WILDLIFE IN GARHWAL

Nanda Devi National Park: is one of the most impressive wilderness areas in Garhwal Himalayas. It is situated in chamoli district of Garhwal Uttarnchal. It is spread over 630 sq km areas, overshadowed by the peak of Nanda Devi Peak (second highest mountain in India).It was established in 1980 to protect the high attitude Himalayan flora & fauna. The first men on record to have reached this park, while yet in its pristine form, were the the British Mountaineers Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman. There are so many species of animals in this area including bharal, Himalayan tahir, serow, goral, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, leopard, common langur, musk deer, brown dear, pheasant and others wild animals. There are also 80 spices of birds in this area. The main attraction in bird watching is warblers, gresbreaks, rose finches, ruby throat and other birds which are easily seen here. The park will remain open for a period of six months from 1st may and close on 31st October.

Rajaji National Park is lying 830 sq kms across the hills of Shivalik, foothills of Himalayas. The Rajaji National Park spreads across three districts of Garhwal Uttaranchal- Hardwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal. In the year 1983, three wildlife sanctuaries in the shivalik range –Rajaji, Motichur, and Chila were amalgamated into a large protected area named Rajaji National Park. Rajaji National Park is distinct for its immaculate scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. There are 23 sprices of mammals including tigers, wild boar, sloth bear, leopards, elephants, deer, jungle cat and more then 300 spices of birds are easily seen here. The most prominent avian species include woodpeckers, barbets, peafowl, pheasants and kingfishers supplemented by a number of itinerant species during the winter months. Rajaji National Park is open between November to June for visitors.

Kedarnath Sanctuary is situated in chamoli district of Garhwal Uttarnachal. Kedarnath Sanctuary was founded in 1972 lies on 967 sq kms of the Garhwal Himalayas. The wonderful stretch of the Himalayas offers a glorious view of snow-clad mountains, valleys, forests and grasslands, exotic butterflies and flowers. There are so many spices of mammals and birds exists in the sanctuary. The important mammals are snow leopard, snow cock, tahr, musk deer, serow, leopard, himalayan bear, sambhar and bharal. The best season to visit is from April to June and again from September to November.