About Govind Pashu Vihar National Park

Explore a spectacular high-altitude sanctuary in Uttarkashi, globally renowned for endangered Snow Leopards and world-class Himalayan trekking.

Established in 1955 in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary spans a massive 958 sq. km of pristine mountain wilderness. Dominated by rugged peaks, deep valleys, and sprawling alpine meadows, this park is a highly critical conservation area and a central pillar of India's prestigious Project Snow Leopard.

The Heart of Project Snow Leopard

The sanctuary was primarily created to protect the fragile high-altitude ecosystem and its most elusive resident, the Snow Leopard. The varied terrain—transitioning from broadleaf forests in the lower valleys to dense conifer woodlands and sweeping alpine pastures at higher elevations—provides a perfect, undisturbed habitat for some of the rarest Himalayan wildlife.

Wildlife & Alpine Bird Watching

While exploring the deep valleys enriched by the pristine Tons River (a major tributary of the Yamuna), wildlife enthusiasts and trekkers have an excellent opportunity to spot a highly diverse range of fauna:

• Apex Predators: The elusive Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, and the Asiatic Black Bear.
• Mountain Herbivores: The endangered Himalayan Musk Deer, Bharal (Blue Sheep), and Himalayan Tahr.
• Exotic Avian Life: The spectacularly colorful Himalayan Monal (the state bird of Uttarakhand), Snow Partridges, and majestic Golden Eagles.

A Trekking Paradise: Har Ki Dun & Kedarkantha

Beyond its rich biodiversity, the park is world-renowned among adventure seekers as the ultimate basecamp for some of India's most iconic Himalayan expeditions. It serves as the official gateway to the mythical Har Ki Dun valley, the breathtaking high-altitude Ruinsara Tal, and the immensely popular winter trekking paradise of Kedarkantha. Trekking through Govind Pashu Vihar offers an unmatched blend of thrilling alpine adventure and raw, untouched wildlife exploration.