Hemis High Altitude National Park - J&K - हेमिस हाई आल्टीटयूट राष्ट्रीय उद्यान (जम्मू और कश्मीर)
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 Photo by : chirunred in flickr |
Hemis is a high altitude protected area that was created in the year 1981, in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh, for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna.
Named after the famous monastery Hemis Gompa, the national park spread out over 600 Sq. km, is situated at Ladakh in J&K. The park known as the Snow leopard capital of India has an altitudinal range of 3,300 to 6,000 m, and hosts a remarkable variety of wildlife. Hemis was established as a national park on 4th February 1981. This national park offers the tourists an abundant treasure of natural beauty with mountains of various shapes and sizes, mixed with vast flatlands, deserts and bordered by the fast flowing river Indus.
Hemis occupies much of the catchments of the lower Zanskar River, from its confluence with the Markha river to its meeting with the Indus. The smaller northern sector consists of Sumdah Valley which runs south-east until it meets the main Zanskar Valley. In the southern sector is the beautiful Markha Valley, also a tributary of the Zanskar Valley, and the Rumbak Valley which runs eastwards directly into the Indus Valley.
The area of this cold desert is rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Grass growth is relatively rapid during the summer season after the melting of the snow. The Markha and Rumbak valleys are high altitude deserts charecterised by sparse grasslands and herbaceous vegetation on mountain slopes. These areas consists of trees and plants like Junipers, Myricaria, Poplar, Salix, Birch, Astragalus, Taraxacum, Leortopodium, Ephedra and many sparse grasslands.
The National park is famous for its population of the rare Snow Leopards and the Ibex. The other main species recorded in the National park are Palla's cat, srapu, bharal, red fox, rhesus macaque, Hanuman languor, wolf, marmot, Tibetan argali and Ladakh urial etc. The bharal and urial are seen in large numbers. The park has been earmarked as one of the snow leopard reserves under a central government project to conserve the species.
Over 70 varieties of birds are seen in this area. The common birds are snow cock, chukor, magpie, Himalayan whistling thrush, snow partridge, golden oriole etc. Some of the less commonly seen birds are Great Grey Shrike, the Red Mantled Rose Finch, the Black Throated Thrush, the Robin Accentor, the Spotted Flycatcher, various migrant Teal, the Red Flanked Blue Tail and the Great Nose Finch.
The climatic conditions vary from sub-arctic to arctic. Summers are short and mild, rainfall is low and it snows most of the time. In winter, the temperature drops to far below the freezing point and the area receives very heavy snowfall, which remains on the ground for several months at a stretch.
It is advisable to only venture into the park with a good guide and also a rugged vehicle, preferably a 4-wheel drive or a motor cycle. Camping and trekking are allowed within the park boundaries. The trek through the beautiful Markha valley with its numerous small villages, shepherds, camps and passes overshadowed by Kanyatse and other groups of Peaks is an experience to cherish. Trekkers must be prepared for extremely cold conditions at all times of the year. It is sensible not to spend too much time at the mountain passes as excess altitude can cause medical problems to some people because of lack of oxygen. In winter, the area is quite inaccessible as the temperature drops down to below zero. Vehicles are available on hire from local operators in Leh and Manali. Due to lack of proper infrastructure being prevalent in the park, it is necessary to make all required arrangements regarding food, water etc. beforehand.
Foreign tourist must check about the latest government regulations before setting out on this journey.
The terrain surrounding the park is rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Dry alpine pastures are present in sheltered locations and the grass growth is relatively rapid during the summer season after the snow melts from the region.
There are many U-shaped valleys, carved by the glacial actions that occurred in the past. Rivers and streams have laid a thick deposit of sand along their banks. The general elevation of the parks exact location is over 3,000 meters.
Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh (434 km) via Kargil. However this route will remain open for traffic only from early June to November. Another approach road is from Manali to Leh (473 km-19hrs) which is open for traffic from around mid-June to early October. Himachal Pradesh Tourism (HRTC) and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. Cars and jeeps are also available for hire. There are buses available from Leh towards the Hemis national park which is around 30 km away.
For booking home stays Contact
Overland Escape,
Raku Complex, Fort Road, Leh, 194101, Ladakh,
Jammu & Kashmir
Ph: +91-1982-250858 Telefax: +91-1982-255881
Email : Contact Us
Snow Leopard Trails,
Hotel Khanglachen Complex,
Leh, 194101, Ladakh
Ph: +91-1982-252074 or 252355
Email : Contact Us
Hemis National Park,
Leh (Ladakh)
Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust
407 New Delhi House
27 Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place
New Delhi 110001
Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust
Ibex Hotel Complex
Leh, Ladakh 194101
J&K
Tel: 01982-250953
9419178177 (mobile)
Email : Contact Us, Contact Us
Location : Eastern part of Ladakh, Jammu & kashmir
Total Area : 600 Sq. km.
Nearest town: Ladakh
Best time to visit: June to October
Main attraction: Shapu, Bharal, Snow Leopard
Named after the famous monastery Hemis Gompa, the national park spread out over 600 Sq. km, is situated at Ladakh in J&K. The park known as the Snow leopard capital of India has an altitudinal range of 3,300 to 6,000 m, and hosts a remarkable variety of wildlife. Hemis was established as a national park on 4th February 1981. This national park offers the tourists an abundant treasure of natural beauty with mountains of various shapes and sizes, mixed with vast flatlands, deserts and bordered by the fast flowing river Indus.
Hemis occupies much of the catchments of the lower Zanskar River, from its confluence with the Markha river to its meeting with the Indus. The smaller northern sector consists of Sumdah Valley which runs south-east until it meets the main Zanskar Valley. In the southern sector is the beautiful Markha Valley, also a tributary of the Zanskar Valley, and the Rumbak Valley which runs eastwards directly into the Indus Valley.
The area of this cold desert is rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Grass growth is relatively rapid during the summer season after the melting of the snow. The Markha and Rumbak valleys are high altitude deserts charecterised by sparse grasslands and herbaceous vegetation on mountain slopes. These areas consists of trees and plants like Junipers, Myricaria, Poplar, Salix, Birch, Astragalus, Taraxacum, Leortopodium, Ephedra and many sparse grasslands.
The National park is famous for its population of the rare Snow Leopards and the Ibex. The other main species recorded in the National park are Palla's cat, srapu, bharal, red fox, rhesus macaque, Hanuman languor, wolf, marmot, Tibetan argali and Ladakh urial etc. The bharal and urial are seen in large numbers. The park has been earmarked as one of the snow leopard reserves under a central government project to conserve the species.
Over 70 varieties of birds are seen in this area. The common birds are snow cock, chukor, magpie, Himalayan whistling thrush, snow partridge, golden oriole etc. Some of the less commonly seen birds are Great Grey Shrike, the Red Mantled Rose Finch, the Black Throated Thrush, the Robin Accentor, the Spotted Flycatcher, various migrant Teal, the Red Flanked Blue Tail and the Great Nose Finch.
The climatic conditions vary from sub-arctic to arctic. Summers are short and mild, rainfall is low and it snows most of the time. In winter, the temperature drops to far below the freezing point and the area receives very heavy snowfall, which remains on the ground for several months at a stretch.
It is advisable to only venture into the park with a good guide and also a rugged vehicle, preferably a 4-wheel drive or a motor cycle. Camping and trekking are allowed within the park boundaries. The trek through the beautiful Markha valley with its numerous small villages, shepherds, camps and passes overshadowed by Kanyatse and other groups of Peaks is an experience to cherish. Trekkers must be prepared for extremely cold conditions at all times of the year. It is sensible not to spend too much time at the mountain passes as excess altitude can cause medical problems to some people because of lack of oxygen. In winter, the area is quite inaccessible as the temperature drops down to below zero. Vehicles are available on hire from local operators in Leh and Manali. Due to lack of proper infrastructure being prevalent in the park, it is necessary to make all required arrangements regarding food, water etc. beforehand.
Foreign tourist must check about the latest government regulations before setting out on this journey.
Climate - Hemis National Park
The climatic conditions vary from sub-arctic to arctic. Rainfall is low and the bulk of the total annual precipitation is in the form of snow. In winter the mercury drops to far below the freezing point and this tract receives very heavy snowfall, which remains on the ground for several months at a stretch. Summers are short and mild, while there is no marked rainy season.About Hemis National Park
1981 in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh for the conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. It covers an area of 600 sq. kms in the Markha and Rumbak valleys.The terrain surrounding the park is rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Dry alpine pastures are present in sheltered locations and the grass growth is relatively rapid during the summer season after the snow melts from the region.
There are many U-shaped valleys, carved by the glacial actions that occurred in the past. Rivers and streams have laid a thick deposit of sand along their banks. The general elevation of the parks exact location is over 3,000 meters.
Wildlife Attractions (Hemis National Park)
Dry forests of juniper, birch and fir are found in the region. Also present are the alpine grasslands and scrublands. There are many rare and endangered animal species found in the cold desert area that are also found in the hemis national park, known to be the home of an interesting assemblage of cold desert fauna. Amongst these are the snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, serow and Tibetan antelope. Amongst the avi fauna population found in the hemis national park are the snow, snow partridge and golden oriole.How to Reach
Air
Indian Airlines and Jet airways operates direct flights from Delhi to Leh (1047 km) regularly. Indian Airlines operates flights at regular intervals from Srinagar, Jammu and Chandigarh.Rail
The nearest railway station is Jammu-Tawi.Road
Leh is well connected with all the major cities within the state and there are buses, which ply from Leh towards the hemis national park.Transport Corporation (J&K SRTC) operates regular Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Srinagar and Leh (434 km) via Kargil. However this route will remain open for traffic only from early June to November. Another approach road is from Manali to Leh (473 km-19hrs) which is open for traffic from around mid-June to early October. Himachal Pradesh Tourism (HRTC) and J & K SRTC operate daily Deluxe and Ordinary bus services between Manali and Leh. Cars and jeeps are also available for hire. There are buses available from Leh towards the Hemis national park which is around 30 km away.
Accommodation
Medium and lower Budget hotels are available at Leh, 30kms drive from the park. There are home stay facilities available in the park in the villages of Chilling, Rumbak, Kaya, Sku etc along the Markha trekking route which provide clean rooms and traditional Ladakhi meals. It was developed by the Snow Leopard Conservancy with support from the Mountain Institute and the Unesco. Camping is permitted within the park.For booking home stays Contact
Overland Escape,
Raku Complex, Fort Road, Leh, 194101, Ladakh,
Jammu & Kashmir
Ph: +91-1982-250858 Telefax: +91-1982-255881
Email : Contact Us
Snow Leopard Trails,
Hotel Khanglachen Complex,
Leh, 194101, Ladakh
Ph: +91-1982-252074 or 252355
Email : Contact Us
Contacts
Dy. Conservator of Forests,Hemis National Park,
Leh (Ladakh)
Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust
407 New Delhi House
27 Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place
New Delhi 110001
Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust
Ibex Hotel Complex
Leh, Ladakh 194101
J&K
Tel: 01982-250953
9419178177 (mobile)
Email : Contact Us, Contact Us
General Information
Place : Ladakh, Jammu & KashmirLocation : Eastern part of Ladakh, Jammu & kashmir
Total Area : 600 Sq. km.
Nearest town: Ladakh
Best time to visit: June to October
Main attraction: Shapu, Bharal, Snow Leopard