Nanda devi biosphere reserve

The NDBR is situated in the state of Uttarakhand. It spreads over the three districts of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. It lies between 79o 13? E to 80o17? E longitudes and 31o04? N to 30o06? N latitude. The altitude ranges from 1800 meters to 7817 meters. The Lata village has the entrance to the park. The park is surrounded by peaks from every side except the west where the Rishi Ganga Gorge is located.

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Geographical landscape

The topography of this region is varying. The gentle and flat slopes of the Tibetan Plateau are towards the north of the Reserve. Most of the region is like a typical Himalayan terrain and slope. The main characteristics of this region are a very steep slope, ridges, deep gorges, and high peaks. The NDBR is a part of the Great Himalaya, Zaskar range and the Trans-Himalayan region.

The climate is the main reason why the vegetation and wildlife flourish in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The climate is dry most of the year, while in monsoon; the region experiences heavy rainfall from June end to the beginning of September. The region is covered with snow in October to March. It snows heavily in the southern region of the valley compared to the northern side. In the summers the temperature is between 10oC to 23oC, while in the winters the temperature can stoop lower than 0oC and can go into negative.

Since the winters have an extreme temperature, the ideal time to visit NDBR would be in April to June. The weather is pleasant, with the sun showing its grace and warming up the place just right. This is the time when you'll get to see most of the animals. Even the month of October is a good month to travel to the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

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Nearby wildlife sanctuaries

• Jim Corbett National Park

• Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

• Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary

• Pin Valley National Park

• Kishtwar National Park

• Deosai National Park

• Gangotri National Park

• Rajaji National Park

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The Flora

There are around 800 species of plants and five vegetation zones in the NDBR. The five types of forests are the Temperate Forests, the Sub Alpine Forests, Alpine Scrubland, Alpine Meadows, and the Moraines. There are around 17 rare floral species found in this region. The common trees found here are Birch, Juniper, Rhododendron, Fir, etc. You will also find grasses, mosses, lichen, and juniper scrubs dominate this area. Flowers like the orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones carpet the ground.

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The Fauna

The topography of the region makes the region habitable for a variety of animal species. The best part about a Wildlife Reserve is the Wildlife, the animals, the birds and the rare species of plants and trees found there. Multiple surveys conducted in the reserves have revealed that there are around 18 important wildlife species dwelling here.

Mammals found in NDBR ? Himalayan Black bear, Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Serow, Leopards, Bharal (blue sheep), Common Langur, Goral, Brown Bear, Rhesus Macaque, Red fox, Snow Leopard, etc.
Birds spotted in NDBR ? Grosbeaks, Rosefinches, Crested Black Tit, Ruby Throat, Blue-fronted Redstart, Indian Tree Pipit, Common Rosefinch, Nutcracker, Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher, Warblers, Orange Flanked Bush Robin, Vinaceous Breasted Pipit, etc.