Monday 4 February 2013

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary



LocationBinsar
Nearest AccessAlmora (33 Km)
Main Wildlife Foundleopard, Black Bear, Eurasian Jay
Coverage Area45.59km
Temperatures0 to 30 deg C
LanguagesHindi, Garhwali and English
Best SeasonSummers
Binsar Wild Life Sanctuary is situated in the Uttarakhand State of India, located amidst beautiful surroundings in the dense forestry over the Jahandi Dhar Hill area, 33km away from the Almora town, which by itself is a tourism destination of the State.
Located closer to Himalayan mountains, Binsar has a specialty among Wild life sanctuaries of India, giving panoramic view of this huge mountainous range, with scope to see peaks of Kedarnath, Trishul, Shivling, Chaukhamba, Panchchuli besides the majestic Nanda Devi, from a spot named ‘Zero Point’ in Binsar.
Jhandi Dhar is the name of Binsar Hills, wherefrom one can have a beautiful view of Almora Town, the entire Himalayan Valley including another beautiful location Kumaon Hills, the entire surroundings of this 2412 mts high mount are filled with richness of nature in the form of alpine flora, hanging moss, ferns and various varieties of wild flower species, roaming around which area is in addition to the breathtaking view of Himalayan range peaks.
The calm and serene atmosphere spread over the entire region, will make any visitor enjoy one’s tour to Binsar Wild Life Sanctuary, amidst fragrance of flowers and beauty of birds flyingall around, with their chirping noices and melody.
History
Kumaon kingdom, which was having its reign of this region during 11th through 18th centuary AD, had its summer capital at Binsar, while the Binsar Wild Life Santuary was organized only in 1988, one of the objectives of this Sanctuary being protection of the wood species broad leaf oak, which was being endangered, however now conserved in the Central Himalayan region forestry, giving scope for at least 200 bird species to inhabit.
During the Chand Rajas’ regime, particularly when it was the capital city of Kumaon rulership, there were lot of visitors all over the country, people trekking over this mountainous location to pay their respects to Bineshwar Mahadev, whereas the other Hill stations in India such as Shimla, Raniket and Nainital were identified and developed during British raj, thereby making Almora a unique Indian Hill resort with native flavor.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Binsar comes under Sub tropical climate category, giving very pleasant weather conditions throughout the year, Summer being the best chosen time to visit, as winters will be a bit cold being closer to Himalayan range, monsoon giving moderate rains, although Tourists can make visit in any part of the year.
Like other locations of the country, Binsar has its summer during the months April, May and June, 30 degree Celsius being the maximum barometer level, minimum well above 15 degrees Celsius, Binsar particularly becoming the favorite haven for people in the other parts  of the State, because of its cool climatic condition.
Winters, however, give a very cool climatic conditions, requiring one to clad oneself with good warm clothing as in some months of winter the temperature might even go to 0 degreeCelsius, although most of the time it would be between bearable range of 15 degrees to 24 degree Celsius.
Monsoon period will be pleasant with normal or moderate rains pouring, keeping the forest region wet but accessible freely.

How to reach
Binsar is reachable by road or rail, bus transport being frequent to its major bus stand from various locations of the country, while there are Railway Stations in proximate distances, the nearest airport being one situated at Pantnagar.
By Train:
here is no railway station as such at Binsar and the nearest Railhead is at Kathgodam which is 85 km away from Binsar, which railway station is busy with a number of trains from different parts of the country, particularly faster trains from New Delhi halting and passing through this station, for those who prefer train travel the fares are very affordable and economical too.
By Air:
There are flight services from New Delhi to Pantnagar, the airport here is being developed to such an extent that there will be regular and daily flight from the Capital throughout the year, the passengers can take a cab here or use the public road transport to reach Binsar.
Location Map
Wildlife
Fauna
Large variety of wild life species dwell here in Binsar forestry, which include leopard (Panthera Pardus), Nemorhaedus goral (goral), Musk deer, Chital (Axis axis) , Serow (Capricornis sumatiensis), Sus scrofa, Black Bear, pine marten,Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Langur (Presbytis entellus), Barking Deer(Muntiacus muntjak), monkey (Macaca mulatta), Porcupine, Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista)and few other animals. Binsar has also been declared as an Important Bird Area  under the announcements made by BirdLife International, as there are wonderful species of birds ranging around  200 in number, which include  Tits, Nuthatches, Forktail, Blackbirds, Laughingthrush, Parakeets, Magpies, Monal, Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana), Koklas, Woodpeckers, eagles, and other varieties, while  Binsar is an abode for  many reptile varieties and a number of  invertebrates covering  a large section of Butterflies.
Flora
The species of wood varieties also enrich Binsar ecology, with Pine trees occupying the the lower level areas, Oak and Rhododendron spread throughout spaces of higher altitude. This location is abundant with alpine flora, Pteridophytes, Bryophytes,  hanging mosses and large number of wild forest flowers. There are also many plant varieties in the Sanctuary, which include Kaphal (Myrica esculenta), Engelhardtia spiicata, Pinus roxburghii,  Macaranga pustulata, Quercus incana, Quercus gloca, Quercus leucotricophora(Banjh), Quercus dilatata,Quercus semicarpifolia, Cedrus deodara, Aesculus indica, Alnus napalensis, Pinus wallichiana ,Quercus floribunda and Quercus lanuginose.
Avifauna
As mentioned elsewhere the Binsar Wild Life Sanctuary has also been declared as an ‘Important Bird Area’ by the well known organization Bird Life International, particularly because of the large varieties of bird species inhabiting here, which include Eurasian Jay,Blackbirds, Forktail,  Laughing Thrush, Nuthatches, Kalij Pheasant, Monal   and Parakeets.
Timings and Fees
The entry to this Wild Life Sanctuary is regulated by an entrance fee of Rs 40 for the public, while the fee for a foreign visitor will be Rs 100, Heavy vehicles allowed on a payment of Rs 250 as fee, while the rates for medium and small vehicles being Rs 100 and Rs 50 respectively, admission of visitors restricted to daytime only.
Where to stay
There are a couple of resorts and rest houses in Binsar Wild Life Sanctuary location for tourists to comfortably stay and visit the sanctuary.
Club Mahindra has its property at Binsar, called here The Club Mahindra Valley Resort which is constructed  in a  distinct architectural decor  of the Gupta Period, having 32 Guest rooms, with modern amenities, with an ambience that blends perfectly with the beautiful surroundings.
Club Mahindra Valley Resort
Bhainsori P.O.Almora Dist.
Binsar - 263684
Uttarakhand
Nanda Devi’s Kmvn Tourist Rest House is one of the Travel houses which provides simple but elegant staying facility.
KMVN Tourist Rest House Nanda Devi
Nanda Devi, Binsar, Uttarakhand
General Information
  • Visitors are recommended to have official guides to tour around the sanctuary
  • Visitors are expected not to disturb the animals resting during day time, as they are very busy during nights.
  • Animals shall not be irritated in any manner by meddling with them or teasing them.
  • Smoking inside the Sanctuary premises is strictly prohibited.
  • Picking plants or insect samples from the premises is forbidden.
  • Leisure walking closer to the premises may be avoided.
  • The Sanctuary premises shall not be used for picnic purposes.
  • Visitors shall carry plenty of water for self consumption.
  • Photo Gallery

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