, tourists, students of natural history, industrialists and planners and spread the message of nature conservation." (jacket)