Gangotri landscape

The Gangotri landscape covers the area from the Taknaur Range beyond Uttarkashi, all the way to the Gangotri National Park, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. The landscape covers habitats such as riverine (Harshil, Dharali), temperate conifer and broadleaved forests (Barsu, Salang, Cholmi), alpine meadows (eg.Saatal, Rahtal, Kandara, Dayara), and cold desert habitat (Neelong Valley).
Between 2022 and 2023, Titli Trust conducted a two-year biodiversity assessment, supported by Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, as part of the UNDP-funded SECURE Himalaya project. The area is home to some terrific biodiversity. More 200 bird species, 85 butterfly species and 150 moth species have been identified from the Gangotri landscape. Bird species such as the Ibisbill, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Brown Accentor, Evermann’s Redstart, Himalayan Monal, Cheer Pheasant, Grandala, amongst many others, are recorded here. Many rare Palearctic butterfly species such as Indian White-line Hairstreak, Large Green Underwing, Brown-bordered Admiral, Comma, Highbrown Fritillary and Dusky Meadowbrown have been recorded here.
In 2024, in order to continue the work done in the Gangotri landscape, Titli Trust secured funding from Royal Enfield (Social Mission), in order to initiate a the Titli Trust Royal Enfield Nature Guide Fellowship program to support a conservation and livelihood program in the Gangotri landscape. Taknaur Hill Conservation Society is a youth group consisting of Titli Trust Royal Enfield Nature Guide Fellows who are collectively working on conservation and livelihood issues in the Gangotri landscape. The youth group conducts the Gangotri Nature Festival, held annually in April, with the first festival having been held in April 2025.