Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary which is located in the state Uttarkhand n India is considered as a national sanctuary which was covers approximately 975 sq kilometers. The main objective to establish this sanctuary was to protect the Himalyan Musk Deer from danger. Thus it is also famous as Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary. This sanctuary comes under IUCN IV grade (Managed Nature Reserve) by Biogeographical Province 2.38.12 in Himalayan Highlands.

During the time period 1916-1920 this sanctuary was merely a reserve forest. On 21 January 1972 this forest turned into a sanctuary. The area allotted to this sanctuary was 2,390 acres and the elevation between 1,160 metres from 3,810 ft nearby Phata to Chaukhamba peak (7,068 m) within the domain 30°26′00″N 78°54′00″E30°26' and 30°45′00″N 79°36′00″E. the Kedarnath Forest Division Records emphasizes the changes from 967 ha- 974 ha (2,390 acres-2,409 acres). The name of this sanctuary is derived from the famous temple of Hindus known as Kedarnath which is located on its northern border. Many hindu famous temples are also located in the route of Ghauri Khund to Kedarnath temple. All temples on the route have great religious Pilgrimage importance. The whole way of these temples crosses through this sanctuary. The route is most protected area in western Himalayas. This sanctuary also has International Importance because flora and fauna which are ungulate species is found here.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

A distinctive temperature to sub arctic climate overcome this sanctuary. The mean rain record is read in South West Summer which is 3,093 mm or 12 inches. The area experiences a high rainfall because the hills that ranges from 3,000 metres are open which do not have any rain shadow effect. In the area known as Tungnath in 1971-81the rainfall experienced was 3.050 mm between June to September was recorded 81% and snowfall was recorded 11% during December to March. In summers the temperature recorded is 25 °C (77 °F). the pleasant weather is experienced in the month of May or June. In January lowest winter is recorded between the mid month. The temperature goes down to is −10 °C (14 °F) with heavy snow fall. During this time the sanctuary is fully snow covered.

How to Reach

The main transportation to reach Kedarnath is by air, rail and road. By air the nearest Airport is in Dehradun known as Jolly Grant. The distance is about 252 kms. Nearest Railway station to Kedarnath is Rishikesh and the distance is 235 kms to Kedarnath. By road the distance from Chamoli is 136 kms, 14 kms from Gaurikumd and 47 kms from Guptakshi.

Location Map

Wildlife

Flora

The sanctuary is full of dense forest including oak, chir, pine, birch, alpine, rhododendronmeadows including numerous flowering plants of Himalayas. The Kedarnath Sanctuary is not a tropical zone because it is rated below 1,200 metres. The main subtropical zone vegetation is recorded at 2,000 metres which include mainly Chir and Pinus Roxburghii.the dry slopes in Sourthern area covers different forests. Different elevations are reported with different Euphorbia  Roylena with 1,500 meters of elevation, Ban Quercus Incana which is (1,500–2,100 m ), moru Q. dilatata which is (2,130–2,750 ) and karsu Q. semecarpifolia (2,500-3,300m) forests are found. Coming up to second level Rhododendron is generally seen. On the higher elevation Oak is found with the combination of Fir Abies Pindrow on 2,600-3,400 m elevation.

The sub Alpine zone includes Betula Utilis also known as Bhojpatra oe Himalayan Birch located at 3,100-3,500 m with Rhododendron Campanulata understorey. These are extended into Alpine Zone above 3,500 m above the forest limit. The flowers that are grown in Tungnath are Carex Lacta and C.Munda. before they were reported here it was only the western part of Nepal where these flowers were found.
Even some pasture lands are also reported in Kedarnath Sanctuary  which grows some medicinal plants between the bush line and the snow line. The area is dominated by the Tussocks grass over the extensive area in subalpine and alpine meadows.

Fauna

The sanctuary of Kedarnath are wealthy with avifaunal, faunal and aquafaunal species. The mammalian species of carnivores that are found here are Jackal also known as Canis Aureus, Fox or Valpes, Himalayan Black bear, Yellow throated Marten, Leopard, cat(Felis Bengalensis), Snow leopard, common leopard. Numerous variety of these species are found 3,000 m above elevation.
Ungulates that are found in Kedarnath Sanctuary are Himalayan Musk Deer(Moschus Leucogaster), Wild Boar( Sus Scorfa), Indian Muntjac(Muntiacus Muntjak), Goral(Nemorhaedus Goral), Sambar (Cerves Unicolor), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) , Serow (Capricornis Sumatraensis) and bharal (Pseudois nayaur).
In the Sanctuary of kedarnath the primates that are recorded are: Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) and common langur also known as Presbytis entellus.
The smaller mammals which are  renowned are: Red giant flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista),  Hodgsons's Brown-toothed Shrew (Soriculus sp.), Royle's Mountain Vole (Alticola roylei), crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) and Royle's Pika (Ochotona roylei), snow cock (Tetraogallus himalayensis).
The list of Reptile species found are commonly  Boulenger's keelback (Amphiesma parallelum),Himalayan pit viper (Gloydius himalayanus syn. Ancistrodon himalayanus) (common)

Birds

Important bird species discovered in Kedarnath Sanctuary are Grey-cheeked Warbler (Seicercus poliogenys), Little Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni), and Nepal Tree-creeper (Certhia nipalensis), Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)and Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

Where to Stay

Tourist lodges and PWD Inspection Houses.
For More Information, Contact: Wildlife Warden, Kedarnath Sanctuary, Gopeshwar, Distt. Chamoli.

General Information

Photo Gallery