Great Himalayan National Park

Area	754.4 sq km
Languages Spoken	Hindi, Himachali, English
Altitude	1,500 - 5,805 m above sea level
Rainfall	1,500 mm
Minimum Temperature	-5ºC
Maximum Temperature	30ºC
Best time to visit	April to June, September to October
STD Code	01902 (Kullu)

INTRODUCTION

Great Himalayan National Park is located in the upper ranges of Himalaya It is a kaleidoscope of alpine flora and fauna. A major part of the national park is permanently under glaciers and ice. It is one of the last undisturbed Western Himalayan ecosystems giving shelters to a diverse variety of wildlife and forests. The bewitching beauty of the park is a compliment to its biological richness. The park is home to rare "Western Tragopan" and 200 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals.

Also known as Jawahar Lal Nehru National Park, the region was notified as a national park in the year 1984 to save the endangered wildlife species of this Himalayan Ecosystem.

LOCATION

The park is located in the Seraj Forest Division of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh some 60 km southwest of Kullu town. It is the southeast it is bounded by Rupi Bhaba Sanctuary in, Pin Valley National Park in the east, and Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary in the North. On the geographical map, the park extends from the latitudes 31º38 - 31º55 North and 77º20' - 77º46 in the East.

CLIMATE

Climate of the region is hotter during the summers and more rain during the monsoon, quite contrary to the climatic condition prevailing in the Upper Beas region of Himachal Pradesh. Also there is less snowfall during the winters making the climatic condition here more similar to front zones like Shimla and other places in Himachal Pradesh.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora
The park vegetation is a diverse mix of Ban Oak Forest, Moist Deodar Forest, Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest, Himalayan Alpine Pastures, and Rhododendron Scrub Forest. The area below 2,000 metres is dominated by blue pine (pinus wallichiana), and higher up by a broad broadleaved forest on sloping areas and fir (Abies pindrow) on the steep areas. Other vegetations are oak, blue pine, cedar (Cedrus), deodar, bamboo Arundaria spathiflora, Iris, Frittilaria, Gagea, Primula, and Taxus Baccata.

Fauna
The park has good wild population, especially of avifauna. The park has largest remaining population of Himalayan Tahr in Himachal Pradesh. Major wildlife species found in the park are Snow Leopard, musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Ibex, Wolf, Leopard, Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), common langur (Presbytis entellus), Himalayan black bear, goral, muntjac, and serow.

ATTRACTIONS

Three important pilgrimages exist in the vicinity of the park. Raktisar is the place where River Sainj originates; Hanskund is the origin point of the river Tirthan, and Sirikhand Mahadev, a lake on the southern border of the park.

PLACES NEARBY

Kullu is a beautiful valley set amidst the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, famous for its annual Dussehra festival, handicrafts, and ancient temples. It is also nearest important town to the park at a distance of around 60 km.

REACHING THERE

By Air
Nearest airport to Great Himalayan National Park is Bhuntar near Kullu at a distance of around 60 km. There are regular flights to Delhi operated by Indian Airlines.

By Rail
Joginder Nagar near Mandi is the nearest railhead for Great Himalayan National Park. There are regular trains from Joginder Nagar Railway Station to other parts of the country.

By Road
There are no direct roads that can make the access to the park easy. Two gravel roads from Ropa to Shangarh in Sainj Valley and from Gushaini to Ropa in Tirthan Valley that makes life easier for the visitors by taking them closer to the park.

STAYING THERE

Not many facilities are there to stay inside the park region. Even though there is good number of rest houses in the vicinity and on the outskirts of the park. Expect only simple services to be provided and it is always welcome if somebody has brought snacks with himself.

Tourism-of-India offers for Great Himalayan National Park
Package Tours	Yes
Budget Hotels	Yes
Other Accommodations	Yes
Transport	Yes
Guides	Yes
Escorts	Yes
Porters	Yes