Hemis National Park is the only national park in the Union Territory of Ladakh, India. It is the largest national park in South Asia and is known for its high-altitude landscapes.
1. Hemis National Park
- Hemis National Park is located in Union Territory of Ladakh, India.
- It is located in the eastern part of Ladakh.
- It is the only national park in India that is north of the Himalayas.
- It is bounded by the Markha River in the east and the Indus River in the west.
- It is surrounded by mountain ranges, including the Zanskar Range and the Markha Valley.
- Hemis National Park is famous for the highest population of snow leopards globally.
- It is also famous for Shapu (Ladakhi Urial). This park is the only habitat of Shapu or the Ladakhi Urial in India.
- In 1981, Hemis National Park was formally established as a protected area to protect the endangered snow leopard and its prey species.
- Area: It is the largest notified protected area in India (largest National Park in India) covering an area of 4400 square Km.
- It is situated at an altitude of about 3,300 to 6,000 meters above sea level, which makes it one of the highest altitude national parks in the world.
- It is also known as Hemis High Altitude National Park.
- Mountains: Ther park is surrounded by several important mountain ranges. Some of the important mountain ranges that surround the park include:
- Zanskar Range
- Ladakh Range,
- Ganda La (Kanda La)
- Stok Kangri Peak
- Glacier: The park is home to several important glaciers. Some of them are:
- Rumbak Glacier
- Ganglas La Glacier
- River: Following rivers passes through Hemis National Park:
- Indus River
- Markha River
- Sumdah River
- Rumbak River
- Valley: Hemis National Park is encompasses several valleys. Some of the valleys in the park include:
- Rumbak Valley
- Markha Valley
- Sumdah Valley
- Indus Valley
- Flora: Alpine Meadows (grasses, sedges, and small flowering plants), Dwarf Juniper, Willow and Poplar Trees, Alpine Cushion Plants (Saxifraga, Androsace, and Primula), Wildflowers (gentians, primroses, asters, anemones) etc.
- Fauna: Snow leopard, Shapu (Ladakhi Urial), Argali (Great Tibetan Sheep), Bharal (Blue Sheep), Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, Eurasian Brown Bear, Red Fox, Himalayan Marmot, Himalayan Mouse Hare, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Chukar, Himalayan Snowcock, Kashmir, Ladakh Agama, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.
- Hemis Monastery (Hemis Gompa) is a renowned Buddhist monastery located within park.