The Great Himalayan National Park-Amazing Wildlife In the Lap Of Himalayan

A View Of The Great Himalayan National Park(Image By Flickr)

The Great Himalayan national park is the pride of Himachal Pradesh. It is recently labeled as the UNESCO World heritage sites. It is the richest biodiversity hub of India. It is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is the favorite place of adventurous and best place for trekking. The Great Himalayan National Park spread over the 1736 sq. km. and elevated 6000m above from the sea level. it also includes two watershed areas, Tirthan and Sainj which covers an area of about 905 sq km.Lofty hills, snow capped peaks, rich deep forest, undulating meadow, glaciers and wonderful rhythmic cascades make this National park very beautiful and incredible.

Western Tragopan(Image by Flickr)

It is one of the National Parks in the world which have a large number of the endangered western Tragopan.It is a natural habitat of a large number of species and very rich in natural beauty. The park is isolated by natural barriers from all sides. It is embodied with the 675 sq-km Pin Valley National Park in the cold desert of Spiti in Trans-Himalaya, the 61-km Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kullu and 503 sq-km Rupi-Bhawa Wildlife Sanctuary in Kinnaur. It supports a full range of western Himalayan biodiversity and protects other islands of biodiversity around.

Leopards(Image By Flickr)

Black Bear(Image By Flickr)

Herd Of Blue Sheep(Image By Flickr)

Siberian Musk Deer(Image Bu Flickr)

The park is a natural home to many species, making it a perfect habitat for medicinal plants, wildlife and biological diversity in a small area. It supports species of the South-east Asian forests, subtropical, alpine, the Asian steppes and Siberia. The Himalayan Tahr is found in the higher region of the forest of GHNP and the goral which is the small goat found in the lower forests. The above the tree line the Blue Sheep or the Bharal snatch your heart. Different regions or different height of this park is full with the different kind of species. A forest zone of this park is full with the Leopards and Snow Leopards often seen above the tree line. The Alpine meadows are famous for Asiatic Brown Bears.

Himalayan Monal(Image by Flickr)

Golden Eagle(Image By Flickr)

The Great Himalayan National Park is also famous for the miraculous variety of birds. It is most renowned for Western Tragopan. Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Himalayan Monal and Golden Eagles are the major attraction of the Great Himalayan National Park.

A Panoramic View From The GHNP(Image By Flickr)

Amongst the several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India, the Great Himalayan National Park has made an immortal mark in the world. It is indeed one of the best places for an adventurous and wildlife vacation in Himachal Pradesh. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or nature lover or an adventurer at heart, GHNP offers best opportunity for wildlife vacations in Himachal Pradesh. So, be proud of this great natural habitat of large variety of flora and fauna in the lap of Himalayan.

See Here Another UNESCO World Heritage sites Of Himachal Pradesh:

https://indiaheritagesites.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/the-soul-of-himachal-kalka-shimla-railway/

 

 

 

The Soul of Himachal – Kalka Shimla Railway

Kalka Shimla Toy Train is a part of the mountain railway project located in Himachal Pradesh, India. It was built by the British in 1903 to provide access to their summer capital of Shimla. Being a 2 ft 5 inch narrow gauge railway, it covers the entire mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is popular all around for the picturesque views of hills and the surrounding villages. Spectacular scenery during the whole journey keeps the traveler to spell bound on this line. It rejuvenates passengers when the cozy air touches their cheeks and then further makes its way upwards along the narrow track through majestic mountains and pine forests. Due to its glory and charm, it is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Image by Shubh M Singh on flickr.com

The route of this train offers panoramic views of all the hill stations. It stops at several points namely Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghatm Taradevi, Barog, Salogra, Totu, Summerhill and Shimla. Originally, there were 107 tunnels that built on this track. In 1930, four of them were discarded, so, remained 103. In 2006, again tunnel no. 46 were dismantled and the number became 102. So, presently there are 102 tunnels but the last tunnel no. 103 at Shimla is still famous as tunnel no. 103. This tunnel is a famous landmark of the town. The longest tunnel is located at Barog. This tunnel is associated with a number of tales and legends.

Himalayan Queen going through a tunnel on the Kalka–Shimla Railway route

Total 864 bridges are located on this line. One of the bridge is 18.29 meter plate girder span. Other bridges have multi-arched galleries like the ancient Roman aqueducts. Bridge No. 493 is known as the “Arch Gallery” and is situated between Kandaghat and Kanoh stations. It is an arch bridge that made in three stages. Another one is bridge no. 226, located between Sonwara and Dharampur. It is an arch gallery bridge and have tier galleries of multiple spans.

Train passing over the Arch Gallery Bridge
Image by Jarkko Viikki on flickr.com

Many sharpest curves are there. The most sharpest one is 48 degrees. Two class “B”0-4-OST locomotives were the first locomotives that arrived there from the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Diesel locomotives are currently used on this railway.

Main tourist train services that available on this route are the Shivalik Deluxe Express, Himalayan Queen and Rail Motor Car. Each train has its own quality. A number of extra train services are available during the holiday season in India. It is usually from May to July, September, October, December and January. Rail Motor Car is also a temporary service that operates during the rush time of the year, only to manage the crowd.

Image by edge_one on flickr.com

This train is also used for making documentaries and shooting the songs of Indian Bollywood movies. In the UK, the BBC has made a series of documentaries on the Indian Hill Railways. First documentary deals with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway while the third one deals with Kalka-Shimla Railway. It’s shown on BBC FOUR TV on February 2010, on BBC TWO on April 2010 and again on BBC FOUR in January 2012 & September 2012. Songs related to the movie “Tridevi” also shot in this train and many others are in the list.

Thus, the route is the soul and the heart of the Himachal Pradesh, India. A large number of visitors go there throughout the year to enjoy their vacation and surprised by the beauty of the place. They keep the memories of the journey by taking the photographs of this breathtaking destination.