valley of flowers national parks (6,950.49 mi) Joshimath 246443. In 1931, Frank S. Smythe, Eric Shipton and R.L. A number of plant species are considered threatened. The Valley of Flowers is nestled in the upper expanses of Bhyundar Ganga near Joshimath in Garhwal region. Both the Valley of flowers and Hemkund Sahib are accessible only between June and September, and even during this time, landslides are common. [6], The Valley of Flowers has gained importance as a region containing a diversity of alpine flora, representative of the Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows ecoregion. devkant s, Owner at Valley of Flowers National Park, responded to this review Responded March 25, 2019. © Copyright Down To Earth 2021. The density of wild animals in the valley is not high, but all the animals found are rare or endangered. Kala, CP 1998. Local people have visited the valley since ancient times. During my visit, I had gone to Pulna to meet the former gram pradhan, Jagdish Chauhan. To reach the Valley of Flowers National Park from Govindghat, cross the Alaknanda river and climb the bridle path along Bhyundar Ganga for 13km to Ghangharia. Conditions are generally dry with low annual precipitation, but there is heavy monsoon rainfall from late June to early September. Valley of Flowers National Park. Of these plants, 5 out of 6 species globally threatened are not found in Nanda Devi National Park or elsewhere in Uttarakhand: Aconitum falconeri, A. balfouri, Himalayan maple (Acer caesium), the blue Himalayan poppy (Meconopsis aculeata) and Saussurea atkinsoni. This meant that more hotels would be needed. For the "Valley of Flowers" sanctuary in Sikkim, see, Location of Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand, Lamba, B. Sanjay Rawat, sarpanch of the van panchyat (village forest council) who had guided me around the World Heritage Site last year, called to tell me about the devastation in the area. The Valley of Flowers also has the micro-climate of an enclosed inner Himalayan valley, and is shielded from the full impact of the southwest summer monsoon by the Greater Himalaya range to its south. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition. [8] Her sister later visited the valley and erected a memorial near the spot. A recent faunal survey in October 2004 has established the presence of snow leopard Panthera uncia (EN) in the national park. 3,433 people like this. Flowers mostly orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones carpet the ground. It’s said that all those who wander are not lost. [13] Govindghat is approximately 24 km before another important destination of Badrinath. You can further help us by making a donation. It is dominated by the uncommon Himalayan maple Acer caesium (VU), west Himalayan fir Abies pindrow, Himalayan white birch Betula utilis, and Rhododendron campanulatum with Himalayan yew Taxus wallichiana, Syringa emodi and Sorbus lanata. From mid April to June temperatures are moderate to cool (19 °C maximum). The inland of the region comprises Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve along with the flower valley. But the bigger question at the moment is whether fragile ecosystems like these should be put through haphazard development. The experience was energising, and ever since, I have … [12] Sub-alpine forests of birch and rhododendron cover parts of the park's area. It has been recognized internationally for over a century and is referenced in the Hindu religion. Kala classified 31 species of rare and endangered categories within the national park in 1998. [3] Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. Valley of flowers is the epitome of the miracles adorned by Mother Nature. [14] Further his studies report that the dominant family in Valley of Flowers is Asteraceae with 62 species. [citation needed] The area is within the West Himalayan Endemic Bird Area but there have been no surveys specific to the Valley. Records of the Zoological. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic … Despite the huge number of tourists, a community organisation has managed to keep the plastic menace in control to an extent). Its floor slopes from almost 3,500 metres above sea level up to almost 4,000 metres. The Valley of flowers may be a beautiful national park (world heritage place) of India, which is within the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand state. The Valley of Flowers is a high-altitude Himalayan valley that has long been acknowledged by renowned mountaineers, botanists, and in literature. Characteristic of the sub-alpine zone are high altitude forests which help to retain moisture and snow and support a large number of floral and faunal communities. 114 species were seen in 1993 in Nanda Devi Park. [1], Being an inner Himalayan valley, the Nanda Devi Basin has a distinctive micro-climate. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together. The lower reaches of Bhyundar Ganga near Gobindghat are known as Bhyundar Valley. Govindghat is a small place close to Joshimath (around one hour distance), where the trek begins. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear,[1] snow leopard,[1] musk deer,[1] brown bear, red fox[1] and blue sheep. [3], Prof. Chandra Prakash Kala, a botanist deputed by the Wildlife Institute of India, carried out a research study on the floristics and conservation of the valley for a decade, beginning in 1993. All rights reserved. Species frequently seen in the valley include lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, Himalayan vulture Gyps himalayensis, Yellow-billed and Red-billed choughs Pyrrhocorax graculus and P. pyrrhocorax, koklass pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha, the nationally listed Himalayan monal pheasant Lophophorus impejanus, found in rhododendron thickets, scaly-bellied and yellownape woodpeckers Picus squamatus and P. flavinucha, great and blue-throated barbets Megalaima virens and M. asiatica, snow pigeon Columba leuconota and spotted dove Stigmatopelia chinensis. This saying held true for Frank Smythe, a British mountaineer who discovered the Valley of … Our most popular tours and activities. or. Our aim is to bring you news, perspectives and knowledge to prepare you to change the world. A research nursery and seed/rhizome/tuber bank for propagating rare plants and valuable medicinal herbs has been created at Musadhar near the entrance of the site. 103. During the monsoon season, this magnificent valley comes alive with more than 300 varieties of Alpine flowers and the entire valley blooms with a carpet of flowers in multiple colors. The tahr is common, the serow, goral, musk deer and bharal, blue sheep are rare. These settlements had survived for at least a 100 years. The valley of flowers was declared as the National Park of India in the year 1982 and it is now a ... www.euttaranchal.com Valley of Flowers National Park is famous world over located in Garhwal Himalayas at the Bhyundar Ganga’s higher expansion. $126.15 per adult. [1] As visitors are not allowed to stay inside the National park, accommodation can be obtained at Ghangaria. Local people have visited the valley since ancient times. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km2 and it is about 8 km long and 2 km wide. [17][18] In trampled areas where past livestock congregated, Himalayan knotweed Polygonum polystachium is a rampant weed. Situated at an altitude of 3500 m, the national park is part of one of the largest biosphere reserves in India, Nanda Devi. The only conversation that happened was when we crossed a place where a landslide had crushed a car and killed everyone in it a few days back. Endowed with a diverse range of endemic flora, it is picturesque in its beauty. The entire Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). As one nears Ghangaria one is greeted by fields of perfumed wild flowers, wild rose bushes and wild strawberries by the sides of the path. Community See All. Recommended. International Book Distributors, Dehradun, India, Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows, "ET Recommendations: 5 best places to enjoy monsoon, movie to watch, gadget to buy", Colonel Frank Smythe - Francis Sydney Smythe, "How Valley of Flowers got World Heritage Site tag", Pastoralism, plant conservation, and conflicts on proliferation of Himalayan knotweed in high altitude protected areas of the Western Himalaya. It is a unique park, … Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless.