Hemis National Park or Hemis High Altitude National Park is high altitutde national park in the eastern Ladakh region and covers an area of 600 sq. kms and is famous for Snow Leopard, Asiatic ibex, Argali (Great Tibetian Sheep).
The park was founded in 1981 by protecting the Rumbak and Markha catchments, an area of about 600 km2 (230 sq mi). It grew in 1988 to around 3,350 km2 (1,290 sq mi), by incorporating neighboring lands.[2] It increased again in 1990 to 4,400 km2 (1,700 sq mi),[3] and is the largest national park in South Asia.
The park houses numerous Tibetan gompas and holy chortens within its boundaries. These include the famous 400-year-old Hemis Monastery. Hemis was a destination and via point on the silk routes of Tibet. Over 1,600 people live inside the park presently, with a large number of tourists and pilgrims visiting during the Hemis Tsechu festival.
The park is home to a viable breeding population of about 200 snow leopards, especially in the Rumbak catchment area. The prey base for the apex predator in the Central Asian Highlands is primarily supported in Hemis by Argali (Great Tibetan Sheep), Bharal (Blue Sheep), Shapu (Ladakhi Urial), and livestock. A small population of the Asiatic Ibex is also present in Hemis. Hemis is the only refuge in India containing the Shapu.
This region is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, and does not receive much precipitation. Hence, dry forests of juniper, Populus – Salix forests, subalpine dry birch – fir are present at lower altitudes. You will find alpine and steppe trees predominantly at Hemis High National Park. These trees and shrubs are spread across the valley bottoms. Since the upper mountain slopes are moist, this area is characterized by alpine vegetation including: Anemone, Gentiana, Thallctrwn, Lloydia, Veronica, Delphinum, Care.x and Kobresia. The other parts of the park support steppe vegetation which is dominated by Caragana, Artemisia, Stachys, and Ephedra, present along the lower river courses.
Hemis National Park flora and fauna of Hemis National Park. Hemis National Park is a beautiful place, located in the eastern Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Park also has the distinction of being among the largest contiguous protected region, second only to Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Hemis has a resident population of about 400 people in nine villages in the Rumbak and Markha valleys. The villages are located on or adjacent to valley floors up to about 4,000 m. The locals are mostly Buddhists and there is also a monastery at Markha Village.
The national park is also known for its scenic beauty. Lofty mountains and alpine forests of juniper and subalpine dry birch make it a treat for the eyes. The Stok Kangri peak is situated within the park. The confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers acts as the park’s boundary and is a treat for the eyes. Camping and trekking are other popular activities that can be indulged in the park…………..
Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park is a beautiful place, located in the eastern Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hemis National Park is also known as Hemis High Altitude National Park.
Hemis National Park is the best place to see the snow leopard in the wild. The Park has the distinction of being the largest national park in South Asia.
The Park also has the distinction of being among the largest contiguous protected region, second only to Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
It was established as a national park in the year of 1987. Total area of the park is about 3350 Km2 (It increased in 1990 to 4,400 km2).
The park derives its name from the Hemis Gompa, a famous Buddhist monastery situated 40 km south east of Leh.
The park is bounded on the north by the banks of the Indus River, and includes the catchments of Markha, Sumdah, Rumbak and parts of the Zanskar Range.
The Park is known for its unique biodiversity. The park is protected home to the endangered mammals like leopards, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian brown bear and the red fox.
It is also home to small mammals like Himalayan marmot, mountain weasel and Himalayan mouse hare.
The national park is also known for its scenic beauty. Lofty mountains and alpine forests of juniper and subalpine dry birch make it a treat for the eyes. The Stok Kangri peak is situated within the park.
The confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers acts as the park’s boundary and is a treat for the eyes. Camping and trekking are other popular activities that can be indulged in the park.
History
The park was founded in 1981 by protecting the Rumbak and Markha catchments, an area of about 600 km2. The park was officially declared as a national park in the year of 1987. It grew in 1988 to around 3,350 km2, by incorporating neighboring lands. It increased again in 1990 to 4,400 km2.
Hemis has a resident population of about 400 people in nine villages in the Rumbak and Markha valleys. The villages are located on or adjacent to valley floors up to about 4,000 m. The locals are mostly Buddhists and there is also a monastery at Markha Village.
The Hemis Gompa, after which the park was named, is the largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, just outside the northern boundary of Shang. The Hemis gompa is also known as Chang-Chub-Sam-Ling, meaning the ‘place of the compassionate’.
Project Snow Leopard for conserving the entire Himalayan biosphere. The project was initiated by the department in 2004 and was formally launched on 20 February 2009.
Geography
Hemis National Park is located in the eastern Ladakh region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The National Park is situated at the bank of river Indus and includes the catchments areas of Markha, Sumdah, and Rumbak streams. The Park is the country’s only notified area inside the Palearctic ecological zone.
Hemis national park falls under the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau—an alpine steppe eco-region with dense pine forests, alpine shrubs and vast meadows. With The Indus River bordering the park on the north, the panoramic vistas are unequalled in their stark and almost untouched beauty.
The 400-year-old Hemis Monastery is also located within the park. Revered as the largest monastic institution in Ladakh, a trip to the monastery is a thrilling experience.
Six villages exist within the confines of the park. The villages –Rumbak, Kaya, Sku, Shingo, Urutse and Chilling – are home to about 16000 people. Several gompas and chortens are also located within the park.
The terrain is characterized by rugged valleys, peppered with rocks and huge boulders. The high altitude deserts include Markha, Rumbak, Khurnak and Alam valleys of central Ladakh.
Vast tracts of sparse grasslands characterize the valleys and several shrubs and patches of trees are found in the valley bottoms, covering about 10 per cent of the total land.
The terrain surrounding the park is rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Dry alpine pastures are present in sheltered locations and the grass growth is relatively rapid during the summer season after the snow melts from the region
The vegetation of Hemis is predominantly alpine and steppe with patchy forests and shrub species at the bottom of the valleys. The moist upper mountain slopes support limited areas of alpine vegetation. The remaining mountain slopes and open hillsides support primarily steppe vegetation.
Latitude 33º38′-34º11′ in the North to Longitude 77º00′-77º44′ in the East.
Temperature: Maximum: 30o C
Minimum: -20o C
Altitude 3,500 m. to 6,390 m.
Dominant flora
Anemone, Gentiana, Thallctrwn, Lloydia, Veronica, Delphinum, Kobresia, Caragana, Artemisia, Stachys, Ephedra, Junipers, Myricaria, Poplar, Salix, Birch, Astragalus, Taraxacum, Leortopodium etc.
Dominant fauna
Birds – Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Lammergeier Vulture, Tibetan Snow Finch, Robin Accentor, Brown Accentor, Tickell’s and Streaked-leaf Warbler, Fork-tailed Swift, Fire-Fronter Serin, Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar, Red-billed Chough etc.
Mammals – Snow Leopard, Great Tibetan Sheep, Bharal, Asiatic Ibex, The Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, Eurasian Brown Bear, Himalayan Marmot, Mountain Weasel, Mountain Mouse Hare, Tibetan wolf, Eurasian brown bear etc.