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The Great Himalayan National Park
Nestled amidst the snow clad peaks and green valleys of the Himalayas, lies the beautiful Great Himalayan National Park which is also called Jawaharlal Nehru Great Himalayan National Park. Rich variety of flora and fauna, spectacular landscapes, sylvan settings and dense woodlands distinguishes this wildlife sanctuary from others.
The Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is the home to a number of birds and animals. Covering an area of 620 sq. kms this National Park in Himachal Pradesh is the ideal destination for the wildlife buffs. The home to more than 375 animal species, the National Park is strictly protected under the Wildlife Protection Laws. There are 68 resident avian species of which the famous are the pheasants like the Monal and Kalij.
One can notice a rich biodiversity in the Great Himalayan National Park. From the deciduous forests of pine and cedar to oak and grass meadows and wild flowers and orchids, the Himalayan National Park is a heaven for the nature lover. From the Alpine forests to the green meadows, Himalayan National Park presents a varied beauty to the tourists.
As you explore the acres of greenery you might get to see wild mountain goats and sheep like the Himalayan thar, flying squirrel, langurs, Bharal, goral and serow, musk deer, leopard, black bears, wolf and rhesus macaques. It is also believed to be the den of the rare species of snow leopards. You also get to see the Himalayan Tahr and Ibex in the forests of Himalayan National Park.
Renuka Sanctuary
TThe mind blowing range of flora and fauna that adorn the slopes of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh attracts thousands of wildlife enthusiasts and adventure freaks to its depths every year. The wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Himachal Pradesh are numerous and are home to an astonishing plethora of wildlife. To have a feel of the wildlife scenario in Himachal, there are at present 32 Sanctuaries, 2 National Parks and 3 Games Reserves in the state. These forests harbor about 64 species of mammals, 463 species of birds, 43 species of reptiles and 516 of aquatic fauna teeming among over 3240 species of plants. The Renuka Sanctuary named after the town of Manali, is a major tourist junction for nature lovers.
Renuka Sanctuary- Fast Facts
MThe Renuka sanctuary is located in Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh. The total area of the sanctuary is about 402.80 hectares and is comprised of the Renuka Reserve Forest and has been declared as Abhayaranya. Also, an area of roughly about 300 hectare outside the sanctuary has been declared as a buffer belt.
Renuka Sanctuary- Myth
Renuka is an abode of temples of mother and son duo of Renukaji and her son Lord Parshuram. Mythologically Renukaji is worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She was the wife of Rishi Yamdagini and her son Parshuram is believed to be the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that in order to obey the command of his father Parshuram had to sever the head of his mother. However, after killing his mother, Parashuram begged his father to perjure life in his mother, for which the Rishi agreed.
Sahastarvahu, the emperor wanted to marry her and once when Parshuram was away, he killed Rishi Yamdagini and his four sons to marry Renukaji. To escape the clutches of this emperor Renukaji killed herself by jumping into a pond then known by the name of the Ramsarover and vanished into it. Since then the lake is worshiped as Renuka Lake.
Wildlife in Renuka Sanctuary
The vegetation inside the sanctuary comprises mainlyof Anogeissus, Lucinea, Terminalia, Khair, Shisham, Carrie, Cordia and a number of climbers in moist depressions.
The fauna includes Leopard, Samber, Spotted Deer, Barking deer, Jackal, Hare, Jungle cat, Plam Civet, Porcupine, Blue jay, Black Partridge, Drongos, Hill Crow, Scarlet Minivet, Bulbul, Common Coots, Greenm Pigeons. The Renukaji Zoo is the oldest zoo in Himachal Pradesh, and was initially started during 1957 with rescued, stray and deserted wild animals from the forests. The first animal brought here was a male spotted deer named Moti. To accommodate the increasing number of animals, the concept of an open park was conceived and the park was established in 1983.
Other
The thick forest stretches that cover the slopes of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh are home to a host of flora and fauna. In Himachal Pradesh, out of the total geographical area of 55,670 sq km, the forest area the forest area stretches up to 37,691 sq km. At present there are 32 Sanctuaries, 2 National Parks and 3 Games Reserves. With 64 species of mammals, 463 species of birds, 43 species of reptiles and 516 species of aquatic fauna teeming among over 3240 species of plants, the wildlife in Himachal Pradesh is worth its fame and unfolds an interestingly varied eco-system, for the wildlife enthusiast, the indefatigable trekker and the romantic tourist, an endless quest. The wildlife in Himachal Pradesh is concentrated in the depths of its sanctuaries and national parks.
Important Sanctuaries & National Parks
Pin Valley National Park
is located in the rough and rugged Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful National Park in the rugged Himalayan terrains is the home to a number of endangered species. From 3,500m to 6,000 m the Park covers a wide area of the Lahul Spiti region in the Northern Part of Himachal Pradesh.
The Pin Valley National Park in Himachal Pradesh was declared a national park in the year 1987. Nestled amidst the cold desert of the Spiti Valley in Himalayas, this is the home of Snow Leopards and Ibex. Rich variety of flora and fauna allures wildlife buffs to the Pin Valley National Park. Rare birds like Himalayan Snowcock, Chukor, Snow Partridge and the Tibet Snow Finch are also seen in the Pin Valley National Park. You can find acres of Alpine Forests in this region. The summer time also sees a riot of colors covering the valleys.
Best Time to Visit Pin Valley National Park
July to October are the best months with August the perfect time when you can visit
So take a break from your fast paced life and explore the Himalayan Wildlife in Pin Valley National Park.
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
The velvety meadow surrounded by the thick foliage of Deodar on all sides and the view of the snowcapped Pir Panjal Range from above the forested heights, Khajjiar is little less than a paradise on earth. The Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary stretches over the deodar forests that crowd the slopes between Khajjiar and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh.
The Kalatop Sanctuary is one of the most popular and well known of the wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh and spreads over 1962 hectares. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Chamba District.
The vegetation inside the sanctuary consists of blue pine, deodar and oak forests. The forest also has dense undergrowth. The sanctuary also boasts of a wide variety of wildlife. Bear, Himalayan Black Marten, Leopard, Deer, Barking Goral, Squirrel, Serow, Jackal, Langur are often spotted.
The Himalayan Bear very often comes out into the buffer area and infringe the territories of the surrounding villages, thereby making trekking into the jungle alone without a guide especially after dusk a risky business.
The temperature varies from 10°C to 35°C. Several tributaries of the River Ravi, which lies to its north, flow through the sanctuary.
