Himachal Pradesh is known for its picturesque landscapes and diverse ecosystems. The state is home to 5 national park.
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1. Great Himalayan National Park
- The Great Himalayan National Park is located in the Banjaar Sub-Division of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India.
- It is situated in the western part of the Himalayan mountain range.
- The Great Himalayan National Park is situated at junction of world’s two major biogeographic realms:
- Indomalayan realm to the south
- Palearctic realm to the north
- It is bordered by the Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary to the southeast.
- Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary situated within Great Himalayan National Park.
- In 1984, it was officially established by the Government of Himachal Pradesh as a protected area.
- In 1999, the area was declared a national park under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
- In 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Area: The park covers an area of about 1,171 square kilometers (452 square miles).
- Valley: The park includes several valleys within its boundaries:
- Tirthan Valley
- Parvati Valley
- Jiwa Nal Valley
- Sainj Valley
- River: Some notable rivers in and around the park:
- Tirthan River
- Sainj River
- Jiwa Nal River
- Parvati River
- Flora: Coniferous Forests (Deodar, Blue Pine, and Chir Pine), Broadleaf Forests (Oaks, Rhododendrons, and Maple), Alpine Meadows (Kobresia, Carex), Endemic and Rare Species (Himalayan Blue Poppy, Himalayan Edelweiss and orchids.) etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Serow, Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Western Tragopan, Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagles, Himalayan Pit Viper , Kashmir Rat Snake, Himalayan Pitless Skink etc.
- World’s largest known population of the Western Tragopan is found in the upper part of Great Himalayan National Park.
2. Pin Valley National Park
- Pin Valley National Park is located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India.
- It is situated in the cold desert region of the Spiti Valley, surrounded by the Pir Panjal and Parvati mountain ranges.
- Pin Valley National Park is part of Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve.
- It is the only National Park in Himachal Pradesh which is situated in the cold desert area.
- In 1987, it was established as a national park.
- Area: It covers an area of about 675 square kilometres (261 sq mi).
- The elevation of the Pin Valley National Park ranges from about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) to more than 6,000 metres (20,000 ft).
- Hills: Some notable hills and mountain ranges near the park:
- Pir Panjal Range
- Parvati Range
- River: The park is named after the Pin River, which flows through the park. The Pin River is a tributary of the Spiti River, which is a tributary of the Sutlej River.
- Flora: Juniper, Willow, Poplar and Birch, Alpine Meadows (grasses, asters, gentians, and primroses), Alpine Tundra etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Weasel, Red Fox, Marten, Pika, Snow Cock, Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Chough, Chukor, Himalayan Pit Viper, Tibetan Sand Boa etc.
- Pin Valley is home to the last remaining population of the Bharal (Blue Sheep) in India.
3. Inderkilla National Park
- Inderkilla National Park is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
- It is situated in the picturesque Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
- In 2010, it was established as a national park.
- Area: It covers an area of about 104 square kilometres (40 sq mi).
- River: Beas River river passes through the park.
- Flora: Western Mixed Coniferous Forest (deodar cedar, blue pine, silver fir, and spruce), Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest (oak, maple, rhododendron, and bamboo), Subalpine Fir etc.
- Fauna: Common Leopard, Himalayan Ibex (Siberian Ibex), Brown Bear, Black Bear, Mountain Deer, Mountain Goats etc.
4. Khirganga National Park
- Khirganga National Park is located in the Parvati Valley of the Kullu district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
- It is flanked by Great Himalayan National Park and Pin Valley National Park.
- In 2010, it was established as a national park.
- Area: It covers an area of 710 square kilometers (274.133 square mile).
- The national park is situated at a height of around 5,500 meters.
- River: The Parvati River flows through the park.
- Hot Springs: Khirganga National Park is well-known for its natural hot springs. The hot springs are located near the village of Khirganga, after which the national park is named. These springs are believed to have therapeutic properties.
- Flora: Coniferous Trees (Deodar, Blue Pine, and Silver Fir), Broad-Leaved Trees (Oak, Maple, and Horse Chestnut), Rhododendron, Alpine Flora etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Ibex, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal, Western Tragopan, Himalayan Griffon , Himalayan Woodpecker, Himalayan Pit Viper, Himalayan Rock Agama etc.
5. Simbalbara National Park
- Simbalbara National Park is located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour district, Himachal Pradesh, India.
- It is also known as Col. Sher Jung National Park.
- It is nestled in the foothills of the Shivalik range.
- In 1958, it was first created as a wildlife reserve,
- In 1974, it was designated as a wildlife sanctuary .
- In 2010, Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary was established as a National Park. It was primarily created to protect the habitat of the goral.
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 27.88 square kilometers (10.76 sq mi).
- Flora: Sal Forests.
- Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Goral, Sambhar, Chittal (Spotted Deer), Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Muntjacs, Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, Indian Rock Python, Indian Monitor Lizard, Fan-throated Lizard etc.