Valley of Flowers National Park

Encompassed with the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (223,674 ha) which is further surrounded by a buffer zone (5,148.57 km²) included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2004.The valley is generously gifted by mother nature with hundreds of different flowers, taking on various shades of colours at different times of the year. Though the valley was declared a national park in 1982 it now holds the status of a World Heritage Site. Though thought to be discovered by the British just a decade prior to independence ,the locals always knew of the existence of the valley, and believed that it was inhabited by fairies.

The valley is home to many celebrated flowers like the Brahmakamal, the Blue Poppy and the Cobra Lily. It is a much sought after haunt for flower-lovers, botanists and trekkers.

The Valley of Flowers is internationally important on account of its diverse alpine flora, The rich diversity of species reflects the valley’s location within a transition zone between the Zaskar and Great Himalayas ranges to the north and south, respectively, and between the Eastern Himalaya and Western Himalaya flora. A number of plant species are internationally threatened, several have not been recorded from elsewhere in Uttarakhand.

The park is inhabited by Tahr, Snow leopard, Musk deer, Red fox, Common langur, Bharal, Serow, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Pika (Mouse hare) and a big variety of butterflies. Among the avifauna are, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal, Snow Pigeon, Sparrow Hawk etc.

Known the world over for its flowers, some of the flowers growing on the Valley of flowers, and their flowering seasons are listed below!