Nanda Devi - The Second Highest Mountain in India

The Nanda Devi peak is located in a small hill station of Uttarakhand that is Auli and is also known as the Goddess of Himalayas. This is the most prominent UNESCO World Heritage site as it is the second tallest peak of India. This peak provides a fascinating backdrop to the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

It is located at an elevation of 7817 m above sea level and attracts a huge crowd of visitors due to its inspiring view. Nanda Devi National Park surrounds the peak and creates a magical atmosphere where you can witness several exotic flora and fauna.

Nanda Devi mountain range is having two peaks which include the Eastern peak and the Western peak. The Western peak is also known as Sunanda peak and the east and one is known as goddess Nanda.

This region attracts a huge number of devotees too, as Nanda Devi is referred to as the Goddess of Uttarakhand and also this place is the Abode of Lord Shiva. This place is also on the list of adventure enthusiasts as there are various tracking trails and scenic beauty that provides surreal environments to unwind oneself.

Lata is the town from where the 55 km long trek of Nanda Devi starts and while you going on this trek you will be passing through places like Dharansi Pass, Debrugheta, and Hitoli, and Joshimath. During the trek you can witness the local culture and lifestyle of village people in the Himalayan region also one can witness the Confluence of Sacred rivers such as Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Nandprayag.

History of Nanda Devi Peak

In the year 1974 Nanda Devi century was reopened for local people, foreign Tourists, and trekkers but soon a lot of woodcutting for fire, garbage, and grazing were seen in the area. In 1977, some series problems for noted in this sanctuary and was closed again for tourist in 1983.

In 1982 the Nanda Devi biosphere reserve that includes the Nanda Devi National Park was declared as the core of the Nanda Devi sanctuary. Later in the year 1988, Nanda Devi National Park was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site.

After that, this National Park was approached by various local persons who were indulged in climbing expedition and in the year 1993, the Indian Army corps of Engineers having a team of 40 members approached this place to recover it from all the environmental problems and remove the garbage from this place.

And that time the Eastern side which is known as Sunanda Devi was open that leads to the South Bridge route. A sustainable campaign was done by the local communities that were declared in the Nanda Devi declaration of 2001. In the year 2003, the Nanda Devi core zone was opened for limited Eco-tourism activities.

In the year 2006, a team of Four Women from 4 countries was formed to indulge in the track of this National Park. After this campaign, the tracking was allowed so as to increase the livelihood of local people and also by sustaining the cultural and religious aspect of the Nanda Devi National Park.

The work of the interpretation center on the biocultural diversity of Nanda Devi National Park is still under process in the village Lata, which is also the basecamp or the gateway to Nanda Devi National Park. At the current time, the maximum number of 500 trackers are allowed to enter the core zone from the month of May till October. Lata village which is the base camp of this track is located at a distance of 25 km from Nanda Devi National Park.

Nanda Devi Glacier

The Nanda Devi group of glaciers is referred to as 7 glaciers such as Bartoli, Kururntoli, Nada Devi North, Nanda Devi South, Nandakna, Ramani, and Trishul that are located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi peak having Nanda Devi North part and Nanda Devi South part that covers an area of 19 km and is located at an elevation of 7108 m above sea level.

Also, the Nanda Devi Glacier is the prime source for various rivers of Uttarakhand State as well as for complete India. This Glacier is protected by Nanda Devi National Park which is also known as Nanda Devi biosphere reserve and is located in between the lush green Himalayan peaks.

There are various trekking trails which are offered by the Nanda Devi group of Glacier. While trekking for Nanda Devi Glacier one can admire the lustrous beauty of alpine meadows and also the sparkling peaks and magnificent streams. The melted water of Nanda Devi Glacier feds several streams and rivers.

These small streams later joints to Rishi Ganga river and then the Rishi Ganga River joins Dhauliganga which is one of the prime tributaries of River Ganga. Later, Dhauliganga meets Alaknanda river at Vishnu Prayag and a Confluence of rivers is formed. The best time to explore this Nanda Devi group of glaciers is from May month till October month and during this time the Nanda Devi biosphere reserve is also open for welcoming its tourists. The base camp for this trekking trail is located in the Chamoli district at Lata village.

Mountaineering History of Nanda Devi Peak

Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park is perhaps the most staggering public attraction that is situated in the Himalayan locale of India. This public park is encircled by Nanda Devi Peaks which is the second-most elevated mountain pinnacle of India. Nanda Devi public park is a biological system that upholds various species and different natural surroundings of wild creatures which is additionally a World Heritage site of India.

This National Park is spread in a space of 380 square kilometers. In this National Park, you will observe a portion of the uncommon greenery of species, for example, Brahma Kamal and a blue mountain goat known as 'Bharal'. If you are fortunate, you may likewise find the opportunity to have the sight of snow Leopard.

This National Park turned into the UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 1988 which ensured extraordinary Himalayan widely varied vegetation. This National Park is separated into two segments internal segment and the external segment the inward segment of this National Park covers very nearly two-thirds of the space of the complete National Park and prohibits the passage of tourists. While the external piece of this National Park is effectively open for the vacationer.

Nanda Devi Base Camp Trek

Nanda Devi is one of the most marvelous peaks of India and is the second-highest peak in the country and the twenty-third highest peak of the world. The Trek from Nanda Devi base camp will take you to admit the magnificent biosphere of the Himalayas. The closest basecamp for trekkers is Nanda Devi East base camp from where the adventure lovers can admire the beauty of Nanda Devi and its Eastern peak.

In the year 1983 does Nanda Devi peak and its surrounding mountains were closed for tourists so as to protect the fragile ecosystem of this place. Later, Nanda Devi National Park was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site. A time period of 9 to 12 days is required to experience the difficult Trek of Nanda Devi.

The Nanda Devi base camp track will provide you a glimpse of The Mighty Himalayan peaks. This trek will lead you to the base camp that is located on the eastern side and is also known as the home of Panchu Glacier. At this place, one can witness the rich biodiversity and can also learn about the local culture and lifestyle of people living in the Himalayas.