Kishtwar – Erakina

Introduction

Spread over an area of ​​about 2190 sq km, Kishtwar National Park or Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kishtwar National Park attracts wildlife lovers with a variety of plants and animals including musk deer and Himalayan brown bear. The wildlife sanctuary offers a great opportunity for hiking which adds even more fun to the exploration. But before entering Kashmir’s Kishtwar National Park, it is important to understand the region you are in.

Getting to know the Kishtwar region

• Kishtwar District was closed in 2007 and began operating as an independent administrative unit on 01-04-2007.
• The city of Kishtwar is an HQ District of Kishtwar located 235 kilometres from the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir State.
• Available between 35-55 and 45-97 degrees longitudinal; however the height of the District varies from 3000-15000 ft. above sea level.
• Kishtwar is surrounded by Anantnag District, Doda District and is located on the border of the Himachal Pradesh region.
• Since 2011 it is the third most populous district in Jammu and Kashmir (out of 22) after Kargil and Leh took over 7737 Sq Kms.

Kishtwar – Current and Past

• Kishtwar, the land of the saffron, the sapphire and the shrines, was an important hill station in ancient times. Maharaja Gulab Singh, ruler of the Dogra of Jammu seized it in 1821 AD.
• District Kishtwar was recorded in the old District Doda in 2007-08 when Prime Minister G.N.Azad made a landmark decision in July 2006 for the construction of a new district.
• It has the unique distinction of being one of the largest districts in the area near the districts of Leh and Kargil.
• Its area is approximately one-eleven districts in total and one-third of Jammu district also has eleven districts.
• The population of the Kishtwar region is estimated at 2.5lakh. Location history, topography, demographics, geography define a place or region.
• Kishtwar is almost as mountainous as that of the Himachal region of Ladakh.
• The Kishtwar region has its tributaries of the Himachal valleys to the southeast and the Man of the Southwest. The whole region is covered with mountains, forests, and hills.
• Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs all live here in love and brotherhood.
• The district has four Tehsils namely Marwah, Paddar, Chhatroo and Kishtwar with headquarters in Nauphachi, Atholi, Chhatroo and Kishtwar.
• Almost every region gets snow during a good winter.
• Accommodation is available on or at an altitude of 9,500ft. Kishtwar is full of hidden beauties, beautiful sites and scenic spots, health resorts, famous historical and religious tourist sites, places of worship and monuments.
• The official census data for the 2011 Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir counties was released by the Directorate of Census Operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Significant censuses were also conducted by census officials in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir.

• In 2011, Kishtwar had a population of 230,696 while males and females numbered 120,165 and 110,531 respectively.

Kishtwar National Park – Physical Factors

• National Park is a mountainous region with rugged terrain and cliffs and rugged cliffs and narrow valleys.
• National Park height from 2300 m to 6000 m.
• The typical National Park rock formations fall under the central Himalayan crystalline group.
• Geography is the result of a sequence from Precambrian to Triassic.
• The stones are made mainly of granite, gneisses and schist with occasional marble beds.

Kishtwar National Park – Climate and Rain

• The National Park climate determines the type of temperature and depending on the length of time and the intensity of the rainfall and the temperature of the four seasons are visible.
• These are summer, autumn and winter. The face of the National Park is characterized by a heavy and long winter and a short summer season.
• The climate is warm and mild to moderate. Storms occur, mostly in December and January and sometimes even in November, February and March. In winter, the entire National Park is covered with snow.
• In the highlands and open areas, snow lasts for at least nine months and serves as a water source for various nalla during the dry summer months.
• Most of the rain falls from December to April. The monsoon is usually weak and arrives late in the area.
• The average annual rainfall is 920 mm. Heavy winter rains and moderate rains occur in the summer.
• Severe winter conditions occur in part due to the local and party environment due to the effects of western disturbances.
• Winds are usually easier to get to the centre.
• This area also causes local winds. These become stronger as they roll over fields and glaciers.
• The winds that blow over the mountains come out like powerful waves.