Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh

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Kedarnath Sanctuary
The Kedarnath Sanctuary was founded in 1972 on 967 sq. kms of the Garhwal Himalayas. The wonderful stretch of the Himalayas command a magnificent view of mountains and valleys, forests and grasslands, exotic butterflies and flowers. The Garhwal Himalayas contain some of the highest peaks in India. It is the source of the great Ganga and Yamuna rivers, houses the sacred Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines as well as forest reserves. Some of the interesting residents of the sanctuary are the snow leopard, leopard, tahr, serow, snow cock and musk deer. Khaleej and monal pheasants are some of the feathered inhabitants.

How to get there

Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315 kms away.

Road: The road distances from Kedarnath are: Rambara 6 kms, Gaurikund 15 kms, Soneprayag 20 kms, Guptkashi 49 kms, Kund 54 kms, Tilwara 83 kms, Rudraprayag 92 kms, Chopta 89 kms, Mandal 117 kms and Chamoli 138 kms.
Ponies, dandis and porters are available at Gaurikund, the starting point of the 15 kms trek to Kedarnath. Gaurikund is connected by direct bus services to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.

Where to stay

Tourist lodges and PWD Inspection Houses are available for accomodation.

Contact

Wildlife Warden, Kedarnath Sanctuary, Gopeshwar, Distt. Chamoli.
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nanda
Devi National Park, Joshimath, Distt. Chamoli, Tel: 2179

Valley of Flowers National Park

This gorgeous valley in the Himalayas, with the greatest concentration of exotic wild flower species, was established in 1982. The park spans an area of 87.5 sq. kms and is perched on the upper reaches of the Bhyundia Ganga of Chamoli district of Garhwal.

Butterfly

The Valley of Flowers was discovered by accident, by an English mountaineer, Frank Smythe, while on an expedition to Mt. Kamet. The Pushpawati river flows by the valley while the awesome Rataban peak forms a spectacular backdrop.The park boasts more than 300 species of wild flowers like the Himalayan blue poppy, snake city, white and yellow anemones, daisy, calendula and dianthus. A wide variety of butterflies, snow leopard, brown and Himalayan black bears, tahr, musk deer, bharal and serow are the other attractions of the national park

The park can only be visited during the day and overnight stay is prohibited.

How to get there

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315 kms approx.

Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.

Road: Off the Rishikesh-Badrinath road, 16 kms from Govindghat (24 kms from Badrinath). Buses are available to Govindghat. From Govindghat the distance has to be trekked.

Where to stay

UP Govt. Tourist Rest House (GMVN), Ghangaria.
Forest Rest Houses, Govindghat and Ghangaria.Gurudwara at Ghangaria.

Contact

Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Distt. Chamoli, Tel: 2179

Nanda Devi National Park

The Nanda Devi National Park has a intriguing combination of flora and fauna. The park is spread over 630 sq. kms, in the vicinity of Nanda Devi Peak (25, 765 ft/7816 mts.), India's second highest mountain. This park was founded in 1980.

The wildlife to be found in the park include snow leopard, brown and Himalayan black bears, bharal, Himalayan tahr, serow, monal and chir pheasants.

How to get there

Road: Nearest roadhead is Lata, 30 kms from Joshimath, also connected by bus services. Joshimath is linked by road to Rishikesh and other centres in the region.

Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315 kms (approx).

Contact

Deputy Conservator of Forests,
Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath,
Distt. Chamoli, Tel: 2179

Askot Sanctuary

Askot Sanctuary is located in the sylvan surroundings of Pithoragarh. Pithoragarh (5412 ft), nestling amidst the beautiful Kumaon Himalayas, is often called 'Miniature Kashmir'.

Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, bharal, tahr, snow cock, monal, chir and koklas, pheasants and chukor are the major highlights of the sancuary.

How to get there

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Tanakpur, 151 kms.

Road: Askot is accessible by road via Tanakpur - Pithoragarh or via Haldwani - Almora.

Where to stay

Forest Rest Houses are available at Askot, Kaflani, Rugling and Tejam.

Contact

Divisional Forest Officer, Pithoragarh, Tel: 22234