Indian cooking is distinguished by the use of a larger variety of vegetables than many other well-known cuisines. Within these recognisable similarities, there is an enormous variety of local styles.

In the north and the west, Kashmiri and Mughlai cuisines show strong central Asian influences. Through the medium of Mughlai food, this influence has propagated into many regional kitchens. To the east, the Bengali and Assamese styles shade off into the cuisines of East Asia.

All coastal kitchens make strong use of fish and coconuts. The desert cuisines of Rajasthan and Gujarat use an immense variety of dals and achars (preserves) to substitute for the relative lack of fresh vegetables. The use of tamarind to impart sourness distinguishes Tamil food. The Andhra kitchen is accused, sometimes unfairly, of using excessive amounts of chilies. All along the northern plain, from Punjab through Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, a variety of flours are used to make chapatis and other closely related breads. In the rain-swept regions of the north-eastern foothills and along the coasts, a large variety of rices are used. Potatoes are not used as the staple carbohydrate in any part of India.

Modern India is going through a period of rapid culinary evolution. With urbanisation and the consequent evolution of patterns of living, home-cooked food has become simpler. Old recipes are recalled more often than used. A small number of influential cookbooks have served the purpose of preserving some of this culinary heritage at the cost of homogenising palates. Meanwhile restaurants, increasingly popular, encourage mixing of styles. Tandoori fish, mutton dosas and Jain pizzas are immediately recognisable by many Indians in cities.

Representing the monkey species are the Rhesus Macaque, which are an introduced species, the Bounet Macaque and the completely vegetarian Hanuman langur (leaf monkey)The Indian Flying Fox happens to be the biggest of the 17 bat species found in the park.

The National Park is known as a real Bird Watcher's Paradise. Did you know that the park is the nesting ground for 274 kinds of birds - that's almost a quarter of all bird species found in India. From the tiny Tickell's Flowerpecker (small Indian bird), many species of beautiful Sunbirds (old word equivalent of the Humming birds) the Paradise Flycatcher, and the elusive Trogon to the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle, several kinds of
Kingfishers, Woodpeckers and Drongos;the forest is truly a visual feast of feathered friends. From the moment you enter the forest, nature's symphony welcomes you with its many unique sounds. The continuous calling of the large Green Barbet, the wildly screeching Parakeets,the metallic calls of the Racket-trailed Drongo and the musical call of the Blue flycatcher . The extremely melodious song of the Malabar Whistling Thrush or the familiar refrain of the Spotted Babler are just a few of the sounds that will be sweet music to your ears.

The reptilian world has 38 species to show off. From large Crocodiles in the Tulsi lake and Monitor lizards to Pythons, Cobras, Russels' viper, Bamboo pit viper and the extremely rare Ceylonese Cat Snake recently discovered by the staff of the Bombay National History Society, smaller reptiles also add to the wonder of this park.

The invertebrate world has a wide representation - Crabs, Spiders and Insects of all kinds thrive within the green glades of the park. The Giant Wood Spider, Signature Spiders, Black Wood Spiders with their large net-like webs in monsoon are a fascinating treat. The insect world has nearly 8000 species of creepy crawlies, ranging from Silk Cotton Bugs to Beetles to various kinds of Mantis and a whole lot more.

Last, but certainly not the least, are the 150 species of beautiful winged creatures that represent the amazing butterfly world. A delightful variety of sizes and colours, from the spectacular Blue Mormon to the phenomenal artist of camouflage the Blue Oak Leaf, the bright Jezebels and large yellow, white and orange tipped Monarch . Egg Flies and Sailers are but a few of the many breathtaking butterflies you can find flitting around here.