Discover the Wilderness of the Himalayas: Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve [MAP] [2023]

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in the Himalayan Mountains in the northern part of India in Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO recognised Biosphere reserve under Man & Biosphere Programme. The snow-clad peaks, along with the presence of over 30 glaciers and rare and endangered species of animals and birds, deep and vast valleys, meadows and rivers, makes the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve unique.

Peaks and Rivers in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Districts and Area of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Core Areas of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Nanda Devi Sanctuary

Communities in and around Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

• Surface: 6407.03 Sq. Km.
• Core area(s): 712.12 Sq. Km.
• Buffer zone(s): 5148.57 Sq. Km.
• Transition zone(s): 546.34 Sq. Km.

The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve covers a total area of 6407.03 square kilometers, including a core area of 712.12 square kilometers, buffer zones of 5148.57 square kilometers, and transition zones of 546.34 square kilometers. UNESCO designated it as a biosphere reserve in 2004. The reserve is dispersed across three districts of Uttarakhand: Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. Located in the northern part of the country, the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Himalayan Mountains.

The reserve has two core zones: the Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flower National Park, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The reserve has remained mostly undisturbed due to its inaccessibility. It boasts snow-clad peaks with over 30 glaciers, charismatic animals and birds, deep and vast valleys, meadows, and rivers, as well as the unique culture of the native communities.

The Valley of Flowers National Park, located inside the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. The reserve is a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and the Great Himalayas. These National Parks encompass the catchment area of the Alaknanda River and its tributaries, including Rishi Ganga, Dhauli Ganga, Pushwapati, and Khir Ganga.

Numerous peaks line the northern boundary of the core zone of the Nanda Devi National Park, including Nanda Devi East (7434 m), Trishul (7120 m), Dunagiri (7066 m), Kalanka (6934 m), Changbang (6864 m), and Nanda Ghungti (6368 m). Nanda Devi West Peak (7817 m) is also located within the Nanda Devi National Park.

The reserve’s altitudinal range is extensive, spanning from 1800 to 7817 meters, dominated by the peak of Nanda Devi. The unique topography, climate, soil, and biogeographical location of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve give rise to diverse habitats. Many ecologically and economically important species, as well as unique communities and ecosystems, are part of this reserve.

The diverse topography of the area leads to distinctive micro-climates. The forest composition changes across the altitudinal gradient, starting from dry deciduous woods in the lower elevations to alpine meadows above the wood line. The alpine vegetation of the reserve mainly comprises herbaceous species and scrub communities, such as Rhododendron campanulatum, R. anthopogon, and Salix denticulata.

The reserve has a high percentage of native and endemic species compared to non-native species.

Buffer Zones and Transition Area of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Fauna

Several endangered mammal species find refuge in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve such as:

Wildlife in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Detail about the two national parks within the Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve:

Ecotourism in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

There are two core zones in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, namely Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flower National Park. Both these National Parks are also designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lets learn about them now,

Nanda Devi National Park

• Area: 624.60 Sq. Km.
• It was established in 1982.
• The Nanda Devi National Park is situated near Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest mountain (7816 meters) in Uttarakhand.
• Together with the nearby Valley of Flowers National Park to the northwest, Nanda Devi National Park declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.
• Nanda Devi National Park covers an area of 624 sq. Km. and along with Valley of Flowers National Park, it forms the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2004.
• Within the Nanda Devi National Park lies the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, a glacial basin surrounded by peaks of height between 6,000 metres and 7,500 metres.
• This Park is drained by the river Rishi Ganga through the Rishi Ganga gorge, one of the deepest in the world.

Fauna

• Himalayan musk deer
• Mainland serow
• Himalayan tahr
• Snow leopard
• Himalayan black bear.

Flora

• Meadows of alpine flowers
• Fir
• Birch
• Rhododendron
• Juniper

Valley of Flowers National Park

• Area: 87 Sq. Km.
• Located in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand
• Valley of Flowers National Park is set in the backdrop of the mighty Himalayan Ranges.
• Valley of Flowers National Park is a world heritage site. The valley is situated in a very remarkable area, the conjunction point of Western and Eastern Himalayas.            
• The National Park lies entirely in the temperate alpine zone.

Fauna

The density of wild animals in the valley is not very high, but most of the animals found are rare or endangered; some example are:

• Red giant flying squirrel
• Himalayan black bear
• red fox
• Himalayan weasel
• Himalayan yellow-throated marten
• Himalayan goral,
• musk deer
• Himalayan tahr
• Serow
• Goral
• Bharal blue sheep

Flora

• Orchids
• Poppies
• Primulas
• Marigold
• Daisies
• Anemones

Conclusion

Other information about Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

If you want to Learn more about Nanda Devi biosphere reserve refer to the UNESCO website