Valley of Flowers National Park, History, Location, Flora & Fauna

Valley of Flowers National Park

In 1982, the Valley of Flowers National Park was created. It is situated in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli area and is renowned for its unique alpine flower meadows and diverse vegetation. Rare and imperiled animals like the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep live in this stunningly varied ecosystem. Himalayan monal pheasants and other high-altitude species can be found in the area. The UPSC Syllabus includes Nagarhole National Park and all national parks as a significant topic of Environment subject. The UPSC Mock Test can help candidates prepare for the exam with more precision.

Valley of Flowers National Park in Details

The Valley of Flowers is only available to tourists from the beginning of June until the beginning of October because it is covered in snow and inaccessible the rest of the year. The best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-August when wildflowers like orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, daisies, and anemones cover the terrain after the first monsoon rain. The 7 km (4 miles) roundtrip walk from Govindghat hamlet is the only route to see this sight.

Along with the well-known trek through the Valley of Flowers, there are a tonne of other hikes and outdoor walks in this region. Some can be reached even during the off-season because efforts have been made to boost the number of tourists who come to the area. Despite the difficulty of most walks, you can employ a porter to act as both a guide and a load carrier.

This region of the globe attracts wildlife photographers because it is home to one of the most distinctive natural biospheres in the entire world. The Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep are just a few examples of rare and endangered species that can be found here. A nature hike can offer some once-in-a-lifetime sightings as well as a fantastic chance for photography, particularly if it is done with a guide.

Valley of Flowers National Park Location

The Valley of Flowers National Park is situated in Uttarakhand state’s North Chamoli and Pithoragarh. It’s well-known for its alpine flower fields with endemic species. The Valley of Flowers National Park’s serene setting compliments the rough mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east, which is located at an elevation of 3352 to 3658 metres.

Together, they make up a special area of transition between the Great Himalaya and Zanskar mountain regions. The entire area is located in the temperate alpine region. The Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep are just a few of the uncommon and imperilled creatures that call this region home. The Himalayan monal pheasant and other high-altitude birds can be spotted in the park.

Valley of Flowers National Park Features

Without visiting the nearby Nanda Devi National Park, where the Himalayan summit of Nanda Devi (at 7,816 meters, or 25,643 feet above sea level), which provides an amazing backdrop, the Valley of Flowers would not be complete. Take the aerial tram (ropeway) from Joshimath to Auli, a hill station and ski resort, to pass some of the highest mountaintops in the globe.

Most tourists to the Valley of Flowers National Park do so to complete the well-known trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria and see the wildflowers in full bloom. Many more hiking trails have recently been created in and around the park in an attempt to draw tourists to the high mountain settlements.

Also Read: Dachigam National Park

Valley of Flowers National Park Flora and Fauna

The valley has a magical character because it is entirely covered in flowers of all hues and varieties. More than 650 different flower varieties can be found there, such as the Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily, and Brahmakamal. The region is also home to several endangered and unique animals. A wide variety of wildlife, including Asiatic black bears, blue sheep, brown bears, black and brown bears, and yellow-throated martens, can be found in the region. Among the species that can be found here are the Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan snow cock, sparrow, snow pigeon, and Himalayan monal.

The park is home to a variety of endangered species, including Himalayan musk deer, snow leopards, and other plant species. It also has a high diversity and density of west biographic zone vegetation and fauna. A 514,857-hectare exclusion zone surrounds the park’s 71,210 hectares of land. Galliformes and mountain ungulates, which are prey for snow leopards and other predators, are found throughout the entire Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.

Valley of Flowers National Park UPSC

Indian national park Valley of Flowers National Park was founded in 1982. It is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the diversity of flora and is situated in Chamoli in the state of Uttarakhand. While the area transforms into a botanical wonderland between May and October, when the Valley of Flowers National Park’s flowers are at their most abundant, their finest viewing season is from July to September. Students can read all the details related to UPSC by visiting the official website of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching.

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