The Great Himalayan National Park

The Himalayas have been a source of awe and inspiration for millennial to countless individuals. They are the largest, tallest and geographically youngest mountains on our planet. The Himalayas , one of the most fragile mountain regions of the world and hold an enormous repository of biological diversity which is increasingly under pressure from human activities. The unique ecological aspects of the Western Himalaya led to the creation of the Great Himalayan National Park.

Surrounded on three sides by towering Himalayan Mountains, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) hosts some of the densest population of Himalayan wildlife species. Located 50 km from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, GHNP was built in 1984 and is spread over 755 sq km. In 1999, it was accorded the status of a national park.

It boasts of over 375 fauna species, including 31 species of mammals and 181 species of birds. The fauna of the park includes some of the most exotic species of animals like snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, goral and many others.

Variety of birds found in GHNP includes golden eagles, Himalayan griffon vultures, lammergeyers, raptors, etc. It is also home to the endangered species of western tragopan and over 50 species of migratory birds

The flora of the national park includes trees, shrubs, herbs and medicinal plants. Rare species of spurge, buckthorn, yew, valerians, leycesteria, balsams, etc. are found here.

A major source of water for the neighbouring regions, the park has Beas, Sainj, Jiwa and Tirthan rivers flowing through it.

The park is also famous destination with trekkers. Neuli- Sarangarh loop, Neuli- Sainj valley, Sainj- Tirthan valley, Gushaini-Tinder village, Gushaini- Shilt Hut, Neuli-Manu temple, Siund- Pashi villages, Jiwa Nala- Parvati River valley, Gushaini- Tirthan valley and Shamshi- Kaza are some of the famous trails.

Its remote location has ensured villages situated inside the park have developed a culture of their own. Almost every village or community within the park has their own distinct deity. Many communities worship sacred groves.

Various fairs are held during April, May, August and September.

In 2010, an area of 710 sq km of the Parvati river catchment contiguous to the northern boundary of GHNP was initially notified as the Khirganga National Park, adding significant biological diversity, conservation value, and physical protection to GHNP. The boundaries of GHNP are also contiguous with the Pin Valley National Park (675 sq km) in Trans-Himalaya, the Rupi Bhabha Wildlife Sanctuary (503 sq km) in Sutlej watershed and the Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary (61 sq km), adding additional protection and conservation value and opening up extended wildlife corridors.