The government protects several national parks in India, and the Great Himalayan National Park is one of them. Read to know about this great national heritage.

The government primarily allocates a fragment of land known as a national park (NP) to protect the environment. Typically, the establishment of a national park aims to conserve the natural environment and biodiversity. In a national park, the natural condition of the terrain, as well as the animals and plants that inhabit it, is preserved to a great extent. There are several national parks in India that the government protects. One of them is the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), which is considered one of the highest national parks in the world. The GHNP was established in 1984.

About GHNP:

• The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), is one of India’s national parks, located in the Kullu region in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

• In 1984, authorities established the park, which covers an area of 1,171 km² at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 6000 m.

• The Great Himalayan National Park is a habitat to numerous flora and more than 375 fauna species, including approximately 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 mollusks, and 127 insects.

• The strict guidelines of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 protect them, thereby prohibiting any sort of hunting.

• In June 2014, UNESCO added the Great Himalayan National Park to its list of World Heritage Sites.

• The Unesco World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of “outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation”.

Park History

The authorities created the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) to protect, sustain, and propagate wildlife under the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972.

The realization of the park as part of the Indian protected area network took 20 years, from inception to inauguration.

Timeline

1980-1983: International team of scientists, under the banner Himachal Wildlife Project, surveys Kullu district and recommends creation of GHNP in the Banjaar area.

1984: Himachal government expresses an intention to create GHNP.

1988: Settlement of rights of local communities in GNHP begins.

1994-1999: The World Bank funds the Conservation of Biodiversity project, which involves the establishment of 16 village eco-development committees to actively engage local communities in biodiversity conservation.

Additionally, the Wildlife Institute of India conducts a research project at the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP).

1996: Biodiversity Conservation Society (BiodCS) registered to share responsibility for GHNP management.

1999: GHNP was instated as India’s newest national park; compensation was awarded to local communities previously identified as having traditional forest rights there.

2000: WSCG organizers form SAHARA (Society for Advancement of Hill and Rural Areas) to work with GHNP management.

2008: Research on the western tragopan population in GHNP, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India.

2010: Proposal to declare 710 sq km Parvati watershed as Khirganga National Park in the north of GHNP to strengthen the conservation efforts.  

2010: Proposal to declare 710 sq km Parvati watershed as Khirganga National Park in the north of GHNP to strengthen the conservation efforts. There is a proposal to merge the two Wildlife Sanctuaries of Sainj and Tirthan into the GHNP to achieve a higher protection status.

2011: Application to nominate GHNP as UNESCO World Heritage Site, submitted.

2012: IUCN evaluation team visits GHNP for a critical analysis of the property.

2013: GHNP ‘s nomination was considered and put in the referral list; the Management council was constituted by involving all the heads of 13 local governing bodies.

2014: The 38th World Heritage Committee meeting held in Doha, Qatar, awards the GHNP the status of World Heritage Natural Site.

During the proceedings of the 38th World Heritage Committee meeting held in Doha, Qatar, the committee decides to retain the two Wildlife Sanctuaries, namely Sainj, and Tirthan, as wildlife sanctuaries and not merge them with the national park.

2015: GHNP logo registered by Govt of Himachal Pradesh; the Confirmed sighting of rare and elusive “serow” made in GHNP; The official website of the park launched.

Conclusion

Wildlife protection encompasses all human efforts aimed at conserving wildlife to prevent them from becoming extinct. Wildlife protection focuses on the wise management and protection of wild species that are in need of safeguarding. Climate change is causing the threat of extinction for some species. Throughout history, man’s advancement has exploited nature. National parks are designated areas where the protection of biodiversity, fauna, and flora takes place. The GHNP is rich in biodiversity and conservation.