Deosai National Park

Deosai National Park
Ghbyarsa "غبیارسہ "
The blooming Deosai Plains, Deosai National Park.
Location	Skardu Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan
Nearest city	Skardu
Coordinates	34°58′N 75°24′E / 34.967°N 75.400°E / 34.967; 75.400Coordinates: 34°58′N 75°24′E / 34.967°N 75.400°E / 34.967; 75.400
Area	3,000 km² (1,200 sq mi)
Established	1993
Governing body	Directorate of Deosai National Park Sadpara Road, Skardu
Website	www.skardu.pk

The Deosai National Park is located in between Skardu, Gultari, Kharmang and Astore Valley, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan, majority of which falls in Skardu district claimed by India.

Etymology

In Urdu, Deosai Urdu "دیوسای٘" means 'the land of Giants'. It is locally called غبیارسہ Ghbiarsa referring to "Summer's Place" by Balti people because it is only accessible in summer.

Geography

Deosai National Park falls in Skardu Baltistan and has an average elevation of 4,114 metres (13,497 ft) above sea level, making the Deosai Plains one of the highest plateaus in the world. The park protects an area of 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi). It is well known for its rich flora and fauna of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe eco region. In spring, it is covered by sweeps of wildflowers and a wide variety of butterflies. Deosai is second highest plateau after Chang Thang Plateau Tibet.

Geology and Soil

The soils of this area are severely eroded, of a coarser nature and mixed with gravel and stones of various material and sizes. In flat areas between mountains, soil is deep with marshy vegetation.

How to reach there

Deosai is accessible from Skardu District in the north, Gultari Kharmang district in the south-east, and the Astore District in the west. Deosai is located approximately 30 km from Skardu city and its the shortest route to visit Deosai. Most foreigners visit deosai via Skardu. It takes 1 hour to reach Deosai top via Sadpara Skardu. Another route is from Astore valley via Chilim. It is also accessible from Shila valley. The people of Gultari travel via Deosai. There is another route called Burgi la via Tsoq Kachura valley Skardu.

Sheosar Lake

Deosai Lake, or Sheosar Lake from the [] meaning "Blind lake" (Sheo - Blind, Sar - lake) is in the park. The lake, at an elevation of 4,142 metres (13,589 ft), is one of the highest lakes in the world. Its length is 2.3 kilometres (7,500 ft), width 1.8 kilometres (5,900 ft) and average depth 40 metres (130 ft).

Fauna and Flora

The Deosai National Park was established in 1993 to protect the survival of the Himalayan brown bear and its habitat. Having long been a prize kill for poachers and hunters, the bear now has a hope for survival in Deosai where its number has increased from only 19 in 1993 to 40 in 2005. During the last decade, a few but effective measures have been taken by the Government of Pakistan for the survival of brown bear in the region. In 1993, Himalayan Wildlife Project was founded with a substantial financial support from international environmental concerns. But the brown bear is still under threat.

The Deosai Plains are also home to the Himalayan ibex, red fox, golden marmot locally called Phia, gray wolf, the Ladakh urial, the snow leopard, and over 124 resident and migratory birds. Birds in the park include the golden eagle, lammergeier, griffon vulture, laggar falcon, peregrine falcon, kestrel, sparrowhawk and snowcock. The following species are found in Deosai Artemisia maritima, Polygonum affine, Thalictrum alpinum, Bromus oxyodon, Saxifraga flagellaris, Androsace mucronifolia, Aster flaccidus, Barbarea vulgaris, Artemisia maritima, Agropyron longearistatum, Nepeta connate, Carex cruenta, Ranaculyus laetus, Arenaria neelgerrensis, Astrogalus leucophylla, Polygonum amplexinade, Echinop nivetus, Seria chrysanthenoides, Artemisia maritima, Dracocephalum nutsus, Anapalas contorta, Chrysopogon echinulatus, and Dianthus crinitus. There were also observed some medicinal plants which are localy famous i.e Thymu linearis (Reetumburuk), Saussures lappa (kuth), Ephedra intimedia (Say), Viola canescens (Skora-mindoq), Dracocephalum muristanicum (Shamdun) and Artemisia maritima (Bursay) etc are used as traditional drug therapies.

Cultural references

Herodotus

Research by the French ethnologist Michel Peissel makes a claim that the story of 'Gold-digging ants' reported by the Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC, was founded on the golden Himalayan Marmot of the Deosai plateau and the habit of local tribes such as the Minaro to collect the gold dust excavated from their burrows.^[1]

In film

The documentary film series Land of the Tiger, in episode 5 - the "Mountains of the Gods", features the plants and animals of Deosai. Karakoram Heli skying 2013 by Walkabout Films. Documentary movie "Deosai the last sanctuary"

Gallery

Sign Board at Deosai National Park, Skardu
Entrance of Deosai National Park, Skardu
A mix of Green plains, Mountains and Waters. The never ending Deosai Plains
The "Endless Plains" of Deosai National Park
Deosai Lake and the Deosai Plains, Deosai National Park

References

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Deosai National Park.

↑ Peissel, Michel. "The Ants' Gold: The Discovery of the Greek El Dorado in the Himalayas". Collins, 1984. ISBN 978-0-00-272514-9.

External links

Baltistan

Passes	Karakoram Pass Gyong La Gondogoro Pass Bilafond La

Valleys	Skardu Valley Khaplu Valley Kharmang Shigar Valley Roundu Baltistan Galtari

Cities and towns	Skardu Kargil Shigar Khaplu Kharmang Roundu Baltistan Balghar Barah valley Chalunka Chorbat Valley Ghawari Haldi, Baltistan Hassanabad, Pakistan Hushe Valley Keris Valley Khane Kharfak Korphe Yugo, Baltistan Yugupa

Rivers, glaciers and lakes	Baltoro Glacier Biafo Glacier Siachen Glacier Bilafond Glacier Godwin-Austen Glacier Trango Glacier Lake Kharfak Satpara Lake Shangrila Lake Shigar River Shyok River Indus Hushe River Saltoro River

Architecture	Chaqchan Mosque Khanaq-e-Mullah Noorbakshia Khaplu Bala Khaplu Palace Shigar Fort Skardu Fort Baltit Fort Amburik Mosque

See also	Karakoram Highway Ladakh Line of Control Kargil War Balti language History of Gilgit-Baltistan K2 Balti (food)

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