Flora and Fauna:
Uttarkhand is blessed with an extremely wide variety of flora and fauna. The sub tropical zone, upto an altitude of 4000 ft above sea level, is home to sal forest, the flame of the forest, jacaranda and yellow laburnum. Sattal Forest Resort is at an altitude of about 5000 ft where pines begin to dominate, along with Oak. Popular fruit trees are plums and peaches. Floral species include geraniums, asters, lilies, roses, anemones, marigold, primula, gerberas, dahlias, hydrangeas, gladiolas, passion fruit and many more. An amazing range of medicinal plants and herbs also grow in this part of the state. Do check out our own little spice garden for samples of lemon grass, mint, basil, thyme, rosemary, chives, marjoram, common coriander, green chillies in addition to the sweet neem and lemon trees.
Uttarkhand has amazingly varied bird life. Some 230 varieties of birds are found here, some only in SatTal region. You can spot babblers, tits, bulbuls, warblers, minivets, woodpeckers, pigeons , myna and the colourful barbets. At the resort, the sunbird, the red billed magpie, the jungle myna, the long tailed minivet and Himalayan bulbul are your constant companion. Also see under bird watching.
The picture above is of the largest moth in the world called Atlas Moth. This moth came visiting the Sattal Forest Resort on 22 July 2007. The wing span was approx 10 Inches. We let it fly away, but this bright ruby red winged moth is known to be a prized collection piece for insect connoisseurs. The area abounds in butterflies and you can visit one of Asia’s largest collection of Butterflies and moths at the Freddy’s House when you go trekking to Bhimtal. Animal life abounds in the region. Sighting pine martens and various species of deer is normal.
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