Difference between revisions of "Valley of Flowers National Park" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox World Heritage Site
 
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
 
| WHS        = [[Nanda Devi National Park|Nanda Devi]] and [[Valley of Flowers]] National Parks
 
| WHS        = [[Nanda Devi National Park|Nanda Devi]] and [[Valley of Flowers]] National Parks
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}}
 
}}
  
'''Valley of Flowers National Park''' is an [[India]]n [[national park of India|national park]] in the Himalayan area in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. Together with [[Nanda Devi National Park]], it forms part of the '''Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks''' [[World Heritage Site]]. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km².
+
'''Valley of Flowers National Park''' is an [[India]]n [[national park of India|national park]], Nestled high in West Himalaya, is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park. Together they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km².
 +
 
 +
The Valley of Flowers is an outstandingly beautiful high-altitude Himalayan valley that has been acknowledged as such by renowned mountaineers and botanists in literature for over a century and in Hindu mythology for much longer. Its ‘gentle’ landscape, breath-takingly beautiful meadows of alpine flowers and ease of access complement the rugged, mountain wilderness for which the inner basin of Nanda Devi National Park is renowned.
 +
 
 +
The Valley of Flowers is internationally important on account of its diverse alpine flora, representative of the West Himalaya biogeographic zone. The rich diversity of species reflects the valley’s location within a transition zone between the Zaskar and Great Himalaya ranges to the north and south, respectively, and between the Eastern and Western Himalaya flora. A number of plant species are internationally threatened, several have not been recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand and two have not been recorded in Nanda Devi National Park. The diversity of threatened species of medicinal plants is higher than has been recorded in other Indian Himalayan protected areas. The entire Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). Seven restricted-range bird species are endemic to this part of the EBA.
  
The Valley of Flowers was declared a [[national park]] in 1982. This part of Uttarakhand, in the upper reaches of Garhwal, is inaccessible through much of the year. The area lies on the [[Zaskar]] range of the Himalayas with the highest point in the national park being Gauri Parbat at 6,719 m above sea level.
+
The Valley of Flowers was declared a [[national park]] in 1982. This part of Uttarakhand, in the upper reaches of Garhwal, is inaccessible through much of the year. The area lies on the [[Zanskar]] range of the Himalayas with the highest point in the national park being Gauri Parbat at 6,719 m above sea level.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
  
In 1931 the [[England|English]] mountaineer [[Frank Smythe]] stumbled across the Bhyundar Valley, an 8 km long [[glacier]] corridor in [[Chamoli]] [[Garhwal]]. This area, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and carpeted with over 500 species of flowers, soon became a protected site.
+
[[Image:Legge_grave.JPG|thumb|right|Picturesque landscape near legge's grave]]
 +
 
 +
The Valley was introduced to the world as the Valley of Flowers by Frank S Smythe - mountaineer, explorer, botanist who camped here for several weeks in the monsoon of 1937 and did valuable exploratory work. He authored a book called "The Valley of  Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendours of the valley and thus threw open the doors of this verdant jewel to nature-enthusiasts all over the world.
 +
 
 +
In 1939 Miss Margaret Legge, a botanist deputed by the botanical gardens of Edinburgh arrived at the valley for further studies. While she was traversing some rocky slopes to collect flowers, she slipped off and was lost for ever. Her sister later visited the valley and erected a memorial on the spot where she was buried by the locals. The thoughtful memorial is still there.
  
 
== Management ==
 
== Management ==
  
There is no settlement in the national park and grazing in the area has been banned. The park is open only in summers between June and October, being covered by heavy snow during the rest of the year.
+
There is no settlement in the national park and grazing in the area has been banned. The park is open only in summer between June and October, being covered by heavy snow during the rest of the year.
 +
 
 +
== The Trek ==
 +
 
 +
Getting to the Valley of Flowers requires a trek of about 17 km. The nearest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which has convenient road connections from railheads such as Hardwar and Dehradun, both about 270 km from Joshimath.
 +
 
 +
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:MapVOF.gif|800px|Map of the Valley of Flowers]] —>
 +
 
 +
From Joshimath, a vehicle can be hired to take you to within 17 km of the park, to the settlement of Gobindghat. The route from Joshimath to the Valley of Flowers goes along the main road to Badrinath; roughly midway along this road, a minor road branches off to Gobindghat, the roadhead for the Valley.
 +
From Gobindghat, a trek of 14 km brings hikers to the tiny settlement of Ghangaria. Valley of flowers is about 3 km from this place. Hemkund Sahib is around 5 km from Ghangaria.
  
 
== Fauna ==
 
== Fauna ==
  
The park is home to tahr, [[snow leopard]], [[musk deer]], [[red fox]], [[common langur]], [[bharal]], serow, [[Himalayan Black Bear|Himalayan black bear]] and a huge variety of butterflies.
+
The park is home to [[tahr]], [[snow leopard]], [[musk deer]], [[red fox]], [[common langur]], [[bharal]], [[serow]], [[Himalayan Black Bear|Himalayan black bear]]Himalayan [[brown bear]], [[Pica]] (Mouse hare) and a huge variety of butterflies. Among the important birds and Pheasant are, [[Himalayan Golden Eagle]], [[Griffon Vulture]], [[Snow Partridge]], [[Himalayan Snow Cock]],[[Himalayan Monal]], [[Snow Pigeon]], [[Sparrow Hawk]] etc.
  
 
== Flora ==
 
== Flora ==
 
  
 
Flowers mostly [[orchids]], [[poppies]], primulas, [[Marigold|calendulas]], [[daisies]] and anemones carpet the ground. [[Alpine flora|Alpine]] forests of [[birch]] and [[rhododendron]] cover parts of the park's area.
 
Flowers mostly [[orchids]], [[poppies]], primulas, [[Marigold|calendulas]], [[daisies]] and anemones carpet the ground. [[Alpine flora|Alpine]] forests of [[birch]] and [[rhododendron]] cover parts of the park's area.
  
 
=== Species ===
 
=== Species ===
{{Infobox_protected_area | name = Valley of Flowers National Park
 
  
{{Location map|India
+
[[Image:Valley of flowers pic.jpg|thumb|right|A flower found in the park.]]
|label= Valley of Flowers NP
+
 
|position=right
+
[[Image:ValleyofFlowers FlowerwithBees.JPG|thumb|right|A flower with several insects on it]]
|background=
+
[[Image:ValleyOfFlowers purpleflower.JPG|thumb|right|An exquisite purple flower]]
|lat=30.75
+
[[Image:ValleyOf Flowers RedFlowerwithBee.jpg|thumb|right]]
|long=79.625
 
|float=left
 
|width=300
 
}}
 
  | iucn_category = II
 
  | location = [[Uttaranchal]], [[India]]
 
  | nearest_city = [[Rishikesh]], [[India]]
 
  | lat_degrees = 30
 
  | lat_minutes = 44
 
  | lat_seconds = 0
 
  | lat_direction = N
 
  | long_degrees = 79
 
  | long_minutes = 38
 
  | long_seconds = 0
 
  | long_direction = E
 
  | area = 87.50 km²
 
  | established = [[1982]]
 
  | visitation_num =
 
  | visitation_year =
 
  | governing_body = Forest Department, [[Uttarakhand]]
 
}}
 
  
 
{| class="sortable"
 
{| class="sortable"
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|-
 
|-
 
|1.  
 
|1.  
|[[Rhododendron arboreum]]
+
|''[[Rhododendron arboreum]]''
 
|align="center"|February-June
 
|align="center"|February-June
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2.  
 
|2.  
|[[Primula denticuleta]]
+
|''[[Primula denticuleta]]''
 
|align="center"|April-July
 
|align="center"|April-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3.  
 
|3.  
|[[Iris kemaonensis]]
+
|''[[Iris kemaonensis]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4.  
 
|4.  
|[[Fritillaria roylei]]
+
|''[[Fritillaria roylei]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5.  
 
|5.  
|[[Lilium oxypetalum]]
+
|''[[Lilium oxypetalum]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|6.  
 
|6.  
|[[Arisaema costautum]]
+
|''[[Arisaema costautum]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7.  
 
|7.  
|[[Thermopsisa barbata]]
+
|''[[Thermopsisa barbata]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8.  
 
|8.  
|[[Rosa macrophylla]]
+
|''[[Rosa macrophylla]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9.  
 
|9.  
|[[Caltha palustris]]
+
|''[[Caltha palustris]]''
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|align="center"|June-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|10.  
 
|10.  
|[[Fragaria nubicola]]
+
|''[[Fragaria nubicola]]''
 
|align="center"|May-July
 
|align="center"|May-July
 
|-
 
|-
 
|11.  
 
|11.  
|[[Saxifraga roylei]]
+
|''[[Saxifraga roylei]]''
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|12.  
 
|12.  
|[[Anemone obtusiloba]]
+
|''[[Anemone obtusiloba]]''
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|13.  
 
|13.  
|[[Cypripedium himalaicum]]
+
|''[[Cypripedium himalaicum]]''
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|14.  
 
|14.  
|[[Rheum australe]]
+
|''[[Rheum australe]]''
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|15.  
 
|15.  
|[[Phlomis oracteosa]]
+
|''[[Phlomis oracteosa]]''
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|16.  
 
|16.  
|[[Hackelia uncinata]]
+
|''[[Hackelia uncinata]]''
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|align="center"|June-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|17.  
 
|17.  
|[[Senecio jacquemotiamus]]
+
|''[[Senecio jacquemotiamus]]''
 
|align="center"|August-September
 
|align="center"|August-September
 
|-
 
|-
 
|18.  
 
|18.  
|[[Ligularia amplexicaulis]]
+
|''[[Ligularia amplexicaulis]]''
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|19.  
 
|19.  
|[[Morina longifolia]]
+
|''[[Morina longifolia]]''
 
|align="center"|July-September
 
|align="center"|July-September
 
|-
 
|-
 
|20.  
 
|20.  
|[[Geum elatum]]
+
|''[[Geum elatum]]''
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|-
 
|-
Line 243: Line 236:
 
|align="center"|August-September
 
|align="center"|August-September
 
|-
 
|-
 
 
|44.  
 
|44.  
 
|[[Cremanthodium ellisii]]
 
|[[Cremanthodium ellisii]]
Line 327: Line 319:
 
|[[Epilohium latifolium]]
 
|[[Epilohium latifolium]]
 
|align="center"|July-August
 
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|65.
 +
|[[Cotoneaster integrifolius]]
 +
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|66.
 +
|[[Dubyaea hispida]]
 +
|align="center"|August-September
 +
|-
 +
|67.
 +
|[[Saussurea costus]]
 +
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|68.
 +
|[[Ligularia fiseheri]]
 +
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|69.
 +
|[[Androsace museoidea]]
 +
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|70.
 +
|[[Eritrichium conum]]
 +
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|71.
 +
|[[Lindelofi anchusoides]]
 +
|align="center"|July-August
 +
|-
 +
|72.
 +
|[[Thymus linearis]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|73.
 +
|[[Rheum webbianum]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|74.
 +
|[[Megacorpaea polyandra]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|75.
 +
|[[Trillidium govanianum]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|76.
 +
|[[Satyrium nepoleanse]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|77.
 +
|[[Podophyllum hexaneum]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|78.
 +
|[[Picrorhiza kurrooa]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 +
|-
 +
|79.
 +
|[[Polygonatum multiflorum]]
 +
|align="center"|June-August
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
+
<center>
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
Image:ValleyOfFlowers MorningDew.JPG |Morning Dew on a pink flower
+
Image:ValleyOfFlowers MorningDew.JPG | Morning Dew on a pink flower
Image:ValleyOfFlowers MultistoryFlower.JPG |Multi storied Flowers
+
Image:ValleyOfFlowers MultistoryFlower.JPG | Multi storied Flowers
Image:ValleyofFlowers whiteFlower.JPG |An exquisite white flower
+
Image:ValleyofFlowers whiteFlower.JPG | An exquisite white flower
Image:Valley of flowers pic.jpg|A flower found in the park.
 
Image:ValleyofFlowers FlowerwithBees.JPG|A flower with several insects on it
 
Image:ValleyOfFlowers purpleflower.JPG||An exquisite purple flower
 
Image:ValleyOf Flowers RedFlowerwithBee.jpg|Red flower with bee
 
 
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
+
</center>
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
* [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/335 Official UNESCO website entry]
 
* [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/335 Official UNESCO website entry]
* [http://fractalenlightenment.blogspot.com/2007/07/valley-of-flowers.html Pictures, Food, Guide, Prices & Acomodation at the Valley of Flowers]
+
* [http://fractalenlightenment.blogspot.com/2007/07/valley-of-flowers.html Pictures, Food, Guide, Prices & Accommodation at the Valley of Flowers]
 
* [http://www.saos.org/egotrips/vof/gallery/index.htm Image Gallery of Journey to Valley of Flowers]
 
* [http://www.saos.org/egotrips/vof/gallery/index.htm Image Gallery of Journey to Valley of Flowers]
* [http://www.uttarakhand.ws/v/trekking/valley-of-flowers/ Photos from Valley of Flowers]
 
* [http://www.flowersofindia.net/vof-trek/ Trek to Valley of Flowers]
 
 
* [http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/sports/trekdetail.aspx# GMVN Trek details]
 
* [http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/sports/trekdetail.aspx# GMVN Trek details]
 
* [http://www.indiawildliferesorts.com/national-parks/valley-of-flower-park.html Valley of Flowers National Park]
 
* [http://www.indiawildliferesorts.com/national-parks/valley-of-flower-park.html Valley of Flowers National Park]
 
  
 
{{World Heritage Sites in India}}
 
{{World Heritage Sites in India}}
 
{{National Parks of India}}
 
{{National Parks of India}}
  
{{credits|169324474}}
+
 
 +
{{credits|Valley_of_Flowers_National_Park|247563209|}}

Revision as of 22:17, 29 October 2008

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

View of the Valley of Flowers
State Party Flag of India India
Type Natural
Criteria vii, x
Reference 335
Region** Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription 1988  (12th Session)
Extensions 2005
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park, Nestled high in West Himalaya, is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park. Together they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km².

The Valley of Flowers is an outstandingly beautiful high-altitude Himalayan valley that has been acknowledged as such by renowned mountaineers and botanists in literature for over a century and in Hindu mythology for much longer. Its ‘gentle’ landscape, breath-takingly beautiful meadows of alpine flowers and ease of access complement the rugged, mountain wilderness for which the inner basin of Nanda Devi National Park is renowned.

The Valley of Flowers is internationally important on account of its diverse alpine flora, representative of the West Himalaya biogeographic zone. The rich diversity of species reflects the valley’s location within a transition zone between the Zaskar and Great Himalaya ranges to the north and south, respectively, and between the Eastern and Western Himalaya flora. A number of plant species are internationally threatened, several have not been recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand and two have not been recorded in Nanda Devi National Park. The diversity of threatened species of medicinal plants is higher than has been recorded in other Indian Himalayan protected areas. The entire Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA). Seven restricted-range bird species are endemic to this part of the EBA.

The Valley of Flowers was declared a national park in 1982. This part of Uttarakhand, in the upper reaches of Garhwal, is inaccessible through much of the year. The area lies on the Zanskar range of the Himalayas with the highest point in the national park being Gauri Parbat at 6,719 m above sea level.

History

Picturesque landscape near legge's grave

The Valley was introduced to the world as the Valley of Flowers by Frank S Smythe - mountaineer, explorer, botanist who camped here for several weeks in the monsoon of 1937 and did valuable exploratory work. He authored a book called "The Valley of Flowers" which unveiled the beauty and floral splendours of the valley and thus threw open the doors of this verdant jewel to nature-enthusiasts all over the world.

In 1939 Miss Margaret Legge, a botanist deputed by the botanical gardens of Edinburgh arrived at the valley for further studies. While she was traversing some rocky slopes to collect flowers, she slipped off and was lost for ever. Her sister later visited the valley and erected a memorial on the spot where she was buried by the locals. The thoughtful memorial is still there.

Management

There is no settlement in the national park and grazing in the area has been banned. The park is open only in summer between June and October, being covered by heavy snow during the rest of the year.

The Trek

Getting to the Valley of Flowers requires a trek of about 17 km. The nearest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which has convenient road connections from railheads such as Hardwar and Dehradun, both about 270 km from Joshimath.


From Joshimath, a vehicle can be hired to take you to within 17 km of the park, to the settlement of Gobindghat. The route from Joshimath to the Valley of Flowers goes along the main road to Badrinath; roughly midway along this road, a minor road branches off to Gobindghat, the roadhead for the Valley. From Gobindghat, a trek of 14 km brings hikers to the tiny settlement of Ghangaria. Valley of flowers is about 3 km from this place. Hemkund Sahib is around 5 km from Ghangaria.

Fauna

The park is home to tahr, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, common langur, bharal, serow, Himalayan black bearHimalayan brown bear, Pica (Mouse hare) and a huge variety of butterflies. Among the important birds and Pheasant are, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Snow Cock,Himalayan Monal, Snow Pigeon, Sparrow Hawk etc.

Flora

Flowers mostly orchids, poppies, primulas, calendulas, daisies and anemones carpet the ground. Alpine forests of birch and rhododendron cover parts of the park's area.

Species

A flower found in the park.
A flower with several insects on it
An exquisite purple flower
ValleyOf Flowers RedFlowerwithBee.jpg
No. Name of Flowers Time of flowering
1. Rhododendron arboreum February-June
2. Primula denticuleta April-July
3. Iris kemaonensis June-July
4. Fritillaria roylei June-July
5. Lilium oxypetalum June-July
6. Arisaema costautum June-July
7. Thermopsisa barbata June-July
8. Rosa macrophylla June-July
9. Caltha palustris June-July
10. Fragaria nubicola May-July
11. Saxifraga roylei July-August
12. Anemone obtusiloba June-August
13. Cypripedium himalaicum June-August
14. Rheum australe July-August
15. Phlomis oracteosa June-August
16. Hackelia uncinata June-August
17. Senecio jacquemotiamus August-September
18. Ligularia amplexicaulis July-August
19. Morina longifolia July-September
20. Geum elatum July-August
21. Geranium wallichianum July-August
22. Impatiense sulcata July-August
23. Meconopsis aculeata July-August
24. Delphenium roylei July-August
25. Aconitum hookeri August-September
26. Thalictrum reniforme July-September
27. Potentilla atrosanguinea July-September
28. Sedum ewersii August-September
29. Dactylorhiza hatagirea June-July
30. Bistorta affinis August-September
31. Stachys sericee August-September
32. Nepeta connata August-September
33. Pedicularis hoffmeistri July-August
34. Swertia hookeri August-September
35. Gentiana ornata August-September
36. Gaultheria erichophy August-September
37. Codonopsis affinis August-September
38. Angelica cyelocarpa July-September
39. Leontopodium jacotianum July-September
40. Saussurea fastuosa July-September
41. Campanula latitotia August-September
42. Cyananthus lobotus August-September
43. Sassurea obvallata August-September
44. Cremanthodium ellisii July-September
45. Anaphalis triplineruts July-September
46. Inula grandiflora August-September
47. Aster albescens July-September
48. Selinium tenuifolium August-September
49. Heracleum pinnatum August-September
50. Epilobium latisperma August-September
51. Silene setisperma August-September
52. Arenaria griffithii August-September
53. Corydalis junecea August-September
54. Erigerono multiradiatus August-September
55. Polygonum molle August-September
56. Himalayan Blue Poppy July-September
57. Codonopsis viridis July-August
58. Origanus vulgare July-August
59. Hackelia uncinata July-August
60. Salvia hins/lanata July-August
61. Smilacina purpurea/oleracea June-July
62. Viola biflora June-August
63. Rhodiola heterodonta July-August
64. Epilohium latifolium July-August
65. Cotoneaster integrifolius July-August
66. Dubyaea hispida August-September
67. Saussurea costus July-August
68. Ligularia fiseheri July-August
69. Androsace museoidea July-August
70. Eritrichium conum July-August
71. Lindelofi anchusoides July-August
72. Thymus linearis June-August
73. Rheum webbianum June-August
74. Megacorpaea polyandra June-August
75. Trillidium govanianum June-August
76. Satyrium nepoleanse June-August
77. Podophyllum hexaneum June-August
78. Picrorhiza kurrooa June-August
79. Polygonatum multiflorum June-August

External links


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