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Hemis National Park
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Hemis High Altitude National
Park (4100 sq.km) is situated at northernmost district of
Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.
The park stretches from 33°15' to 34°20'North latitude and
from 76°50' to 77°45'E longitude with an altitudinal range
of 3,300 m at the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar
rivers in the northwest to the 6,400 m Kang Yisay massif
in the northeast. The name of the park was taken after
Hemis Gompa, a famous monastery situated about 40 km
south-east of Leh, capital of Ladakh. It lies on the west
bank of the Indus River and comprises the catchments of
Markha, Rumbak and Sumdah nalas. The park is potentially
the best protected area for snow leopard
(Uncia uncia). The snow leopard is the most important
large predator within the Eurasian fauna of the mountains
of central Ladakh.
Hemis occupies much of the catchment of the lower Zanskar
River, from its confluence with the Markha to its meeting
with the Indus. Rocks consist of slates, phyllites,
schists, quartzites, crystalline limestones and dolomites.
The climate of area is one of extremes, with considerable
daily and seasonal fluctuations. Precipitation is low with
only 160.5 mm per year recorded at Leh. During winter the
Zanskar River and its tributaries become frozen.
Temperatures during winter drop typically to -15°C to
-20°C at night and rise to near freezing point in daytime.
Although summer temperatures can reach up-to 30°C at the
lower elevations, snowfall can occur at any time of year.
Annual precipitation in Leh at 3,500 m in the Indus valley
is about 10 cm, but rainfall and snow increase with
altitude.
Much of the Snow Leopard Conservancy work takes place in
Hemis National Park. Established in 1981, the 3,350
square-kilometer park offers excellent habitat for snow
leopards and harbors four species of wild sheep and goats,
giving it international biodiversity importance. About
1,600 people live in the park in more than a dozen
settlements. Tourism, both within and outside the park,
provides an important source of income to supplement
Ladkah’s mainly pastoral livelihoods. In collaboration
with locals, Snow Leopard Conservancy has developed
community-based eco-tourism program-Himalayan Homestays -
that preserves the traditional culture and improves the
local economy. Hand-in-hand with corral predator-proofing,
this program helps protect their fragile, high-altitude
ecosystem, and the snow leopards who make it their home.
Fauna:
About 11 species of high altitude mammals have been
recorded:
Snow Leopards (Uncia uncia)
Ibex (Capra ibex).
Bharal (Pseudois nayaur),
Wolf (Canis lupus),
Pallas' cat (Felis manul),
Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni),
Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur),
Ladakh urial (Ovis vigne),
Himalayan marmots (Marmota bobak),
Tibetan Wild Ass or Kiang (Equus hemionus kiang),
Wooly hare (Lepus oiostolus),
Wolves (Canis lupus),
Wild dogs (Cuon alpinus),
Lynx (Lynx lynx),
Mouse hare or pika (Ochotona roylei) etc.
The avifauna comprises species not seen at lower altitudes
such as Himalayan snow-cock and snow partridge. Seventy
three bird species have been recorded here.
Flora:
The vegetation in Hemis National Park is predominantly
alpine and steppe with various tree and shrub communities
present in the valley bottoms. The moist upper mountain
slopes support limited areas of alpine vegetation,
characterized by genera such as Anemone, Gentiana,
Thallctrwn, Lloydia, Veronica, Delphinum, Care.x and
Kobresia. The remaining mountain slopes and open
hillsides, comprising the major portion of the park,
support primarily steppe vegetation dominated by Caragana,
Artemisia, Stachys, and Ephedra. Shrubland (Hippophae,
Salix, Myricaria) and some trees (Populus, Betula) are
present along the lower river courses.
Buckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia),
Willows (Salix spp.),
(Myricaria elegans)
Rose (Rosa webbiana)
Poplars (Populus spp) are
Juniper (Juniperus macropoda)
Graminaceous and herbaceous plants
Woundwort (Stachys tibetica),
Cinquefoils (Potentilla spp.)
Wormweeds (Artemesia spp.)
Bistorta spp.
Best time to visit:
The park is open through the year. Winter is the best time
to get lucky and sight a snow leopard (permit required).
Mid June to October is good time to trek in the park.
Visit timings/sightings:
Dec and Jan.
Go there for:
Snow lwopard, bharal, red fox, lynx, wild sheep, dholes
How to reach:
by road:
Manali to Leh is 473 kms while from Srinagar, Leh is 434
kms. Regular bus/taxi service from both manali and
Srinagar.
by rail:
Jammu is the nearest railhead (734kms/3hr). Takes a days
drive to Srinagar (300 km) from where it is two days drive
to Leh.
by air:
The park is 45 kms from Leh airport. There are regular pre
noon flights from Delhi being operated by Air India, Jet
Airways and Air Deccan.
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