Deosai National Park is an alpine plateau of remarkable beauty and ecological significance situated in the western massif of the Himalayas, east of Nanga Parbat Peak and near the Central Karakoram Range. This plateau, which sits at an altitude ranging from 3,500 to 5,200 meters, encompasses an area of 358,400 hectares comprising flat yet undulating plains, gently rolling hills, and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It presents a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape, characterized by narrow valleys nestled between steep mountains.
The environment of the plateau is marked by extreme cold, low atmospheric pressure, and diminished levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide, along with aridity and intense solar ultraviolet radiation. Due to its geographic position facing the monsoon-affected outer Himalayas, the Deosai plain receives more rainfall than the adjacent northern and northeastern valleys of Baltistan. Annual precipitation fluctuates between 350 and 550 millimeters, primarily falling as snow during the winter months.
Deosai National Park lies at the convergence of two biogeographical provinces, specifically the Himalayan and Karakorum-Pamir highlands. Consequently, it boasts a rich diversity of species as they are funneled through the Karakoram range, the main crest of the Himalayas, along with the Zanskar range (Trans-Himalaya), Ladakh range (Trans-Himalaya), and the Indus valley.
These conditions culminate in high-altitude wetlands typified by Sheosar Lake, situated at 4,250 meters, which represents a unique type of alpine wetland exclusive to the Himalaya, Hindukush, and Karakoram mountain ranges. These wetlands receive water from snowmelt originating from the surrounding high peaks and are drained by numerous rapid rivers and streams. Expansive areas of alpine meadows alternate with arid stony sections, while patches of dwarf willows can be found along the rivers and streams alongside various species of Poa, Saxifraga, and Euphorbia. This plateau holds significant value as a watershed. Three key river systems arise from Deosai National Park: Shatung, Bara Pani, and Kala Pani, which collectively form the Shigar River, an important tributary of the Indus River.
The park is part of the Conservation International Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot and is home to a diverse range of species, including Tibetan wolves (Canis lupus chanco), Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex sibrica), Tibetan red foxes (Vulpes vulpes montana), and golden marmots (Marmota caudata). The waters of the Deosai plateau support local snow trout that can grow to impressive sizes. Additionally, the park lies within BirdLife International’s Western Himalaya Endemic Bird Area and plays a crucial role as a resting and breeding habitat for both resident and migratory birds of significant international importance. The flora of Deosai is influenced by four main floristic elements: Boreoalpine and Circumpolar; Euro-Siberian; Southern European/Mediterranean; and Siberian-Mongolian, hosting hundreds of species of medicinal and aromatic plants. In the spring, the area is adorned with vast swaths of wildflowers and a wide array of rare butterflies.
Established as Deosai National Park by the Government of Pakistan in 1993, its primary aim is the protection and conservation of the Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), a species endemic to this region. The Himalayan brown bear is critically endangered in parts of its range and is the keystone species of Deosai National Park. The populations in Pakistan reproduce slowly and are small and declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and baiting. Although bears are legally protected, they have recently been classified as critically endangered on the IUCN’s Red List of Mammals of Pakistan. Seven populations likely exist in the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush ranges; however, the Deosai Plateau in the western Himalayas is home to the only stable population. These populations typically do not exceed 20 individuals, but the Deosai National Park currently reports 72 bears.
