Gran Valira

Great Himalayan National Park is a large protected area in Himachal Pradesh, India, established to conserve Himalayan biodiversity and mountain ecosystems. It is recognised for its range of altitudes and species richness.

The park offers multi-day trekking routes through mixed forest, subalpine meadows and high alpine zones, with rich birdlife and mammal species across an altitude gradient. Trails and shepherd paths connect villages in the Tirthan valley with higher pastures and remote alpine habitats used for nature-based tourism and research.

The protected area was created in the late 20th century to conserve the diverse Himalayan flora and fauna and to regulate grazing and resource use; it was later recognised under UNESCO for its natural values. Ongoing conservation work focuses on habitat protection, sustainable tourism and community engagement.

The park sits in the Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, occupying remote mountain terrain and valleys in the central Himalaya; nearest major transport hubs are in the Kullu-Manali region.

• UNESCO status: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Western Himalaya" serial nomination, recognised for its high biodiversity and intact mountain ecosystems.

What to See #

• Tirthan Valley: The Tirthan Valley forms the principal access corridor for visitors and contains several trailheads, villages and conservation-oriented lodges.
• Core protected zone: The park's core contains remote alpine habitats and riverine forests where many of the region's endemic and rare species are concentrated.