Year Declared
Sq. Km Area
Altitude Range
Mammal Species
Bird Species
Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is Jammu’s only National Park — a magnificent Himalayan wilderness that serves as a vital ecological corridor for snow leopards and is one of the most important wildlife conservation areas in the entire western Himalayas.
Overview — Jammu’s Only National Park
The Kishtwar High Altitude National Park (KHANP) was declared a National Park vide Cabinet Order No. 20 FST of 4th February 1981, with the chief aim of protecting snow leopards and their fragile mountain habitat. Located approximately 40 km north-east of Kishtwar town and about 248 km from Jammu, it is the only National Park in the entire Jammu province.
The Park spans a total area of 2,191 sq. km across the Dachhan and Marwah Tehsils of Kishtwar district. It covers an altitudinal range of 1,700 to 6,000 metres above sea level — from lush temperate forests along the Chenab river to glacier-covered summits that touch the clouds. The park is bounded by the Rinnay River in the north, Kibar Nala in the south, the Great Himalayas in the east, and the Marwa River in the west.
Area: 2,191 sq. km · Altitudinal Range: 1,700–6,000 m ASL
Nearest Airport: Jammu (250 km) · Nearest Railhead: Jammu (248 km)
By Road: Bus up to Palmar (20 km north of Kishtwar). Taxi/Sumo up to Ikhala (40 km), then on foot or horseback.
Rest Houses at: Ikhala, Sounder, Sirshi and Yourdu (Marwah)
Best time for Wildlife: September to March (mammals) · March to May (birds)
The Snow Leopard — Ghost of the Mountains
The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) — one of the world’s most elusive and mysterious big cats — is the flagship species of Kishtwar National Park. Categorised as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this magnificent felid with its thick grey-white spotted coat and incredibly long tail is adapted to thrive in the most extreme high-altitude environments. It is a solitary, nocturnal animal and an agile climber in rocky terrain, capable of leaping extraordinary distances.
The Park was established specifically to conserve the snow leopard and is one of seven designated Snow Leopard Reserves under a Central Government project. India is home to 718 snow leopards, most living outside legally protected areas.
In May 2024, the first ever photographic record of snow leopards in KHANP was published in the international journal Oryx — by researchers from University of Kashmir and National Development Foundation, Jammu.
4 unique snow leopards identified, with the possibility of up to 9 individuals. Camera traps captured 8 photographs in Kiyar, Nanth and Renai catchments at 3,004–3,878m altitude.
The Park is a vital ecological corridor, connecting snow leopard populations across the Greater and Trans-Himalayan regions and enabling critical gene flow.
This is the first population baseline study for snow leopards in KHANP, conducted under the global PAWS (Population Assessment of World’s Snow Leopards) initiative.
Mammals of Kishtwar National Park
The Park is home to over 15 mammal species, including several that are endangered or critically endangered. Among the most notable are the Hangul (Kashmir Stag) — the critically endangered State Animal of J&K, found nowhere else in the world — and the Kashmir Musk Deer, prized for its musk pod and dangerously vulnerable to poaching.
The Hangul (Cervus elaphus hangul) is endemic to J&K — meaning it is found nowhere else on earth. It is classified as Critically Endangered. The Hangul migrates to Kishtwar National Park during winter from Dachigam National Park and returns when the cold subsides. Excessive poaching, illegal grazing, and habitat loss are its primary threats.
🐆 Snow Leopard
Vulnerable · Flagship species of the Park. Elusive, solitary, and magnificently adapted to high-altitude Himalayan terrain.
🦌 Kashmir Musk Deer
Endangered. The musk pod in its abdomen is precious — making it a target of poachers. Grey, brush-like fur.
🐻 Brown Bear
Reddish-brown to golden coat. Lives in alpine and sub-alpine forests. Threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
🐻 Asiatic Black Bear
Dense black fur with a pale V on the chest. Smaller than the Brown Bear. Lives in sub-alpine valleys and meadows.
🐐 Ibex
Large beard and dramatic scimitar-shaped horns on males. A high-altitude rock climber, tragically targeted by trophy poachers.
🐆 Leopard
Solitary and nocturnal. Endangered due to fur poaching. Man-animal conflict involving leopards is increasing in areas outside protected zones.
Hangul (Kashmir Stag)
Kashmir Musk Deer
Brown Bear
Asiatic Black Bear
Ibex
Markhor
Bharal (Blue Sheep)
Leopard
Leopard Cat
Wild Boar
Serow
Indian Muntjac
Rhesus Macaque
Langur
Long-tailed Marmot
Yellow-throated Martin
Indian Gerbil
Jackal
Cape Hare
Birdlife — 50 Species of Himalayan Avifauna
Kishtwar National Park is an enchanting destination for bird watchers, home to approximately 50 species of birds. The best time for bird watching is March to May, when the forests come alive with song and colour.
🦅 Griffon Vulture
🐦 Paradise Flycatcher
🐦 Golden Oriole
🐦 White-cheeked Bulbul
🐦 Indian Mynah
🐦 Himalayan Jungle Crow
Flora & Vegetation — 13 Types of Forest
The National Park encompasses 13 distinct vegetation types, ranging from moist temperate deciduous forests in the lower altitudes to alpine pastures near the snowline. The terrain lies in the Central Crystalline Belt of the Great Himalayas, with rocks of granite, gneiss, and schist, and occasional beds of marble.
🌲 Lower Zone (1,700–2,400m)
Cedar, Blue Pine, Walnut, Horse Chestnut, Poplar, Hazel, Bird Cherry, Ash, and Yew forests. Rich moist temperate deciduous belt.
🌲 Mid Zone (2,400–3,000m)
Silver Fir, Spruce, and Cedar mixed forests dominate. The rare Chilgoza Pine (Pinus gerardiana) is found in the Dachhan range.
🌿 Sub-Alpine & Alpine (3,000m+)
Silver Fir and Birch forests merge with Birch-Rhododendron scrub, giving way to alpine pastures — the grazing ground of snow leopards and ibex.
Climate & Best Time to Visit
The influence of monsoon is relatively weak inside the Park. Mean annual rainfall at Palmar and Sirshi (located near the periphery at 1,761m) is 827 mm and 741 mm respectively. Precipitation is highest in March–April and again in July–August. December to February brings heavy snowfall, when the entire area becomes snow-bound.
🌸 Spring / Summer (Mar–May)
Best for birds. Wear: Trekking shoes, light clothing, and a raincoat. Wildflowers bloom and migratory birds arrive.
🍂 Autumn / Winter (Sep–Mar)
Best for mammals. Wear: Heavy woolens, waterproof windcheaters, and trekking shoes. Snow leopards more active at lower altitudes.
💡 Did you know? In 2023, camera traps in the Renai catchment of Kishtwar National Park captured three snow leopards in a single frame — roaming together amid pristine snow-covered Himalayan landscapes. This was confirmed by the Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K.
Contact & Accommodation
For accommodation and further details about visiting Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, contact the Wildlife Division Chenab Kishtwar or the Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K Government.
🐆 Protect the Wild · Kishtwar National Park 🌿
Snow Leopard Kishtwar
Hangul Kashmir Stag
Wildlife Jammu Kashmir
KHANP 2024 Discovery
Kishtwar Trekking
Kashmir Musk Deer
Himalayan Wildlife
Dachhan Marwah Nature
National Parks Jammu
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· Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
