Wildlife Sanctuaries in Uttarakhand

India has an ecology that is diversified. The Himalayas in the north and the Western Ghats in the south provide habitat for a vast range of exotic plants, birds, and animals, which are found across India. The Indian state of Uttarakhand is renowned for housing a variety of wildlife in its seven wildlife sanctuaries and four national parks. A list of popular wildlife refuges in Uttarakhand is shown below:

George Pashu Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
National Park Rajaji
National Park of Jim Corbett, Askot Sanctuary
Wildlife Sanctuary in Benog
Gangotri National Park and Nanda Devi National Park

1. Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary

In 1955, Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary was established. Later, it became a national park. It was given that name in honour of Govind Ballabh Pant, a well-known Indian freedom fighter. The park is located in the Garhwal Himalayan foothills’ Uttarakashi district. This nature reserve is home to several endangered plant and animal species. The most well-known inhabitants of the refuge are its Himalayan snow leopards. The months of April through June and September through November are the best times to visit the park.

• Main attractions: Har ki Doon Valley, a famous trekking spot. ‘Ruinsiyara’, high altitude lake. The forest rest houses in Naitwar, Taluka, and Osla. Western Himalayan Broadleaf Forests.
• Area: 958sq.km
• Nearest Town: Dharkari
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
• Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun

Read: Hill Station in Uttarakhand

2. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

At an elevation of 1,160 metres above sea level, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest protected area in the Western Himalayas. The sanctuary receives its name from the well-known Kedarnath Temple. It goes by the name Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary. Numerous endangered species are protected in this area, including the Himalayan Griffon, Alpine Musk Deer, Himalayan Thar, and Himalayan Black Bear. The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for having a large variety of both vegetation and animals.

• Main attractions: The holy place of Kedarnath, Gandhi Sarovar, Vasuki Tal Lake, Chandrashila Trek, Historical Hindu Temples, Sonprayag, Shankaracharya Samadhi. The Sanctuary is open from April to June and September to November.
• Area: 975sq.km
• Nearest Town: Srinagar
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
• Nearest Railway station: Rishikesh.

3. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Uttarakhand’s well-known wildlife refuges, is 33 kilometres north of Almora town and covers an area of 47.04 square kilometres. Because of the mesmerising beauty of the Himalayan peaks of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli, and Kedarnath, this Sanctuary is a breathtaking tourist destination in Uttarakhand. This sanctuary has a large diversity of plants and animals, as well as over 200 distinct bird species. The best time of year to visit Binsar is from October to March.

• Main attractions: Excellent view of Himalayas, Trekking in Oak and Rhododendron forests of the Himalayas, Binsar Zero point.
• Ticket charge: INR 150 for Indians, INR600 for foreigners.
• Nearest town: Almora
• Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport
• Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam

4. Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

The Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary on Kilbury Road, close to Nainital, is an Uttarakhand destination that shouldn’t be missed. Over 580 different bird species call this sanctuary, which is located at a height of 6,510 feet above sea level, home. Pangot village is a highly well-liked tourist destination due to its stunning panoramic view. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from March through June.

• Main attractions: Jungle lore birding lodge, Nature trekking in Nainital, North India birding Tour.
• No entry fee.
• Nearest town: Nainital
• Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport
• Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam

Read: Valleys in Uttarakhand

5. Rajaji National Park

With a size of around 820.42 sq. km., Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Uttarakhand’s largest and most well-known tourist destinations. Along with being a well-known tiger reserve, it is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It travels through the three districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garwal in the province of Uttarakhand. This park was established in 1983 as a tribute to famed independence warrior C. Rajagopalachari. The well-known Rajaji Park is home to several elephants. The Sanctuary is at its best from November to June.

• Main attractions: Tiger Park, Safari, Bird watching, Rafting
• Ticket charge: INR150 for Indians
  INR 600 for foreigners
• Nearest town: Haridwar and Dehradun
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.
• Nearest Railway Station: Haridwar

6. Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is a well-known biosphere reserve in India and is located in the Nainital district of the state of Uttarakhand. Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 by the British as the country’s first national park. It has the name of renowned hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett. The first park to be a part of Project Tiger was this one. In addition to a lake, grasslands, river belts, marshy depressions, and a substantial area of hills, the park’s 520.8 square kilometre area also features a lake. The park is open to the public from November 15 to June 15.

• Main attractions: Kosi River, Durga Mandir Temple, Hanuman Dham, Sitabani Temple, Safari Travel, Corbett Falls.
• Ticket price: INR200 for Indians
  INR1000 for foreigners
• Nearest town: Ramnagar
• Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport
• Nearest Railway Station: Ramnagar

7. Askot Sanctuary

The Askot sanctuary was established to safeguard Musk Deer in 1986. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, a well-known tourist site in India, is situated close to Pithoragarh, next to Askot, in the Uttarakhand area. Among the endangered animals that live there are the Himalayan Jungle Cat, Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Barking Deer, and Himalayan Brown Bear. It is 599.93 square kilometres in size. The months of April through September are ideal for travel.

• Main attractions: Peaks- Panchchuli, Chiplakot, Najirikot, Neodhura.Passes- Lipu lekh, Lumpiya lekh, and Mankshang lekh.Religious places like Kalapani, Chota Kailash, Bhanar, and Chiplakot.
• No entry fees
• Nearest Town: Pithoragarh
• Nearest Airport: Naini Saini
• Nearest Railway Station: Tanakpur

8. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary

The Benog wildlife reserve is located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is located in the Rajaji National Park. It is home to many different bird species as well as creatures such the Himalayan Goat, Panther, deer, leopard, and bear. The best time to visit the refuge is from April through November.

• Main attractions: Hathipaon Estate and Cloud’s End.
• Ticket Charge: INR150 for Indians, INR600 for foreigners.
• Nearest Town: Missouri
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
• Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun

9. Nanda Devi National Park

The biodiverse reserve known as Nanda Devi National Park, which is perched atop the Nanda Devi Peak, extends across the Uttarakhand districts of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. Its area is about 2237 square kilometres. The two zones that make up the park are the Core Zone and the Outer Buffer Zone. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to animals like the snow leopard and musk deer. You can visit the park from May through October. Only a set number of visitors are allowed as part of the biodiversity reservation.

• Main attractions: River Alakananda and its tributaries. Himalayan ranges.
• Ticket Charge: INR50 for Indians, INR150 for foreigners
• Nearest town: Joshimath
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
• Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh

Read: Religious Place in Uttarakhand

10. Gangotri National Park

Gangotri National Park is located in Uttarakhand’s Uttarakashi district. Gaumakh is located close to Gangotri Glacier, the Ganga’s source, in this national park. The Park was established in 1989 and covers a total area of around 2,390 km2. Endangered animals like the Snow Leopard, Asian Black Bear, Brown Bear, Musk Deer, and Himalayan Thar can be found in Gangotri National Park. Alpine woods and Himalayan conifer forest cover it. The best times to visit the park are from April through October.

• Main attractions: Nelong Valley, Gaumukh Trek, Tapovan Trek, and Kedartal.
• Ticket price: INR150 for Indians, INR600 for foreigners.
• Nearest Town: Harsil
• Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport
• Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun

FAQ

1. Is it okay to travel to these locations in the winter?

Because of the severe weather, many of these locations are closed to the general public during the winter and monsoon seasons. Traveling during certain times of the year is risky.

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