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Location : District Uttar Kashi, Uttarakhand

Area covered : About 957 Sq kilometers

Known for : Rare species of fauna

Establishing year : 1955

Best Timings : Apr to June, Sep to Nov

Lying in one of the most enchanted places of Garhwal, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is located amidst picturesque meadows and landscaped with majestic glaciers and ice-laden peaks. The place is a popular holiday destination and a perfect haven for those who want to spend time exploring the mysteries of nature. Commonly called by the name Gobind Pashu Vihar, the place is home to several endangered species.

Legends associated with the place :

According to a legend, Lord Hanuman flew over Palk Strait and reached Uttarakhand in India; it is from this place that he carried a herb to cure Lord Rama who was injured during his battle with the demon Ravana. The medicine is believed to have cured Rama.

Attractions of the place :

Lying between the altitudes of 1300 and 6000 meters, the sanctuary is known to encompass rich vegetation and preserves a number of rare species of animals. Govind Wildlife Sanctuary forms a major catchments of the river Tons; its significance as a watershed area to Yamuna River is also immense.

Diversity of flora and fauna : Major flora species that are found at Govind Wildlife Sanctuary include varieties of chir, oak, cedar, and several other vegetations consisting of broad leaves. At an altitude of about 2600 m, one can find silver fir, walnut, hazel, yew, rhododendron, horse chestnut, and maple. A plethora of medicinal plants are known to grow here; trees are used in manufacture of several life-saving drugs here. As far as fauna is concerned, the place is home to several endangered species including snow leopard. It is home to wild animals like black bear, bharal, kokla, chukor, musk deer, tahr, pheasant, and monal. Hedgehog, palm civet, squirrel, and Sikkim vole are also found in abundance here.  In total, there are about 15 mammals and 150 avian species that are known to inhabit in the jungles of the sanctuary. One can also watch the activities of birds like owl, warbler, finch, bulbul, minivet, thrush, and cuckoo. 

Trekking options : There are several trekking routes that one can adhere to. The most popular and the easiest path consist of Sankri to Har ki Doon route. Other routes include paths from Sankri to Osla; Ruinsara Tal to Yamunotri; and Naitwar to Sangla. The latest is the toughest one and lies partially in Himachal Pradesh. One can enjoy adventurous activities like trekking, mountaineering, and rock-climbing here. The place is perfect for adventure-seekers.

Accommodations :

Rest houses at Govind Wildlife Sanctuary are available for the sake of tourists. These accommodations are located at Naitwar, Satta, and Har ki Dun. GMVN i.e. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam also provides rest houses along with the catering facilities.

The sanctuary is the excusive retreat for the tourist and offers plethora of opportunities to explore endangered wild life.