Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary

Govind National Park, or Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary, as it is known officially, is situated in Uttarakhand state, India. The national park and wildlife sanctuary is named after Govind Ballabh Pant, the Indian home Minister in the 1950s. Har-ki-dun Valley, a famous trekking destination, is in this national park.

govind-nationalpark-snow-view

Image Source – Uttaranchal-tourism.com/tour-destinations/govind-national-park/

Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo (written shortly as G B Pant High Altitude Zoo) is the official name of the park. It is at an altitude of 1,400 meters to 6,323 meters or 4,593 feet to 20,745 feet and is spread over 958 square kilometers. It was established in 1955 as a wildlife sanctuary. Later on, it was converted into a national park in India.

Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary is a Snow leopard habitat located on the higher reaches of the Garhwal Himalayas. Snow leopard, an endangered species, is the highlight of the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. Snow Leopard Project is being implemented here by the Indian Government. The National Park is one of the remaining strongholds of the near-threatened bird species, the Bearded vulture.

The park is rich in flora and Fauna. 15 species of large mammals are seen inside this park.  There are around 150 bird species in this national park. Some other endangered species of birds found in this park are the golden eagle, steppe eagle, black eagle, Himalayan monal pheasant, Himalayan snowcock, western tragopan, cheer pheasant, etc.

How Do I Go to Govind Pashu Vihar National Park?

Govind Park is located at a distance of 17 kilometers from Dharkadhi town.

Dehradun city has the nearest railway station and airport to this National Park and Sanctuary, at around 190 kilometers away. Dehradun city, the gateway to the Himalayas,  is situated in the Doon Valley, on the foothills of the Himalayas. Dharkarhi is the nearest town at around 17 kilometers from the park.