The famed UNESCO World Heritage site, the Valley of Flowers, concluded its annual tourist season with over 13,000 visitors. However, this year saw a decline in numbers compared to the previous season due to unfavorable weather conditions and intermittent monsoon rains.

Senior authorities at the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Chamoli disclosed that this year, approximately 13,200 domestic tourists and around 400 foreign tourists explored the valley, marking a decrease from the 20,000 visitors welcomed last year. Despite the weather challenges, the Forest department managed to generate a commendable revenue of over 21 lakhs but still less than past year.

The Valley of Flowers opened its gates to tourists on June 1, with the inaugural batch of 40 visitors embarking on their journey from Ghangaria. Situated at an elevation of 3,000 meters in Chamoli district, the Valley of Flowers is accessible to the public from June to October, with the remaining six months shrouded in a snow blanket.

Known for its diverse floral species, including the exotic Brahmkamal, the state flower of Uttarakhand, the valley hosts over 600 types of flowers. Notable varieties like the Blue Poppy, described as the `Queen of Flowers,` Bluebell, Primula, Potentilla, Aster, Lilium, Himalayan Blue Poppy, Delphinium, and Ranunculus grace the region.

The area also boasts rich faunal diversity, with species such as leopard, musk deer, and blue sheep. Designated as a National Park in 1982, the Valley of Flowers spans 87.50 square kilometers and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005. Only accessible by foot, it continues to attract tourists and trekkers alike with its seventeen-kilometer trail, commencing from Ghangaria, situated at an altitude of 10,000 feet, and reachable via a trek from Govindghat, a small town near Joshimath. Visitors must obtain a permit from the state forest department to enter this exquisite natural wonder.

Himalayan LIve Bureau

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