National Parks to Spot Snow Leopards

Snow leopards have adapted to survive in some of the most extreme environments on the planet. Their thick white-grey coat, flecked with huge black rosettes, mixes in beautifully with Asia’s stony, high mountains. Snow leopards are known as the “ghost of the mountains” because of their excellent natural camouflage, which allows them to blend in with their environment.

Snow leopards in India live in the hilly regions of the western and eastern Himalayas. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh are the states where they are most common. Snow leopards may hide amid rocky outcrops and ravines, allowing them to approach their prey undetected. Their gorgeous silvery fur with black markings helps them blend in with the mountain’s snowline and boulders. The snow leopard was an endangered species on the IUCN Red List until 2017. The species’ status was reclassified to vulnerable in 2017. In the woods of India, there are almost 450-500 snow leopards present.

• Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park, located in the picturesque region of Ladakh, is India’s biggest national park, covering 4,400 square kilometres. It is also recognized as South Asia’s largest national park.

A breeding population of roughly 200 snow leopards may be found in the park. The park is also home to a variety of other animals, including Tibetan wolves, red foxes, and Himalayan marmots.

The park is roughly 48 kilometres from the nearest airport in Leh. Jammu Tawi is the closest train station (712 km). Kalka (756 km) and Pathankot (756 km) are the closest railway stations (760 km).

Vehicles are not permitted to enter the park. Tourists may go trekking to take in the breathtaking scenery.

• Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park is a 500-square-kilometre park located 22 kilometres from Srinagar, the state capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Snow leopards, Kashmir stags, hill foxes, Himalayan serows, and Himalayan black bears are among the creatures found in the park.

The closest airport is in Srinagar, while the most convenient train station is in Jammu, which is 315 kilometres away from the park. Trekking is the greatest way to view the region.

• Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park, which is located in the Banjaar Sub-Division of the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, is divided into four valleys: Jiwa Nal Valley, Sainj Valley, Tirthan Valley, and Parvati Valley.

In 2014, UNESCO designated it as a “World Heritage Site.” This park is one of the greatest sites in India to see the beautiful snow leopards.

The nearest train station is Joginder Nagar near Mandi, which is around 143 kilometres distant from the park. The railroad track is small gauge. Trekking is the only way to see and appreciate the park’s natural splendour.

• Pin Valley National Park

This area is a chilly desert in the Himachal Pradesh district of Lahaul and Spiti. Many endangered creatures, such as the Snow leopard and Siberian ibex, call Pin Valley National Park home.

It also supports a diverse range of uncommon species, including Himalayan snowcocks, Snow partridges, and Chukar Partridges.

Tourists may get to the valley through Kaza from Manali. The nearest airport, roughly 250 kilometres from Kaza, is Bhuntar in the Kullu district. The nearest train station is in Mandi’s Joginder Nagar.

• Gangotri National Park

Gangotri National Park, located in Uttarkashi District in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal range, offers breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan glaciers and beautiful green meadows. The park is home of 15 animal and around 150 birds. The main draw of this location is the snow leopards.

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 220 kilometres from Uttarkashi. Dehradun, around 210 kilometres from the park, also has a train station.

• Valley of Flowers National Park

Valley of Flowers National Park is located in Uttarakhand’s North Chamoli district and has stunning vistas with cascading waterfalls and attractive alpine flower meadows.

It is one of India’s most popular national parks for seeing the beautiful snow leopards. This site is a delight for wildlife explorers and photographers, since it is home to some of the rarest and endangered creatures on the planet.

One can see Himalayan goral, Himalayan blue sheep (bharal), Asian black bear, and other high-altitude wildlife in addition to snow leopards. It is also said to be the location where Hanuman obtained Sanjeevani buti (a medicinal plant) in order to cure Lakshmana.

There are roughly 300 distinct species of alpine flowers in this high-altitude region.

• Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and is located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. It’s close to Nanda Devi, India’s second highest peak.

It was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. In the park, which is extraordinarily rich in flora, more than 300 floral species, including 17 unusual species, have been discovered.

The nearest airport is at Dehradun, which is around 295 kilometres away from the park. The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, which is 276 kilometres away.

The park’s entrance is at Lata village, about 23 kilometres from Joshimath.

Conclusion

There are a number of national parks where one can go and enjoy seeing snow leopards and get enthusiastic about the beauty of nature. These national parks are mainly located in the region of Himalayas.