Nanda Devi National Park

• Been to Nanda Devi National Park? Please Rate it:

Nanda Devi National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries

The area is reputed as one of the most spectacular wilderness in the Himalaya and is dominated by “Nanda Devi Peak” which is a natural monument and India’s second highest peak. The Nanda Devi National Park the world heritage site has unique topography, climate, and soil and it supports diverse habitat, species, communities and ecosystems.

Nanda Devi National Park is an outstanding mountain wilderness with few if any parallels elsewhere in the Himalayas on account of its concentration of high peaks and glaciers lying within a range of near – pristine habitats. It lies within a bio geographical transition zone between the Western and Eastern Himalayas and supports a variety of threatened and uncommon species of large mammals.

The beautiful surroundings with abundant flora and fauna like Brahma-Kamal and Bharal (blue mountain goat) make this a sanctuary of nature.

In 1982 access to trekkers into the Nanda Devi National Park was banned to protect its biodiversity. The Nanda Devi National Park, which has been declared a world heritage site, has been partially opened recently for restricted number of tourist.

History of Nanda Devi National Park

The Nanda Devi basin was declared as Nanda Devi Sanctuary in 1939. An area of 630 sq. Km. was added as Nanda Devi National Park in the year 1982 which is now a part and core zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The Park became a world heritage site in the year 1988.

Layout of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary

The Nanda Devi Sanctuary can be divided into two parts, Inner and Outer. Together, they are surrounded by the main Sanctuary Wall, which forms a roughly square outline, with high, continuous ridges on the north, east, and south sides. On the west side, less high but still imposing ridges drop from the north and south toward the Rishi Ganga Gorge, which drains the Sanctuary towards the west.

The Inner Sanctuary occupies roughly the eastern two-thirds of the total area, and contains Nanda Devi itself and the two major glaciers flanking the peak, the Uttari (north) Rishi Glacier and the Dakshni (south) Rishi Glacier. These are fed by the smaller Uttari Nanda Devi and Dakshni Nanda Devi Glaciers respectively. The first recorded entry of humans into the Inner Sanctuary was by Eric Shipton and H. W. Tilman in 1934, via the Rishi Gorge.

The Outer Sanctuary occupies the western third of the total Sanctuary, and is separated from the Inner Sanctuary by high ridges, through which flows the Rishi Ganga. It is split in two by the Rishi Ganga; on the north side lies the Ramani Glacier, flowing down from the slopes of Dunagiri and Changabang, and on the south lies the Trisul Glacier, flowing from the peak of the same name. This portion of the Sanctuary is accessible to the outside (though requiring the crossing of a 4,000 m (13,000 ft) pass). The first serious climbing expedition to pass through the Outer Sanctuary was that of T. G. Longstaff, who climbed Trisul I in 1907 via the eponymous glacier.

Peaks around National Park

Some of the important peaks encircling the Nanda Devi National Park are Dunagiri (7066mt), Changband (6864mt), Kalnka (6931mt) Rishi pahar (6992 mt) Mangraon (6765mt), Nanda Khat (6631 mt), Maiktoli (6803 mt), Mrigthuni (6655mt), Trishul-1 (7120mt), Trishul-II (6319mt), Bethartoli Himal (6352mt) and Nandadevi East (7434 mt.).

Trek Route to Nanda Devi National Park

Trek for the park negotiates a steep assent at high altitude zones within 13 km route from 2000 mt. at village Lata to 4250 mt. to Dharasi – the topmost point.

Nanda Devi National Park Travel Tips

• Visitors number and movement: The visitors will move in groups. Each group will consist of maximum of five visitors. Not more than two groups are permitted in one day and not more than four groups will be permitted in one week. One registered guide will accompany every five visitors. Visitors only above 14 years will be allowed to go inside the park. It will be mandatory for all the tourists to obey and observe all the provisions of wildlife protection act inside the park area.
• Medical fitness: Since the terrain is hilly and arduous, a visitor should get himself medically checked and should take all precautionary measures on his own.

Best time of visit

The park will remain open for a period of six months from 1st May and close on 31st October. The best time to visit is from 15th June to 15th September.

For More details you can contact:
Joshimath- D.F.O’s Office (on the Joshimath Auli road about 1 km from main Bazar).