The Great Himalayan National Park - Himachal Pradesh - थे ग्रेट हिमालयन नेशनल पार्क

Great Himalayan National Park is located in the upper ranges of Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh India. It is a fine composition of alpine flora and fauna. The park has some very unique features, which you may not find elsewhere in India. A major part of the national park is permanently under glaciers and ice. It is one of the last undisturbed Western Himalayan ecosystems giving shelters to a vast variety of wildlife and forests. The biological richness of the park makes it a bewitching destination in this part of India. Also known as Jawahar Lal Nehru National Park, the region was notified as a national park in the year 1984 to save the endangered wildlife species of this Himalayan Ecosystem.

The National Park with an area of 620 Sq. km is caved out of the splendid mountain terrain of the Kullu District and has the representative area of temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It is also one of the largest protected area of the state.

The Great Himalayan National Park the largest protected area in Himachal Pradesh, the Park is carved out of the splendid mountain terrain of the Kullu district. Rich corniferous forests, alpine meadows carpeted with flowers, snow-capped peaks and glaciers provide a breath taking panorama. The secluded Sainj and Tirthan valleys harbour a variety of animals common to this area - wild mountain goats like the bharal, goral and serow, the brown bear and predators like the leopard and the rarely seen snow leopard. Varieties of colourful pheasants - monal, khalij cheer, tragopan and other Himalayan birds are part of its rich avian population. Trekking through the Park to Rakte Sar, the origin of the Sainj River, brings in the added pleasure of seeing wildlife in this spectacular natural environment.

Cheer-PheasantThe park officially known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Great Himalayan National Park, was established in1984 in Kulu district. Bounded by the towering peaks of the Himalayas on three sides with an entrance from the west, the park covers an area of 620 Sq.km.of the previously-established Tirthan Sanctuary. The park which lies in the Seraj Forest Division in the upper catchments of the rivers Thirthan, Jiwa and Sainj has an altitude varying from 1500 to around 6000 meters with snowy mountains, glaciers, river valleys, cliffs and dense forest.

The vegetation here ranges from deciduous forests of blue pine and cedar, oak and bamboo and grass meadows covered with wild flowers. The fauna consist of wild mountain goats and sheep like the Himalayan thar, bharal, goral and serow, musk deer, leopard, brown and black bears, wolf, flying squirrel, langurs, rhesus macaques and snow leopards which are rarely seen. The birds both indigenous and migrant variety are found including the Western tragopan, monal pheasant, cheer pheasant etc.

Special permits from the Park Director at Shamsi or the range officers at Larji, Sairopa, Banjar or Sainj are required by tourists for entrance tleopardo the Great Himalayan National Park. No vehicle is allowed inside the park. Visitors has to go on foot accompanied by Guides which is compulsory and the entrance is allowed only between sunrise and sunset. A popular trek through the beautiful wilderness is to Rakte Sar, the origin of the Sainj river. The Forests Department provides camping equipment and guides. It is advisable to stick to the best season from September to November / April to June as the winters are too cold and the monsoons bring in landslides and muddy trails.

Venture Into The Great Himalayan

The only means to explore the Great Himalayan National Park is your own two legs. A qualified guide is mandatory for everybody to get well informed about the park ecosystem. Trek through the park to Raktesar, the origin of the Sainj River and camp amidst alpine pastures to gain some memorable experience. A trek through the park is definitely the best way to see the beauty of this area, and with some luck you should be rewarded with some great sightings of flora, fauna and avifauna. The park is home to rare "Western Tragopan" and 200 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals.

The Fauna

Among the animals found in this part of the Western Himalayas are Musk Deer, Ghoral, Lagurs, Thar, Bharal, Serow, Brown Bear, Leopard and Snow Leopard.

The Avifauna

Bird life includes a variety of colourful Pheasants- Monal, Khalij, Cheer and Tragopan.

Additional Punch

From here you can go to other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal will make your trip absolutely bewitching. Though entire state has something to give to every single traveller, some of the destinations you can visit are - Kullu, Manali, Shimla. In Himachal you can also make your tour adventurous by participating in various adventurous activities like - trekking, mountaineering, skiing, hang-gliding, etc.Valley Near The Great Himalayan National Park

Extend the Trip

Go to Uttaranchal. The tranquil ambience of Uttaranchal will leave you spellbind. Here you can tour Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun. Uttaranchal is truly spiritual and a perfect place to spend to revitalize yourself.

Few Difficulties

Beyond November, and right up to April, heavy snowfall can block roads and trails, besides making it a little too cold for comfort! Rainfall hits the park between July and September, sometimes resulting in landslides and muddy trails. Accessibility is not so easy.

Few Suggestions

Visits to the Great Himalayan National Park are allowed only between sunrise and sunset. Make sure you're physically fit and wearing a sturdy pair of boots. Don't get into any unknown or illegal activity. Don't get into any unknown or illegal activity. Do not disturb the local culture and local atmosphere. Try to be well informed about the routes and the place you are going to visit. Contact us when and where needed, while on a wildlife India Tour.

If you want more information on Wildlife India Tour then get back to us, whenever needed. Let us know your requirements, so that we can make your trip to India Wildlife completely exceptional and exciting.

How to Reach

Air

Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. The nearest airport at Bhuntar, at a distance of 50km. from the park and 10 km from Kulu is well connected to the rest of the country. Taxis and buses are available from the airport.

Rail

The nearest railhead is Joginder Nagar nearly 10 0km from the park and Chandigarh.

Road

Kulu is well connected to Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi and Ambala. There are luxury buses available from Kulu to Shimla (240 km)and Delhi via Mandi (530 km)and back. From Kulu buses ply through NH # 21via Aut (30 km).From Aut the road access to the park is only up to Gushaini or Neuli.

To get to the Great National Himalayan Park one has to take the eastern divergence at Aut on the Kullu- Manali highway. Aut is 45 km from Mandi and 30 km from Kullu. From Largi which is 4 km from Aut, two routes, one along the Sainj Nala, motorable till Neuli (26 km) and the other along Tirthan Nala, motorable upto Gushaini (28 km) lead to the park.

Accommodation

There are guesthouses available for stay at Kullu. There are also 14 inspection huts or rest houses with minimum facilities within the park, but prior permission is needed for occupying them. Forest rest houses exist at Aut, Sainj, Sairopa, Banjar Shangarh etc. Reservations should be made well in advance and it is best to carry your own bedding and food.

Lodge Near The Great Himalayan National Park

Accommodation within the Great Himalayan National Park is inexpensive, though limited in its scope; about the only place you can stay is one of the dozen-odd forest rest houses scattered across the park. The facilities are minimal, and you'd be well advised to bring your own bedding and food. Rooms here must be reserved well in advance by contacting the Park authorities.

Other options for accommodation lie outside the park's boundaries, but these too are rest houses, and not too different from those within the park. Forest resthouses exist at Aut, Sainj, Sairopa and Shangarh; for all, reservations need to be made well before you arrive.

Contact

For Reservation and enquiries
Park Director,
Great Himalayan National Park,
Shamsi (Kullu),
Himachal Pradesh (Phone: 1902-65320).

General Information


State : Himachal Pradesh, in the northern part of India.
Area : 765 Sq km.
Best time to visit : April-June, Sept:- Oct.
Nearest Town : Kullu (60 km).
Climate : The temperature is extreme here. Minimum temperature : -5ºC; Maximum Temperature 30ºC.
Attractions: Wild Mountain Goats, Musk deer, leopards, bears, Pheasants
How to get there : Air-Bhuntar (50 km) Road via Aut (30 km short of Kullu)
Accommodation : Rest Houses
Travel Tips : Consult a doctor before you start your trip. Check that you have all the required documents with yourself to visit India and your desired destination.