The Hemis High
Altitude National Park includes the catchments of two valleys, which
drain into the River Indus. It is named after the famous monastery --
Hemis, and sprawls over 600-sq-km in the Markha And Rumbak valleys. The
conditions are very bleak and desolate in this park. The terrain is
rocky and the thin soil cover supports a poor vegetative growth. Dry
alpine pastures are present in sheltered locations. Grass growth is
relatively rapid during the summer season after the melting of the
snow.Flora & Fauna
The area is
barren and rocky, covered only sparsely with vegetation. Most of the ten
species of mammal here are extremely rare -- Shapu, Bharal, Great
Tibetan Sheep, Ibex and Snow Leopard. The avifauna too comprises
species, which are not seen at lower altitudes, Himalayan Snow Cock,
Snow Patridge and golden oriole.
Visiting
Season
The best season
for mammal viewing is September to May and for bird viewing March to May
and September to December. Approachable by road from Leh , this national
park contains several camping sites too.
FOR MORE
TOURIST INFORMATION
For Passes
Contact: The Wildlife Warden, Leh.
