The state of Uttarakhand is lush green. It is because of dense forests of Oak and Deodar and the backdrop of great Himalayas. No wonder, it is the homeland to a wide range of known and unknown trees and plants.

These areas are inhabitated by many species of wild animals. The number one is, of course, tiger. But other than this king of the jungle, there are many other animals as well.

Apart from animals, the state also brings a large population of birds. It is the reason Uttarakhand is amongst the finest places for wildlife tourism in India.

The isolated alpine meadows are examples of the rich and diverse Wildlife of Uttarakhand.

Some famous and important wildlife species that can be seen in the state are Tiger, Deer, Sloth bear, and Black bear.

You can also see Indian Elephants, Leopards, and Rhesus Monkeies in the jungles.

Biodiversity Hotspots: Flora and Fauna of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand is rich in biodiversity. It boasts about the oldest national park in India, the Corbett National Park. It is the oldest Tiger Reserve as well.

Another world-famous national park in Uttarakhand is the Valley of Flowers. This is a fantastic place where one can see extensive seasonal flower blooming. It is part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

Being home to 300+ species of flowering plants and some rare and endangered wild animal species, it is truly a treasure for biodiversity. If you are lucky, then it is possible to spot some rare species like Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, and musk deer.  There are brown bears, red fox, and blue sheep are also.

Other biodiversity hotspots are Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Govind Pashu Vihar National Park , Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Gangotri National Park.

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

As stated earlier, there are as many as 12 National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries in the state of Uttarakhand. They cover about 13.8% of the total area.

The geographic distribution is varied. It is spread from the lowlands at the altitude of 800m to highlands at the elevation of 5400m.

These parks and sanctuaries are really the haven for those who love nature. These places are equally liked by wildlife enthusiasts also.

Two Conservation Reserves make the state special. The Asan Barrage and Jhilmil Tal and two World Heritage Sites Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and Valley of Flowers National Park are some unique and exclusive destinations in Uttarakhand.

Endangered and Rare Species of Uttarakhand

Since several species of flora and fauna are found in Uttarakhand, some are endangered and rare.

Most endangered species of flora

  • Blue poppy: This is a very beautiful blue flower found in the high altitudes of the Himalayan Mountain range. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN.
  • Kumaon lily: This is a rare, white lily that is found in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss.
  • Sikkim rhododendron: This is a large, pink rhododendron found in the Sikkim Himalayas. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN because of the loss of habitat.

Most endangered species of fauna

  • Snow leopard: This is a large and elusive cat found in higher altitudes. IUCN has listed it as endangered because of its habitat loss and poaching.
  • Asian elephant: This is the largest land animal in Asia. It is listed as endangered because of the loss of habitat loss and conflict with humans.
  • Tiger: The largest cat in the world and the top member of the animal food chain, tigers are listed as endangered because of their habitat loss and poaching.
  • Himalayan tahr: This is a large mountain goat found in the Himalayan region. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN because of hunting and loss of habitat.
  • Red panda: This is a small, bear-like mammal. Found mainly in the part of the eastern Himalayas, this animal is listed as endangered by the IUCN because of hunting and the loss of habitat.

Eco-Tourism and Wildlife Safaris

Wildlife safaris in Uttarakhand state offer a wide range of flora and fauna. The top-rated place is Corbett National Park. It owns the honor of being the first national park in the Indian subcontinent. This place is home to tigers, leopards and elephants.

One more reputed park is Rajaji National Park. People can enjoy jungle safaris from November to June.

Nanda Devi National Park is located at a high altitude. This national park is popular among trekkers and mountaineers.

Valley of Flowers National Park is a well-known World Heritage site. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Almora, is famous.

Uttarakhand tour is a responsible way of Eco-tourism. It focuses on conserving the environment and improving the lives  of local people.

It emphasizes minimal environmental impact, sustainability, and education.

Eco-tourism in Uttarakhand encourages visitors to appreciate the natural and cultural heritage of the region.

Some famous wildlife sanctuaries are Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, and Benog Wildlife Sanctuary.

Plan uttarakhand tour packages from Mumbai to appreciate the rich wildlife in Uttarakhand.

Challenges in Wildlife Conservation

Though the state of Uttarakhand has a wide range of wildlife, e.g., tigers, elephants, leopards, and bears, it also shares space with humans.

Consequently, the state has constantly been grappling with the issue of human-wildlife conflict. The conflict has resulted in casualties of both humans and wild animals.

Shrinking habitat is the primary cause of human-wildlife conflict in Uttarakhand. As the human population and development increase, people are clearing forests for urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Another major challenge is the illegal wildlife trade. Most of these illegal wildlife products are smuggled to other countries like Myanmar, Laos, and China.

Uttarakhand is often called the “Land of the Gods,”. It is because of pristine landscapes, dense forests, and rich natural heritage. Rich, dense forests are safeguarded by a network of national parks. You can have wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. These protected areas are great attractions for wildlife enthusiasts and researchers. But not limited to it, the state of Uttarakhand is liked by common visitors also.