Biodiversity | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Biodiversity
Biodiversity of Uttarakhand is rich because of the close relationship between
the religious, socio-cultural beliefs and conventions. The biodiversity of
Uttarakhand includes the sacred groves that exhibits a rich wealth of flora and
fauna and rare and threatened species of plants and animals. According to
scientific studies in the state 102 mammals, 600 of birds, 19 amphibians, 70
reptiles and 124 species of fish are found. In these above mentioned species
there are globally endangered species which consists of tiger (Panthera
tigers), Asian elephant (Elephus maximus), Guldar (Panthera pardus), Musk
deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Snow leopard (Panthera uncial), Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus) etc.
The state has the following uniqueness towards conservation of biological
diversity:
 Corbett National Park, established in 1936 is the first National Park of the
Asian Mainland
 Undivided U.P. was the first state in the country to establish a separate
Wildlife Preservation Organization as part of the Forest Department in
1956.
 Project Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park on 1
st
 April 1973.
 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1988 is India’s second
Biosphere Reserve.
 Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks are designated as
World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
 THE COUNTRY’S FIRST Conservation Reserves, Asan Wetland and
Jhilmil Tal were dedicated to the Nation by H.E., the President of India
on 14
th
 august,2005.
Page 2


Biodiversity
Biodiversity of Uttarakhand is rich because of the close relationship between
the religious, socio-cultural beliefs and conventions. The biodiversity of
Uttarakhand includes the sacred groves that exhibits a rich wealth of flora and
fauna and rare and threatened species of plants and animals. According to
scientific studies in the state 102 mammals, 600 of birds, 19 amphibians, 70
reptiles and 124 species of fish are found. In these above mentioned species
there are globally endangered species which consists of tiger (Panthera
tigers), Asian elephant (Elephus maximus), Guldar (Panthera pardus), Musk
deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Snow leopard (Panthera uncial), Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus) etc.
The state has the following uniqueness towards conservation of biological
diversity:
 Corbett National Park, established in 1936 is the first National Park of the
Asian Mainland
 Undivided U.P. was the first state in the country to establish a separate
Wildlife Preservation Organization as part of the Forest Department in
1956.
 Project Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park on 1
st
 April 1973.
 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1988 is India’s second
Biosphere Reserve.
 Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks are designated as
World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
 THE COUNTRY’S FIRST Conservation Reserves, Asan Wetland and
Jhilmil Tal were dedicated to the Nation by H.E., the President of India
on 14
th
 august,2005.
 Shiwalik Elephant Reserve which includes eleven forest divisions, two
national parks (Rajaji, Corbett) and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and
covering an area of about 5180 sq.km declared in 2002.
 An Anti poaching unit has been established for the prevention and control
of wildlife offences.
 The state Wildlife Advisory Board has been set up under the
Chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Minister.
 Uttarakhand, with the second highest tiger population in the country after
Karnataka, now has a second tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger
Reserve. The Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) has been notified by the
Government of India as the 48
th
 tiger reserve in country. The area
declared as the tiger reserve (1075.17 sq km) includes the 255.63 sq km
of the Rajaji National Park’s buffer zone.
PROTECTED AREA NETWORK
Uttarakhand is renowned for its unique bio-diversity. Due to geographic and
climatic diversity in different areas of the state different forest types are
found spanning from the Himalayas to the plains of the Terai. Due to
biodiversity present in state 12 percent of total geographical area is protected
areas which includes 6 National Park, 7 Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 Conservation
& 1 Biosphere Reserve. Uttarakhand is home to rare species of plants and
animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. National
parks in Uttarakhand include the Jim Corbett National Park (first national
park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, and Valley of Flowers
National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, which
together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of plant species in
the valley are internationally threatened, including several that have not been
recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park in Haridwar
Districtand Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary and Gangotri
National Park in Uttarkashi District are some other protected areas in the
state.
Page 3


Biodiversity
Biodiversity of Uttarakhand is rich because of the close relationship between
the religious, socio-cultural beliefs and conventions. The biodiversity of
Uttarakhand includes the sacred groves that exhibits a rich wealth of flora and
fauna and rare and threatened species of plants and animals. According to
scientific studies in the state 102 mammals, 600 of birds, 19 amphibians, 70
reptiles and 124 species of fish are found. In these above mentioned species
there are globally endangered species which consists of tiger (Panthera
tigers), Asian elephant (Elephus maximus), Guldar (Panthera pardus), Musk
deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Snow leopard (Panthera uncial), Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus) etc.
The state has the following uniqueness towards conservation of biological
diversity:
 Corbett National Park, established in 1936 is the first National Park of the
Asian Mainland
 Undivided U.P. was the first state in the country to establish a separate
Wildlife Preservation Organization as part of the Forest Department in
1956.
 Project Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park on 1
st
 April 1973.
 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1988 is India’s second
Biosphere Reserve.
 Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks are designated as
World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
 THE COUNTRY’S FIRST Conservation Reserves, Asan Wetland and
Jhilmil Tal were dedicated to the Nation by H.E., the President of India
on 14
th
 august,2005.
 Shiwalik Elephant Reserve which includes eleven forest divisions, two
national parks (Rajaji, Corbett) and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and
covering an area of about 5180 sq.km declared in 2002.
 An Anti poaching unit has been established for the prevention and control
of wildlife offences.
 The state Wildlife Advisory Board has been set up under the
Chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Minister.
 Uttarakhand, with the second highest tiger population in the country after
Karnataka, now has a second tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger
Reserve. The Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) has been notified by the
Government of India as the 48
th
 tiger reserve in country. The area
declared as the tiger reserve (1075.17 sq km) includes the 255.63 sq km
of the Rajaji National Park’s buffer zone.
PROTECTED AREA NETWORK
Uttarakhand is renowned for its unique bio-diversity. Due to geographic and
climatic diversity in different areas of the state different forest types are
found spanning from the Himalayas to the plains of the Terai. Due to
biodiversity present in state 12 percent of total geographical area is protected
areas which includes 6 National Park, 7 Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 Conservation
& 1 Biosphere Reserve. Uttarakhand is home to rare species of plants and
animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. National
parks in Uttarakhand include the Jim Corbett National Park (first national
park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, and Valley of Flowers
National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, which
together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of plant species in
the valley are internationally threatened, including several that have not been
recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park in Haridwar
Districtand Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary and Gangotri
National Park in Uttarkashi District are some other protected areas in the
state.
 
Uttarakhand has 1 Biospheric Reserve 6 National Park and 7 Wildlife
Sanctuary and 4 Conservation Reserve, whose details are as follows:
Nanda-Devi Biospheric Reserve- This is a UNESCO recognized world
heritage site and a biospheric reserve of international repute. Among wildlife
Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Bharal, Monal and many species of plants and
trees are found here. Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi
National Park in Chamoli District, which together are a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Corbett National Park- it was established on 8
th
 August 1936 as Halley
National Park. It falls in subhumid to dry tropical deciduous vegetation zone
of Bhabar and Shivalik hills. Important species of trees and plants include
Sal, Jamun, sheesham and various types of grasses and bushes. Important
wild animal species include Tiger, Elephant, Sambhar, Deer, Boar, Crocodile,
Python and alligator. Among birds Black- necked Stork, Brown Fish Owl,
Coloured Falconette, Eagle, Palla Fishing Eagle etc are significant. This park
has highest tiger density and number of tigers increased from 215 in 2014 to
260 in 2019. In 2019, the State govt. decided to introduce rhino from Bengal
and Assam into the National Park. Due to continuous increase in Tiger
population, NTCA in September 2020, allowed to increase size of the tiger
reserve from the current 1288 sq.m to 1293.45 sq.m.
Rajaji National Park- Also a Tiger Reserve having Tropical moist to dry
deciduous vegetation, with Sal, Seesham, Khair, Kharpat, Bakli, Pine, Rohini
Amaltas etc as important vegetations.
Page 4


Biodiversity
Biodiversity of Uttarakhand is rich because of the close relationship between
the religious, socio-cultural beliefs and conventions. The biodiversity of
Uttarakhand includes the sacred groves that exhibits a rich wealth of flora and
fauna and rare and threatened species of plants and animals. According to
scientific studies in the state 102 mammals, 600 of birds, 19 amphibians, 70
reptiles and 124 species of fish are found. In these above mentioned species
there are globally endangered species which consists of tiger (Panthera
tigers), Asian elephant (Elephus maximus), Guldar (Panthera pardus), Musk
deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Snow leopard (Panthera uncial), Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus) etc.
The state has the following uniqueness towards conservation of biological
diversity:
 Corbett National Park, established in 1936 is the first National Park of the
Asian Mainland
 Undivided U.P. was the first state in the country to establish a separate
Wildlife Preservation Organization as part of the Forest Department in
1956.
 Project Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park on 1
st
 April 1973.
 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1988 is India’s second
Biosphere Reserve.
 Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks are designated as
World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
 THE COUNTRY’S FIRST Conservation Reserves, Asan Wetland and
Jhilmil Tal were dedicated to the Nation by H.E., the President of India
on 14
th
 august,2005.
 Shiwalik Elephant Reserve which includes eleven forest divisions, two
national parks (Rajaji, Corbett) and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and
covering an area of about 5180 sq.km declared in 2002.
 An Anti poaching unit has been established for the prevention and control
of wildlife offences.
 The state Wildlife Advisory Board has been set up under the
Chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Minister.
 Uttarakhand, with the second highest tiger population in the country after
Karnataka, now has a second tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger
Reserve. The Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) has been notified by the
Government of India as the 48
th
 tiger reserve in country. The area
declared as the tiger reserve (1075.17 sq km) includes the 255.63 sq km
of the Rajaji National Park’s buffer zone.
PROTECTED AREA NETWORK
Uttarakhand is renowned for its unique bio-diversity. Due to geographic and
climatic diversity in different areas of the state different forest types are
found spanning from the Himalayas to the plains of the Terai. Due to
biodiversity present in state 12 percent of total geographical area is protected
areas which includes 6 National Park, 7 Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 Conservation
& 1 Biosphere Reserve. Uttarakhand is home to rare species of plants and
animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. National
parks in Uttarakhand include the Jim Corbett National Park (first national
park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, and Valley of Flowers
National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, which
together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of plant species in
the valley are internationally threatened, including several that have not been
recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park in Haridwar
Districtand Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary and Gangotri
National Park in Uttarkashi District are some other protected areas in the
state.
 
Uttarakhand has 1 Biospheric Reserve 6 National Park and 7 Wildlife
Sanctuary and 4 Conservation Reserve, whose details are as follows:
Nanda-Devi Biospheric Reserve- This is a UNESCO recognized world
heritage site and a biospheric reserve of international repute. Among wildlife
Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Bharal, Monal and many species of plants and
trees are found here. Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi
National Park in Chamoli District, which together are a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Corbett National Park- it was established on 8
th
 August 1936 as Halley
National Park. It falls in subhumid to dry tropical deciduous vegetation zone
of Bhabar and Shivalik hills. Important species of trees and plants include
Sal, Jamun, sheesham and various types of grasses and bushes. Important
wild animal species include Tiger, Elephant, Sambhar, Deer, Boar, Crocodile,
Python and alligator. Among birds Black- necked Stork, Brown Fish Owl,
Coloured Falconette, Eagle, Palla Fishing Eagle etc are significant. This park
has highest tiger density and number of tigers increased from 215 in 2014 to
260 in 2019. In 2019, the State govt. decided to introduce rhino from Bengal
and Assam into the National Park. Due to continuous increase in Tiger
population, NTCA in September 2020, allowed to increase size of the tiger
reserve from the current 1288 sq.m to 1293.45 sq.m.
Rajaji National Park- Also a Tiger Reserve having Tropical moist to dry
deciduous vegetation, with Sal, Seesham, Khair, Kharpat, Bakli, Pine, Rohini
Amaltas etc as important vegetations.
Nanda Devi National Park- Established in 1982, includes Bhojpatra,
Buckwheat, Spruce, Burans as important vegetation. Among wildlife Bharal
(Himalayan Blue Sheep), Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr etc are
important.
Valley of Flowers National Park- It is a high altitude park with alpine
vegetation. It mainly has alpine pastures. Musk Deer, Bharal (Blue Sheep),
Leopard, Himalayan Bear are important wildlife species found here.
Although the region was travelled by inhabitants, hermits and sages for
centuries, In 1931, a British Mountaineer S Smyth reached here in search of
his lost associates and wrote a book titled Valley Of Flowers and brought this
beautiful place into global fame. UNESCO included this in the list of World
Heritage Sites in 2005.
Gangotri National Park- A high altitude national park with temperate to
alpine vegetation having Himalayan Bear, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Bharal
as main wild animals and Koklas, Monal, Snow Cock, Tragopan Pheasant etc
as main birds.
Govind National Park/ Wildlife Sanctuary - This is also a high altitude
national park with temperate, sub-alpine to alpine vegetation, and is habitat of
animals like Musk Deer, Leopard, Bharal, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan
Brown and Black Bear etc. and Monal, Koklas, ragopan, snow cock as
important birds.
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary- This is spread over Kedar valley of
Rudraprayag district, and in Chamoli district, having temperate to subalpine
vegetation with Baanj, Buransh, Kharsu, Pangar, Spruce, Tun, Moru as main
trees and main animals found as Snow Leopard, Ghral, Leopard, Sambhar,
Himalayan Black and Brown Bear, Musk Dear, Tahr, Ghural, Barking Deer.
Important species of birds found here are Golden eagle, Koklas, Chakor
Coolidge etc.
Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary- It is a temperate vegetation dominated WS
with Devdar, Pine, Kail, Bamboo, Buransh etc as main vegetation species.
Among wildlife animals Boar, Bear, Leopard, Monkey, Porcupine, Langur,
Ghural, Bharal etc are important. Among birds Titar, Bater, Wild Cock, Grey
Patridge are important.
Askot Wildlife Sanctuary- in this WS Snow Tiger, Bear, Bharal, Tahr,
Musk Deer, Snow Bear are found. Among birds Koklas, Tragopan, Titar,
Snow Cock are important.
Page 5


Biodiversity
Biodiversity of Uttarakhand is rich because of the close relationship between
the religious, socio-cultural beliefs and conventions. The biodiversity of
Uttarakhand includes the sacred groves that exhibits a rich wealth of flora and
fauna and rare and threatened species of plants and animals. According to
scientific studies in the state 102 mammals, 600 of birds, 19 amphibians, 70
reptiles and 124 species of fish are found. In these above mentioned species
there are globally endangered species which consists of tiger (Panthera
tigers), Asian elephant (Elephus maximus), Guldar (Panthera pardus), Musk
deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Snow leopard (Panthera uncial), Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus) etc.
The state has the following uniqueness towards conservation of biological
diversity:
 Corbett National Park, established in 1936 is the first National Park of the
Asian Mainland
 Undivided U.P. was the first state in the country to establish a separate
Wildlife Preservation Organization as part of the Forest Department in
1956.
 Project Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park on 1
st
 April 1973.
 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1988 is India’s second
Biosphere Reserve.
 Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks are designated as
World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
 THE COUNTRY’S FIRST Conservation Reserves, Asan Wetland and
Jhilmil Tal were dedicated to the Nation by H.E., the President of India
on 14
th
 august,2005.
 Shiwalik Elephant Reserve which includes eleven forest divisions, two
national parks (Rajaji, Corbett) and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and
covering an area of about 5180 sq.km declared in 2002.
 An Anti poaching unit has been established for the prevention and control
of wildlife offences.
 The state Wildlife Advisory Board has been set up under the
Chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Minister.
 Uttarakhand, with the second highest tiger population in the country after
Karnataka, now has a second tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger
Reserve. The Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) has been notified by the
Government of India as the 48
th
 tiger reserve in country. The area
declared as the tiger reserve (1075.17 sq km) includes the 255.63 sq km
of the Rajaji National Park’s buffer zone.
PROTECTED AREA NETWORK
Uttarakhand is renowned for its unique bio-diversity. Due to geographic and
climatic diversity in different areas of the state different forest types are
found spanning from the Himalayas to the plains of the Terai. Due to
biodiversity present in state 12 percent of total geographical area is protected
areas which includes 6 National Park, 7 Wildlife Sanctuary, 4 Conservation
& 1 Biosphere Reserve. Uttarakhand is home to rare species of plants and
animals, many of which are protected by sanctuaries and reserves. National
parks in Uttarakhand include the Jim Corbett National Park (first national
park of India) at Ramnagar in Nainital District, and Valley of Flowers
National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, which
together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A number of plant species in
the valley are internationally threatened, including several that have not been
recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand. Rajaji National Park in Haridwar
Districtand Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary and Gangotri
National Park in Uttarkashi District are some other protected areas in the
state.
 
Uttarakhand has 1 Biospheric Reserve 6 National Park and 7 Wildlife
Sanctuary and 4 Conservation Reserve, whose details are as follows:
Nanda-Devi Biospheric Reserve- This is a UNESCO recognized world
heritage site and a biospheric reserve of international repute. Among wildlife
Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Bharal, Monal and many species of plants and
trees are found here. Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi
National Park in Chamoli District, which together are a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Corbett National Park- it was established on 8
th
 August 1936 as Halley
National Park. It falls in subhumid to dry tropical deciduous vegetation zone
of Bhabar and Shivalik hills. Important species of trees and plants include
Sal, Jamun, sheesham and various types of grasses and bushes. Important
wild animal species include Tiger, Elephant, Sambhar, Deer, Boar, Crocodile,
Python and alligator. Among birds Black- necked Stork, Brown Fish Owl,
Coloured Falconette, Eagle, Palla Fishing Eagle etc are significant. This park
has highest tiger density and number of tigers increased from 215 in 2014 to
260 in 2019. In 2019, the State govt. decided to introduce rhino from Bengal
and Assam into the National Park. Due to continuous increase in Tiger
population, NTCA in September 2020, allowed to increase size of the tiger
reserve from the current 1288 sq.m to 1293.45 sq.m.
Rajaji National Park- Also a Tiger Reserve having Tropical moist to dry
deciduous vegetation, with Sal, Seesham, Khair, Kharpat, Bakli, Pine, Rohini
Amaltas etc as important vegetations.
Nanda Devi National Park- Established in 1982, includes Bhojpatra,
Buckwheat, Spruce, Burans as important vegetation. Among wildlife Bharal
(Himalayan Blue Sheep), Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr etc are
important.
Valley of Flowers National Park- It is a high altitude park with alpine
vegetation. It mainly has alpine pastures. Musk Deer, Bharal (Blue Sheep),
Leopard, Himalayan Bear are important wildlife species found here.
Although the region was travelled by inhabitants, hermits and sages for
centuries, In 1931, a British Mountaineer S Smyth reached here in search of
his lost associates and wrote a book titled Valley Of Flowers and brought this
beautiful place into global fame. UNESCO included this in the list of World
Heritage Sites in 2005.
Gangotri National Park- A high altitude national park with temperate to
alpine vegetation having Himalayan Bear, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Bharal
as main wild animals and Koklas, Monal, Snow Cock, Tragopan Pheasant etc
as main birds.
Govind National Park/ Wildlife Sanctuary - This is also a high altitude
national park with temperate, sub-alpine to alpine vegetation, and is habitat of
animals like Musk Deer, Leopard, Bharal, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan
Brown and Black Bear etc. and Monal, Koklas, ragopan, snow cock as
important birds.
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary- This is spread over Kedar valley of
Rudraprayag district, and in Chamoli district, having temperate to subalpine
vegetation with Baanj, Buransh, Kharsu, Pangar, Spruce, Tun, Moru as main
trees and main animals found as Snow Leopard, Ghral, Leopard, Sambhar,
Himalayan Black and Brown Bear, Musk Dear, Tahr, Ghural, Barking Deer.
Important species of birds found here are Golden eagle, Koklas, Chakor
Coolidge etc.
Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary- It is a temperate vegetation dominated WS
with Devdar, Pine, Kail, Bamboo, Buransh etc as main vegetation species.
Among wildlife animals Boar, Bear, Leopard, Monkey, Porcupine, Langur,
Ghural, Bharal etc are important. Among birds Titar, Bater, Wild Cock, Grey
Patridge are important.
Askot Wildlife Sanctuary- in this WS Snow Tiger, Bear, Bharal, Tahr,
Musk Deer, Snow Bear are found. Among birds Koklas, Tragopan, Titar,
Snow Cock are important.
Name Category Location
Area
(sq.km)
Year of
Establishment
NandaDevi
Biospheric
Reserve
Chamoli, Pithoragarh,
Bageshwar
5860.69 1988
NandaDevi
National
Park
Chamoli 624.60 1982
Valleyof
Flowers
National
Park
Chamoli 87.50 1982
Gangotri
National
Park
Uttarkashi 2390.02 1989
Govind
National
Park
Uttarkashi 472.08 1990
Rajaji
National
Park
Dehradun,Haridwar,Pauri
Garhwal
820.42 1983
Corbett
National
Park
Pauri Garhwal, Nainital 520.82 1936
Govind
Wildlife
Santuary
Uttarkashi 485.89 1955
Kedarnath
Wildlife
Santuary
Chamoli, Rudraprayag 975.20 1972
Sona Nadi
Wildlife
Santuary
Pauri Garhwal 301.18 1987
Mussoorie
Wildlife
Santuary
Dehradun 10.82 1993
Binsar
Wildlife
Santuary
Almora 47.0 1988
Nandhaur
Wildlife
Santuary
Nainital, Champawat 269.76 2012
Askot
Wildlife
Santuary
Pithoragarh 599.93 1972