Chopta & Mandal

Chopta is a scenic hill station located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. Sitting at an altitude of approximately 2,600–2,900 meters, it serves as the gateway to the Tungnath Temple and Chandrashila Peak. It lies within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the richest temperate forest regions in India.

Chopta boasts a rich mosaic of temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests, dominated by oak, rhododendron, deodar, and pine trees. In winter, much of the landscape is blanketed in snow, creating a magical alpine environment. The varied elevation supports a high diversity of flora and fauna, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature photographers.

Chopta lies within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1972 and spanning over 975 sq. km. The sanctuary is a vital part of the Western Himalayan biodiversity hotspot and a critical corridor for the movement of high-altitude mammals and birds. Over the past decade, Chopta has gained popularity as a winter birding hotspot due to sightings of many Himalayan endemics.

Birds: Himalayan Monal, Koklass Pheasant, Snow Partridge, Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Snow Pigeon, Mistle thrush, Black-headed Jay, Eurasian Jay, Kalij Pheasant, Golden Eagle, Woodpeckers, Laughingthrush, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Golden Bush Robin, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-babbler, Red-heade Bullfinch, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, White-collared Blackbird, Brown Dipper, Little Forktail, Brown Dipper, Plumbeous Redstart, White-capped Redstart, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Black-faced Warbler, Black-throated Tit, and more…

Mammals: Himalayan Goral, Barking Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Langur and more…