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.


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.


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.