Himachal national park set for World Heritage tag

However, the cultural rights of access to sacred spots in the GHNP remain intact and people exercise these during festivals.

The GHNP authorities send a forest guard to monitor activities during the festivals and address poaching incidents, resource damage or littering. In the past 12 years, there have been no complaints lodged by locals concerning access to religious sites, said the official.

With the inclusion of both the wildlife sanctuaries in the GHNP, the total area, known as Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, spreads over 905 sq km.

Formally declared a national park in 1999, the altitude of the area ranges from 1,800 metres to 5,200 metres with a major part of the GHNP lying above 4,000 metres.

The GHNP, located in Kullu district and some 250 km from here, is home to several rare and threatened species, including the western tragopan, chir pheasant, snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, Asiatic black bear, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep and serow.

Some 25 threatened IUCN Red-listed plant species are also recorded in the park.