Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary National Park

Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary is a protected area in Uttarakhand in the Garhwal Himalaya of northern India, established to conserve high-altitude alpine and subalpine ecosystems. It is significant for protecting rare Himalayan fauna and for its alpine valleys and meadows.

The area includes high mountain valleys used for trekking and pilgrimage and supports species adapted to cold, high-elevation environments. It lies in a landscape of glaciers, ridges and mountain rivers and is managed as a combination of national park and wildlife sanctuary for both conservation and regulated public access.

The protected area was created by the Government of India and state authorities to safeguard wildlife and habitats in the upper catchments of the Garhwal Himalaya; over time it has been managed to balance conservation with traditional and recreational uses. It lies close to other protected sites in the region and is part of a larger network of Himalayan conservation areas.

Geographically the park sits in Uttarakhand’s high mountain zone of the Garhwal range. Trailheads and small settlements at lower elevations provide access to the park’s trekking routes and alpine zones.

• Seasonal access: Summers are the primary season for trekking and alpine meadows; heavy snowfall makes much of the area inaccessible in winter.
• Key wildlife: The protected area conserves high-altitude species such as Himalayan musk deer and snow leopard in the Garhwal Himalaya.

What to See#

• Valley and trekking areas: A recognised high-altitude valley system that lies adjacent to or near Valley of Flowers National Park and its trekking routes, used by visitors for alpine trekking and pilgrimage access.
• Park and sanctuary: A designation covering both a national park and an associated sanctuary intended to conserve alpine and subalpine habitats and their wildlife.

Access is typically from towns in Uttarakhand such as Uttarkashi or Chamoli, followed by local roads and trekking routes. Due to rugged terrain, hiring local guides and arranging permits through the forest department is recommended.

• Hire local guides for wildlife and trekking routes: altitudinal range is large and access can be complex.
• Altitude acclimatization is essential if trekking; many valleys exceed 3,000 m.
• Check park regulations: some areas have restricted access to protect species such as the Himalayan tahr and musk deer.