Nanda Devi national park spread over a large area of 630 square kilometer, just next to spectacular Nanda Devi peak. Nanda Devi national park is located in the upper Himalayan ranges of Chamoli district in the Garhwal division in the state of Uttarakhand. The Nanda Devi mountain, which is the second highest peak in India fence the park from three sides. Because of its natural surroundings and exotic ambiance, Nanda Devi national park is a home some unique variety of flora and fauna in the world. The rich biodiversity of the park spellbind people with its scenery and wildlife. Together with valley of flowers, Nanda Devi national park is inscribed as an UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1988.
Nanda Devi national park is a home of some exotic wildlife species. The park is more of in seclusion due to its difficult terrain. This wild sanctuary is one of the best in world because of its faunal population. some of the Himalayan species like serow, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan musk deer are common here. Other than that bharal, grosbeaks, rose finches, ruby throat, common langur, brown bear and warblers are also dominant here. The entire of Nanda Devi national park area lies within the western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). It has more than 100 bird species includes Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, Blue-fronted Redstart, Indian Tree Pipit, Vinaceous-breasted Pipit, Nutcracker and many more. The park is also a home of about 27 varieties of butterflies.The park is covered with high altitude flora such as fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper. The park has two circle, outer and inner. The inner part of the park has a drier conditions and almost nil vegetation near the Nanda Devi glacier. The scenery changes drastically from outer to inner circle. Vegetation changes from alpine to to junipers scrubs that dominate the vegetal growth of inner circle. Apart from juniper vegetation, grasses, prone mosses and lichens are also give way to other type of vegetation. Nanda Devi park is also famous for ‘valley of flower’, which house some of the rarest floral species in the world. There is around 312 floral species found in this national park.Invaluable Suggestions
Park is open from 1st May and close on 31st October.
Visitors has to move in a group and one group is consists of 5 members. Not more than two groups are permitted in one day and not more than four groups are permitted in one week.
Visitor above 14 years of age only can enter the park.
The terrain is rough and tough. So, you must medically checked checked and should take all precautionary measures.
You shouldn’t damage any floral and fauna. It will be a punishable offense.
Never play radio or any other sound device as it may irritates wild animals.
Nanda Devi park is in high altitude and have chill almost most of the years. So, take appropriate clothes with you.
You need to take permit from the field director before entering into the park.
There is no tourist facility available in the park. Tourist stay near by Joshimath.
Trekking is a great experience in Nanda Devi Park. So, before leaving prepare yourself for some adventure sports.
Getting There:
By Air : The nearest airport is at Jolly Grant at Dehradun at a distance of around 295 km from the Nanda Devi National Park.
By Train : The nearest railhead is Rishikesh at a distance of 276 km. Rishikesh is connected with Joshimath by a Metalled road.
By Road : Metalled roads are there till Joshimath from where one has to trek to reach this place.