10.22376/ijpbs.2019.10.1.p1-12 Volume 4 Issue 2 2013 (April - June) Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lessThan b greaterThan lessThan /b greaterThan inhabit a wide variety of lessThan b greaterThan lessThan /b greaterThan environmental including different water bodies, soil, aerosol, animals and humans. NTM are also known as environmental mycobacteria which can cause mycobacteriosis .Humans, animals and fresh water fauna are exposed to mycobacteria lessThan sup greaterThan   lessThan /sup greaterThan in water. HIV seronegative and immunocomprised patients are most vulnerable to acquire this opportunistic infection. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the non tuberculous mycobacteria from soil & water bodies near pilgrimage spots where humans have increased access. The mycobacterial isolates were identified using phenotypic methods and 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing of hyper variable region which was proved to be less time consuming and cost effective method. In conclusion, the present study revealed the presence of NTM (32%) viz. lessThan i greaterThan M.intracellularae, M.shimoidei, M.terrae, M.aichense M.woliniski and M.fortuitum lessThan /i greaterThan in the water samples collected from pilgrimage sites which can be potential pathogens. B.S.M.RONALD AND P.KAVITHA RANI Environmental mycobacteria; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM); phenotypic methods; 16S rRNA PCR, Sequencing. 954-959