Kishtwar National Park

The Kishtwar National Park is a national park in the Jammu and Kashmir valley. The Himalayas, with their gorgeous crystalline mountains, surround the park, giving it a heavenly setting. Small river outlets can be found throughout the park’s river courses. Because of the river catchments, the entire park offers an enthralling view. 

Most of the park is covered with coniferous, alpine and meadow scrub. There are spruce birch, cedar and blue pine in this area, as well as ash and yew. There are also maple, chestnut, walnut, Poplar, yew and deodar pines. Such a wide range of flora provides a stunning panoramic view of the entire park. The river’s catchment area, which is bordered by woods and features fast-moving water, is breathtakingly beautiful. On rare occasions, a predatory cat like a leopard has been observed sipping water from the river’s banks. 

The Chenab River provides ample water to this area, despite the area’s meagre monsoon season. Because it is too chilly to go there in the winter, the best months to visit are April through October. The snow begins to melt during this time of year, allowing the foliage to bloom, making everything appear fresh and new. Because of its remoteness and lack of road access, this area is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. There are currently efforts underway to construct a road and improve tourist infrastructure in the area. There are currently just Forest Rest Houses available at this location. 

History

The park was established in 1981 to preserve the snow leopard population as the future of this species was in jeopardy. Much progress has been made in protecting the leopards from extinction. Other species, too, have a chance to thrive in this environment. 

Geography

Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district is home to the Kishtwar National Park. The Central Crystalline Belt of the Great Himalayas encompasses this region. Granite and gneiss make up most of the rock composition, with the occasional bed of marble thrown in. Rocks of granite and marble are visible throughout the park. As is typical in colder climates, the park’s vegetation is sparse. The landscape is harsh and steep for most of the area, with small valleys that open up in the upper glacial regions. It’s a kaleidoscope of animals and mountain scenery at the Kishtwar National Park. 

Key Attractions

Snow leopards are the main attraction of India’s Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, Jammu and Kashmir, established in 1981. Kishtwar National Park covers an area of 400 square kilometres and is located 248 kilometres from Jammu. This Wildlife Reserve’s appeal and allure are heightened by the surrounding snow-capped Himalayan Mountains and the numerous rivulets that wind through the park.

The Kishtwar High Altitude National Park spans 400 square kilometres. Musk deer and Himalayan black and brown bears are among the 15 mammal species that call the park home. There are around 50 different kinds of birds. The park’s distinctive features are its diverse geography and the profusion of plants that populate it. 

Wildlife 

The Musk Deer and Himalayan black and brown bears live in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar High Altitude National Park. In the winter months, the Hangul, a Kashmiri stag, migrates from Dachigam National Park to this area and then returns when the weather warms up again. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park in Jammu and Kashmir also has ibex, leopard, markhor, wild boar, Indian Muntijal, bharal, serow and rhesus macaque, among many other wildlife species.

There are around 50 species of birds in Kishtwar, making it a birdwatcher’s dream destination. Alligator-tailed vulture, bearded vulture, white-cheeked bulbul and the Himalayan jungle crow are some of the birds found here.

Things To Do

Kishtwar is located on a plateau overlooking the Chenab River and the Nagin Sheer glacier. Saffron cultivation and waterfalls abound in this region, which is well-known for both. The nearest village is only 3 kilometres away from a 700-metre-long waterfall that flows down the mountainside. It’s a beautiful sight in spring and summer.

Conclusion

With an altitude ranging from 1700 to 4800 metres and an extent of more than a quarter of a million acres, the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is a unique feature of Jammu and Kashmir’s Jammu region. For the most part, the landscape is rocky and steep, with small, glacier-covered valleys flanked by high peaks. These rocks are mostly granite, although there are also occasional beds of marble in the area, which is located in the middle Himalayan crystal belt.