UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Valley of Flowers’ opens for Tourists

What is the News?

The Valley of Flowers will be accessible to the public from June to October which remains covered in a blanket of snow for the remaining six months.

What is the Valley of Flowers?

Located in: Chamoli district of Uttarakhand 

Discovered by: The place was accidentally discovered in 1931 by Frank S Smythe, an avid British mountaineer and a botanist when he was traversing through the region.

It was declared as a National Park in 1982.

It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Flora: The valley is home to over 600 flowering species, including some exotic varieties like Brahmakamal which is also the state flower of Uttarakhand. Blue poppy, described as the Queen of Flowers can also be found here.

Fauna: The region also has a rich faunal diversity with species like the leopard, musk deer, and blue sheep.

Climate: The park lies completely in the temperate alpine zone. 

Significance: Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalayas. 

Source: The post is based on the article “UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Valley of Flowers’ opens for Tourists” published in Indian Express on 31st May 2022.