Kishtwar National Park – complete detail – updated

Kishtwar National Park – complete detail – updated. Dominant flora and fauna of Kishtwar National Park. Geography of Kishtwar National Park. How to reach Kishtwar National Park. Kishtwar National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Kishtwar district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The National Park encompasses the catchments of Kiar, Nath and Kibar Nalas, all of which drain south-west into Marwa River which joins the Chenab River just above Kishtwar Town. The park is surrounded by Rinnay River in the north, Kibar Nala catchments in the southern part, the Great Himalaya in the east and Marwa River in the west………..

Total area of the park is 425.00 Km². This national park was basically made to protect the endangered species of snow leopards and was given the status of a national park in 1981. The Park is famous for its unique and rich wildlife and bird species. The flora mainly comprises coniferous, alpine, meadows and scrub forests.

The rich wildlife includes Brown Bear, Himalayan Black bear, Musk Deer, Ibex, Markhor, Snow Leopard, Wild boar, Bharal, Indian Muntijal, Serow, and Rhesus macaque (Hangul and Kashmiri stag that migrate in winters from Dachigam National Park).

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.

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Kishtwar National Park  

Kishtwar National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Kishtwar district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Park is named after the district in which it is located.

It was majorly founded to protect the Snow Leopards that are now slowly vanishing from the nature. Total area of the park is 425.00 Km².

This national park was basically made to protect the endangered species of snow leopards and was given the status of a national park in 1981.

This national park is surrounded by beautiful snowcapped Himalayas. The park is a scenic backdrop where many streams flowing through the park adds to the beauty of this wildlife paradise.

The Park is famous for its unique and rich wildlife and bird species. The flora mainly comprises coniferous, alpine, meadows and scrub forests.

The rich wildlife includes Brown Bear, Himalayan Black bear, Musk Deer, Ibex, Markhor, Snow Leopard, Wild boar, Bharal, Indian Muntijal, Serow, and Rhesus macaque (Hangul and Kashmiri stag that migrate in winters from Dachigam National Park).

Kishtwar is also home to an enchanting variety of bird species like Himalayan monal, koklass, Himalayan snowcock, western tragopan Himalayan jungle crow, bearded vulture, griffon vulture, paradise flycatcher, golden oriole, white cheeked bulbul and Indian Mynah.

Other major attractions of this park are the cascading waterfalls, trekking paths and the Sapphire Mines of Paddar.

There are narrow valleys and high ridges that make the topography of Kishtwar National Park, Jammu and Kashmir.

Geography

Kishtwar National Park is situated in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. The area lies in the Central Crystalline belt of the Great Himalayas. Rocks are strongly folded in places and composed mainly of granite, and gneiss, with the occasional bed of marble.

The National Park encompasses the catchments of Kiar, Nath and Kibar Nalas, all of which drain south-west into Marwa River which joins the Chenab River just above Kishtwar Town.

The park is surrounded by Rinnay River in the north, Kibar Nala catchments in the southern part, the Great Himalaya in the east and Marwa River in the west.

The park is covered with exposed granite and marble rocks. The vegetation at the park is not very dense as is in most cold regions.

The terrain is generally rugged and steep, with narrow valleys bounded by high ridges opening in their upper glacial parts.

State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated

Kishtwar National Park, Jammu and Kashmir experiences very cold sand chilly weather during winters. Snowfalls occur during December and January. Monsoon is very low in this national park. We can find floras of various categories in this national park.

The Park has an altitudinal range of 1,700 to 4,800 meters above sea level.

Dominant flora

The flora mainly comprises Coniferous, Alpine, Meadows and Scrub forests. Pinus gerardiana, Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Juglans regia, Parrotiopsis Jacquemontiana, Desmodium Tiliaefolium, Dipsacus Mitis, Artemisia Vulgaris Ulmus spp., Brachypodium spp., Anemone spp., Artemisia vlugaris, Primula spp., Quercus spp., Rosa spp. Etc.

Dominant fauna

Mammals – Hangul, Musk deer, Markhor, Himalayan brown bear, Langur, Leopard, Jackal, Asiatic Black Bear, Rodentia Indian Gerbil, Long Tailed Marmot, Bats, The Indian False Vampire Bat, Serotine Bat, Yellow-throated Martin, Snow Leopard, Langur, Leopard Cat, Himalayan tahr, Wild boar, Bharal, Indian Muntijal etc.

Birds – Himalayan jungle crow, Bearded vulture, Griffon vulture, Paradise flycatcher, Golden oriole, White cheeked bulbul, Indian Mynah, golden eagle etc.

Other Attractions

Sites for trekking activities – Paddar, Cahtroo, Dacchan, Wadwan and Marwah.

Waterfalls

Sarthal Devi

Sapphire Mines

Best time to visit

The best time of the year to visit the Kishtwar National Park is between the months of March to October.

How to Reach

By Air – Nearest airport is Jammu airport, about 250 Km from the Kishtwar National Park.

By Rail – Nearest railway station is Jammu railway station, about 248 Km from the Kishtwar National Park.

By Road – Bus services are operated up to Plamer only, about 20 km north of Kishtwar.

Official website – www.jkforest.com

Other National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows…