|
About
Pin Valley National Park |
|
Pin
Valley National Park is a national park which is located in
Spiti region of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The park
is located in the cold desert area of the Spiti valley, in the
Lahul and Spiti district within the Indian state of Himachal
Pradesh. It was declared a park in 1987. Pin Valley National
Park is home for more than 20 species of animals and birds,
including the endangered Snow leopard. The park’s core zone is
stretched over 675 sq km and the buffer zone extends over 1150
sq km. Foreign nationals are not allowed inside the park.
Indians have to take permit to enter the park.
As
many as 17 villages with a population of 1600 are located at
the periphery of the park. Locals of Pin Valley, like the rest
of Spiti, follow Tibetan Buddhism. The religious and cultural
beliefs of the locals have helped in protecting the wildlife
of Pin Valley. Pin Valley is also well-known for its Chhumurti
horses, an indigenous breed. Horse racing and archery
competitions are popular amusements of the locals. |
|
| |
|
Location of Pin Valley National Park |
|
Declared a National Park in 1987, Pin Valley is located in the
cold desert region of the Spiti valley. With its snow laden
unexplored higher reaches and slopes, the Park forms a natural
habitat for a number of endangered animals including the
Siberian Ibex and Snow Leopard. The elevation of the park ranges
from about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) near Ka Dogri to more than
6,000 metres (20,000 ft) at its highest point. The park marks
the border between the formerly separate districts of Lahaul and
Spiti spreading south of Dhankar Gompa near the Tibetan border,.
Steeped in history, the influence of Tibetan culture is
widespread in the area surrounding the park, visible in the
shrines, monasteries, Buddhist lamas and culture of its
residents. One has to stay in Kaza and visit this amazing
Himalayan park. |
|
| |
|
Best time to visit |
|
The
month of July-August is the 'best time' to visit Pin Valley,
when the temperatures are most hospitable, at least during the
day. The climate is dry with freezing, high-velocity winds and
minimal rainfall. Winter sets in early and temperatures can drop
to as low as -35°C. Heavy snowfall makes it risky to visit the
park from late December to March. The summer season lasts from
late May to September when temperatures reach a maximum of 25°C,
though the nights may still be freezing. During the months of
July to October the park is accessible. |
|
|
|
|
Flora and fauna |
|
Pin Valley is also known for its floral wealth. The park
possesss over 400 plant species including medicinal herbs.
It is well-known for two rare species of plants called
Birch and Juniper. The park’s alpine pasture lands are
another highlight. The park is also popular among trekkers
who come to see the natural beauty and the wildlife of the
park.
Because of the park's high altitude and extreme
temperatures, the vegetation in the area is scarce, mainly
consisting of alpine trees and patches of Himalayan cedar.
In summer, rare birds like the Himalayan chukar, snowcock,
snow finch and snow partridge prosper in the area.
Snow leopard is the most important resident of the park.
There are about 12 of the big cat in the park. Besides
snow leopard, Siberian ibex, weasel, bharal, marten and
red fox are other animals that are the highlight of the
park. It is home to birds like pika, golden eagle, chukor,
snow cock, bearded vulture, griffon, raven and Himalayan
chough.
Winter is the best time to see the animals when they
migrate to the lower regions because of the cold weather.
|
|
|
|
|
Medicinal Plants |
|
Though the vegetation is sparse, it possesses high quality of
medicinal properties. Twenty-two rare and endangered medicinal
plant species, have been discovered in and around this national
park by Prof. C.P. Kala, which are distributed over 10 different
habitat types. Aconitum rotundifolium, Ferula jaeschkeana,
Hyoscymus niger Ephedra gerardiana, Arnebia euchroma, are the
threatened but important medeicinal plants which occurs in this
national park.
Pin Valley National Park spreads over an area of approx 9700 sq
km. It is located in the cold desert region of the Spiti valley.
With its snow laden unexplored higher reaches and slopes, the
Park forms a natural habitat for a number of endangered animals
including the Tibetan Gazelle, Woolly Hare, Snow Leopard and
Siberian Ibex. |
|
|
|
|
How To Reach Pin Valley |
|
Pin
Valley is reachable only by road, and the last leg of the
journey can only be undertaken on foot. The valley can be
reached from Manali via Kaza or from Shimla via Reckong Peo and
Sumdo in Kinnaur.
By Road
The nearest town is Gulling which is 3,700 m. above sea
level. It has the largest population in the region with about
200 people. One route to Pin Valley is via Manali, Rohtang Pass
(3,978 m.) and Kumzum La (4,551 m.). This route can be used from
mid July to late September or October, depending upon the
weather conditions. Another route that is generally used is via
Shimla, Tapri and Kaza (3,640 m.) that is open between March and
December. Kaza is the administrative headquarters of the Spiti
sub-division. A bus leaves Kaza at 9 a.m. everyday and
transports visitors to Mikkim, from where one can only proceed
on foot. A road is currently being constructed from Mikkim right
onto Mud. The bus also stops at the Attargo village near the
junction of the Spiti and Pin rivers. Attargo is two hours away
from Kaza.
On foot
Two main trekking routes are available between mid-July and
late September. One option is the route from Kulu in the West,
via the Pin Parvati Pass (5,100 m.). An alternative route is
from Kinnaur in the South via the Bhaba valley and Tari Khango
Pass (4,866 m.). Trekking at these heights is an amazing
experience. Spiti is full of jhullas, like the rope bridge
across the Parahio river, a tributary of the Spiti where one
crosses a steel wire rope of 12 mm. which is suspended from
abutments on both sides. Using a rope made of yak hair (that is
tied around one's legs with special knots) one can move across.
There is a relatively new bridge from Attargo village to Pin
Valley. Local guides, porters and the well-known Chhumurti
horses are available for hire. Pack mules and donkeys are also
available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chat
