Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in Garhwal Himalaya

Located in the Himalayan highlands of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 1,160 meters above sea level, this sanctuary was established under the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972. Its purpose is to protect the endangered Himalayan Musk deer. Spanning an expansive and green landscape of 975 sq. km, covering the Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Uttarakhand, the sanctuary is named after the famous Hindu temple of Kedarnath due to its proximity. One can opt to visit this adventurous destination during the Kedarnath Yatra.

This wildlife sanctuary is also the largest protected area in the Western Himalayas, with a rich forest cover, calming alpine meadows, and the remaining area either rocky or blanketed by snow throughout the year. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for being an enigmatic part of wildlife tourism in India.

• Location: Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand, at 1,160 meters.
• Area: 975 sq. km in Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts.
• Significance: Home to Kedarnath, Tungnath, and other sacred temples and important to the ‘Bhotiyas’ community.
• Climate: Temperate to sub-arctic, Rainy (June-Sept), mild summers, cold winters.
• Flora and Fauna: Rich in wildlife, including Musk deer, leopards, and rare plants. Great for birdwatching.
• Best Time to Visit: May to June. Avoid winter.

Flora and Fauna:

The entire region of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is set amidst temperate, sub-alpine, coniferous, and alpine forests. Enveloped in different shades of green throughout the sanctuary, it is also dotted with numerous brilliantly colored plants and flowers. Along with the immense lush greenery, it is home to a variety of fauna. During your visit to Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, you may have the chance to sight animals like the jackal, leopard, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan musk deer, red giant flying squirrel, and more. In addition to flora and fauna, the sanctuary is visited by numerous colorful and vibrant birds throughout the year, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

The entire sanctuary is also well-known for its rich biodiversity. At higher altitudes, the landscape changes dramatically to high-altitude bugyals (meadows) and grasslands. Along with these topographic features, the region is also known to possess numerous medicinal and aromatic plant species, of which 22 are extremely rare and some are even endangered, making it an important destination for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers, and those seeking peace and quiet.

Climate:

The constant climatic conditions of the wildlife sanctuary’s locale involve a typical temperate to sub-arctic climate. The entire region experiences heavy rainfall, and the Tungnath region is showered with rainfall from June to September. During the summer, the temperature can rise up to 25°C, while the most pleasant months are May and June. The lowest temperature is recorded in mid-January, where the temperature drops to –10°C, accompanied by heavy snowfall. During the peak winter months, the entire wildlife sanctuary remains enveloped in snow. The best time to visit Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is between May and June.

How to Reach:

During the visiting seasons of April to June and September to November, the route to the holy Kedarnath Mandir passes through this wildlife sanctuary.

• By Air: The closest airport is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, located 227 km from Chopta (the entry point for the wildlife sanctuary).
• By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, which is located 212 km from Chopta.
• By Road: National Highway 58 from New Delhi passes through the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand via Meerut, Roorkee, Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Ukhimath, and is further connected by Chopta State Highway.

There are housing facilities available for visitors and travelers within the park premises and the surrounding areas. To stay at the forest hut in Madhyamaheshwar, prior reservation must be made through the DFO at the Kedarnath Wildlife Division in Gopeshwar. The Kedarnath Temple Committee maintains inns and rest houses (Dharamshalas) for pilgrims and tourists at several spots around Trijuginarayan, Duggalbitta, Mandal, Gaurikund, Kedarnath, and Sonprayag.

Religious and Social Importance:

The sanctuary is home to a large number of Hindu temples, which are visited by numerous pilgrims and devotees during the open seasons. Kedarnath Mandir is considered extremely sacred to devout Hindus, as it is believed that this is the place where Lord Vishnu meditated deeply among the ‘Kedar’ (a type of berry) fields. Some of the extremely sacred temples within the sanctuary include Mandani, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Ansuya Devi, and Rudranath. The local people of the area follow a Hindu culture imbibed by the ‘Bhotiyas’, who earn their livelihood by adopting a pastoral work culture and are an integral part of the valley.

Sightseeing in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary:

There are 23 sightseeing locations within the sanctuary where visitors can come close to nature in its true form. Some of the most beautiful sightseeing locations here are: Gandhi Sarovar, Vasuki Tal, Sonprayag, Chopta, Shankaracharya Samadhi, Chandrashila, Tungnath, and Devariyatal, among others.

General Information:

Here are some important rules that every visitor should follow during their visit to the wildlife sanctuary:

• Do not disturb the resident animals during the daytime, as most of the wildlife species in the area are nocturnal and sleep during the day.
• If you encounter any animal, do not tease or provoke it in any way. Do not attempt to grab their attention, as it may be dangerous.
• Smoking and alcohol consumption are not permitted within the park premises. Always consider the welfare of animals and plants by avoiding pollution.
• Make sure to wear neutral-colored clothing, such as beige, to blend in well with the park surroundings. Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes, as it may scare the wildlife away and reduce the possibility of sightings.
• Carry plenty of water with you, as there are no shops within the sanctuary.
• Camping and picnicking are not allowed inside the sanctuary premises to preserve its sanctity, beauty, and biodiversity.