Kedarkantha

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Kedarkantha

| other_name =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| photo = Kedarkantha Peak.jpg

| photo_size =

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| country = India

| state = Uttarakhand

| district = Uttarkashi

| range = Garhwal Himalaya

| elevation =

| elevation_m =

| elevation_ft = 12,500

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| coordinates = {{coord|31.0225288|N|78.1718992|E|type:mountain_region:IN_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| map = India Uttarakhand#India

}}

File:Sun Rise View from Kedarkantha Summit.jpg

Kedarkantha is a mountain peak of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. Its elevation is {{cvt|12500|ft}}.{{cite web |url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/travel/want-to-go-trekking-in-the-himalayas-here-s-a-list-recommended-by-experts/story-15k5Sdpv1AgeKqHOswUEPM.html |title= Want to go trekking in the Himalayas? Here's a list recommended by experts |last= Shah |first= Sonali |date= 6 November 2016 |website= Hindustan Times |access-date= 2 January 2017}}{{cite web |url= http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/best-treks-to-do-this-winter-adventure-kedarkantha-har-ki-dun-kuari-pass-sandakphu-brahmatal-deoriatal-chandrashila-uttarakhand-haridwar-kathgodam/1/535734.html |title= Best winter treks in India |last= Duttagupta |first= Samonway |date= 1 December 2015 |website= India Today |access-date= 2 January 2017}} Kedarkantha is located within Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi district.{{cite journal |last1= Mishra |first1= Gaurav K |last2= Upreti |first2= Dalip K |date= May 2015 |title= Altitudinal distribution of cetrarioid lichens in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India |url= https://www.academia.edu/17300163 |journal= Geophytology |volume= 45 |issue= 1 |pages= 9–19 |issn= 0376-5156 }}

Flora and fauna

The forest cover around Kedarkantha Peak is predominantly made up of pine trees. Between elevations of 2,000 meters to 3,000 meters, one can find forests of deodar, oak, and rhododendron. Deodar (from the Sanskrit words "deva" meaning divine and "daru" meaning tree) is traditionally used in the construction of temples. Oak and rhododendron wood is commonly utilized for making agricultural tools, while their leaves serve as fodder for livestock. These materials are often seen in use by the local villagers in the region.

The trail is adorned with a diverse range of floral species, including Reinwardtia (Yellow Himalayan Flax), Bauhinia variegata, Primula denticulata (Drumstick Primrose), Rhododendrons, Fragaria nubicola (Himalayan Wild Strawberries), Gentiana kurroo (Himalayan Gentian), Persicaria capitata (Pink Knotweed), White Himalayan Lungwort, Viburnum grandiflorum (Grand Viburnum), and many more. Typically, wildflowers bloom during early spring, from late March to April.{{Cite web |date=15 February 2017 |title=Flowers found on the trail to Kedarkantha |url=https://thebetterindia.com/86340/himalayan-wildflowers-hidden-beauty-trail-kedarkantha/ |website=thebetterindia.com}}

The region is known for birds such as the Himalayan snow cock, kala titar, chakor, magpie, thrush, paradise flycatcher, parakeet, and bulbuls.

The area is also home to a variety of mammals, including the Himalayan black bear. Other animals such as leopards, tigers, barking deer (kakar), and sambhar are occasionally seen. Marmots along with other rodents, are present.{{Cite web |title=Flora and Fauna in Uttarkashi |url=https://uttarkashi.nic.in/flora-and-fauna-uttarkashi/ |website=uttarkashi.nic.in}}

References

Category:Mountains of Uttarakhand

Category:Geography of Uttarkashi district