Deosai National Park

Deosai National Park
(Urdu: دیوسای٘, Balti: غبیارسہ)
The blooming Deosai Plains, Deosai National Park.
Location	Skardu, Astore, Gilgit Baltistan,
Nearest city	Skardu, Astore
Coordinates	34°58′N 75°24′E
Area	3,000 km2 (1,200 sq mi)
Established	1993
Governing body	Directorate of Deosai National Park Sadpara Road, Skardu

The Deosai National Park (Urdu: دیوسائی نیشنل پارک) is located in Skardu, district of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan .

Etymology

Sheosar Lake is in the western part of Deosai National Park.

'Deosai' (Urdu: دیوسای٘) means 'the land of Giants' in Urdu. Balti people call this place 'Ghbiarsa' (Balti: غبیارسہ) referring to 'Summer's Place' because it is only accessible in summer.

Geography

The Deosai National Park is located between Kharmang, Astore and Skardu in Gilgit Baltistan. It 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.

Travel routes to the region

Deosai is accessible from Skardu District in the north, Galtari Kharmang District in the south-east, and the Astore District in the west. Deosai is located approximately 30 km from Skardu city and it is 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 Galtari travel via Deosai. There is another route called Burgi la via Tsoq Kachura valley Skardu.

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.

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 locally 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.

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"

Pakistani singer-actor Ali Zafar is also working on a film, which is based in Deosai.

Gallery

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  Sign Board at Deosai National Park, Skardu
• Entrance of Deosai National Park, Skardu
  Entrance of Deosai National Park, Skardu
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  Tourist information map of Deosai National Park
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  A mix of Green plains, Mountains and Waters. The never ending Deosai Plains
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  The "Endless Plains" of Deosai National Park
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  Deosai Lake and the Deosai Plains, Deosai National Park
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  Deosai Nation Park in August
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  Deosai National Park
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  Deosai national Park
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See also

• Sheosar Lake
• Karakoram Mountains
• Baltistan
• Skardu

External links

• Deosai National Park
• National Parks of Gilgit-Baltistan