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Pre-Establishment History – Ancient and Colonial Era

The region encompassing the Great Himalayan National Park has a long history of human habitation and interaction with its natural resources, shaped by local communities and colonial influences.

• Ancient Habitation: The valleys of Tirthan, Sainj, and Jiwa Nala were inhabited by indigenous communities for centuries, who practiced sustainable agriculture, pastoralism, and revered the region’s sacred landscapes, including peaks like Shrikhand Mahadev.
• Colonial Period: During British rule in the 19th century, the Kullu region was part of princely states and British-administered territories. The forests were exploited for timber and game hunting, with little regard for conservation, impacting the region’s biodiversity.
• Local Practices: Local communities maintained a symbiotic relationship with the forests, using resources for fuel, fodder, and medicinal plants, while their cultural beliefs protected certain areas as sacred groves.

Establishment of Great Himalayan National Park – 1984

The establishment of Great Himalayan National Park marked a significant step in India’s conservation efforts, driven by the need to protect the region’s unique ecosystems and wildlife.

• Initial Surveys: In the 1970s, wildlife surveys by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and international researchers highlighted the region’s rich biodiversity, including species like the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, and Western Tragopan, prompting calls for protection.
• Creation of the Park: In 1984, the Government of Himachal Pradesh notified the Great Himalayan National Park, covering 754.4 km² across the Tirthan, Sainj, and Jiwa Nala valleys, with the aim of preserving its alpine meadows, forests, and fauna.
• Conservation Measures: The park’s establishment restricted human activities like grazing and resource extraction within its boundaries, while an ecozone was created to support sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

UNESCO World Heritage Recognition – 2014

The park’s global significance was recognized when it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, affirming its role in conserving Himalayan ecosystems.

• Nomination Process: In 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was nominated for UNESCO status due to its outstanding biodiversity, including over 25 forest types, 800+ plant species, and rare fauna like the Himalayan brown bear and musk deer.
• UNESCO Criteria: The park met UNESCO’s criteria for natural heritage under Criterion X, showcasing significant habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including threatened species.
• Expanded Boundaries: The UNESCO designation included the park’s core area and adjacent protected areas like the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries, covering a total of 905.4 km², with a buffer zone of 265.6 km².

Modern Conservation and Community Engagement

Today, Great Himalayan National Park is a model for balancing conservation with community development, attracting researchers, trekkers, and eco-tourists from around the world.

• Biodiversity Conservation: The park protects over 30 mammal species, 200+ bird species, and numerous reptiles and amphibians, with ongoing research to monitor species like the snow leopard and Western Tragopan.
• Community Involvement: Initiatives like eco-tourism and homestays in the ecozone empower local communities, providing alternative livelihoods while reducing dependence on park resources.
• Challenges and Achievements: Despite challenges like human-wildlife conflict and climate change, the park’s conservation efforts have stabilized populations of endangered species, earning it international acclaim as a biodiversity hotspot.