Uttarakhand is known for its diversified flora and fauna. The state has 12 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries making it a destination where you can capture the indisputable expressions of various animals and birds. Apart from these, the State boasts of two Conservation Reserves - The Asan Barrage and Jhilmil Tal conservation Reserve; two World Heritage sites namely Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve and Valley of Flowers National Park. Travellers, here, get to see some of the most endangered and rarely seen animal species in the world. Not only for animal lovers but for bird watching enthusiasts as well, Uttarakhand has a number of surprises in store to satiate their thirst for witnessing wildlife. If you are an avid nature lover, photographer, traveller, adventurer or wildlife enthusiast, then Uttarakhand is the place for you.
Corbett National Park
Corbett National Park, got its name in 1957 after Jim Corbett, the famous naturalist and photographer. This is India’s first national park and beyond doubt the most attractive Park in India. The Park is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the midst of lush greenery and uneven mountains with varying heights, ranging from about 1300 feet to nearly 4000 feet.
The main attraction of tourists and wildlife enthusiasts to this Park is that the majestic view of Tiger with all its wildness in this Park. This park is a natural habitat of the rare species of Tigers that are facing extinction and wealthy flora and fauna with variety of wild animals, birds which makes it a heaven for bird watchers. It is a place that draws huge tourist inflow and offers excellent sightseeing.
If one is interested he can indulge lively with deer, spotted in Corbett National Park, barking deer, spotted deer, sambar, chinkara are some of the different kinds of species seen in the Park. Another major attraction here is the aquatic reptiles; different kinds of crocodiles can be spotted here. Corbett National Park is really a worth natural park to visit, to see the nature’s varieties and beauty. This is a park first among equals.
Govind National Park
The Govind National Park in the Purola Tehsil of Uttarakashi district in Uttarakhand is home to a number of endangered species and was established on 1st March, 1955 with a view to protect these species. Also known as GovindPashuVihar the park is spread over an area of 957.969 sq. kms with a varying altitude of 1300 meters to 6323 meters. Naitwar is the entrance and starting point of the sanctuary. The sanctuary experiences heavy snowfall and the vegetation here is enriched by the River Tons which is an important tributary of the Yamuna.
The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary has around 15 species of mammals and 150 species of birds and is rich in medicinal plants. The animals found here are the Himalayan snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, musk deer, bharal, Himalayan tahr, serow and the common leopard. The monal pheasant, koklass pheasant, bearded vulture, Himalayan snow cock, golden eagle, western tragopan, steppe eagle and black eagle are some of the endangered feathered inhabitants of this area.
This wildlife Sanctuary as one of the sites registered for the protection of the snow leopard and its habitat that survives in the inner Himalayas above the altitude of 3500 meters.
There are four basic trek routes in this park. The easiest one is the 38 km Sankri-Taluka-Osla-Har kiDoon route which ends at Ruinsara Tal covering 40 kms. Next route is the 20 km high altitude Ruinsara Tal to Yamunotri trek route to the Block Peak and Banderpunch areas. The most difficult trek is the 60 km Naitwar-Himri-Droni-Rupin Pass-Sangla route which partially lies in Himachal Pradesh. The months from April to June and September to November are suitable for visiting.
Assan Barrage Bird Watching
The Asan Conservation Reserve (400 m) in Dehradun district at the bank of river Yamuna is India’s first conservation reserve, established in 2005. It covers 4.5 sq.km. area, this is situated at the junction of the Yamuna and Asan rivers. Asan is listed as an Important Bird Area (BNHS and BirdLife International). Its is popular for winter migrated birds.
Asan provides an ideal habitat to a large number of migratory and resident waterfowl. During winters, it not unusual to count as many as 8000 waterfowl with high species diversity as the Asan has both shallow and deep water areas. More than 251 birds species have been recorded in this area including 80 water-birds. This area is one of the best sites for congregations of Brahminy Ducks.
Devalsari Bird Watching
Devalsari Village (1,800 m) is the gateway to Nag Tibba (3,048 m)Trek. It is one of the four villages from where Nag Tibba trek can be initiated. Other villages are Pantwari, Manglori and Aunter. It is the heavenly gateway for those also who love to explore raw nature, birds this region and believe in isolated places. Passionate birder, trekker, explorers, writers, photographers can excel their skill in the peaceful and luring atmosphere of Devalsari.
The changing terrain of Devalsari makes it a terrific birding destination. The ancient lord Shiva Temple at Devalsari, is said to have build in the 1800’s, is surrounded by deodar trees. Now it is renovated with tiles.
Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park is distinct for its pristine scenic beauty and rich bio-diversity. A paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the wildlife of the park is blessed with elephants, tigers, leopards, deers and ghorals as its best known life forms. Three sancturies in the Uttarakhand, Shivaliks – Rajaji, Motichur and Chila were amalgamated into a large protected area and named Rajaji National Park in the year 1983 after the famous freedom fighter Late Sri C. Rajgopalachari; popularly known as “Rajaji”.
This area is the North Western Limit of Asian elephants. Spread over an area of 820.42 sq km, Rajaji is a magnificient ecosystem nestled in the Shivalik ranges and the beginning of the vast Indo–Gangetic plains, thus representing vegetation of several distinct zones and forest types like sal forests, reverine forests, board–leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassy. It posseses as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species.The abundance of nature’s bounties heaped in and around this park, are bound to attract a large number of wildlife conservationalists, nature lovers and eco-friends to visit this most breathtaking wilderness area.
Uttarakhand or Uttaranchal God's own land is a top tourist destination. We bring Uttarakhand Tourism Latest Detailed Information Online on Char Dham, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Rishikesh and Uttarakhand district such as Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Rudraprayag and Champawat online to millions of viewers round the world.
Uttarakhand is surrounded with high snow covered peaks, natural beautiful surroundings, major pilgrims centres and beautiful valleys, jungle safaris, adventure sports, mighty holy rivers and wellness resorts a complete package for the tourists in a single platter.
There are around 152 important tourist places to visit here in Uttarakhand. Some of them are are Mussoorie the queen of hills, Nainital the lake district, Almora the switzerland of india, Ranikhet the queen's fields, Bageshwar the land of the lion, Chamoli and Uttarkashi and many more.
The char - Dhams - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is well known with around lakhs of pilgrims visiting the holy sites every year. Haridwar one of the seven scared cities in India lies in the foothills of Shivalik ranges. Hemkund Sahib, Lokpal, Nanakmatta, Meetha Reetha Sahib and Piran kaliyar very sacred and holy place visited by lakhs of pilgrims from all over the world.
Uttarakhand is also a paradise for adventure sport tourists, they may choose mountaineering in Bhagirathi, Chowkhamba, Pindari, Sahastrataal, Milam, Kafni, Khatling and Gaumukh. The tourists can enjoy the beautiful shiny peaks fully covered with snow, lush green jungles, alpine meadows, glaciers and scenic surroundings along with the excitement of the adventure sports.
In Uttarakhand, tourism for trekking and skiing, tourists may choose from Auli, Dayara bugyal , Munsyari and Mundali. Water Sports like Rafting , Bungee Jumping, Boating, Angling, Aero Sports and Hand Gliding and Paragliding in Pithoragarh, Nainital, Rishikesh Yoga Capital of the world and Pauri Garhwal.
Uttarakhand is rich in exotic flora and fauna and is well known for eco tourism and wildlife tourism. Some of the well known national park sanctuaries are The Corbett, The Rajaji National Park and the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.