Gangotri National Park For the first time, the number of snow leopards in Gangotri National Park has been released by the Wildlife Institute of India. Here there is abundance of wildlife like snow leopard, argali sheep, brown bear, serao, red fox, musk deer, Himalayan weasel, Himalayan Thar.

Shailendra Godiyal, Uttarkashi : Gangotri National Park :

Gangotri National Park is proving to be a safe haven for the snow leopard. There are about 40 snow leopards in the park. For the first time, the number of snow leopards in Gangotri National Park has been released by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). For this, experts of WII did extensive research on biodiversity, wildlife presence and variance area in Gangotri National Park for five years.

The area of ​​the park is 2390 sq. km.

The Gangotri National Park established in the year 1989 has an area of ​​2390 sq km. The park is bordered by Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, Khatling glacier in Tehri district, Ghastauli-Mana region of Chamoli district and Indo-China border. There is abundance of wildlife like Snow Leopard, Argali Sheep, Bharal, Brown Bear, Serao, Red Fox, Musk Deer, Himalayan Weasel, Himalayan Thar.

Along with this, birds like Himalayan Monal, Pahari Rajalal, Pilpet Hari Tuti, Himalayan Vulture, Himalayan Poultry, Himalayan Pheasant etc. are also present here. Particularly, in the last few years, the activity of snow leopard has increased here. Snow leopards have not only come in the camera trap of Gangotri National Park and WII, but also the officers of ITBP, Army, BRO posted along the Indo-China border along with Gangotri National Park personnel, general tourists have seen them from time to time.

WII conducted the study in Gangotri National Park between 2014 and 2019. Under this, the WII team installed more than 300 camera traps and monitored them regularly. Along with this, the footprints and other activities of the snow leopard were also recorded. Then after in-depth study, the institute prepared its report in 2022. It mentions that there are at least two snow leopards in the 100 sq km area of ​​the park. Whereas, their number has been reported from 34 to 40 in the entire park area. The presence of snow leopard has been found in the park area from an altitude of 3000 meters to an altitude of 5500 meters.

Two snow leopards in a hundred square km

WII wildlife expert Dr. Ranjana Pal says that there are at least two snow leopards in the 100 sq km area of ​​Gangotri National Park. Whereas, other snow leopard related parks do not have such a pleasant situation. The reason for this is also the limited number of tourists reaching Gangotri National Park. The park is open to the movement of tourists for a limited time. Sheep herders are not allowed in the Gomukh and Kedartal areas except in the Nelang valley.