By Vinay Tandon( 17th June, 2008)
Himachal Pradesh boasts of some of the best hill stations of India. The
region is blessed with pure mountain air, clear musical streams, the
evocative fragrance of pine forests, ceruleam skies and snow capped peaks in
the distance. Not only a spectacular landscapes but also Himachal showcases
one of the best wildlifes. The state features 32 wildlife sanctuaries and 2
national parks represent the diverse wild lives in the North Western
Himalayas. The region is home to number of flora and fauna, about 64 species
of mammals, 463 of birds, 43 of reptiles and 516 of aquatic fauna teeming
among over 3240 species of plants that define a range of eco systems and
habitats. Himachal Pradesh beckons wildlife enthusiast, tireless trekker and
romantic couple.
·
The Great Himalayan National Park - Bounded on
three sides by the endless snow of the Himalayas, the westerly entrance to
the park through the Tirthan Valley leading up to the Pin Parvati
Pass(5800m), is also considered a sacred place. The enormous bio diversity
represents different wildlife of Western Himalaya. It is a home to
critically endangered western Tragopan and elusive serow and the most
beautiful of all wild cats, the snow leopard.
·
The Pin Valley National Park, Spiti - The national
park in the Spiti valley preserve several hardy animals and birds inhabited
this Himalayan Eden in beautiful equilibrium. Spiti is a snow desert with
its characteristic flora and fauna. It is a home to endangered snow leopard,
the endemic Himalayan ibex, bharal or blue sheep and the lynx.
·
Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary - Despite of its small
size, it nurses plenty of diverse species such as chital, sambhar, and
barking deer. The endangered kaleej pheasant and the more common red jungle
fowl are also found here. The sanctuary is also famous among pilgrims
because it is surrounded the sacred and beautiful Renuka Lake.
·
Kalatop - Khajjiar Sanctuary, Chamba - The
magnificence of the deodar forest is at its best here. An hour's drive from
the well known hill resort of Dalhousie, the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is
home to the elusive serow and common black bear. Other attraction is the
small floating island in a small body amidst an enchanting meadow at
Khajjiar has become legendary scenery.
Himachal Pradesh Attractions
Manali
Shimla
Best Wildlife Sanctuaries
Nandadevi National Park
Valley Of Flowers
Manas National Park
Sunderbans
Kanha National Park
