Uttarakhand is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, including the Himalayan mountains, valleys, and diverse ecosystems. The state is home to 6 national parks.
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1. Jim Corbett National Park
- Jim Corbett National Park is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand in India.
- It is situated in the Kumaon and Pauri-Garhwal Regions of Uttarakhand State.
- It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- It spans across the Patli Dun Valley and the Ramganga River basin.
- The park is located between the Siwalik Himalayas and the Terai region.
- The park holds the distinction of being India’s oldest national park (first national park of India).
- It also stands as Asia’s first national park.
- In 1936, the park was initially established as Hailey National Park, named after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) at that time.
- In 1954-1955, the park underwent a renaming process and was called Ramganga National Park, derived from the name of the Ramganga River that flows through the park.
- In 1956, it was renamed yet again as Corbett National Park after the Jim Corbett. Jim Corbett was a British-Indian hunter, naturalist, and conservationist, who played a key role in its establishment.
- In 1973, the park was granted the prestigious status of a tiger reserve, becoming the Corbett Tiger Reserve. Corbett Tiger Reserve was among the first to be included in the ambitious Project Tiger initiative launched in 1973.
- Area: The Jim Corbett National Park cover an area of 520 square kilometres. The park is a core area of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
- The park area is mountainous and lies in the Bhabar-Terai Region.
- Zones: Jim Corbett National Park is divided into six major different tourism zones:
- Bijrani Safari Zone
- Jhirna Safari Zone
- Dhela Safari Zone
- Dhikala Zone
- Durga Devi Zone
- Sitabani Buffer Zone
- Hills: The park is surrounded by hills:
- Nainital Hills
- Bhimtal Hills
- Naukichital Hills
- Rishikesh Hills
- Sattal Hills
- River: Ramganga River flow through the park. Some of the other prominent rivers and water bodies in and around Jim Corbett National Park:
- Ramganga River
- Sonanadi River
- Mandal River
- Palain River
- Kosi River
- Valley: Park encompasses the Patli Dun valley formed by the Ramganga river.
- Flora: Sal, Sheesham, Khair, Rohini, Dhak, Jamun, Fig, Arjun, Bamboo, Amla, Harad, Bel, Grasslands etc.
- The Dhikala grasslands are a significant feature within the park.
- Fauna: Tiger, Elephants, Leopardsm, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Hog Deer, Chital, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bears, Himalayan Goral, Indian Pangolins, Great hornbill, Owls, Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, Indian Python, King Cobra etc.
2. Nanda Devi National Park
- Nanda Devi National Park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India.
- The park is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The national park is situated in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It is named after the majestic Nanda Devi Peak (7816 m), which is the second highest peaks in India and the highest in Uttarakhand. The Nanda Devi Peak is the centerpiece of the park.
- In 1936, the area around Nanda Devi Peak was declared a game sanctuary by the British colonial government.
- In 1982, the Park was established as Sanjay Gandhi National Park, but was later renamed Nanda Devi National Park.
- In 1988, the park gained additional recognition when it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- In 1988, Nanda Devi National Park, along with the Valley of Flowers National Park, was designated as Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
- Area: The park covers an a total area of approximately 630 square kilometers (240 square miles).
- Hills: This park is is surrounded by several hills and peaks. Here are some notable hills in and around Nanda Devi National Park:
- Nanda Devi Peak
- Devistan I
- Devistan II
- Rishi Kot
- River: Some of the notable rivers in and around Nanda Devi National Park:
- Rishi Ganga River
- Dhauli Ganga River
- Alaknanda River
- Flora: Rhododendron, Juniper, Birch, Fir and Spruce, Alpine Flowers etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Bear, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Himalayan Tahr, Mainland Serow, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagles, Himalayan Pit Viper, Himalayan Rock Agama etc.
3. Valley Of Flowers National Park
- The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India.
- It lies in the western Himalayas and is situated in the Pushpawati river valley.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
- In 1982, It was declared as a National Park.
- In 2005, Valley of Flowers National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Area: The park covers an area of approximately 87.50 square kilometers (33.75 square miles).
- River: Pushpawati River flow through the park.
- Lake: Hemkund Lake, a Sikh pilgrimage site, located in close proximity to the park.
- The Valley of Flowers National Park is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora.
- Flora: Brahma Kamal, Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily, Himalayan Edelweiss, Himalayan Blue Poppy etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Red Fox, Yellow-throated Martens, Himalayan weasel, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Pit Viper, Günther’s Mountain Snake etc.
4. Rajaji National Park
- Rajaji National Park is located in the three districts of Uttarakhand: Haridwar, Dehradun and Pauri Garhwal.
- The park is nestled between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- The park is named after C. Rajagopalachari (popularly known as Rajaji), who was a prominent leader during the Indian independence movement.
- In 1948, It was established as a protected forest reserve known as the Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In 1983, three wildlife sanctuaries were merged into one and upgraded to a national park and renamed Rajaji National Park.
- Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary
- Motichur Wildlife Sanctuary
- In 2015, the park was declared as a tiger reserve and is the second tiger reserve in the Uttarakhand (1st is Jim Corbett).
- Area: The park covers an area of approximately 820 square kilometers (316 square miles).
- Hills: The park comprises several ranges, including:
- Chilla Range
- Motichur Range
- Rajaji Range
- Shyampur Range
- River: Rivers that flow through the park:
- Ganges River
- Song River
- Suswa River
- Lake: Lake that are present in and around the Rajaji National Park are:
- Jhilmil Jheel
- Chilla Barrage
- Tribe: Prominent tribe associated with Rajaji National Park and the surrounding regions include:
- Van Gujjars
- Flora: Sal, Shisham, Khair, Semal, Rohini, Khagra, Chir Pine, Pharwa, Typha angustifolia, Lantana camara, Dodonaea viscosa, Acacia nilotica, Imperata cylindrica etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Asian elephant, Leopard, Dhole, Goral (Mountain Goat), Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Sambar Deer, Hyena, Black Napped Hare, Great Pied Hornbill, Himalayan Pied Kingfisher, Monitor Lizard, Python etc.
5. Gangotri National Park
- Gangotri National Park is located in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand in northern India.
- It is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The park is situated in the upper catchment of Bhagirathi River.
- The park is named after the Gangotri Glacier, one of the primary sources of the holy River Ganges.
- One of the most popular attractions within the park is the Gangotri Temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
- In 1989, it was established as a national park.
- Area: It covers an area of about 2,390 square kilometers (920 square miles).
- Hills: Some notable hills and peaks in the vicinity of the park:
- Shivling
- Thalay Sagar
- Bhagirathi Group of Peaks
- Meru
- Valley: Nelong Valley is a part of the the park and holds an important strategic location.
- Nelong Valley
- Gartang Gali
- Nelong Valley
- Glacier: The park is named after the Gangotri glacier. The Gangotri Glacier is located in the park boundaries.
- Gangotri Glacier
- River: Bhagirathi River flow through the park.
- Lake: Some of the notable lakes within or near the park:
- Kedartal
- Gaumukh Tal
- Vasuki Tal
- Flora: Alpine Meadows, Coniferous Forests (deodar cedar, blue pine, and silver fir), Rhododendrons, Birch and Willow Trees, etc.
- Fauna: Snow leopard, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Ibex, Himalayan Barbet, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Pit Viper, Himalayan Ground Skink etc.
6. Govind National Park
- Govind Pashu Vihar National Park is located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India.
- The park is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- It is bordered by the Tons River in the west, the Yamuna River in the east, and Himachal Pradesh in the north.
- In 1955, the park was established as a Wildlife Sanctuary and named Govind Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In 1990, it was declared as a National Park. It is named after a prominent Indian freedom fighter and politician Govind Ballabh Pant.
- Area: Park covers an approximate area of 958 km2 (370 sq mi).
- Hills: It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and is known for its hilly terrain and is surrounded by several prominent peaks of the Himalayan range includes:
- Swargarohini
- Black Peak
- Bandarpunch
- Valley: The park encompasses following valleys within its boundaries.
- Tons Valley
- Har Ki Dun Valley
- River: The Tons River flows through Govind Pashu Vihar National Park.
- Lake: Ruinsara Lake is located within the boundaries of the park.
- Flora: Oak, Himalayan oak, Banj oak, Himalayan maple, Indian maple, Walnut, Horse Chestnut, Hazel, Rhododendron, Deodar, Blue pine, Spruce, Alpine Flowers etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Serow, Musk Deer, Bharal, Himalayan Field Rat, Sikkim Mountain Vole, Steppe Eagle, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Common Indian Monitor, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.
- The park is one of the remaining strongholds in the Himalayan bearded vulture.