Wildlife in Uttaranchal
CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
India's first National Park is cradled in the foothills of the Himalayas and
spreads over an area of 520 sq. kms., along the bankds of the Ramganga river.
The dense Sal forests of the Himalayan foothils and the tall grassy neadows
make it one of the richest areas of northern India for the habitation of the
big mammals. Situated in the hilly districts of Pauri Garhwal and Nainital,
the park was first establishd in 1936 by the then Governor the park was first
established in 1936 by the then Governor Sir Malcolm Hailey and was named Hailey
National park. After independence, the park was renamed Corbett national park
in honour of the late Jim Corbett, who helped in demarcating the park's boundaries
and stting it up.
Among the reptiles, the long snouted, fish-eating gharial and mugger could be
seen basking in the sun on the sand banks. Sporting fish such as the mahseer
and malee thrive in the lake and in the river, offering grea fishing to the
anglers. The tiger is the biggest attraction of this park. Other carnivores
include the leopard, elephant, bear, hog, sambar deer, muntac and fox. The park
has more than 300 species of birds.
The common birds seen here are duckds, snipe, egrets, herons, spotted eagle,
harrier, wood pecker,darter, cormorants and thrushes. Ramganga river is the
home to the gharial and the mugger. The gharial has been saved from extinction
in the park through captive breeding. A few species of turtles and tortoises
are also found in and around the lake.
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more about Corbett National Park
NANDA DEVI NATIONAL PARK
The nanda Devi National Park, spread over 630 sq. kms. of area in the vicinity
of nanda Devi Peak (25, 675 ft./7816 mts), India's second highest mountain.
Has a unique combination of flora and fauna. The park was established in 1980
and inclues some of the hightest mountain peaks of the western Himalayas. The
faunal species here include snow leopard, brown and Himalayan black bear, bharal,
Himalayan thahr, nonal and chir pheasants.
KEDARNATH
SANCTUARY
Kedarnath Sanctuary was established in 1972 on 967 sq. km. Of the Garhwasl Himlaya.
The fascinating garhwal Himalyas present a spectacular viewing of mountains
and valleys, forests and grasslands, butterfles and flowes, Snow leopard, leopard,
thr, serow, snow cock and musk deer have made their habitation in this beautiful
sactuary. Kaleej and monal pheasants are among the many birds to be seen here.
RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK
Situated on the edge of the Dehradun valley, the Rajaji national Park was established
in 1966 and covers an area of about 820 sq. kms. nestling in a side and thckly
wooded valley of the Shivalik ranges, Dehradun has many picnic spots, excursions
and is an ideal holiday resort. Scenic surroundings, pleasant climate and beautiful
setting has made Dehradun and attractive tourish destination. The Sanctury offers
exciting opportunities of viewing the wild in their natural habitat. The wildlife
here includes elephant, tiger, panther, bear chital, sambar, wild boar, kakar,
python, monitor lizard and a large variety of avifauna.
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here for more about Rajaji National Park
CHILLA SANCTUARY
Established in 1977 on the east bank of the Ganga, the sanctury is a paradise
for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Wildllife here includes elephants,
tigers, bear & gorals.
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here for more about Chilla Sanctuary
