Deosai National Park-The Roof of the World

Deosai National Park

Deosai National Park- The roof of the world is the sublime beauty of Pakistan. It is nearly 40 40-mile drive from the City of Skardu. Deosai is situated at 4000 meters in elevation. It is often quoted as “The Roof of the World.” It is the second-highest plateau in the world after Tibet.

Deosai is a famous tourist destination. Many tourists, including locals and foreigners, love the serenity of the place. It is gathered in small glacial mountains with crystal clear waters springing out of them. Deosai National Park is renowned for its Himalayan Brown Bear.

According to the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation research, in 1993, only 19 Himalayan Browns were alive, and their population is continuously diminishing.

Deosai National Park is home to rare species such as Markhor, Brown Bear, Marco Polo sheep, Deers, and original Eagles. Apart from its beautiful exotic locations, it contains riches of various rare species of natural Herbs that are only found in Deosai due to its climate.

For the survival of Himalayan Brown Bears, Deosai National Park was established in 1993, which took various steps to ensure the stability of Wildlife.

The efforts by the Pakistan government and WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) paid off, and soon after the decade of establishing the park, there was a visible increase in the number of Himalayan Brown Bears. In 1993, there were only 19 brown bears, and after a decade, it increased to 40.

Deosai National Park, Wonder in this Wonderland

It is a fact that the reproduction of Brown bears is quite slow compared to other species. Additionally, the female bears are unable to produce cubs unless they are 8 eight years old, and after that, they produce a single cub.

The cub has stuck to his mother for almost 5 years, and while it is with her, she will never make it again. So, the slow and steady reproduction process of Brown Bears needs attention, and somehow, various initiatives taken by the authorities have become productive.

Furthermore, in Deosai Plains and National Park, you will witness some of the rare species:

  • Himalayan ibex,
  • red fox,
  • golden marmot, locally called phia,
  • grey wolf,
  • the Ladakh Uriel,
  • the snow leopard.

 

Moreover, over 124 resident and immigrating birds, like

  • the golden eagle,
  • lammergeyer,
  • griffon vulture,
  • lager falcon,
  • peregrine falcon,
  • Kestrel,
  • Sparrowhawk,
  • snowcock

are also the inhabitants of Deosai.

As the human population is ever-growing, this remote place has adverse effects. Earlier in the years, only a few nomads, not more than one dozen, used to visit the Deosai plains, but now their numbers have increased. Nomads come with many cattle and sheep in search of food. This surge in human traffic has really increased troubles for nature and the animals inhabiting it.

Food scarcity is alarming, and many animals are having a tough time dying in such conditions due to the food shortage. Local authorities are paying no attention, hence increasing the danger to wildlife.

The vast plains of Deosai are a miracle on earth, where you can find only the ear-shattering beauty of the Creator. Pakistan Tour and Travel has learned that the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation is trying to lay down a new plan for preserving wildlife and preventing hunting in the Deosai plains.

Deosai National Park is majestic, as Wordsworth took down the poem for Deosai. After a tiresome, long journey through high mountains, valleys, remote villages, and hills, I saw Deosai National Park for the first time.

I am not exaggerating. One must see Deosai at least once in life, as Deosai National Park and the Lake of Shoeshar are extremely beautiful and the artwork of God’s perfection.

A century ago, such places were often referred to as inhabitant and dangerous and were not visited. They had strange names showcasing the fear of humans. 

Time has really changed now. It is a modern era where humans are leading a very tough life in modern-built cities with lots of gadgets around. Tons of people are visiting the northern areas of Pakistan.  

People are fast enduring wealth and power but do not have many facilities to attain peace of mind. The Deosai National Park is one to visit to relax and see the sublime beauty of the Northern areas of Pakistan. 

Deosai National Park is the amalgamation of the words ‘Deo’ (giant) and ‘Sai’ (shadow). For decades, there has been the myth that giants haunt this place. Thus, the name ‘The Land of the Giants’ came into being. The weather in Deosai National Park is quite unpredictable; sometimes, it starts snowing in summer. Sunlight and clouds seem to play hide-and-seek here, with the sun shining one minute and overcast the next.

Deosai National Park has a deafening silence, a silence spanning millions of years. The silence is so rooted that one can hear his own heartbeat unless a marmot’s whistle mesmerizes the Valley.

Deosai is positioned on the boundary of the Karakoram and the western Himalayas, and at no point is it less than 4000 meters above sea level. It is mostly covered with snow for 8 months. The rest of the year, it hosts a range of beautiful flowers of all hues and colors, but you won’t find any tree in this plateau spread over 3000 sq. km.

There are multiple springs in Deosai, beaming with trout fish serving as food for locals and bears alike. 5000-meter-high mountains in the backdrop, wildlife spreading in these mountains, clouds so low that one can almost touch them, Himalayan golden eagles flying between the clouds, and a feminist fragrance in the atmosphere—probably a mixture of brown bears, red foxes, white tigers, and naughty marmots—this is the real beauty of Deosai.

A mountain road from Skardu Bazaar elevates to the Sadpara village. From this scenic, curvy road, Sadpara Lake seems so beautiful that the onlookers forget to blink. Soon comes the Sadpara village, where the local children have conspired with nature to stop the vehicles.

A spring flowing through the road has broken it, slowing down the cars, and as soon as a vehicle slows down, local children stop them to sell cherries and other local fruits.

When the village is left behind, the road becomes unbalanced, and increasing height puts pressure on your ears. High mountains on one side and depths on the other side — it is enough to stop the heartbeat of the first-time visitor. But when you are done with the journey, such a scene awaits you, which can neither be described in words nor can it be entirely captured in photographs.

Contact Pakistan Tour and Travel anytime for any inquiry or booking of Pakistan northern areas tours.

Ejaz Hussain
Ejaz Hussain

The Writer, CEO & Founder of Pakistantourntravel.com is a passionate traveler with a deep love for exploring the breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems of Northern Pakistan. From the majestic mountains to the vibrant cultures, he takes great delight in immersing himself in the rich experiences and sharing captivating tales from his journeys. You can catch him as he unravels the wonders of this enchanting Pakistan and inspires fellow adventurers to embark on their own unforgettable expeditions. Connect with him @ [email protected]

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