A paradise for nature lovers
Getaway
By Bijender Sharma

THE spectacle of a goat and a lion drinking water from the same pond at the same time may be having roots in utopia. But if you are interested in catching a rare sight of a Bharal and Himalayan Thar living alongside, Kulu is the only place in the entire Himalayas you need to head for. The Great Himalayan National Park near Manali in Kulu district assures you of this unparalleled view.

With a complete ban on shikar for over a decade, Himachal Pradesh has become an abode of wild animals. Enriched with flora, the park houses more than 300 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals.

Sprawled over an area of 765 sq. km, the park harbours some of the endangered species of pheasants and mammals, including western tragopan, musk deer and snow leopard. The park has the largest remaining population of Himalayan Thar in India.

About one third of the park area is covered with canopy forests that includes chir pine, conifers, rhododendron and juniper sepcies. The stillness at the oak forest, which is at a lower altitude, is worth experiencing. Alpine meadows hold a diversity of herbacious species, many of which have medicinal and aromatic properties and are of great commercial value.

The park consists of the upper catchment areas of Tirthan, Sainj, Parvati and Jiwanala. It is contiguous to the Rupi Bhaba Sanctuary in the south-east, Pin Valley National Park in the east and Kanawar wildlife sanctuary in the north.

A project aided by World Bank for "Conservation of bio-diversity" has been launched. The project has three main components, namely eco-development, protected area management and research, monitoring and evaluation for which Rs 3.91 crore, Rs 1.96 crore and Rs 0.64 crore, respectively, has been earmarked.

Under the umbrella of eco-development, work on biomass generation through tree and fodder plantation, income generation through setting up of small-scale industries, mitigation of adverse effects of wildlife, infrastructural improvement and development of eco-tourism is being carried out.

Protected area management is being ensured by development of visitor centres, fire watch towers and communication.

Research,monitoring and evaluation include studies on vegetation, cultivation of medicinal herbs, social anthropology, crop protection and experimental slope stabilisation. The knowledge of the local people regarding the use and value of medicinal plants is being tapped and documented.

The bewitching scenic beauty of the park is a complement to its biological richness. This has made it a virtual paradise for nature-lovers, who throng the place in large numbers. Entry and movements in the park are restricted to day time only. The department provides the services of a guide to the visitors. There are 14 inspection huts inside the park for visitors. Though there are no hideouts and observation towers inside the park, the undulating terrain offers vantage points for observing wildlife.

The best period for visiting the park is from April to June and from October to November, when the weather and visibility are good. But it has been observed that even the rainy season does not dampen the spirit of visitors to the land of rich flora and fauna.