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The Govind
Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Uttarkashi
district of Uttar Pradesh, was established
on 1st March, 1955. It spreads over an area
of 957.969 sq. Kms. And the altitude varies from 1300 mts. To 6323
mts. The average annual precipit- ation varies from 1000 to 1500 mm., most
of which occurs as monsoon rains (july to Sept.). |
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The entire area of the sanctuary is subjected to light to heavy
snowfall. The sanctuary forms
the upper catchment of Tons river which is
the most important tributory of river
Yamuna in its upper reaches. Thus the area has a significant value as
a major watershed for river Yamuna, which is a very important river for
the Indo–Gangetic plains. The area houses a lot of endangered animals
and its large area along with the contigeous forests of the neighbouring
forest divisions helps in maintaining genetic diversity. The area is very
rich in medicinal plants, many of which form the bases for certain
life saving drugs. The scenic beauty of the area is unmatched.
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The Snow leopard inhabits the inner Himalayas above the
altitude of 3500 mt. With the on slaught
of habitat by man its number dwindled considerably making
it a highly enda- ngered species.In the eighth plan, the Govt. of
India launched the Snow Leopard Project
for the long term conser- vation of this elusive cat.
An expert team indentified sites through- out the Himalayas to implement
this project and Govind Wildlife Sanctuary was indentified as one
of such sites. |
To further improve the protection of this rare animal, the upper reaches
(The Snow leopard habitat ) of the sanctuary were intentionally notified
as a National Park which covers an area of 472.08 sq. Kms.
APPROACH
AND LOCATION
...
The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is located between 35*55 and 31*17’30”
latitude and 77*47’ 30” and 78*37’ 30” longitude in Purola tehsil of Uttarakashi
district of Garhwal. Naitwar, the entrance and starting point of the sanctuary
is approachable on a metalled all weather road. It is at a distance of
200 kms. From Dehradun. It can also be approached from Delhi by taking
a 65 kms. Long bifurcation from Naugaon situated on the Delhi – Yamunotri
state highway. Daily bus service exists between Dehradun and Naitwar.
WILDLIFE
| Over
15 species of mammals and 150 species of birds exists in the sanctuary.
The important mammals are Snow leopard, Black bear, Brown bear, Musk deer,
Bharal, Himalayan Thar, Serow and Common leopard. |
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The
endangered birds found in the area are Monal pheasant, Koklas
pheasant, Western Tragopan, Himalayan
Snow cock, Golden eagle, Steppe eagle,
Black eagle, Bearded vulture. Other important
bird groups are pegions, parakeets, cuckoos, owls, minivets,bulbuls, tits,
warblers, thrushes, finches, buntings etc. |
...
As in other areas of Himalayas, owing to low density and rugged terrain,
the animal sightings are very poor.
PEOPLE
| The sanctuary
is a fairly well populated area with 42 villages, some of which are
located, at as high as 2800 mt. Altitude. The population
exceeds 13000 ( based on 1991 census ) and the livestock numbers
exceed 75000. The people living in
these villages are by and large poor and lead a primitive life. |
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The main occupation of the people of these
villages is rearing livestock and practicing marginal agriculture. The
villages depend on the forest for many of their basic needs.
The culture and religious practices of the villagers are also unique. The
villagers worship the KAURAVAS and DURYODHAN is the main deity. The temples
have beautiful wood carvings and are designed in a different style. The
temple of Karna at Deora village and the temple at Jakhal village are particularly
beautiful.
TOURISM
The area has always been famous for trekking and mountaineering. The Har-ki-Doon
trek is one of the most popular treks in the Himalayas and because of its
ease, beauty and infrastructural facilities, it is regarded as a star trek.
THE FOLLOWING
TREKS EXIST IN THE AREA :
|
Treks
|
Distances |
| 1. Sankri – Taluka – Osla
– Harki Doon ; |
38 kms.
|
| 2. Sankri – Taluka – Osla
– Ruinsara Tal; |
40 kms.
|
| 3. Naitwar – Himri – Droni
– Rupin Pass – Sangla ; |
60 kms.
|
This
trek lies partly in Himanchal Pradesh (Rupin Pass–Sangla)
and
is regarded as difficult trek. |
| 4. Ruinsara Tal – Yamunotri
(High altitude difficult trek); |
20 kms.
|
The Ruinsara
catchment has been an important area for high altitude expedition to peaks
like block Peak and Banderpunch.
Harki
Doon, Ruinsaratal, Deokyara, Kedarkantha and Bhratsar are important places
of attraction for the tourists. Swargarohini, Black peak and Banderpunch
are the important peaks in the area.
The
period from April to June and September to November is suitable
for visiting the area.
ACCOMODATION
& CHARGES
NAME OF FOREST
REST HOUSE
|
NO. OF SUITES
|
CHARGES PER SUITE/ PER IN
RUPEES For Indian
|
Foreigner |
| Naitwar |
2
|
200
|
500
|
| Taluka |
2
|
200
|
500
|
| Osla |
2
|
200
|
500
|
| Harki Doon |
2
|
200
|
500
|
| Istragad |
2
|
200
|
500
|
| Satta |
2
|
200
|
500
|
| Jakhol |
2
|
200
|
500
|
Crockery and utensils are available for cooking in all rest houses. ( Tourist
rest houses run by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam exist at Taluka and Osla.
Catering facility is available)
RESERVATION
AUTHORITY
Wildlife Warden,
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary,
Purola, (Uttarkashi) U.P.
The information
regarding booking of rest houses and trekking can also be obtained from
Director, Rajaji
National Park,
5/1, Ansari Marg, Dehradun
– 248001.
Phone : (0135) 621669,
744225
FEES
AND TARIFF
| |
For
Indian
|
Foreigner
|
1. (a) Entrance Fee
(in Rs.)
per head for first 3 days
(b) For
every additional day |
30
20
|
350
175
|
2. Road fee for vehicle (Light)
(Heavy) |
100
500
|
100
500
|
3. Camera fee
(a) Still
(b) Movie/Vide |
-
2500
|
50
5000
|
4. Filming Charges :
(a) Feature
film per day
(b) Documentary
film per day |
20000
2500
|
20000
5000
|
5. Security for above
(a) Feature
film
(b) documentary
film |
25000
15000
|
40000
40000
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PLEASE
REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING POINTS IN THE SANCTUARY AREA :
1. Do not damage plant &
animal life.
2. Do not kindle fire, throw
lit matches and cigarette/bidi buds.
3. Do not throw or leave
trash, litter and polyethylene bags etc.
4. Do not take fire arms
and chemicals harmful to wildlife and
vegetation.
5. Do not play radio and
tape – recorders etc.
Any
breach of the above directions or rule of the Wildlife Sanctuary and National
Park would be penalised under the clause of the Wildlife Protection Act,
1972.
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