Govind Pashu Vihar Sanctuary Uttarakhand

[ChaiNashta]

Govind Pashu Vihar sanctuary is situated in the northern Uttarakhand state of India. The wildlife park is dominantly mountainous region and therefore offers a grand opportunity to explore the Himalayan wildlife by means of trekking. The park area is little less than 1000 sq km and is designated as a special zone in terms of wildlife habitat. The Snow Leopard Project initiated by the Govt of India is conducted at Govind Pashu Vihar. The park is also home to the last breed of Bearded Vulture a vital ecological catalyst.

Visit to Govind Pashu Vihar sanctuary is possible through backpack trekking only, as the entire park region is mountainous. When you venture into Govind Pashu Vihar sanctuary you are exposed to the magical world of Himalayas. The regions amass with flora and fauna and famous for its diverse range of flowers. During the monsoon season in India – between June-end till mid-August – you can witness the most amazing display of wild flowers of myriad kinds and colors. Potentilla, Snake Lily, Alpine-touch-me-not, the Giant Bellflower and Brahmkamal are some of Himalyan wildflower species that you will witness while trekking through the sanctuary region.

The Har Ki Dun trek is a popular destination that lures nature lovers from all over the world. It is medium category trek and you will get an opportunity to encounter Himalayan wildlife like Leopard, Himalayan Black Bears amongst the more prominent ones. Snow Leopards are rare but can be witnessed if the touring party has the patience and supreme skills of mountains guides that our company offers. We are amongst the selected few companies in the world that organize Snow Leopard expeditions in Indian Himalayas. The trek to the pristine Ruinsara tal lake and the isolated Baraadsar lake are unlike any in the world.

Although mostly unknown to the outside world Govind Pashu is a crucial asset in our biodiversity.

 

[Falak Chopra]

What animals and birds do you get to see at this Govind Pashu Vihar sanctuary?

 

[Shak]

The Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful place in Uttarakhand, India, that provides a habitat for a wide variety of animals and birds. Here are some of the interesting creatures you might encounter:

• Mammals:

Snow leopard: An elusive and endangered cat, the snow leopard is the flagship species of the sanctuary.

Asiatic black bear: Also known as the moon bear, this black bear is the largest land predator in the region.

Himalayan brown bear: Another large predator, the brown bear is also known as the isabelline bear.

Musk deer: A small deer prized for its fur, the musk deer is an endangered species.

Bharal: A type of wild sheep, the bharal is well-adapted to the steep mountain slopes.

Himalayan tahr: A wild goat with impressive horns, the tahr is another animal that thrives in the mountains.

Serow: A shy and elusive mammal, the serow is related to the goat and the antelope.

Common leopard: This spotted cat is a powerful predator that can prey on a variety of animals.

• Birds:

Himalayan monal pheasant: A stunning bird with a long, colorful tail, the monal pheasant is the state bird of Uttarakhand.

Cheer pheasant: Another brightly colored pheasant, the cheer pheasant is an endangered species.

Western tragopan: A magnificent pheasant with a striking red and blue facial mask, the western tragopan is another bird that is threatened by habitat loss.

Golden eagle: A powerful bird of prey, the golden eagle is found in mountains all over the world.

Steppe eagle: A large eagle that hunts in open areas, the steppe eagle is a migratory bird that can be seen in the sanctuary during the winter months.

Black eagle: A solitary bird of prey, the black eagle is found in forested areas.

Bearded vulture: A large vulture with a distinctive beard-like wattle, the bearded vulture is an important scavenger that helps to keep the ecosystem clean.

Himalayan snowcock: A ground-dwelling bird that is well-adapted to the cold mountain climate, the snowcock is a popular game bird.

These are just a few of the many animals and birds that you can see in the Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary. With its diverse habitat, the sanctuary is a great place to go wildlife watching.