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Great Himalayan National Park
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In 1984, the Himachal
Wildlife Project (HWP) surveyed the upper Beas region to
help establish the boundaries of the park. An area
comprising the watersheds of Jiwa, Sainj, and Tirthan
rivers became the Great Himalayan National Park. Starting
from an altitude of 1,700 metres above mean sea level, the
highest peak within the Park approaches almost 5,800
metres. The area of the National Park at the moment is
754.4 km˛ and it is naturally protected on the northern,
eastern and southern boundaries by permanent snow or steep
ridges.
To facilitate conservation a 5 km wide buffer area,
extending from the western periphery of the Park, has been
classified as the Ecodevelopment Project Area (EPA) or
Ecozone. The EPA has an area of 326.6 km˛ (including 61
km˛ of Tirthan wildlife sanctuary) with about 120 small
villages, comprising 1600 households with a population of
about 16,000.
Four major rivers of the area originate from the glaciers
in the Park. It is also a source of sustenance and
livelihood for the local community living close to GHNP.
In addition to lumber, the forest environment provides
local people with Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) such as
honey, fruit nuts, bark of birch and yew, flowers and fuel
wood. Globally, as well as locally, the Great Himalayan
National Park has a very high public profile. The
international community regards at it as a pilot site
where the community based Biodiversity Conservation
approach is being tested.
Fauna:
The Park is home to more than 375 faunal species. So far
species of 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 reptiles, 9
amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 mollusks and 127 insects
belonging to six orders have been identified.
A trek of 35 to 45 km in any of the Park's valleys brings
one into the high altitude habitat (3,500 m and above) of
animals such as blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown
bear, Himalayan tahr, and musk deer. Best sightings can be
made in autumn (September-November) as animals start their
seasonal migration to lower altitudes.
Flora:
Pines, spruces, horse chestnuts, alpine herbs, junipers,
the Park presents an endless variety of vegetation.
Trekking Routes
All four valleys of GHNP offer moderate to strenuous
treks. Serious, multi-day trekking in the Park requires
adequate preparation, physical training, good health, and
stamina as all routes contain serious up and down terrain.
The potential for unexpected cold weather also demands
proper outfitting. There are two main options for visiting
GHNP: the Ecozone, and the Park itself.
Best time to visit:
The general climate of the Park is quite temperate and the
best time for visiting is in Spring (April-May) and Fall
(September-October). The Park has its own microclimate. At
higher elevations, unexpected thunderstorms can soak the
unprepared.
Visit timings:
One can visit for multi-day treks.
Go there for:
Trekking experience in an untouched national park. Likely
sighting of western tragopan, koklass, monal, tahr and
snow leopard.
How to Reach:
by road
Approximately 500 kms by road (14+ hour trip) from Delhi.
Take a right at Aut on the Chandigarh – Kulu highway.
by rail
Joginder Nagar (Mandi), 100 kms. It is connected by toy
train to Pathankot which in turn is well connected with
trains from all over India.
Chandigarh (270 kms/8hr) from the park is also well
connected to Delhi.
by air
Flights available from Delh to Bhuntar.
Approximate distances from
Air Port is 50 kms.
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© 2008, Banjara Camps & Retreats Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. All rights reserved.
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