Situated
in the Ladakh division of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, the
National Park is situated at the bank of river Indus and includes the
catchments areas of Markha, Sumdah, and Rumbak streams. Situated at a
distance of around 40 km southeast of Leh, it takes its name from the world
famous Buddhist Gompa situated here.
Established in 1981, the Hemis National Park is a high altitude protected
area situated in the eastern part of the cold desert of Ladakh for the
conservation and protection of its unique flora and fauna. It covers an area
of 600 sq. kms in the Markha and Rumbak valleys.
The Hemis High Altitude National Park includes the catchments of two
valleys, which drain into the River Indus. It is named after the famous
monastery -- Hemis, and sprawls over 600-sq-km in the Markha And Rumbak
valleys.
Wildlife
at Hemis National Park :
The wild yak is the major attraction here. Other animals in Hemis are the
ibex, blue sheep, bharal, docile marmot and mouse hare. Black necked crane,
bar-headed geese, ducks and several other water birds breed near the lakes
in thousands. The avid bird watcher can spend friutful hours by observing
Bactrian magpies, grey tits, chough, raven, sparrow, kite, kestrel, Turkoman
rock pigeon, chukor, finches, buntings, larks, desert wheateaters, a many
more varieties of birds.
Best Seasons :
The best season for mammal viewing is September to May and for bird viewing
March to May and September to December. Approachable by road from Leh , this
national park contains several camping sites too.
