KEDARNATH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Take A Peep into the Beautiful Kedar ValleyIt got devastated by recent floods

Needs Healing A call to Join 

An Effort to Rebuild 

http://www.indianwildlifeclub.com

Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary

The sanctuary, established in 1972, lies in the upper catchment of the Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers, which are major tributaries of Ganges. It is bordered by high mountain peaks, Kedarnath (6940m), Mandani (6193m) and Chaukhamba (7068m)

The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in biological diversity. The villagers are fully dependent on forest resources, especially ethno medicines

The conservation of plant biodiversity in the Indian Himalayan region has become a major concern; the knowledge of indigenous uses of native plants needs to be studied before it gets extinct.

Musk Deer, Himalayan Thar, Serow and Pheasants make Kedarnath sanctuary an area of immense national significance.

In the Himalayan region, the soil formation is a comparatively rapid process, the damp, evergreen forests playing an important part in the generation and conservation of the soil cap. Given that the Himalayan range is geologically young and still rising, it makes the area vulnerable to erosion and instability.

The rivers and streams of the sanctuary are perennial in nature due to thick forest cover and heavy precipitation. Vegetative cover slows the speed of falling rain and prevents soil erosion and gully formation — the precursors to landslides and floods.

Dense vegetation, by evapo-transpiration, also stops nearly 30-40 per cent of rainwater from falling to the ground, thereby significantly reducing run-off. Besides holding the soil together, forests and soil soak water from the rain, release it slowly and prevent water flowing as run-off.

The sanctuary has a large number of temples located within its precincts. Kedarnath temple is the most historic of these and is visited by a over 6 lacs pilgrims a year during a window of 6 months.This temple dates to the 8th century. The entire 14 km route from Gauri Khund to Kedarnath temple passes through the sanctuary.

The sanctuary has a musk deer breeding centre. Musk deer is valued for its glands , the secretion of which , is used in the perfume industry. Musk deer is highly endangered. There is also a high-altitude botanical field station established at Tungnath .

The sanctuary harbours extensive alpine meadows and several dense broad leaved oak mixed forest. A total of one hundred and fifty two species of ethno medicinal plants have been compiled.

After the flash floods of 16th June, 2013, causing unimaginable loss to lives and property, it is time to rebuild. Waters rose above the Mandakini Bird Watchers Camp

All the photographs in this slide show except the one of Mandakini Magpie Bird Watcher’s Camp were taken in 2004, by Shashi Sharma. The photo of the Camp was taken by Mousree Ganguli just two days before the floods ravaged it, in June 2013.

You can read a trip report on the camp at this link

http://www.indianwildlifeclub.com/UserContent/Trip-Report-Details.aspx?rid=544

Let us make a beginning. Help Mr. Yashpal Negi rebuild the Magpie Birdwatchers camp.

Help rebuild Mandakini Magpie Bird Watchers’ CampSend money to Yashpal Singh NegiKakragad, PO Bhiri , Dist. RudraprayagUttarakhand 246419, IndiaMobile No. 09412909399Bank Acctt. DetailSBI - Bhiri, Code - 9834, Acctt. No. 11442534733

Those who contribute more than Rs 1000/- may send in their name, email id , date and amount of credit to susan_sharma@hotmail.com. IndianWildlifeClub .com will send a high resolution copy of ‘ Morning Glory at Kedarnath” (first slide) to each one of them.

http://www.indianwildlifeclub.com