Nanda Devi National Park & Valley of Flowers National Park: IN/2014/SC/65
Nanda Devi National Park & Valley of Flowers National Park: IN/2014/SC/65
Nanda Devi National Park & Valley of Flowers National Park: IN/2014/SC/65
PREFACE
PREFACE
UNESCO defines the movement to preserve the cultural and
natural heritage sites as our legacy from the past, what we live
with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural
and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and
inspiration. What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional
is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the
people of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are
located."
The above thoughts shared by UNESCO are today emerging as
one of the key guiding principles world over in preserving natural
places like Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers. Due to the protected
status these places have been able to withstand the onslaught of
deforestation combined with unplanned development. But the new
threat of Climate Change may undo a lot of good work done over
the years.
This book has been prepared to help the reader appreciate the
unique outstanding universal value of this pristine landscape. The
number of plants and animals given may be more than have been
mentioned. This is primarily due to access to the park is very
limited and survey which are done deep in the reserve are only
done once in 10 years. The information given is based on those
surveys. The current survey due in 2013 could not be completed
due to Floods and disasters in the region and may be conducted
in 2015.
The park has a deep cultural, social and economic significance for
the communities living around it. They have preserved it for
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Nanda Devi National Park & Valley of Flowers National Park
1.
Introduction
2.
Geographic Location
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Chapter 2: Appendix
8.
9.
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INTRODUCTION
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
Nanda Khat (6631m). At the west of the Nanda Devi group are the
number of plus 6300 metre high peaks, which seem to guard this
river, which while passing through the Nanda Devi NP, goes
through some of the steepest river gorges in the world. In fact, the
used the Rishi Ganga river gorge as the access point to the peak.
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Valley of Flowers
British mountaineer, Frank Smythe is credited for the discovery of
the Valley of Flowers. He is believed to have stumbled upon it while
returning from an expedition from Mount Kamet. After seeing the U
shaped hanging valley, Smythe wrote In all my mountain
wanderings, I have never seen a more beautiful valley where the
human spirit may find repose. The Valley of Flowers,with its buffer
zone, is located in the Chamoli District of the Indian state of
Uttarkhand.
The valley has high mountain meadows, is framed by 6000 m plus,
all year round snow covered peaks, with their glistening glaciers.
One can see the NilgriParvat (6407m), GauriParvat (6590m),
Rataban (5400m), SaptaSringa (5025m) and KuntKhal (5855m) all
around while standing among flower beds at the floor of the valley.
In the Valley of Flowers NP, 529 hectares are under forests, 1863
hectares constitute alpine pastures and a significant 6,358 hectares
is estimated to be under permanent snow. The river Pushpawati
finds its origin in the Tipra glacier in the valley itself and makes its
progress through the park, before joining river Bhyundar and finally
meeting Alaknanda at Gobindghat.
The valley holds in its treasure trove 300 plus species of plants and
flowers, some of which are endemic and grow in small restricted
areas only.
master of the Nanda Devi National Park, the regal and elusive,
powers to the snow leopard. Few have seen it and in fact, its
numbers are not known with any degree of certainty but everybody
been placed in its own genus Uncia. It reigns supreme in the high
here. The forest rangers have installed trap cameras to get the
far the most exotic and rarest wild animal to live in this part of the
succeed.
Though, both the 1993 and 2003 state sponsored surveys to the
Nanda Devi NP confirmed the presence of snow leopard in the
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NP Park and Valley of Flowers NP, are some of the last refuges of
Other birds
Nanda Devi NP and the NDBR are considered important bird areas
by Birdlife International and the Bombay Natural History Society. The
Asiatic black bear, brown bear, red fox, marten and weasel are
of 112 bird species have been recorded from NDBR. Almost all
NP.
Birds
commonly seen near human habitation in the hills. But other birds of
holds prime position in the avian presence in the two parks and the
region. That is the reason the Monal enjoys the status of being the
the Nanda Devi NP, three species of pheasants have been reported,
state bird of the State of Uttarakhand and of being the national bird
in the Nanda Devi National Park and the Nada Devi Valley of Flower
National Park.
from the slopes near Reni village at the mouth of the Nanda Devi NP.
of 568 plant species have been identified in the NP. They include
The National Park and its vicinity is the home of trees such as
Deodar, which is also known as the great Himalayan Cedar. The
Deodar, translates in local language as the tree of the gods. It is
the strongest of the Indian Coniferous trees and its timber carries
an unusual fragrance. Banj (oak) is another well known tree variety
in the region. Its timber is very strong and the tree is believed to
hold more quantity of ground water than any other tree. The local
community is very protective about this tree.
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except for the snow leopard, are seen here, including musk deer,
Asiatic black bear, Himalayntahr, the serow, the bharaland, and the
mouse hare.
blue poppy are rarer but also the most beautiful. Yellow daffodils,
found in abundance in the Valley of Flowers NP, grow on the well-
Brahmakamal
rugged rocky terrain, with its silky blue petals seemingly emitting a
Valley of Flowers
The Nanda Devi Raj Jat, is one of the most high profile and
Nada Devi National Park, being its second spot. The yatra goes
Economic Value
from Nauti Village, with Lata Village located at the edge of the
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Gaura Devi is famous for giving birth to the Chipko Andolan (tree hugging protests) of
Himalayas.
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For centuries the local population has been venturing into the Nanda
Devi region, that is, much before the National Park came into
existence. The people of the villagers located on the fringes of the
park such Reni, Lata and Malari, have been using products of the
forest in the area. Todays youth in these villages talks about their
elders telling them stories about the forests and animals of the
region. These elders had been hunting, collecting herbs and wood
from the forest. They were also involved in the world famous Chipko
movement, aimed at saving trees of the region. Now that this local
community has been totally cut off from the Nanda Devi National
Parks, there is some deep rooted resentment.
But a wind of change is already sweeping in. Plans are already afoot
to allow tourists inside the park in a controlled manner. New sections
Poorni Devi
of the Nanda Devi NP have been opened for the tourists. Like
Dibrugeta in the Nanda Devi NP, which is a good three days trek
from the entrance of the park from Lata village side.
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Division, with its office in Joshimath. The park remains open for
rewarded in full measure once the Nanda Devi peak comes in view
The entry to the park is through Latakhark, which is a four hour trek
from Lata Village. The tourists have to stay in tents while in the
forest guards, can also be used by tourists. The tourists can take
Route. The trek ends at Ghangaria, which is a one street village just
one kilometre shy of the famous Valley of Flowers. There are places
the material being taken inside the park by the tourist is done at the
only place one gets to spend a night as only day trips are allowed to
the Valley of Flowers. The valley starts just after one kilometre of
easy trek from the Ghangaria village after which the valley continues
for another 5 kilometres.
Though the Valley of Flowers throws up its flower blooms throughout
the year, and can be, and should be visited throughout the year, the
best time to visit the park is considered between August and
September. The most flower blooms are during July and August
The tourists are only allowed in groups which has a maximum limit of
monsoon season, but access to the park during these rainy days is
five individuals. Visitors above the age of 14 only area allowed inside
very tough.
the park. As of now not more than two groups are permitted in one
day and not more than four groups would be permitted in one week.
One registered guide with the forest department is essential with
every group. A maximum of two porters and one guide is allowed
with each group. Visitors are entertained by the forest department
only on the basis of advance booking for which applications could
be sent six months to one week in advance.
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to the wildlife and forests of the Himalayan Region. The Nada Devi
from all human activities, still face these threats. In this scenario,
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APPENDIX
Scientific Name
Accipiter nisus
Common Name
Hoopoe
Scientific Name
Upupa epops
Aquila chrasaetos
Megalaima virens
Griffon vulture
Gyps fulvus
Sapsucker
Hypopicus hyperythrus
Himalayan griffon
Gyps himalayensis
Ashy drongo
Dicrurus lecophaeus
Lammergeier
Gypaetus barbatus
Common mynah
Acridotheres tristis
Falcon
Falco sp.
Cissa erthrorhyncha
Snow partridge
Lerwa lerwa
Dendrocitta formosae
Himalayan snowcock
Tetraogallus himalayensis
Nutcracker
Nucifraga caryocatactes
Lophophorus impejanus
Yellow-billed chough
Pyrrhocorax graculus
Koklas pheasant
Pucrasia macrolopha
Red-billed chough
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Snow pigeon
Columba leuconota
House crow
Corvus splendens
Columba livia
Jungle crow
Corvus machrorynchos
Speckled wood-pigeon
Columba hodgsonii
White-cheeked bulbul
Pycnonotus leucogenys
Streptopelia orientalis
Garrulax variegates
The Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus
Garrulax lienatus
Cuculus various
Black-capped sibia
Heterophasia capistrata
Himalayan swiftlet
Collacalia sp.
Muscicapa superciliaris
Apus pacificus
Verditer flycatcher
Muscicapa thalassina
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Common Name
Orange-flanked bush robin
Scientific Name
Erithacus cyanurus
Bluefronted redstart
Phoenicurus frontalis
White-capped redstart
Chaimorroornis leucocephalus
Myophonus caeruleus
Black bird
Turdus merula
Brown dipper
Cinclus pallasi
Alpine accentor
Prunella collaris
Green-backed tit
Parus monticolus
Parus melanolophus
Vinaceous-breasted pipit
Anthus roseatus
Grey wagtail
Motacilla caspica
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Common rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinus
Pink-browed rosefinch
Carpodacus rhodopeplus
Rock bunting
Emberiza cia
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Scientific Name
Uncia uncia
Common leopard
Panthera pardus
Red fox
Vulpes vulpes
Ursus thibetanus
Himalayan Yellow-throated
Marten
Martes flavigula
Yellow-bellied Weasel
Mustela kathiah
Ochotona roylei
Goral
Nemorhaedus goral
Serow
Nemorhaedus sumatraensis
Himalayan tahr
Hemitragus jemlahicus
Psuedois nayaur
Moschus chrysogaster
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Associate Species
Aconitum balfourii
Aconitum heterophyllum
Aconitum violaceum
Name of Species
Associate Species
Jurinella macrocephala
Malaxis muscifera
Meconopsis aculeata
Nardostachys grandiflora
Allium stracheyi
Angelica glauca
Podophyllum hexandrum
Bergenia stracheyi
Polygonatum verticillatum
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
Danthonia cachemyriana
Rheum australe
Fritilaria roylei
Danthonia cachemyriana
Rheum speciforme
Arnebia benthamii
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Name of Species
Associate Species
Rheum webbianum
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SECTION 11
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are grateful to UNESCO for giving us an opportunity to work on this interesting subject. Dr. Ram Boojh gave us the leadership and
guidance through out the project execution and helped us in bring it out in its current form.
We are also grateful to the Forest Department of Uttrakhand Government for giving us information and content for the book.
CREDITS
Authors
Aditya Pundir (Project Director)
Aashish Mamgain (Script)
Photography
Dhireash Bisht
Aditya Pundir
Video
Aditya Pundir (Interviews)
Forest Department (Trap Camera)
Post Production at Creative Grove (Team Members)
Programming
Dinesh Singh Rawat
Graphic Team
Daljeet Kaur
Rahul Khandelwal
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