Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary covers 975 sq km of the Garhwal Himalayas and is one of the most important protected areas in the region. The sanctuary ranges from dense temperate forests to high-altitude alpine meadows and glaciers. It provides habitat for snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, bharal (blue sheep), and the endangered western tragopan pheasant. The Kedarnath Temple and several trekking routes pass through the sanctuary. The upper reaches are home to Brahma Kamal and other rare Himalayan flora. The sanctuary sees its best wildlife activity in the shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October.