The Valley of Flowers, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, has reopened to visitors for the current tourist season.
Overview of Valley of Flowers National Park
Situated in Uttarakhand, this park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It forms a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and, along with Nanda Devi National Park, constitutes its two core areas.
The Valley is believed to have been discovered in 1931 when a group of British mountaineers, led by Frank S. Smythe, stumbled upon it after losing their way during an expedition.
Covering an area of approximately 87 square kilometers, the Valley of Flowers lies within the broader Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Its serene and colorful alpine meadows present a stark yet harmonious contrast to the rugged, mountainous terrain of the neighboring Nanda Devi National Park. Together, these parks form a unique ecological transition zone between the Zanskar and Great Himalayan mountain ranges.
Flora and Fauna
- Plant Life: The park is renowned for its wide variety of blooming flowers such as orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, daisies, and anemones. It also harbors a rich collection of medicinal plants and herbs. Patches of sub-alpine forest dominated by birch and rhododendron trees can also be found.
- Animal Life: The park supports diverse wildlife, including rare and elusive species such as the snow leopard, red fox, Himalayan weasel, gray langur, flying squirrel, Himalayan black bear, and lime butterfly.