House Of Tales

Kausani also known as Switzerland of India is a hill station and village Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand. It is famous for its scenic splendour and its spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. It has an average elevation of 1,890 m (6,200 ft) above mean Sea Level. While in Kausani you may move to the various vintage-points in order to capture the spectacular sights of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas that are spread majestically across the 300 km range. The sunrise and the sunset are the special moments for the nature lovers and the photographers alike.

Nestling among thick, dense pine forests and separated from the towering mountains of the Nanda Devi range by low, medium mountains; at Kausani the grandeur of the Himalayan scenery comes alive. The view of the snow-covered Trishul and Nanda Devi is so clear that one gets a feeling of the snow being within touching distance. Located 53 kms north of Almora in Kumaon, the spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of the Himalayas is simply a must -see for any nature lover. Kausani is a part of the Lesser Himalayas, a region watered by rivers like Kosi, Gomti, Saryu, Ramganga E., Ramganaga W. and Gagas. Their banks, known as 'seras', are highly fertile. It is here that the major Lesser Himalayan settlements like Pithoragarh, Lohaghat, Champawat, Gangolihat, Berinag, Bageshwar, Kapkot, Ramgarh, Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet, Dwarahat, Chaukhutia, Someshwar and Kausani are situated.

The hills around Kausani are full of Chir and blue pine (Pinus roxburghii, P. wallichiana), Banj (Quercus leucotrichophora), Tilonj (Q.dilatata), Kharsu (Q. semecarpifolia), Utis (Alnus nepalensis ) and Deodar (Cedrus polycarpos) and at least a dozen varieties of the rhododendrons. Unfortunately, Chir Pines are slowly choking out all other trees in the area and are held responsible for the dropping levels of ground water. Since Chir Pine needles cover the ground, no other tree can take root. The dry pine needles are also a fire hazard, and in the hot summer months it is fairly common to see whisps of smoke rising from a the section of the forest, where the pine needles have caught fire, which then spreads to the surrounding trees.

Except for the monkeys on every tree, visitors are unlikely to see wild animals in Kausani itself, but a trek to nearby areas can lead to sightings of Musk deer or Kastura (Moschus-moschiferus), Snow Leopard (Panthera unicia), Blue Sheep or Bharal (Pseudois nayaur), and Thar (Hemitagus jemlahicus), all of which are confined to high altitudes.