The state of Uttar Pradesh, boasts a fascinating variety of flora and fauna. Wildlife abounds all over the state, and special areas, national parks and sanctuaries have been created to protect the various species and to enable tourists to view them in their natural surroundings.

Kedarnath Sanctuary

The Kedarnath Sanctuary was founded in 1972 on 967 sq. kms of the Garhwal Himalayas. The wonderful stretch of the Himalayas command a magnificent view of mountains and valleys, forests and grasslands, exotic butterflies and flowers. The Garhwal Himalayas contain some of the highest peaks in India. It is the source of the great Ganga and Yamuna rivers, houses the sacred Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines as well as forest reserves. Some of the interesting residents of the sanctuary are the snow leopard, leopard, tahr, serow, snow cock and musk deer. Khaleej and monal pheasants are some of the feathered inhabitants.    

How to get there

Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.
Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315 kms away.
Road: The road distances from Kedarnath are: Rambara 6 kms, Gaurikund 15 kms, Soneprayag 20 kms, Guptkashi 49 kms, Kund 54 kms, Tilwara 83 kms, Rudraprayag 92 kms, Chopta 89 kms, Mandal 117 kms and Chamoli 138 kms.Ponies, dandis and porters are available at Gaurikund, the starting point of the 15 kms trek to Kedarnath. Gaurikund is connected by direct bus services to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.

Valley of Flowers National Park

This gorgeous valley in the Himalayas, with the greatest concentration of exotic wild flower species, was established in 1982. The park spans an area of 87.5 sq. kms and is perched on the upper reaches of the Bhyundia Ganga of Chamoli district of Garhwal.
      The Valley of Flowers was discovered by accident, by an English mountaineer, Frank Smythe, while on an expedition to Mt. Kamet. The Pushpawati river flows by the valley while the awesome Rataban peak forms a spectacular backdrop.The park boasts more than 300 species of wild flowers like the Himalayan blue poppy, snake city, white and yellow anemones, daisy, calendula and dianthus. A wide variety of butterflies, snow leopard, brown and Himalayan black bears, tahr, musk deer, bharal and serow are the other attractions of the national park.
     The park can only be visited during the day and overnight stay is prohibited. 

How to get there

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315 kms approx.
Rail: The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh.
Road: Off the Rishikesh-Badrinath road, 16 kms from Govindghat (24 kms from Badrinath). Buses are available to Govindghat. From Govindghat the distance has to be trekked. 

BThe Nanda Devi National Park has a intriguing combination of flora and fauna. The park is spread over 630 sq. kms, in the vicinity of Nanda Devi Peak (25, 765 ft/7816 mts.), India's second highest mountain. This park was founded in 1980.
    The wildlife to be found in the park include snow leopard, brown and Himalayan black bears, bharal, Himalayan tahr, serow, monal and chir pheasants.

How to get there

Road: Nearest roadhead is Lata, 30 kms from Joshimath, also connected by bus services. Joshimath is linked by road to Rishikesh and other centres in the region.
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 315 kms (approx).

Askot Sanctuary is located in the sylvan surroundings of Pithoragarh. Pithoragarh (5412 ft), nestling amidst the beautiful Kumaon Himalayas, is often called 'Miniature Kashmir'.
   Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, bharal, tahr, snow cock, monal, chir and koklas, pheasants and chukor are the major highlights of the sancuary.  

How to get there

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
Rail: The nearest railhead is Tanakpur, 151 kms.
Road: Askot is accessible by road via Tanakpur - Pithoragarh or via Haldwani - Almora.

Situated at the edge of the sprawling Dehradun valley, the Rajaji National Park was founded in 1966 and spreads over an area of about 820 sq. kms. Nestling amidst a lush valley of the Shivalik ranges, Dehradun is an ideal holiday resort with its many picnic spots and excursion sites. 
  The park offers wonderful opportunities for viewing the wild in their natural habitat. The wildlife here includes elephant, tiger, panther, bear, chital, sambar, wild boar, kakar, python, monitor lizard and a wide variety of avian fauna.

When to go
The tourist season is from November to June.

How to get there

Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 24 kms.
Rail: Nearest railhead is at Haridwar (55 kms) and Dehradun (24 kms).
Road: The national park is 220 kms. from Delhi and 510 kms from Lucknow.

Among the lush surroundings of the Uttarkashi district is the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary. Uttarkashi, with its magnificent snowclad peaks and glaciers, is believed to be one of the most beautiful towns in the Garhwal region. The sanctuary was established in 1955 and sprawls over an area of 953 sq. kms. including mountains like Swarg Rohini, Black Peak and Bandarpunch. The Har-ki-Dun is famous for its emerald greenery and is a popular destination for trekkers.
     The wildlife population includes the snow leopard, brown and Himalayan black bears, tahr, bharal, musk deer, serow, monal, trogopan chir, koklas and khaleej pheasants and chukor.

How to get there

Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 195 kms.
Road: Accessible by road via Rishikesh - Uttarkashi or via Mussoorie - Purola - Saur. Bus services are available upto Uttarkashi, Purola, Naitwar and Saur-Sankri.
Rail: The nearest railhead is Dehradun, 195 kms.

The Hastinapur sanctuary is home to the swamp deer, chital, nilgai, wolf, leopard, hyena, gharial and wild boar.

How to get there
Rail: Nearest railhead is Meerut, 30 kms
Road: Hastinapur on National Highway No. 45 is connected by road to all parts of the state.