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Wildlife in Uttar Pradesh
 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.
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
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