Some zoos in the country have programmes that help children understand what it is that they do.
Zoos are integral to wildlife conservation as they protect threatened and near-extinct species and also increase their numbers by captive breeding. One of the ways in which they create awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation is through programmes that allow children to understand how zoos work.
Click on ‘turn’ to read more about each card. Click on the arrows to move to the next card.
A National Park in a desert? An underwater sanctuary? Check out these biodiversity reserves that are not about forests and jungles.
When you think of a National Park or Sanctuary, our mind immediately goes to dense forests and big animals. But India is also home to national parks that are found in other habitats. We feature four such national parks. While you read about them, solve the puzzle to see which animal from the sanctuary is being featured here.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu
Twenty-one islands, coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves form a rich coastal ecosystem in the Gulf of Mannar. Established as a protected area in 1986, this National Park is home to 4,223 species of flora and fauna. The dugong is the star attraction here and the seagrass beds in the park are feeding grounds for the endangered marine mammal. Apart from this, various species of dolphins and whales are also found here. The gulf also contains around 510 species of fin fish species, thereby being the most highly diverse fish habitat in India. Ornamental fish species such as butterfly fish, parrotfish and clownfish are also found in large numbers. Other marine animals that live here include shrimp, lobster, molluscs, sponge and sea cucumbers. Over 100 species of coral fauna are also found here.
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
Situated in the Great Rann of Kutch, it is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. Every year, when the rainwater dries up, the area becomes a saline desert. This sanctuary is home to a variety of fauna such as spiny tailed lizards, the Chinkara, hyenas, wild ass, Indian porcupine, desert fox among others. The Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is best known the “flamingo city” or the mudflats where thousands of Greater Flamingos breed. Apart from the Greater and Lesser Flamingos, other birds that can be spotted here include pelicans, black-necked storks, Brahminy ducks, pintails, spotbills, sandpipers, terns, plovers and more. Near the flamingo city is the Indus Valley Civilisation site of Dholavira. The rocks in the area also contain fossils of animals and plants dating back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Desert National Park, Rajasthan
Situated near the Thar Desert, around 44% of this national park comprises sand dunes. Despite this, it is a paradise for many species of birds such as eagles, buzzards, falcons, bee-eaters, partridges, sandgrouse and shrikes. The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard is a huge attraction. Animals such as foxes, desert cats, wolves, Chinkara, monitor lizard, and vipers and kraits are also found here.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman Islands
Situated near Wandoor, the park comprises 17 islands, which are grouped into the Labyrinth Islands and the Twin Islands. The latter is an important breeding ground for turtles. The park has a variety of coral reefs, colourful fish, molluscs, starfish, turtles and saltwater crocodiles. Birds such as the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Herons, Terns, Waders, Andaman Teal and Swifts can be spotted here.
Hiss! Make your own playful paper snake by following these step-by-step instructions.
Did you know that there are nearly 300 species of snakes in India? As we celebrate National Wildlife Week, why don’t you make your own version of the slithery serpent that is integral to India’s wildlife tapestry?
Keep an eye on the World Cup matches that you want with this poster. Which fixtures do you plan to watch?
Causing mucus or eliminating mucus? Sort out food items and place them in the correct categories in this interactive task.
Kids, gear up. It’s time to talk mucus! Mucus is a thick substance that lines the respiratory tract. It protects our lungs and digestive system.
However, as we know, too much of a good thing can sometimes be a problem. Excess production of mucus can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as cough and nasal congestion.
Did you know that there are some foods that cause mucus build up, and those that eliminate it? That’s what this interactive task is all about. Sort the food items correctly.
The ODI or Limited Overs format has come to dominate the ICC World Cup. The rules established by the ICC concerning ODI cricket have changed over time.
One-Day International (ODI) Cricket is a relatively recent innovation in cricket, the first-ever game having been played in 1971 between England and Australia in Melbourne. The first game was something of an accident, as the officials supervising the game decided to restrict the number of overs after a five-day Test match was cancelled.
Much of the ODI rules are owed to the competing World Series Cricket tournament, which attempted to rival the more mainstream cricket organised by the ICC. World Series Cricket was the first one to try to reduce the match duration, which served as a precursor for the modern-day ODI.
A crow, a spider, a dog, a fish… Are the creatures around you vertebrates or invertebrates?
The animal kingdom is divided into two categories depending on whether they have a spine (backbone) or not. Vertebrates have one, while invertebrates don’t. Did you know that more than 90% of all living animal species are invertebrates? Invertebrates lack an internal skeletal structure, and so they sometimes have an external skeleton that protects their soft bodies. This is called an ‘exoskeleton’.
Can you identify which groups are vertebrates and which aren’t? Take this quiz.
Great vocabulary but what about spellings? Can you spot the errors in these sentences?
Vocabulary is important, but so is spelling. It is great to use fancy words, but it can get confusing if you get their spellings wrong. Here is a fun game to see how quickly you can spot spelling errors. Mark the words that are spelt wrong in the sentences below. Some sentences may have more than one error.
Here is a captivating image of puppetry. Put the pieces together and form the picture.
Puppet theatre, with its intricate performances and artistry, weaves enchanting tales that come to life through the hands of skilled puppeteers, captivating audiences young and old alike. It’s a magical world where wooden characters, guided by invisible strings, transport us to realms of imagination and wonder.
Here are pieces of a puppet show. Can you put them together to make the full picture?
10 stadiums, 10 teams, one host. Learn about the different venues where the action of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will unfold.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is being held across 10 venues in India. Find out more about them with this interactive map.
