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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT
Nanda Devi National Park
The Nanda Devi National Park remains so precious because of its inaccessibility. Special permit is required, and thank god for that because Nanda Devi National Park is home to several endangered mammals including the snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer and bharal. Established in 1980, this national Park was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 along with the Valley of Flowers.
With altitude ranging from 2,400 m to 6,817 m in the area, the par lies I the shadow of the Nanda Devi herself, 7,816 m tall and believed to be the most fascinating Himalayan peak.First explored (and we are talking of recorded visits here) by WW Garden in 1883, it's the visit of British Mountaineers Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman in 1936 that made it famous. Its increasing popularity as a trekking destination, since the fifties has somewhat affected the pristine glory of this place, but not enough to underestimate its environmental importance. The entire Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA) where seven endemic restricted-range bird species can be found.
Also visit: Badrinath, Hemkunth Sahib and Valley of Flowers
Area: 630 sq. kms in the Chamoli District of Uttaranchal
Best time to visit: Apr to Oct. The weather is generally cold as it remains under snow for six months of the year. Warm clothing is recommended even in summers.
Mammals: Himalayan black bear, Himalayan thar, snow leopard, serow, bharal, brown bear, common langur, goral, and Himalayan musk deer
Birds: Many rare birds can be spotted here including the Grosbeak, rose finch, ruby throat and warbler.
Vegetation: The forests comprise of fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper, but vegetation changes to alpine at one point. With 312 floral species, the park nurtures 17 that are considered seriously rare.
How to get there:
Road: Lata (30 kms from Joshimath) linked by road to Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Nanital, & Almora
Rail: Rishikesh
Air: Jollygrant (221 kms) at Dehradun
Where to stay: at Joshimath in hotels and guesthouses, both private and those of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.
Contact: Deputy Consevater of Forest, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Distt Chamoli,
NB: Do not pluck flowers, or start a fire by throwing a burning matches or cigarette butt, and do not leave behind trash of any kind. Keep your radio, and music system back at home.
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