Deosai National Park (DNP) was established by the government of the Northern Areas in 1993
as a result of a collaborative effort of the Northern Areas Forest Department and the Himalayan
Brown Bear Project (later incorporated as Himalayan Wildlife Foundation – HWF). Deosai
covers an area of 3000 sq Km. It has a mix of plains, plateaus, hills, streams, lakes and
mountains. Deosai is home to endangered Himalayan Brown bear, Golden marmot, Red fox,
Ladakh urial, Musk deer, Himalayan ibex, Markhor, Himalayan wolf and Snow leopards. Birds
includes vulture, falcon, snow cock, griffon vulture, golden eagle, sparrow, hawk and migratory
birds. Core zone is a special protected area for Brown Bear. There are many streams and lakes.
The primary objectives on assessment of Deosai National Park are:
Setting up a watch and ward system including check posts, field camps, and patrolling of the
park
Achieving control over illegal activities detrimental to the survival of the park including bear
hunting, fishing, and falcon trapping
Conducting research to develop ecological baselines and special studies to study the behavior
of the brown bear and to evaluate the risk of genetic inversion and collapse in the small bear
population
Zoning of the park into core zone for bears and grazing areas for communities and nomadic
herdsmen – Gujjars (seasonal nomadic herdsmen)
Training of park staff
Setting up a park entry fee system
Promoting awareness among local communities and other stakeholders on resources and
importance of DNP
Maintaining relationships with local communities and Gujjars
Following 2005, the Northern Areas Forest Department (now Department of Forest, Wildlife,
and Environment, Gilgit-Baltistan – Department) assumed full ownership and took full control of
park management. Involvement of HWF in this phase was limited to occasional research and
census support only. Much of the field staff trained by HWF was engaged by the Department
through a transparent hiring process, which provided continuity for park management. The
population of brown bears as well as fish and other wildlife continued to benefit from the efforts
of the Department.
The staff of the Department has worked with dedication and commitment and deserves to be
commended for its performance given the harsh working conditions and limited resources at its
disposal. However, an independent study ‘Himalayan Brown Bear in Deosai National Park:
Current Status and Threats’ conducted in 2012 shows that the population of the brown bears is
now stagnating at about 60 individuals. Recognizing the serious and far reaching implications of
this observation, a ‘Rapid Assessment of State of Management of Deosai National Park’ was
conducted by HWF during a visit to Deosai National Park from 25th through 28th June, 2013.
This rapid assessment also drew upon continued interaction and communication of HWF with
the park staff. The primary objectives of this assessment were:
- To assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the management systems in place
- To evaluate the pressures on wildlife resources in the park and emerging threats
- To provide recommendations to the Department for park management
The following is a list of the proposed activities:
Policy and Regulatory Improvements
Gujjar Control and Management
Expanding the Base for Park Entry Fee and Setting Procedures for Utilization of Fees
Introduction of Recreational Fishing
Establishment of Wildlife Conservation Fund
Legislative Amendments for Regulatory Improvements
Improvement of Park Operations
Provision of Equipment and Infrastructure to Meet Current Operating Requirements
Park Staffing and Compensation
Financing of Recurring Expenses
Visitor Facilitation and Signage
Logging of Violations
Management of Construction and Construction Contractors
Awareness and Education
Management Planning
Environmental Management Plan
Financial Management Plan
Infrastructure Development Plan
Management plans for specific interventions
Setting up a System for Monitoring and Evaluation Based on Pressure, State, and Response
Model.
