Flora of Nanda Devi National Park

The amazing Flora of Nanda Devi National Park has definitely contributed to its becoming a World Heritage Site. What is most interesting is that the vegetation of the Nanda Devi National Park is not the same throughout. It is different in various parts of the National Park.

In fact there are areas within the Nanda Devi National Park which is devoid of any vegetation. The conditions here are very dry and so no trees can be traced near the Nanda Devi Glacier.

The fact that there are 312 species of Flora in the Nanda Devi National Park speaks volume about the variety. Out of them there are 17 which can be considered rare and are seldom seen elsewhere.

The main trees that are found in the forests which are restricted to the Rishi Gorge of this Biosphere Reserve are birch, fir and varieties of rhododendrons.

From Ramnani, a place within this National Park, one can notice a distinctive change in the kind of vegetation. It tends to become more Alpine. Dense Forests of Juniper scrubs dominate a major portion of the region. Juniper is replaced by Grasses, Lichens and Prone Mosses in accordance with the altitude. On riverine soils, annual herbs and Dwarf Willows are also to be seen.

It is no wonder that Sir Edmund Hillary described it as a God gifted Wilderness for the lush green meadows and the beautiful flowers and trees are simply breathtaking.

The Flora of Nanda Devi National Park is indeed unique in every respect. It is used for several purposes by the local inhabitants. There are about 17 kinds of plants that have medicinal value, 55 of them are consumed directly as food, 16 are used as fuels, 11 for religious purposes, 8 for the purpose of constructing houses.