Wildlife in Uttarakhand

Roar of the Tiger to Alpine Blossoms: Uttarakhand's Wild Heart

With over 65% of its geographical area covered under forest cover, Uttarakhand is a global biodiversity hotspot. The state offers diverse altitudinal eco-zones, transitioning from sub-tropical sal and grassland plains in the Terai to temperate broadleaf forests and high-altitude alpine tundras.

At the foothills lies Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park — India's very first national park and the birthplace of Project Tiger. Renowned for its thrilling open-top Gypsy safaris, Corbett hosts one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal tigers in the world alongside Asian elephants, leopards, and 600+ bird species.

Higher up, the Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers National Parks form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, blooming with hundreds of rare Himalayan flora including the mythical Brahma Kamal. Other sanctuaries like Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary protect the endangered Himalayan musk deer, while Binsar is a dream destination for quiet birdwatching through oak and rhododendron canopies.