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Govind Pashu Vihar came into existence as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1955 and is a part of Upper Tons Valley. Initially, the name of the region was Tons, which was changed to Govind Pashu Vihar after notification. The Government of Uttar Pradesh notified its intention of constituting part of the sanctuary as Govind National Park with a core area of 472.08 sq km in 1991.
The region of Govind Pashu Vihar is also rich in its history and legends. However, many of these are contradictory to similar legends that are popular in other parts of the country. For instance, while the Pandavas (the heroes of the Mahabharata) are considered the righteous ones in other parts of India, people here are overawed by the Kauravas (the wrongdoers) and worship them as gods.
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The sanctuary forms the upper catchments of Tons River, which is the most important tributary of river Yamuna in its upper reaches. The area houses many endangered animals and its large area along with the contiguous forests of the neighboring regions helps in maintaining genetic diversity. The area is very rich in medicinal plants, many of which form the bases for certain life saving drugs. The scenic beauty of the area is unmatched. LOCATION Govind National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Uttarkashi district of the newly formed Indian state of Uttaranchal. Situated in the higher reaches of Garhwal Himalayas, the park is bound in the north by Himachal Pradesh, to the east by a chain of mountain peaks, and to the south by the Tons/Yamuna watershed. The park extends from latitude 35°55'-31°17'30'' in the North and longitude 77°47'30''-78°37'30'' in the East. |
The sanctuary experiences monsoon rain during July and August. It remains snowbound for around three to four months in winter followed by heavy snowfall in December. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from May to October when the roads are open, though temperature remains as unpredictable as ever.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Flora: Major floral species found in the sanctuary are chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), cedar (Cedrus deodara), oak (Quercus spp.) and other broad-leaved species. Going above 2,600 m above sea level, one can find blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), silver fir (Abies pindrow), spruce (Picea smithiana), yew (Taxus baccata), and broad-leaved species such as oaks (Quercus spp.), maples (Acer spp.), walnut (Juglans regia), horse chestnut (Aesculus indica), hazel (Coryllus jacquemontii) and rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.).
Fauna: The park is also the natural habitat of several varieties of fauna including red panda, sambhar, musk deer, brown bear, bharal, serow, snow leopard, Indian porcupine, common otter, barking, deer, goral, Himalayan palm civet, hedgehog, Sikkim vole, Himalayan rat, Hodgson's fly squirrel, and wild boar.
PLACES TO VISIT
At Naitwar, there is a temple dedicated to Karna, the first-born of Kunti from the Sun God but was abandoned at birth by his mother. Karna later becomes an ally of the Kauravas. One will have to climb around 2.5 km to reach the small village of Sarnaul to reach this temple.
The people in this valley worship two other gods. One of them is Pokhu, whose temple is at the confluence of the Rupin and Supin Rivers, which meet at Naitwar to form the Tons. Pokhu Devta's temple is very similar to the temple of Karna in shape, but the inside of the temple bears a depressing look. The sacrificial altar has splashes of dried blood on it. In the inner chamber, a Shivling is installed. Pokhu's chamber is behind the Shivling. Pokhu was a deputy of Karna and an attendant of Lord Shiva. He is said to be unrelenting in punishing his erring followers. Therefore, the incidence of theft in this valley is unheard of. The god is not shown to anyone, as his image will create terror. It is for this reason that even the priest, while worshipping him, stands with his back towards him.
Another God worshipped by the villagers is Mahasu, whose temple is in Anol. God Mahasu is said to have been invited to this valley from Kashmir to kill the demon Kirbir and to rid the people of his terror.
Thirteen kilometers from Sankri, in Jakhol, is the biggest temple dedicated to Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas. Many more temples are to be found in Osla, Gangar, and Datmir. It is said that the people of this valley had allied themselves with the Kauravas in the battle of Mahabharata, and in due course, they accepted them as gods and raised imposing temples of Duryodhana and Karna. Later on, it seems they began to respect the Pandavas and started to worship them in the temples. During Shankaracharya's times, Shiva Puja (worship of Lord Shiva) became popular in this valley and Shivlings were installed in these temples.
Another temple of Karna is situated in Deora. It is a rectangular wooden structure with pent roofs lined with slates. On the roof is a wooden umbrella topped with brass finial. The wood beams and columns in front are decorated with carvings of exquisite charm while the temple doors are decorated with relief metal plates, which depict birds, animals, reptiles and scenes from the Ramayana. The villagers have nailed on coins wherever space permitted in thanksgiving for their wishes having been fulfilled. In the compound on the right stand six miniature temples, which represent Karna and the five Pandavas. After all, they were Karna's brothers. There is also a Shivling, a sculpture of Parvati and a Nandi Bull in the compound.
ACTIVITIES
The park region gives one of the best options for the trekking enthusiasts in Garhwal Himalayas, a region still untouched by the hustle and bustle of the big city and full of solitude. Some of these trekking routes are already quite famous.
- Sankri-Taluka-Osla-Har-ki-dun (38 km)
- Sankri-Taluka-Osla-Ruinsara Tal (40 km)
- Naitwar-Himri-Droni-Rupin Pass-Sangla (60 km). This trek is regarded as difficult.
- Ruinsara Tal-Yamunotri (20 km; high-altitude difficult trek)
Naitwar, the entrance to the sanctuary, is connected by a metalled all-weather road. It is at a distance of 200 km from Dehradun. It can also be approached from Delhi by taking a 65-km long bifurcation from Naugaon situated on the Delhi-Yamunotri state highway. Daily bus service exists between Dehradun and Naitwar. Dehradun is also the nearest rail and airhead to reach this park.
STAYING THERE
Forest rest houses are available at Naitwar, Taluka, Osla, Har-ki-dun, Istragad, Satta, and Jakhol at nominal charges. Catering facility is not available at any of these places though facility for self-cooking is there. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has two tourist rest houses at Taluka and Osla where catering facilities are available.
LINKS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Post and telegraph facilities are available at Purola, the headquarters of the wildlife sanctuary. For Internet and advanced communication facilities, Dehradun is the most appropriate place.
TRAVEL TIPS
For more information and reservation in Govind Pashu Vihar and National Park, one can contact the following addresses:
Wildlife Warden,
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary,
Purola, (Uttarkashi) Uttaranchal
Director, Rajaji National Park,
5/1, Ansari Marg, Dehradun 248 001
Phone: 00 91 135 621669, 744225
