Gurupratap Rajan at 14:49, 3 May 2026

2026-05-03T14:49:20Z

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{{Short description|National park in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Hemis National Park
| image = 13-10-08 217 CONFLUENCE OF INDUS RIVER N.jpg
| image_caption = Confluence of [[Zanskar River|Zanskar]] and [[Indus|Indus Rivers]]
| map = India Ladakh#India
| map_caption = Location in Ladakh, India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| coordinates = {{coord|33|59|N|77|26|E|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Leh district]], [[Ladakh]], [[India]]
| established = 1981
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| area_km2 = 4400
| elevation = {{convert|3000|to|6000|m|abbr=on}}
| nearest_city = [[Leh]]
| iucn_category = II
}}

'''Hemis National Park''', a high-elevation [[national park]] near [[Hemis]] in the [[Leh district]] of [[Ladakh]] in [[India]], is located {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Leh]] town, the capitals of Ladakh. Globally famous for its endangered [[snow leopard]]s, it has the highest density of them in any protected area in the world.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Birding trip reports {{!}} CloudBirders | url=http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/BARUAH_India_03_2014.pdf | access-date=2026-02-02 | website=www.cloudbirders.com}}</ref> The park is also home to a number of other endangered [[mammal]] species.

It is one of the three largest wildlife sanctuaries in Ladakh, others being [[Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary]], and [[Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary]].<ref name=bound1>Boundaries of sanctuaries in Ladakh to be 'rationalised', WII, 9 Apr 2022.</ref> It is the largest notified [[Protected areas of India|protected area in India]] (largest national park); the only national park in India north of the [[Himalaya]]s; and the second largest contiguous protected area in India (after the [[Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve]] and surrounding protected areas). Along with the [[Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary]] and North Sikkim's proposed [[Tso Lhamo|Tso Lhamo Cold Desert Conservation Area]], the Hemis National Park is India's one of the three protected [[Palearctic realm]].

==History==

The park was founded in 1981 by protecting the [[Rumbak]] and [[Markha River (India)|Markha]] river catchments, an area of about {{convert|600|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. It grew in 1988 to around {{convert|3350|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, by incorporating neighbouring lands,<ref>Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environment, By G R Chhatwal, D K Pandey, K K Nanda, Published by Anmol Publications PVT. LTD., 1988 ({{ISBN|8170411009}}), ({{ISBN|9788170411000}})</ref>
before increasing in 1990 to {{convert|4400|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}},<ref name="snowleopardnetwork.org">http://www.snowleopardnetwork.org/bibliography/anlp99.htm{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and is the largest national park in [[South Asia]].

==Geography ==

The park is bounded on the north by the banks of the [[Indus River]], and includes the catchments of Markha and Rumbak rivers, and parts of the [[Zanskar Range]]. The park lies within the [[Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe]] [[ecoregion]], and contains pine forests, [[alpine zone|alpine shrublands and meadows]], and [[alpine tundra]] vegetation.

Hemis National Park lies entirely within the Zanskar area of India-administered Ladakh. It's boundaries, defined by the [[ Wildlife Institute of India]] (WII), are:<ref name=bound1/>

* Southern boundary: run from Tetha to [[Padum]];<ref name=bound1/>

* Eastern boundary: from Padum along the [[Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road]] till [[Nimo, Ladakh|Nimmu]] (on [[National Highway 1 (India)|NH-1]]);<ref name=bound1/>

* Northern boundary: From Nimmu run along NH-1 till [[Karu, Ladakh|Karu]] (on [[National Highway 3 (India)|NH-3]]).<ref name=bound1/>

* Western boundary: then from Karu run southward along NH-3 till Tetha.<ref name=bound1/>

==Ecology==

===Fauna===
[[File:Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica).jpg|thumb|right|[[Mountain weasel]] (''Mustela altaica'')]]

16 mammal species and 73 bird [[species]] have been recorded in the park so far.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Khan|first=Asif|date=2016|title=Ladakh: The Land Beyond|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7UUVmCgCiGATFFhcGJqdkg3S28/view?usp=sharing|journal=Buceros|volume=21 |issue=3|pages=6–15}}</ref>

The park is home to a viable breeding [[Population (biology)|population]] of about 200 snow leopards, especially in the Rumbak catchment area. The prey base for the [[apex predator]] in the [[Central Asia]]n Highlands is primarily supported in Hemis by [[Argali]] (Great Tibetan Sheep), [[Bharal]] (Blue Sheep), [[Urial|Shapu]] (Ladakhi Urial), and livestock. A small population of the [[Asiatic ibex]] is also present in Hemis. Hemis is the only refuge in India containing the [[Urial|Shapu]].<ref>Wild Sheep and Goats and Their Relatives: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for Caprinae
By David M. Shackleton, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Species Survival Commission. Caprinae Specialist Group
Contributor David M. Shackleton, Published by IUCN, 1997 ({{ISBN|2831703530}}), ({{ISBN|9782831703534}})</ref>

The [[Tibetan wolf]], the [[Eurasian brown bear]] (endangered in India), and the [[red fox]] are also present in Hemis.<ref name="ngm.nationalgeographic.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080621044630/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/snow-leopards/chadwick-text.html Out of the Shadows], [[National Geographic Magazine]], June 2008</ref> Small [[mammal]]s include the [[Himalayan marmot]], [[mountain weasel]] and the Himalayan mouse hare.<ref name=":0" />

Among [[bird]]s of prey noted here are Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan [[birds of prey]]: the [[golden eagle]], [[lammergeier]] vulture, and [[Himalayan griffon]] vulture.<ref name=":0" /> The Rumbak Valley offers opportunities for birdwatching,<ref name=":0" /> including several Tibetan species not common in other parts of India. Birds present here include [[brown accentor]], [[robin accentor]], [[Tickell's leaf warbler]], [[streaked rosefinch]], [[black-winged snowfinch]], [[Chukar partridge|chukar]], [[Blyth's swift]], [[red-billed chough]], [[Himalayan snowcock]], and the [[Red-fronted serin|fire-fronted serin]].<ref name=":0" />

===Flora===
[[File:Himalayan Lavender in Hemis National Park.jpg|thumb|upright|Himalayan lavender (''[[Perovskia atriplicifolia]]'')]]

This region is in the [[rain shadow]] of the Himalayas, and does not receive much precipitation. Hence, dry forests of [[juniper]], ''[[Populus]]'' - ''[[Salix]]'' forests, subalpine dry [[birch]] - [[fir]] are present at lower elevations. Alpine and steppe trees are predominantly found here. These trees and shrubs are spread across the valley bottoms. Since the upper mountain slopes are moist, this area is characterized by alpine vegetation including ''Anemone'', ''Gentiana'', ''Thalictrum'', ''Lloydia'', ''Veronica'', ''Delphinum'', ''Carex'' and ''Kobresia''. The other parts of the park support steppe vegetation which is dominated by Caragana, Artemisia, Stachys, and Ephedra, present along the lower river courses. A study conducted by CP Kala reports 15 rare and endangered [[medicinal plant]]s growing in the park, which include ''Acantholimon lycopodioides'', ''Arnebia euchroma'', ''Artemisia maritima'', ''Bergenia stracheyi'', ''Ephedra gerardiana'', ''Ferula jaeschkeana'', and ''Hyoscyamus niger''.<ref>Kala, CP 2005. Indigenous Uses, Population Density, and Conservation of Threatened Medicinal Plants in Protected Areas of the Indian Himalayas. Conservation Biology, 19 (2): 368-378 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00602.x/abstract</ref><ref>Handbook of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves in India, By S.S. Negi, Published by Indus Publishing, 2002 ({{ISBN|8173871280}}), ({{ISBN|9788173871283}})</ref>

==Environmental issues==

Over 1,600 people live inside the park boundaries, mostly [[pastoralism|pastoralist]]s raising [[poultry]], goats, and sheep. This results in considerable animal-human conflict within the region. Snow leopards prey on [[livestock]], sometimes killing several animals from a single flock in one hunt. This has been attributed to the [[overgrazing]] of livestock. Crop damage caused by bharal has also been seen.

The Department of Wildlife Protection, Government of Ladakh is the custodian of the park. Any activity in the park is prohibited unless special permission is obtained from the Chief Wildlife Warden. The department has initiated many projects for biodiversity conservation and rural livelihood improvement, such as:
* Project Snow Leopard for Conserving the entire Himalayan biosphere, initiated in 2004 and formally launched on 20 February 2009.
* Ladakh Eco tourism Project
* Ladakh Homestays program for providing tourists accommodation in local villagers' residences (source of additional income).
* Nature Guide Training for the educated unemployed youth.
* Eco Cafe for the women Help Group to run the cafe and sell the local handicraft products to the tourist.
* Creation of a no-grazing zone for domestic livestock
* Predator-proofing livestock pens in the area<ref name="snowleopardnetwork.org">http://www.snowleopardnetwork.org/bibliography/anlp99.htm{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="ngm.nationalgeographic.com"/>

==Tourism==
[[File:StokKangripiccrop.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stok Kangri]] peak]]

The historic Hemis Monastery is home to the 2-days long annual "Hemis [[Tsechu]] Festival" usually held every summer in June-July. Lodging is restricted to backcountry camps and homestays initiated by the [[Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust]] (SLC-IT) in 2000.<ref name=tr1/> Hemis was a destination and via point on the [[silk route]]s to [[Tibet]].

The park has also become popular among tourists who want to observe the snow leopard. The best season for spotting snow leopards is in late winter.<ref name=tr1/>

===Tibetan Buddhist monasteries===
{{anchor | Monsatery | Monasteries }}

Over 1,600 people live inside the park presently. The park houses numerous Tibetan [[gompa]]s and holy [[chorten]]s within its boundaries. These include the famous 400-year-old [[Hemis Monastery]], a place of pilgrimage for [[Tibetan Buddhists]]. However, in the late 19th and early 20th century, the monastery attracted some attention due to the writings of [[Nicolas Notovitch]], a [[Russia]]n aristocrat and journalist, who claimed that Jesus had spent the [[Lost years of Jesus|missing years of his life]] in Tibet and Ladakh, specifically in Hemis.

===Mountaineering ===

The Hemis National Park is also famous for mountaineering expeditions. The [[Stok Kangri|Stok Kangri peak]] (6,153 metres (20,187 ft)) and the [[Kang Yatze|Kang Yatse peak]] (elevation 6,496 metres (21,312 ft)) are the two mountains which attract the highest number of climbers every year.<ref name=tr1>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=9 December 2017|title=Himalayan Homestays|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/how-homestays-are-saving-snow-leopards-in-ladakh/article21302533.ece|access-date=|website=|last1=Majumdar|first1=Swapna}}</ref> and supported and managed by the local government.

===Trekking===

The park offers a number of routes for trekking from mid-June to mid-October; some of these trekking routes are among the most popular in Ladakh. This includes the Markha valley trek and the trek from Spituk to Stok over the Ganda La pass.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Markha valley trek, Ladakh|url=https://www.ju-lehadventure.com/trekking-ladakh/markha-valley-from-chilling|access-date=|website=}}</ref>

; Markha valley-Ganda La-Leh treks
{{anchor | GL | Ganda La }}

{{Infobox mountain pass
| name = Ganda La
| photo = Ganda La.jpg
| photo_caption = The top of Ganda La (winter pass); the way to [[Skiu]]
| elevation_m = 4980
| elevation_ref =
| traversed =
| location = [[India]]
| range = [[Himalaya]]
| coordinates =
| topo =
}}

The [[Markha valley]] to Leh trek crosses the Ganda La pass on the section between [[Rumbak]] and [[Skiu]] villages, which is usually done over 2 days.<ref name="Cic" /> The other pass on the trek is the Gongmaru La (Kongmaru La).<ref name="Cic" /> Ganda La (also called the "Kanda La",<ref name="Cic" /> {{coord|34|2|29.62|N|77|21|45.42|E}}), a high [[mountain pass]] located at around 4980 metres above sea level and {{convert|23|km|mile|abbr=on}} south-west of Leh in Ladakh,<ref name="Cic">{{cite book |title=Trekking in Ladakh |publisher=[[Cicerone]] |edition=1st |date=2012 |page=339 |isbn=978-1-85284-675-6}}</ref> lies within the Hemis National Park,<ref name="GoogleMap">{{cite web |url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Hemis+National+Park/@33.7448967,77.041626,10z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf74ea9833e5618e2!8m2!3d33.7563151!4d77.2833252 |title=Hemis National Park on Google Maps |access-date=2016-10-28}}</ref> and connects the Markha valley villages to Leh town. It is regularly used by local people. The summer pass is open from June, and the winter pass (half kilometre north-west of summer pass) is open from late April.

=== Check posts at the park boundaries ===
{{anchor | CP}}

Since 2019, ALTOA (All Ladakh Tour Operator Association) and the Department of Wildlife Protection have set up check posts at each entrance of the Hemis National Park. These check posts are located at Skiu village, Zingchen, and Shang Sumdo. Beyond these check posts, only motorized vehicles used by villagers who live inside the park are allowed. Tourists are not allowed to use motorized vehicles inside the park, they shall walk. Tourists also need to pay a fee (called “wildlife fee”) when entering the park.

==Transport==

* Nearest airport: [[Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport]] at [[Leh]] about {{convert|5|km|mile|abbr=on}} north of the Hemis National Park boundary.

* Nearest highway: [[National Highway 1 (India)|NH1 Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway]] (north of the park), [[National Highway 3 (India)|NH3 Leh-Manali Highway]] (north and east of the park), [[Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road]] (south of the park), and [[National Highway 301 (India)|NH301 Padum-Pensi La-Kargil Highway]] (southwest of the park). There is no metalled road in Hemis National Park. However, a few rough roads enable local people to reach their villages. There is a rough road connecting Chilling bridge to Skiu village in the Markha valley and another one connecting Spituk to Zingchen and Rumbak village. On Hemis side, there is a road connecting Martselang to Shang Sumdo. In order to protect the national park and its tourism-related activities (trekking, homestays, wildlife spotting), the in inhabitants of the region demanded in 2018 a regulation of vehicle access to the park.

* Nearest town: There are quite a few villages, and [[gompa]]s (monasteries) inside the national park

* Nearest city: Leh {{convert|10|km|mile|abbr=on}} to the north and [[Padum]] {{convert|10|km|mile|abbr=on}} southwest of the park.

==In culture==

The national park, monastery and the [[Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary]] were prominently featured in the award-winning documentary ''[[Riding Solo to the Top of the World]]''.

==See also==

* [[Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary]], east of Hemis National Park
* [[Karakorum Wildlife Sanctuary]], north of Hemis National Park

* [[Geography of Ladakh]]
* [[Tourism in Ladakh]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Management Plan Hemis High Altitude National Park, Jigmet Takpa IFS and Saleem Ul Haq.
*Hemis High Altitude National Park-Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Department of Wildlife Protection, Wildlife Division(LAHDC) Leh-Ladakh
* Chettri, Nakul. 2003.
* Namgail, T., Fox, J.L. & Bhatnagar, Y.V. (2004). Habitat segregation between sympatric Tibetan argali Ovis ammon hodgsoni and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur in the Indian Trans-Himalaya. Journal of Zoology (London), 262: 57-63.
* Ladakh: The Land and the People, By Prem Singh Jina. Published by Indus Publishing, 1996 ({{ISBN|8173870578}}), ({{ISBN|9788173870576}})

[[Category:National parks in Ladakh]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1981]]
[[Category:Tourism in Ladakh]]
[[Category:Geography of Ladakh]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir]]

Hemis National Park - Revision history

Gurupratap Rajan at 14:49, 3 May 2026