Hemmed in on three sides by the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh's Great Himalayan National Park is undoubtedly the place to go for a rendezvous with the wildlife of these mountains. Here, amidst dense forests of blue pine and cedar, in high alpine meadows and mountain slopes which remain covered with snow throughout the year, lives one of the densest and most impressive populations of Himalayan wildlife. Created in 1984, the Great Himalayan National Park (officially known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Great Himalayan National Park) includes, in a wide swathe of land covering 765 sq km, the previously-established Tirthan Sanctuary.
This park is an investment in the physical, metal and spiritual well being of Indians as individuals and of Himachalis in particular. This gainful investment in something as simple and fundamental as citizenship, love of country and an appreciation of the natural and historic fabric of the Western Himalayas. Bounded on three sides by the perpetual snow of the Himalayas, the westerly entrance to the park through the Tirthan Valley leading up to the Pin Parvati Pass (5,800m) in the Great National Himalayan Park is considered to be one of the most sacred places in the western Himalayas.
The secluded Sainj and Tirthan valleys sanctuaries together enrich Himachal by their unparalleled splendour. Each of these highlights a unique niche in the rich mosaic of our natural heritage. And the common animals that abound this area include - the wild mountain goats like the Bharal, Goral and Serow, the Brown Bear and predators such as the Leopard, Tigers and the rarely seen Snow Leopard. Varieties of colourful pheasants - Monal, Khalij Cheer, Tragopan and other Himalayan birds are also part of its rich bird population.
Bringing out some added pleasure of seeing wildlife in this spectacular natural environment is Trekking through the Park to Rakte Sar, the origin of the Sainj River. Visitors can contact: Director, National Park at Shamshi or Range Officer wildlife at Sainj or Range Officer Wild Life at Sai Ropa, Banjar for assistance and guidance. The Forests Department provides camping equipment and guides for tourists.
State : Himachal Pradesh
Location : 60-km From Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Area : 765-sq-kms
Nearest Access : 765-sq-kms
Altitude : 1,300m To 6,100m
|
