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sanctuary spotlight

Great Himalayan National Park

Nestled amid snowy peaks is the 754.4 sq km Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). Created in 1999, it lies in the upper catchment areas of the Jiwa, Sainj and Tirthan rivers in Kullu district.

The altitude here varies from 1,500 mt to 6,000 mt, encompassing dense forests, river valleys, steep cliffs and snow-capped mountains.

Grasses and bright hued wildflowers liven up the alpine meadows.

This park is home to a wealth of wildlife — leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, the Himalayan Tahr and wild sheep such as bharal. The endangered musk deer are also found here.

If you get lucky, you can catch a glimpse of a snow leopard. In the lower forests, one can sight the goral, a small goat antelope.

The park has 68 species of resident birds. Pheasants, like the monal, the kaleej and the Western tragopan, are often spotted.

Special permits come for Rs. 10 (for Indians, for five days) or Rs. 500 (for foreigners) from the office of the Park Director at Shamsi, or the range officers at Larji, Sairopa and Sainj.

Charges for guides (provided by Sahara, an NGO) are extra. Visits to the GHNP are allowed only between sunrise and sunset.

How to go

Kullu (60 km away) is the nearest town.

It is well connected by road, rail (Jogindernagar) and air (Bhuntar). From Kullu, drive down NH 21 to Aut, from where a road leads part-way to the park. You can also hire a vehicle from Kullu to Gushaini or Neuli. From there, walk.

When to go

April to June and September to November.

After that, heavy snowfall block the roads and trekking trails. It gets rainy between July and September.

Accommodation

Stay in the dozen-odd forest rest houses across the park. Bring along your own bedding and food. Book in advance. There are rest houses in the nearby Aut, Sainj, Sairopa and Shangarh.

For reservations, contact the Office of the Park Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamsi (Kullu), Himachal Pradesh.

Call 01902-265320, e-mail dirchnp@sancharnet.in or visit www.greathimalayannationalpark.com.

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