Nanda Devi National Park, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Overshadowed by the 7,800 meter of Mount Nanda Devi, the 2nd tallest mountain in the Indian Himalayas, Nanda Devi National Park is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in India. This 630 sq. kms area park was formed by receding glaciers and is surrounded by a ring of 19 mountains ranging between 6,000 to 7,500 meters (24,600 ft) in height. If you are thinking to climb Nanda Devi mountain, then you cannot do it, because the Indian government has not given permission to climb it, but you can expedition on the eastern side of Nanda Devi. 

In addition to the many stunning vistas resulting from the alpine peaks, the Nanda Devi National Park also has unique high altitude flora and fauna that is being aggressively protected by the Indian government. The park is located in Uttarakhand, India.

Sir Edmund Hillary, in his autobiography, described that “Nanda Devi Sanctuary is God gifted wilderness...India’s-training ground for adventure".

Along with the Valley of Flowers National Park, and the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, this area is also referred to as the Nanda Devi Biosphere and recognized as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).

History

Hindus have revered Nanda Devi as a religious monument since ancient times.  Nanda Devi, meaning "Blessed Goddess", consort of Lord Shiva, is a manifestation of Parvati. Every 12 years, during the Kumbh Mela festival, approach the foot of Mount Trishul to worship Nanda Devi.

The British were the first to actively explore the region starting with W.W. Garden in 1883. In 1936, Mount Nanda Devi was finally scaled by N.E. Odell.  The region became a Game Sanctuary in 1939 and a National Park in 1982.

Location

The Nanda Devi National Park is located in Chamoli District, in the upper Garhwal Himalaya range.

Access to the park is only possible from the village of Lata, a 23 km trek from the town Joshimath (the closest town with a road).  The other sides of the park are completely surrounded by mountain peaks and gorges.

Best Time to Visit

July and August are the best months given that the plants in the park will be in full bloom and it may be possible for you to combine a visit to the Valley of Flowers National Park which will also be in its prime during these months.

STD Code

• 01389 (Joshimath)

Ecosystem

Geography

Standing tall over The Nanda Devi National Park is Mount Nanda Devi, the 23rd tallest peak in the world, and the 2nd tallest in India after Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 metres or 28,169 feet) which lies on the border of Nepal.

In addition, to Mount Nanda Devi, there are an astonishing 21 other mountains that are either inside the park or encircle it that are all taller than 6,000 m (19,000 feet).

The park is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere and has unique topography, climate, and soil and it supports diverse habitats, species, and ecosystems.

• Area: 630 sq kms
• Altitude: Ranges from 6,000 metres (19,700 ft) to 7,500 m (24,600 ft)

Wildlife

There are several endangered species at this National Park including the Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, and Blue Sheep who are all rather elusive.  Other animals include Musk Deer, Red Fox, Langur, and a variety of butterflies.

In addition, there are 80 documented species of birds in the park during the season. The most common birds are Warblers, Gresbreaks, Rose Finches and Ruby Throat.

Flora

There are 300+ species of floral plants within the park and total species of flora in excess of 500.

Operating Hours & Season

The Nanda Devi National Park is only open from May 1 to October 31st each year.

Winter snow makes access to the park impossible for the rest of the year.

Fees

·         Indians: Rs.50/-

·         Foreigners: Rs.150/-

Activities in Park

• Trekking, Camping, Wildlife.

Visiting the Park

Nanda Devi National Park is broadly split into two portions - the Inner and Outer Sanctuaries.

The Inner Sanctuary comprises ~ two-thirds of the park's total area and includes Mount Nanda Devi along with Devistan I (21,909 feet), Devistan II (21,421 feet) and Rishi Kot (20,459 feet).  In addition, the Inner Sanctuary includes two major glaciers - the Uttari Rishi Glacier (north) and the Dakkhni Rishi Glacier ((south) which flank the Nanda Devi mountain

The Outer Sanctuary is separated from the Inner Sanctuary by high ridges (the Rishi Gorge), through which flows the Rishi Ganga tributary. The Outer sanctuary is encircled on 3 sides by 19 mountain peaks, all taller than 19,000 feet.

The entire area comprises the catchment area of the Rishi Ganga, an eastern tributary of Dhauli Ganga which in turn flows into the Alaknanda River at Joshimath.

Entry Rules into Nanda Devi National Park

Since 1982, and in a bid to preserve its fragile ecosystem and the beauty, visitor flow at Nanda Devi has become the most restricted amongst National Parks in India.  Only about 500 people are able to visit the park each season.

Current access restrictions are as follows:

• Individual access is prohibited.  Visitors can only enter the park in groups.
• Each group consist of a maximum of five visitors.
• A maximum of two groups are permitted into Park in any one day
• A maximum of only four groups are granted access to the park in a given week.
• A registered guide is mandatory to travel with each group.
• Under 14 years old visitors are not allowed inside the park.

Lodging inside Park

• There are no lodging options, other than camping, inside Nanda Devi National Park.
• The closest town with hotels and rest houses is Joshimath.

Did You Know?

• Nanda Devi National Park is one of the least travelled to, and most protected, amongst India's National Parks.
• The terrain at the Park is arduous and treks will be isolated. The Park Management is not equipped to provide appropriate rescue services.  As such, it is important that a visitor is appropriately healthy to embark on a challenging trek.
• The Snow Leopard is actually not related to the Leopard / Panther family of cats.  It is actually actually its own genus - the uncia uncia - and the only member in this group.  One of its unique differences versus the family of cats is that it has weaker vocal chords and, as such, is incapable of full and deep roar of the other large cats.

Getting There

Air

Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the closest to the Nanda Devi National Park.

Rail

Rishikesh is the closest railway station to the Nanda Devi National Park.

Road

The nearest major town to the Nanda Devi National Park is Joshimath in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. From Joshimath visitors have to trek to the park.

Driving distances to Joshimath:

• Badrinath: 42 kms
• Dehradun: 280 kms
• Haridwar: 280 kms
• Rishikesh: 302 kms
• Delhi: 512 kms

Nearby Destinations

• Nearby attractions to the Nanda Devi National Park include:
• Valley of Flowers National Park
• Hemkund Sahib
• Badrinath
• Hill Stations:  Chopta, Tungnath and Auli