Nanda Devi National Park complete detail – updated

Nanda Devi National Park complete detail – updated. Geography of Nanda Devi National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Nanda Devi National Park. How to Reach Nanda Devi National Park. The park is home to faunal species like Leopards, Himalayan black ber, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan thar, Serow, Bharal, Common Langur, Goral etc.

Total area of the park is about 624.60 Km². It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1982. Trekking is the most popular activity in the national park. In 1982, access to trekkers was banned to protect the biodiversity. The national park is host to more than 300 varieties of flowering species including rhododendron and juniper. 

Trekking is the most popular activity in the national park. In 1982, access to trekkers was banned to protect the biodiversity. However recently, tourists in small numbers are allowed to visit the park. According to ancient scriptures, this whole area was home to the Aryans, Mongolian and Himalayan indigenous races………..

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.

Nanda Devi National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Chamoli district of the state of Uttarakhand. The park is situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7816). Nanda Devi National Park is a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1982. Total area of the park is about 624.60 Km². The adjoining Valley of Flowers National park and this park were recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.

The park was further notified as World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2004. Nanda Devi National Park is protected by a buffer zone covering more than 5,000 Km².

The Nanda Devi National Park which is characterized by a unique mix of flora and fauna is a noted spectacular wilderness areas in the Himalayas.

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The national park is host to more than 300 varieties of flowering species including rhododendron and juniper. Because of the altitude and weather conditions, Nanda Devi is almost devoid of vegetation.

The most common trees in the Nanda Devi National Park are fir, birch and rhododendron. Alpine Vegetation comprising of juniper scrubs, mosses and lichens also cover extensive areas of the Nanda Devi National Park.

The park is home to faunal species like Leopards, Himalayan black ber, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan thar, Serow, Bharal, Common Langur, Goral etc.

The park is also an ideal place for birds like Indian tree pipit, Blue-fronted redstart, Grosbeaks, Rose Finches, Ruby Throat, Warblers etc.

The park is also home to several species of butterflies, 312 species of flowers including juniper and alpine vegetation.

Trekking is the most popular activity in the national park. In 1982, access to trekkers was banned to protect the biodiversity. However recently, tourists in small numbers are allowed to visit the park.

According to ancient scriptures, this whole area was home to the Aryans, Mongolian and Himalayan indigenous races.

History

The first attempt to enter the inner basin of Nanda Devi region was made by W.M. Graham in 1883, followed by T.G. Long staff in 1907 and later by Huge Rutledge in 1926, 1927 and 1932

Later in 1936, Tilman and N.E. Odell made the ascent of Nanda Devi, which was reputedly the most outstanding mountaineering success of the pre-Second World War era.

Nanda Devi basin was declared as Nanda Devi Sanctuary in 1939. The area of the park remained undisturbed until 1950’s when organized expeditions for Nanda Devi started.

It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1982. Total area of the park is about 624.60 Km². The adjoining Valley of Flowers National park and this park were recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. The park was further notified as World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2004.

Geography

Nanda Devi National Park is located in the Chamoli district of the state of Uttarakhand. The park is situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7816). Nanda Devi National Park is a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

The park can be divided into two parts, Inner and Outer. Together, they are surrounded by the main parky Wall, which forms a roughly square outline, with high, continuous ridges on the north, east, and south sides. On the west side, less high but still imposing ridges drop from the north and south toward the Rishi Ganga Gorge, which drains the Sanctuary towards the west.

The Inner Park occupies roughly the eastern two-thirds of the total area, and contains Nanda Devi itself and the two major glaciers flanking the peak, the Uttari (north) Rishi Glacier and the Dakshini (south) Rishi Glacier.

These are fed by the smaller Uttari Nanda Devi and Dakshini Nanda Devi Glaciers respectively. Nanda Devi National Park forms the core zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

The Nanda Devi National Park is a part of the Garhwal Himalayas, the park extends from the latitude 30°24′ in the North to the longitude 79°53′ in the East.

The national park is host to more than 300 varieties of flowering species including rhododendron and juniper. Because of the altitude and weather conditions, Nanda Devi is almost devoid of vegetation.

The most common trees in the Nanda Devi National Park are fir, birch and rhododendron. Alpine Vegetation comprising of juniper scrubs, mosses and lichens also cover extensive areas of the Nanda Devi National Park.

Dominant flora

Fir, Birch, Rhododendron, Juniper etc.

The Flora of the Nanda Devi National Park is supposed to be one of the richest preserves of the world with atleast 312 floral species of which atleast 17 are very rare one. Apart from Juniper vegetation, grasses, prone mosses and lichens are also found in the park.

The most common trees in the Nanda Devi National Park are fir, birch and rhododendron. Alpine Vegetation comprising of juniper scrubs, mosses and lichens also cover extensive areas of the Nanda Devi National Park.

Dominant fauna

Mammals – Leopards, Himalayan black ber, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan thar, Serow, Bharal, Common Langur, Goral, Brown bear etc.

Birds – Warblers, Grosbeaks, Rose finches, Ruby throat, Crested Black Tit, Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Blue fronted Redstart, Indian Tree Pipit, Vinaceous Breasted Pipit, Common Rose finch, Nutcracker etc.

Other Attractions

Joshimath

Trekking

Gopeshwar

Badrinath

Dronagiri Village

Nanda Devi Temple

Best time to visit

The best time of the year to visit the Nanda Devi National Park is between the months of April to October. In the months of June to August, there is heavy rainfall in the area.

State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated 

Nanda Devi National Park is open from 1st May to 31st October each year.

How to Reach

By Air – Nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun) airport, about 295 Km from the Nanda Devi National Park. Jolly Grant (Dehradun) airport is well connected by road network to Nanda Devi National Park.

By Rail – Nearest railway station is Rishikesh railway station, about 276 Km from the Nanda Devi National Park. Rishikesh railway station is well connected by road network to Nanda Devi National Park.

By Road – Nanda Devi National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Nanda Devi National Park.

Distance from Nearby and Major Cities

Joshimath – about 19 km

Auli- about – 36 km

Rishikesh – about 276 km

Nainital – about 305 km

Dehradun – about 295 km

Chandigarh – about 476 km

Delhi – – about 502 km

Indore – about 1405 km

Ahmedabad – about 1430 km

Kolkata – about 1680 km

Mumbai – about 1925 km

Hyderabad – about 2015 km

Bengaluru – about 2600 km

Chennai – about 2635 km

Useful Contacts

Dehradun GM (Tourism), Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd 74/1 Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Phone – 0135-2747898

Uttarakhand Tourism, Dhrona Travels, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd 45, Gandhi Road, Hotel Dhrona, Dehradun, Phone-0135-2653309

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