Hemis

The place derives its name from a famous monastery which is called Hemis Gompa. It stretches over an area of 600 square kilometers. It forms part of the Ladakh division. It is 40 kilometers away from Kashmir. There is a national park situated which is called Hemis National Park. It offers an overview of the River Indus along with catchment areas such as Markha, Sumdah and Rumbak streams.

The park is also referred to as the “Snow Leopard Capital of India”. Its height varies from 3300 meters to 6000 meters. A large variety of wildlife is found here. The park was formed in the year 1981. It is a unique park with mountains, river and flatlands. 

Wildlife Attractions: The dry forests consist of trees of Juniper, Birch, Fir, etc. It also has alpine grasslands and scrublands. This park is also home to many endangered species. The natural habitat of some of the animals living in this park is cold region. The park also nurtures cold desert flora. Snow leopard, Tibetan wild or kiang, ibex, Tibetan antelope, Palla’s cat, Srapu, Bharal, Red fox, Rhesus macaque, Hanuman languor, wolf, marmot, Tibetan argali, Ladakh murial, are some of the common species found in the park. It is also home to some unique flora such as sparse grasslands, herbaceous vegetation, Junipers, Myricaria, Poplar, Salix, Birch, Astragalus, Taraxacum, Leortopodium, Ephedra, etc.