Wildlife & Nature

The forests around Srikhola and Gurdum lie within one of India's most important biodiversity corridors, linking Singalila National Park to the larger Himalayan ecosystem. The range of habitats, from subtropical riverine forest at Srikhola to temperate forest and high-altitude grassland near Gurdum and Phalut, produces extraordinary species richness.
Red Panda: The flagship species of Singalila. Best seen in the bamboo and mixed forests between Srikhola and Gurdum, typically in early morning. Population is significant; patient observers often succeed.
Himalayan Black Bear: Reasonably common in the forested sections of the trail. Usually shy; dawn and dusk are peak activity periods. Keep noise levels reasonable and be alert to rustling in thick cover.
Clouded Leopard: Present in the lower subtropical forests. Largely nocturnal and exceptionally secretive. Camera-trap studies confirm their presence; a direct sighting is extraordinarily rare and lucky.
Satyr Tragopan: One of the Himalayas' most spectacular pheasants. Males in breeding plumage (April-May) are almost unbelievably colourful. Found in mixed forest; heard far more often than seen.
Blood Pheasant: Found in the high-altitude scrub above Gurdum. Small flocks are often seen foraging near the trail in the morning. The striking red-and-green plumage of the male is unmistakable.
Barking Deer: Common throughout the forest zone. Its sharp, dog-like bark is frequently heard at dusk and dawn, often startlingly close. Small, reddish-brown; often seen on the trail edges at Srikhola.