Adjacent to the park are two more important protected
areas- the Pin Valley National Park and the Rupi Bhabha Sanctuary- a vast expanse of land
sheltering many of the species, both animal and plant, endemic to the Himalayas. The Great
Himalayan National Park lies in Seraj Forest Division (in Kullu District), in the upper
catchment areas of the Jiwa, Sainj and Tirthan rivers. A park where the altitude varies
from 1,500 mt to about 6,000 mt, encompassing within it snowcapped mountains, river
valleys, and steep cliffs. The diversity of terrain and altitude is reflected in a
corresponding diversity of vegetation. Deciduous broadleaved forests of oak and bamboo
alternate with pine and deodar woods, while grasses and colourful wildflowers crowd alpine
meadows in the upper reaches.
Inhabiting
this stretch of land is a dazzling array of animals and birds. Among the most prominent
mammals are leopards, Himalayan black bears, brown bears, langurs, rhesus macaques,
and wild sheep such as the Himalayan thar, bharal and the ibex. Rarer
animals like the highly endangered musk deer are also found in the park, and there have
been reports of snow leopard sightings. The Great Himalayan National Park is unsurpassed
in its bird life, with almost 68 resident species and close to 50 migrant species being
sighted here. Pheasants, such as the gloriously beautiful monal, the kaleej
and the Western tragopan, are among its many attractions.
Entry Requirements
Special permits are required by visitors to the Great Himalayan National Park. These
permits can be collected, for a nominal fee of Rs 2 (for Indians) or Rs 4 (for foreigners)
from the office of the Park Director at Shamsi, or the range officers at Larji, Sairopa
and Sainj. Charges for guides (who are provided by the park authorities, and are mandatory
for anybody visiting the park) are extra, as are fees for cameras.
Visits to the Great Himalayan National Park
are allowed only between sunrise and sunset.
Access
The town closest to the Great Himalayan National Park is Kullu, which is about 60 km
from the park. Kullu, as one of the most popular tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh,
is very well-connected to the rest of the country. Kullu's airport, at Bhuntar, receives
flights from across India, while the local bus station has links to most major cities in
northern India, such as Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi and Ambala. The nearest major railhead
is at Chandigarh, although there's a smaller rail station at Jogindernagar.
From Kullu, National Highway # 21 (to
Manali) leads to Aut, from where a motorable road leads part-way to the park. A vehicle
can be hired at Kullu to do the trip to Gushaini or Neuli, the end of the road. From here
onwards, visitors need to go on foot, as no motor transport or horses are allowed.
Within the Great Himalayan National Park,
the only form of transport is your own two legs- so make sure you're physically fit and
wearing a sturdy pair of boots. A qualified guide is mandatory for everybody visiting the
park; you'll be able to hire one at the park's office. A trek through the park is
definitely the best way to see the beauty of this area, and with some luck you should be
rewarded with some great sightings of birds, bharal, langurs, and even a leopard or bear.
Best time to visit
The Great Himalayan National Park is best visited in early summer or autumn- April to
June and September to November are the times when the weather's at its best. Beyond
November, and right up to April, heavy snowfall can block roads and trails, besides making
it a little too cold for comfort! Rainfall hits the park between July and September,
sometimes resulting in landslides and muddy trails.
Accommodation
Accommodation within the Great Himalayan National Park is inexpensive, though limited in
its scope; about the only place you can stay is one of the dozen-odd forest resthouses
scattered across the park. In actuality, these are patrolling huts designed for the use of
park staff and visitors- the facilities are minimal, and you'd be well advised to bring
your own bedding and food. Rooms here must be reserved well in advance by contacting the
Park authorities.
Other options for accommodation lie outside
the park's boundaries, but these too are resthouses, and not too different from those
within the park. Forest resthouses exist at Aut, Sainj, Sairopa and Shangarh; for all,
reservations need to be made well before you arrive.
For reservations and further enquiries,
contact the Office of the Park Director, Great Himalayan National Park, Shamsi (Kullu),
Himachal Pradesh (Tel: 1902-265320). |
