Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a charming hill station located in Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India. Famous for its cool climate, lush greenery, and beautiful landscapes, Ooty attracts tourists who seek a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature’s beauty.

Location of Ooty

Ooty is located in the Nilgiri Hills, which are part of the Western Ghats. The town is in the southern part of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is about 86 kilometers northwest of Coimbatore, a major city in Tamil Nadu and 128 kilometers south of Mysore, a city in Karnataka.

Popularity as a Hill Station

Ooty is often referred to as the “Queen of Hills” or “Switzerland of India” because of its picturesque landscapes and pleasant weather. It attracts tourists throughout the year, especially during the hot summer months, making it a popular summer gateway.

Key Attractions of Ooty

Ooty offers many beautiful places to visit, including:

• Avalanche Lake: A serene and beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and forests.
• Doddabetta: The highest peak in the Nilgiris, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
• Gardens and Parks: Ooty is known for its well-maintained gardens and parks, such as the Ooty Botanical Garden.
• Waterfall: Scenic waterfalls like the Catherine Waterfalls and Pykara Falls are also key attractions.
• Nilgiri Biosphere: A protected area rich in biodiversity.
• Toy Train Ride: A ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a unique way to see the area.

Economy of Ooty

Ooty’s economy is mainly based on tourism, with thousands of visitors coming each year to enjoy its natural beauty. Agricultural also plays a key role, with tea and eucalyptus plantations being common. The town is also known for producing medicines and photographic film.

India has strict rules about keeping certain animals as pets to protect wildlife and maintain ecological balance. Some animals are not allowed as pets because they are wild, endangered, or protected by law. These rules ensure animals live in their natural habitats and remain safe. Let’s explore the top-10 animals banned as pets in India.

Why are Some Animals are Banned as Pet in India?

Some animals are banned in India as pets to protect them and the environment. Wild animals often need special care and natural habitats to survive. Keeping them as pets can harm their health and disrupt nature. Laws like the Wildlife Protection Act also aim to stop illegal trading and save endangered species from extinction.

Top-10 Animals that are Banned as Pets in India

India bans certain animals as pets to protect wildlife and nature. These include wild and endangered species that belong in their natural habitats, not homes.

Here is the list of top-10 animals that are banned as pets in India:

• Blackbuck
• Elephant
• Star Tortoise
• Leopard
• Lion
• Orangutan
• Pangolin
• Red Panda
• Sloth Bear
• Tiger

Animals not Allowed as Pet in India in Brief

In India, many wild and endangered animals are not allowed as pets due to legal protections. These rules safeguard their natural habitats, prevent illegal trade and ensure their well-being in the world.

Blackbuck

The Blackbuck, also known as the Indian antelope, is native to India and Nepal. It has a distinct two-tone coat, with males being dark brown to black and females light brown. These herbivores live in groups and are mainly active during the day. The blackbuck is protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act due to hunting and habitat loss. It plays a significant role in Hinduism.

Elephant

Elephants are the largest land animals, with three species: African bush, African forest, and Asian elephants. They are known for their trunk, tusks and large ears. Elephants are herbivores, live in social groups, and communicate using sound, touch and smell. They face threats like poaching for ivory and habitat loss. Both African elephants and Asian elephants are endangered.

Star Tortoise

The Indian star tortoise, native to India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is a vulnerable species threatened by habitat loss and poaching. It has been listed on the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix I, which provides it with the highest level of protection. Due to its declining population, it is illegal to keep these tortoises as pets.

Leopard

The leopard, a large wild cat with distinctive spotted fur, is found in Africa and Asia. It is an opportunistic predator, hunting ungulates and primates. Leopards are solitary and face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation. Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, they are also hunted for their skins. As wild animals, leopards are not allowed as pets.

Lion

The lion, a large cat native to Africa and India, is known for its muscular build and male mane. Lions live in social groups called prides, where females hunt together. Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, lion populations have declined due to habitats loss and human conflicts. Lions are culturally significant and have been featured in art, flags and literature.

Orangutan

Orangutans are great apes found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. These are three species: Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutans. They are mostly solitary and spent most of their time in trees. Orangutans are critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal pet trade. They are known for their intelligence and use of tools.

Pangolin

Pangolins are mammals with protective scales made of keratin, similar to fingernails. They are nocturnal and mainly eat ants and termites. Pangolins live in trees or burrows and are solitary. They are threatened by poaching for their meat and scales, and habitat loss. All eight species are at risk, with some critically endangered.

Red Panda

The red panda is a small mammal with reddish-brown fur, a black belly, and a ringed tail. It lives in the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, mostly in bamboo forests. Red pandas are solitary and arboreal, eating bamboo and fruits. They are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts are ongoing in several countries.

Sloth Bear

The sloth bear is a species native to the Indian subcontinent, known for eating ants, termites and fruits. It has long, shaggy fur, a mane around its face and large claws. Listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss, it sometimes attacks humans when its territory is threatened. Sloth Bears have been hunted and used as performing animals in the past.

Tiger

The tiger is a large cat native to Asia, with orange fur and black stripes. It lives mainly in forests and is an apex predator, hunting ungulates. Tigers are solitary and territorial, with females raising cubs for two years. Due to habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict, tigers are endangered and have lost much of their range. They are protected by law.

The “Missile Woman of India” is a distinguished scientist known for her significant contributions to India’s missile development programs. She played a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities, particularly through her leadership in developing advanced missiles like the Agni series.

Missile Woman of India

Tessy Thomas is often referred to as the “Missile Woman of India” due to her remarkable achievements in missile technology and her leadership in India’s defense projects. She is a pioneering scientist who played a crucial role in developing some of India’s most advanced missiles, making a significant contribution to the country’s defense capabilities.

Early Life of Tessy Thomas

Tessy Thomas was born in April 1963 in Alappuzha, Kerala, into a Syro Malabar Catholic family. Her name, Tessy, is derived from Mother Teresa. Growing up in a family with strong values of education and hard work, she was inspired by her mother, a teacher and the beautiful surroundings of Kerala. Her fascination with rockets and missiles started when she lived near the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Trivandrum. Despite challenges, including her father’s stroke when she was 13, Tessy excelled in her studies and went on to pursue a career in engineering.

Education and Early Struggles of Missile Woman of India

Thomas had a natural aptitude for mathematics and physics, scoring outstanding marks in these subjects during her school and colleges. She completed her B.Tech in Engineering from the Government Engineering College, Thrissur, with a scholarship. To support her studies, she took an education loan of Rs.100 per month. Thomas also hold an M.Tech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament Technology in Pune and a Ph.D. in guidance missile under the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Career at DRDO

In 1988, Tessy Thomas joined the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), where her career took off. She played a vital role in the development of the Agni missile series, including Agni-III, Agni-IV and Agni-V. Thomas was appointed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, to lead the Agni Project. She was instrumental in the successful tests of Agni-IV in 2012. Her work made India a strong player in missile technology. In 2018, she became the Director-General of Aeronautical Systems at DRDO, a position she held until 2023.

Personal Life of Tessy Thomas

Tessy Thomas is married to Saroj Kumar, a commander in the Indian Navy, and they have a son named Tejas. Her family supported her through her career, and her journey reflects the importance of perseverance and hard work in overcoming obstacles.

Awards Received by Tessy Thomas

Here is the list of the awards received by Dr. Thomas:

• Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award
• Dr. Thomas Cangan Leadership Award (2018)
• Lokmanya Tilak National Award (2022)
• Woman Pioneer of the Year Award (2023)