Gangotri national park abuzz with visitors, more expected after opening of Gangotri shrine

Sunday, 01 May 2022 | Vinod Chamoli | New Tehri

The Gangotri shrine which will be bustling with crowds of devotees in a few days is cloaked in silence these days as the pilgrims will reach the shrine only after its opening on May 3. On the other hand, Gamukh and Gartang Gali in Gangotri national park- both in Uttarkashi district are seeing increased human activities as adventure tourists have started reaching these two iconic spots since they were opened to the public on April 1.

Within 15 days of the area being opened to the public, more than 800 tourists have reached the national park. However the movement of tourists is expected to increase considerably after the opening of the portals of Gangotri shrine on May 3.

The Gangotri national park known for its natural beauty was opened to tourists from across the country and abroad on April 1. It is famous for the rare fauna and flora including the elusive snow leopard and blue sheep locally known as Bharal along with other wild animals and flora.

Many domestic and foreign tourists along with mountaineers have been arriving here. Spread over an area of about 2,390 square kilometres, the high altitude region in this park is also an attraction for tourists.

Situated at an altitude ot 7,000 metres, Gaumukh is one of the major peaks in the region along with the other major attraction being the Gangotri shrine.

Thousands of mountaineers and pilgrims arrive here every year to trek to Gangotri and also trek to Gaumukh the source of the river Ganga that is revered by Hindus across the globe. Currently, the hotels and guest houses are closed but these will start operating once the portal of the shrine opens on May 3.

The Forest department is hoping that the number of trekkers to Gaumukh, Tapovan and other high altitude areas will also increase once the portals of Gangotri shrine are opened to the public.

The ranger of Gangotri national park, Pratap Singh Panwar said that Gaumukh and Gartang Gali in the national park are abuzz with the influx of tourists these days and the Forest department is keeping a watch on the trekkers considering their safety.