VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK
Area: 87.5 sq. Kms.
Altitude: Between 3,658m to 3,962 m
Best Season: Mid April To Mid August
THE FLORAL DALE
The
famous Valley of Flowers with the largest concentration of various species
of wild flowers is off the Rishikesh-Badrinath
road, 16 km from Govindghat. A virtual treat to the eyes, this beautiful
valley in the Himalayas was established in the year 1982.This park, the
smallest national park in the Himalayas was created to protect the
catchment area of the Pushpavati River.
This stream emerges from a glacier then tumbles downward to meet the
Ganges. The park spans an
area of 87.5 sq. km and is perched on the upper reaches of the Bhyundia
Ganga of Chamoli district of Garhwal. The
Pushpawati River flows by the valley while the awesome Rataban peak forms
a spectacular backdrop.
THE EXOTIC TREASURE
The park boasts of more than 300 species of wild flowers like the
Himalayan Blue Poppy, Snake Lilly, white and yellow Anemones, Daisies,
Calendula and Dianthus. A wide variety of butterflies, snow leopard, brown
and Himalayan black bears, tahr, musk deer, Blue sheep (bharal) and serow
are the other attractions of the national park.
WITNESS THE RIOT OF COLOURS
The best time to visit the valley begins from late April when the snow on
the mountains starts melting and flowing down the gullies, providing the
appropriate moisture for flowers. With the advent of monsoons in June, the
valley is painted pink and red, though the seasonal shades of yellow,
purple and white are not subdued. By August, the place is a virtual riot
of colours splashed leisurely, by the bountiful nature!
The visitors during September and October get to witness the sun-kissed
meadows, the crystal clear atmosphere and the rain-washed rocks, preparing
to be covered by immaculate snow. The park can only be visited during the
day. Overnight stay is prohibited.
Flora & Fauna
The Valley of Flowers is an alpine valley, and has been formed by the
retreating glaciers whose periodic advances and retreat pulverized hard
rocks, resulting in a smooth U-shaped valley, which was later colonized by
numerous plants adapting themselves to the harsh colonised conditions
prevailing there.
The
Valley remains snow covered from November to May but when the ice envelope
thaws in June, it is signal for profusion of colours hidden in petals of
alpine herbs to blaze during July and August. Some important flowering
plants having tremendous medicinal values are : Anemone, Geranium, Marsh,
Marigold, Primula, Potentilla, Geum, Aster, Lilium, Himalayan blue poppy,
Aconite, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Indula, Saussurea Abvallate,
Campanula, Pedicularis, Morina, Impetiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis
Saxifraga, Lobelia, Thermophis, Trolises, Aquilogia, Codonopsis,
Dactylorhiza, Cypripidium, Straw berries and Rhododendron etc.
Apart from the flowering plants, wild animals like Himalayan birds,
phigents, butterflies, Tendula, Musk deer, Bharal (Mountain goats),
Himalayan bear,, tail less rate etc. are enhancing the beauty too. The
Valley of Flowers is an irresistible treat for naturalists, ecologists,
environmentalists, zoologists, ornithologists, trekkers, tourists and
pilgrims.
Seasons
The Valley becomes accessible from late April when the snow starts
melting and flowing down the buttresses and provide approprate moisure for
flowers. The moist turf begins to pulsate with life and from the dead
herbage of the previous summers, innumerable shoots of contless plants
rise expectantly as though in anticipation of the warm life-giving breath
of the approaching monsoon. Primulas cover up shelves and terraces in
colour of the most heavenly French blue. Their soft petals covered with
dew, like galaxies of pearls, emanate sweetest of scents. In the lush
meadows drifts of snow - white Anemones drench the ground. Anaphalles and
Potentillas start establishing their colonies.
With
the arrival of rains in June, Balsam, Geranium, Pedicularis and and many
other species, mostly in pink and red set the dominating colour pattern of
the Valley without subduing other seasonal shades of yellow, purple and
white.
From late July to the end of August, the Valley begins to take on
celestial dimensions. The riot of colours is awe- inspiring. The
Pedicularis, Grandiflora, Ligularia and many other yellow varieties
dominate, with patterns of other colour blending in. The flowers sway to
the rhythm and the atmosphere is filled with an indescribable scent of
plant life.
By September, the plants start podding and the Valley dons tranquil
shades of brown, But visitors during September and October get to witness
the Valley in a crystal clean atmosphere - the mountain ranges shining
like polished steel in the sunlight, rainwashed rocks with gurgling
streams and sun - kissed meadows about to be covered soon with a spotless
white sheet of snow. It is often said that the root stock of almost all
high altitude alpine flowers lies in and around the Valley of Flowers. The
oak trees, blue pine and other conifers between Ghanghria and the bridge
on Pushpawati are sometimes laden with ferns and tendrils hanging from
their branches. The forests on the higher formations are full of birch
trees, popularly known as 'bhojpatra' whose bark was supposedly used to
write scriptures in ancient times.
Although the main land of the Valley is about 4 kms. from Ghanghria,
flowers and foliage in exotic varieties can be spotted throughout the
route. Immediately after crossing the Laxman Ganga, Colonies of Blue
Hackelia uncinata, commonly known as 'forget me not' can be seen in the
midst of shrubs and foliage along the roadside. Primulas, Morinas, wild
roses and many other species are quite abundant.
On reaching the banks of Pushpawati, a rich formation of blue poppies,
sun flowers, Ligularia and pink Andsosace can be seen between the rocky
stretches near the bridge abetment. After crossing the rivers, to its
right bank you can see various flowers in small pockets dotting the entire
distance. Pedicularis in pink and yellow, Phlomis in purple and Potentilla
in all shades can be seen. Further on , towards the approach of the main
Valley, are gorgeous varieties of wild roses, Rhododendron, Geranium and
the Killer plant Polygonum, which is at present, off-setting the floral
composition of the valley. A large variety of ferns like Epiphytic,
maidenhair and oak fern can be seen.
The
valley is rich in herbal plants, many of these being flowering plants -
Bergenia, wood lily, Trillium govanianum and marsh orchid are the popular
ones. At several places, the abundant growth of flowering and non -
flowering plants gives the Valley the look of a thick carpet with splashes
of colour.
A forbiddingly beautiful plant is the Arisaema costatum propularly known
as Arum with its head resembling that of a cobra, the plant grows in shady
recesses, often in isolated family groups. Anemones, white dwarf
rhododendrons, Primulas and Anaphillis give a white background to the
Valley which is accentuated with the varying colours of other flowers. The
violet Iris kumaonesis, the superb Primula denticuleata in purple and
Potentillas in red, yellow and pink can be seen in colonies.
Along the riverside there are small patches of land between scattered
boulders, which have become the natural habitat for a majestic flower -
the blue poppy. Known as Meconopsis aculeate to botanists, it is a
solitary flower and has the colour of the sky at dawn. Like most poppies,
it is open and wide, droops slightly, has a centre of golden stamens, and
is so fragile that its petals are detached merely by brushing against
them. It protects itself with sharp spines arranged on the stem and buds.
An unobtrusive flower with unsurpassable delicacy and grace is the
Fritillaria Roylei. As the green bells on the springy stem nod and dip
vivaciously in the monsoon wind, you may be tempted to strain your ears to
hear their tinkling.
The Corydalis Cashemiriana, with narrow pipe like stems and flowers
tipped in dark blue grow in colonies of thousands. A plant which is one of
the rarest and the most beautiful of its family - the lily - like
Nomocharis oxypetala revels in the sun on well - warmed, well drained
meadows and slopes of the Valley.
The
rose - coloured Cyprip edium himalaicum has earned the popular title
of lady's slipper and there are so many of these flowers that they imbue
the slopes with a rosy glow. The pinkish glow of the Valley can be
attributed to the large colonies of Androsace, Marsh orchid, Geranium
Pedicularis and the carpeting Thymus, all in near pink. Splashes of golden
lily and creamy bell-shaped Codonopsis are also seen. The pink Pedicularis
gives way to its yellow cousin, the mainstay of the August bloom.
Yellow flowers bedeck the Valley as July proceeds. Pedicularis
Grandiflora, Ligularia, Saxifraga and Potentillas. The Potentillas are the
first to appear and last to disappear in the Valley. The king of the
Himalayan flowers is Saussurea obvallata, popularly known as Brahma Kamal.
It is a graceful creamish flower with brown and red stamens in the centre.
The petals are loosely open, like those of a lotus. A fully developed
flower is six to eight inches tall. This flower is found on the higher
slopes of the valley, which are not easily accessible. It can be found at
heights above 3,800 mtrs. all over the Central Himalayas.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant,
Dehradun (315 km. approx).
Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.
Road: Off the Rishikesh-Badrinath road, 16 km from Govindghat (24
km from Badrinath).
Buses are available till Govindghat. From Govindghat the rest of the
distance has to be trekked.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Distt. Chamoli.
(Check all that apply)
Know more about this Package !!!
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