RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK 
Rajaji
National Park, spread in an area of about 820 Sq.Kms., is one of the latest
additions to the list of national Parks in the country.
The Park
was constituted combining three existing wildlife sancturies, Rajaji,
Motichur, and Chilla. Nestled in the Shiwalik Hills & Lying between the
Lower Himalayas and the Upper Gangetic Plains, it is the northwestern most
habitat of the Asian Elephant.
In addition, the park is home to
the Tiger, Leopard, Porcupine, Barking Deer, and Sambhar. The largest
variety of Indian Python is also found in Rajaji.
VALLEY
OF FLOWERS
While
on an expedition to Mt. Kamet, Frank S. Smith, an English mountaineer
explore and Botanist, discovered the valley of flowers. Bustling with
beautiful, lively and vibrant colours, this park spread over an area of 87.5
kms. has the largest collection of wild flowers species. Hidden from the
probing eyes of civilization, this valley had been known to the inhabitants
as the Bhyundar valley. Legend associate this valley with area from where
Hanumanji of Ramayana collected ' Sanjeevani' herb to revive Lakshman. As
though created by nature itself, the beauty of the park is enchanced by the
Pushpawati river flowing in the vicinity overlooked by the towering Rataban
peak in the background. More than 300 species of wild flowers like the
Himalayan blue poppy, daisy, dianthus, calendula, white and yellow anemones
bloom & swing with life during the monsoons. Also inhabiting the place
are the Himalayan black bears, musk deer, brown bears, snow leopards, thar,
bharal, serow & an amazing variety of butterflies. A large number of
natural lovers, environmentalists and tourists descend upon the valley every
year. The valley can be visited only during the day and overnight stay is
prohibited.
NANDA DEVI SANCTAURYMt.
Everest might be the highest of peaks in the Himalayan range, but the peak
of Nanda Devi undeniably is the most picturesque and fascinating. The area
around the mountain with its deep valleys and gorges, steep peaks and cliffs
and unique flora and fauna was declared a National Park in 1982 to save it
from excessive human interference. Recently, it was also proclaimed a World
Heritage Site.
First
explored in 1883 by WW Garden, Nanda Devi came into the spotlight in the
1930s when Tilman and Shipton scaled it, thus encouraging other explorers to
follow. Today, it is a peaceful abode for many endangered animals including
the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Musk Deer and Bharal. Found also are the Brown
Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Common Langur and Chir
Pheasants.
The Nanda Devi Sanctuary although open, entertains very
few visitors who need a special permit to enter, in a deliberate attempt by
officials to preserve the region. In keeping with this lack of outside
influence, the villagers in the area are still traditional in habit and
revere the landscape and nature that surrounds them as sacred.
