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About Govind National
Park
The
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Uttarkashi district of
Uttararanchal, was established on 1st M arch,
1955. It spreads over an area of 957.969 sq. kms. and the altitude
varies from 1300 mts. to 6323 mts. The average annual precipitation
varies from 1000 to 1500 mm., most of which occurs as monsoon rains
(July to Sept.). The entire area of the sanctuary is subjected to
light to heavy snowfall. The sanctuary forms the upper catchment of
the Tons river, which is the most important tributory of River Yamuna
in its upper reaches. Thus the area has a significant value as a major
watershed for River Yamuna, which is a very important river for the
Indo Gangetic plains. The area is home for a lot of endangered animals
and its large area along with the contiguous forests of the
neighbouring forest divisions helps in maintaining genetic diversity.
The area is very rich in medicinal plants, many of which form the
basis for certain life saving drugs. The scenic beauty of the area is
unmatched. The Snow Leopard inhabits the inner Himalayas above the
altitude of 3500 mts. With the onslaught on the habitat by man its
number has dwindled considerably making it a highly endangered
species. In the Eighth Plan, the Govt. of India launched the Snow
Leopard Project for the long term conservation of this elusive cat. An
expert team indentified sites throughout the Himalayas to implement
this project and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary was indentified as one of
such sites. To further improve the protection of this rare animal, the
upper reaches (the Snow Leopard habitat) of the sanctuary were
intentionally notified as a National Park, which covers an area of
472.08 sq. kms.
Approach
and Location :
The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is located between
35*55 and 31*17’30 latitude and 77*47’ 30 and 78*37’ 30 longitude in
Purola tehsil of Uttarakashi district of Uttaranchal. Naitwar, the
entrance and starting point of the sanctuary is approachable on a
metalled all weather road. It is at a distance of 200 kms. From
Dehradun. It can also be approached from Delhi by taking a 65 kms.
long bifurcation from Naugaon situated on the Delhi Yamunotri state
highway. Daily bus service exists between Dehradun and Naitwar.
Wildlife :
Over 15 species of mammals and 150 species of birds
exists in the sanctuary. The important m ammals
are Snow leopard, Black bear, Brown bear, Musk deer, Bharal, Himalayan
Thar, Serow and Common leopard.
The endangered birds found in the area are Monal pheasant, Koklas
pheasant, Western Tragopan, Himalayan Snow cock, Golden eagle, Steppe
eagle, Black eagle and Bearded vulture. Other important bird groups
are pigeons, parakeets, cuckoos, owls, minivets, bulbuls, tits,
warblers, thrushes, finches, buntings, etc.
As in other areas of the Himalayas, owing to low density and rugged
terrain, the animal
sightings are very poor.
The Ruinsara catchment has been an important area for high altitude
expeditions to peaks like Black Peak and Banderpunch.
Har-ki-Doon, Ruinsaratal, Deokyara, Kedarkantha and Bhratsar are
important places of attraction for the tourists. Swargarohini, Black
Peak and Banderpunch are the important peaks in the area. |
