Tiger Path is the last of the virgin forest trails left in Mount Abu,with all the excitement from the Jungle Tales and Tarzan comics,so much so one is rewarded with the Tarzan Hut atop a Mango Tree, at the end of the trail. It was one of the earlier paths to Mount-Abu also known as Old Cart Road. The ancient and the sacred hills of Arbud have been the abode of the Gods. They have also been the hermitage of the Vedic Rishiis, a place of pilgrimage-for the Hindus and the Jains alike and a place of military vantage throughout history.

Since 1835 AD, Arbud has been a jewel amongst the hill stations of India with its beautiful, ex-citing jungle trails like The Bailey’s Walk, Craig’s Path, Saal Gaon trail, Palanpur Path, and more arduous the Utroj path and Sher Gaon path etc. But, indeed, Tiger path takes the cake! It is also the way to one of the most ancient temples on earth, the Rishikesh Temple, nearly 7,000 years old - Mount Abu could well be the cradle of civilization!

During the Vedic times 10 narrow mountain foot paths led to the hills of Arbud. In historic times one pony track from the village of Anaadra was laid out on the Western hill face of Abu and another broad road along which even elephants could come was laid out on the Eastern slope of the hill of Arbud, which terminated at Achalgarh,the capital of Mount Abu. The marble for the thou-sand year old Delwara Temple was brought on the elephant back and in the bullock carts along this broad road.

In 1778 AD Prithviraj Chauhan, the last Hindu emperor of India climbed along this broad road to consummate his marriage with the daughter of Prahladan, the founder of Prahladanpur, which for the last 2-3 centuries is known as Palanpur. Prahladan was the younger brother of Dharavarsh Pramarg the mighty ruler of Arbud. The invasion of Mahmud Gaznavi in 1025 AD, of Sultan Allaudin Khilji of Delhi in 1298 AD, and the Sultan of Gujarat in the 15th Century AD came along this route, which is now in total disrepair and the thick over growth of forest prohibits any access along this route, but the pony track to Anaadra is very muchin use as of date.

In 1881 AD the new road was opened along the Eastern slope of the _hill from Mount Abu to Kharari Railway Station (Abu Road) via St. Mary’s High School, touching the plains at Rishikesh. This project was undertaken by His Highness Maharajdhiraj Maharao Sir Kesari Singhji Bahadur of Sirohi, GCSI, KCSI and British Engineers were deployed for the work. It is romantically reminiscenced as “Old Cart Road”. In 1917 AD the preseirt tarmac road that links Mount Abu to Abu-Road was laid out via Chipaberi (probably thewell of Chipa).

Mount Abu is now officially declared an eco-sensitive zone by Government Of India to preserve its natural beauty, despite strong objections by local community the notification finally got passed by GOVERNMENT OF INDIA - MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS on 25 July 2009, the notification clearly states limiting traffic and banning use of plastic bags among other things in and around the notified area of Mount Abu Eco-Sensitive Zone. You can find the detailed 10 page official report ahead :

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at Mount Abu in Rajasthan with over 45,000 tourists, mostly from Gujarat, thronging the hill station to welcome the New Year.

Stringent checking of important places, frisking of tourists and their baggage’s has been undertaken in the town situated at 5,742 ft in the Aravali ranges and sprawling over 5,000 acre.

According to deputy superintendent of police Chensingh Rajpurohit, "Besides regular police officials, additional force, including an inspector two sub-inspectors and 100 jawans have been deployed in wake of prevailing situation after Mumbai terror attacks." Closed Circuit TV cameras (CCTV s) have been installed at all important locations in the mountain town and intensive checking is being carried out at the very climbing point and also at toll collection point."

"Besides tight security, policemen in civil dress ate on the move at public places like Nakki Lake, Dilwara Jain temple and other tourist attractions too look out for mischief mongers," he said.

Hotels, which are doing' brisk business, have been asked to install CCTV's at all important places in their premises. "No is allowed in the hotel without a valid identification," Rajpurohit added. Meanwhile, tourists continue to swarm Mount Abu; braving cold and chilly winds. The three-day Sharad Utsav (winter festival) jointly organized by Rajasthan Tourism and Mount Abu NagarPalika also got off to a glittering start on Monday, Deputy director, Rajasthan Tourism, Udaipur, Sumita Saroj said, "Skating, 'mehndi' and rangoli competitions are some of the major attractions in the festival. A 'Lagan' cricket match of 20 overs played on Tuesday stole the show."

According to municipality chairman Jalamgiri, “ As many as 45,000 tourists are already on the hills and number is increasing daily. At present, the night and morning temperatures are being recorded in minus."

MountAbu has turned into a favourite destination for newly-wed couples too. If NRI couple Pranav and Rohini experienced a memorable winter of their life, Maunas and Shital from Panipat in Haryana said they want to visit this place every year.

Winter Festival 2008, Invitation Card and Program Schedule:

It is the month of Saturnalia, month of Hecate, month of Yuletide and even the month when Busho would have told of, "Lighting one candle/ from another/ winter night", while Garofalo would have moaned of, "Bitter wind/ autumn cold/ shivering lips" and someone would have exulted, "December sunrise/ the wind tries to deliver/ all of the postman's letters"! And for Mount Abu, it is time for the winter festival once again that promises vivid, vibrant renderings, juxtaposing purpose with pleasure.

The festivities will kick off on December 29 at 9 am with performers from across the country painting the hill resort with melody from their region, diverse raiment and traditional accessories. The streets of Mount Abu will don a festive look during this period. While shehnais will be played at, the toll barrier, their melody reaching every corner, the Army band will play every evening. Amid all this, a variety of contests will take place, including a cricket match with the proverbial Lagaan clash between visitors and administrators, on December 30. Gaiety and sobriety are assured to be hugging each other ili the best of bonhomie! While Indian Idols will rock the nights of December 30 and 31, santoor savouries and Sufi strains will intone their serene mist of calm in the cold of December! The former will be rendered by Dr Varsha Agarwal,the sole lady santoor maestro and the latter by Parveen Rangeeli.

Indeed, a tulle-fog would fill the sky, singing - 'Auld Lang Syne' to joyously bid farewell to the past and herald the new with the hope of peace and prosperity for one and all!

- An Article By : Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma, Mount Abu via Times Of India

Industrial and other developmental activities will soon be banned around famous cultural heritage and tourism hotspot Mount Abu nestled in the lapse of the Aravali range in Rajasthan.

The environment ministry has issued a draft notification to declare the area around the destination as a eco-sensitive zone so as to restrict industrial and other developmental activities for protecting its fragile environment.

The draft notification issued last month under the Environment (Protection) Act is applicable to Mount Abu Municipal Council area, sanctuary and adjoining forests regions covering 12 villages including Sanigaon, Jaogaon, Dilbara, Uriya, Jawal, Achalgarh, Salgaon, Torna, Dudhai, Hetamji and Arna to name a few.

"We have invited comments from the public in general. Final notification will be issued two months later," Deputy Director Neeraj Khatri in environment ministry told PTI.

Significantly, this is the first eco-sensitive zone declared in the Northen State wherein steps have been taken to protect the bio-diversity in the region particularly in Sanctuary spread over 288 kms which is visited by tourists in a large number every year.

Mount Abu, situated in Sirohi district comprising of tropical dry deciduous forests at lower altitude and evergreen forests at higher altitude is known for several endemic and rare species.

Besides, it has natural heritage as Nakki Lake and man made heritage like Dilwara temples. "Once the area is notified as eco-sensitive zone, the flora and fauna in the sanctuary-- there is a majority of Sloth Bears and endemic plants--will be protected," RN Mehrotra, Rajasthan chief conservator forest said.

Source : Archana Jyoti, New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI)
UPDATE: Mount Abu Eco Sensitive Notification

Ambaji (Banaskantha): The most famous fair in Gujarat at Ambaji was teeming with people since its commencement on Thursday. In the two days, an estimated three lakh devotees had visited the mela at Ambaji which was echoing with the shouts of 'Bol Mari Ambe Jay, Jay Ambe'. The ll-km-long Trishulia Ghat route towards Ambaji town was decorated with festoons, flags and colorful lights.

The temple administration expects the number of devotees to increase this time. "We are expecting about 25lakh pilgrims to visit Ambaji Temple and the mela," said PK Jadeja, temple administrator.

All roads leading to Ambaji are choc-a-bloc with singing and dancing devotees. Many devotees are on way to Ambaji to invite the Goddess to play Garba with them in the coming Navratri. Karsanbhai, 42, was walking all the way to Amba¬ji from Radasan in Mehsana District. "We are going to give an invite to Mother Ambaji to play Garba with us this Navratri. There is a strong belief amongst the believers that the Goddess visits her devouts during Navratris," he said. "Our request would be granted once we personally invite the Goddess Ambaji," said Kashiben (45) and Santokben (62), who are part of the groups on way to the temple from Kheralu and Pilucha in Mehsana.

District collector and chairman of temple trust RJ Patel said, "We have made good arrangements to make one of the biggest fair a memorable event. We have made arrangement for free food for those coming to visit the temple congregation." Arrangement for free food and refreshment has also been made by voluntary organizations from Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and other places. Besides, primary health camps have been set up at a distance of every 5 km. A mobile ambulance van having medical officer and nurses and equipped with sufficient medicines has been stationed on the roadside to meet any emergency situation.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangement has been made for the ongoing mela. As a security measure, police have installed 25 close circuit television sets at strategic locations to monitor the activities of the visitors both inside and out- side the temple premises.

Via: TOI By: Pramod Panwar

It was about six years ago when the population of Chiropteran bats, were fast dwindling in Mount Abu. Was anyone alarmed? Probably not! Isolatedly, when it was brought to the notice of denizens like Harjeet Singh Gujral, the renowned curio shopowner, he wondered, "I remember there used to be thousand bats on the way to my school. Now there are hardly any". When a few denizens brought this to the administration's notice, they just demanded proof for the importance of these creatures. As exulted by the creator of Uncle Sam, the great punster Mark Twain, who was all praise for this truly flying mammal, "I do not know any creature that is pleasanter to the touch or is more grateful of caressing, if offered in the right spirit." Even DH Lawrence was all admiration for this badly threatened mammal in his poem, 'Bats'. Zoologists agree that bat is rather important in animal chain.

For naturalists, the bat is a very important link in the animal world and is of great service in pollination. Large Fruit Bats can spread seeds throughout forests helping to plant new growth. Vampire bats have a special blood thinning chemical in their saliva. Micro-bat's echolocation is being studied to see if we can duplicate it to assist blind people. There are many bats that live on the nectar from the flower of plants. There are some flowers that only bloom at night and the bat is the only animal that assists in the pollination of these plants. Cacti, like the agave, are an example. Bananas, avocados, dates, figs, peaches, mangoes, cloves and cashews are other trees that all benefit from bats as they pollinate or spread their seeds. Bats make up a quarter of all mammal species on earth!

Rampant construction, cutting of trees and blasting of rocks in past, the dwindling bat population in Mount Abu had become a matter of concern for some. Then came the directive of the apex court of India and things began to look up for the poor bat. Rampant construction came to a halt, save for some isolated aberrations. La and behold, the miracle began to take place the population of this winged handed mammal began to swell in Mount Abu. As its hibernation was less disturbed in winters, more bats began to see though the harsh winters of Mount Abu and since last six years, they have been helping in pollination in the wild, otherwise how one would explain the sprouting of many saplings in places where man seldom treads. Evening rollicking brouhaha near the Dell Bungalow is a sight to see for all passers-by - both residents and visitors, announcing happy days are back again, not only for the bats in Mount Abu, but also for the fragile eco-system of Mount Abu.

Imagine you are walking deep into a forest and suddenly you chance upon something not only ancient but rather fascinating for it to be there. You go closer, dig a little and presto, you find remains buried in the recess of time, fortunately not digested by oblivion, yet. You feel like an archaeologist, who has, albeit unwittingly, just unearthed a wealth of archaeological treasure, in the deep jungles of Mount Abu, hitherto never known to any soul till date. You cannot resist screaming ‘Eureka’.

This is exactly what happened with the DFO Parmar with the CCF (Chief Conservator of Forest) Rajan. The able forest officer was amazed with the find, could not refrain from echoing his amazement to his juniors. “This is how Mogli Land must have been conceived by Kipling! Let us call it Mogli Land and develop it for the nature lovers to take a peep in the past and learn how folks must have lived then.”

Indeed, the officer was not far from the truth. The finds, with the discovery of the site, were astounding. Clay pots and much other bric-a-brac were found, once the digging took place. The most remarkable aspect was the type of bricks found. They were not only larger than those found nowadays but were heavier and far sturdier than any to the quality seen in present days.

With such amazing turn of events, how could the administration stay away.The young collector of Sirohi, Mahajan, took time out from his busy schedule and went to inspect the site with his forest officers and assistant director of tourism. He could not restrain exclaiming that the site must have been a sort of amid- way rest place for travellers of those days, more than 1,000 years back. the DFO was quick to concur his senior , adding that this truly is off the legendary , old card road “ ALONG which then elephant brought marble for the world- famous marble domes called temples . presently , the site is being developed with the apt sobriquet , MOGLI land ‘ as it has all the trappings of the ambience of what mogli land must have looked like in Kipling‘s imagination. One would have to be more that a nature lover to venture there. The nascent tranquillity is so real that one could strike a pleasant discourse with its reflecting language. Once one reaches there it seems that the search four self is over and you are finally with your self you were rummaging around all your life.

Tourism has flourished in Mount Abu. From leisure tourism, pilgrim tourism, adventure tourism, and even business and education tourism, everything has received a good response. However, there was a visible absence of eco-tourism. It was this column that first informed readers about the development of eco-tourism sites in Mount Abu by the Mount Abu forest department, piloted by the able and visionary DFO parmar with his dynamic team.

Soon after the news appeared visitors began to trickle in interestingly, the first visitor particularly for this genre of tourism, was from abroad. He came after reading this column. Now the trend is picking up.

Various locations like Sun Rise point at Kapoor Sagar at Achalgarh, Tarzan Huts at Aarna and also Gaumukh Hanumanji sites are attracting visitors in hordes, particularly students from Gujarat and other places. The other day, girls from Bhavnagar were taken by surprise by the Tarzan Hut at Gaumukh Hanumanji site. It was like a contest to enter the hut by all the girls. They were awed by the entire ambiance of the beautiful, serene site. Their guide Dr. Bharat Pandit said, "I have never seen such commitment for the welfare and promotion of eco tourism.” The girls said in unison, “The site has inspired us and we will try to contribute to the cause of environment destruction in our own way. We will plant trees all our life and request others to do so.” That probably was the preeminent distillate of the whole exercise.

Source: TOI

Eco-Tourism facility at Mount Abu can be arranged here.