Gangotri National Park Records Exceptional Footfall and Revenue Growth While Maintaining Focus on Preservation of Alpine Wildlife and Landscapes

Published on December 1, 2025

Gangotri National Park has concluded an exceptionally successful tourism season, recording a remarkable surge in both footfall and revenue, with over 29,000 visitors and entry fees surpassing Rs 80 lakh in 2025. This growth highlights the park’s rising stature as a premier destination for trekkers and nature enthusiasts eager to explore its iconic trails and pristine landscapes. Despite facing challenges from environmental disruptions, the park has not only attracted record numbers but has also maintained a strong commitment to preserving its fragile alpine ecosystem. As winter settles in and the park enters its seasonal closure, it stands as a model of how adventure tourism can thrive while ensuring the conservation of its unique wildlife and landscapes for future generations.

The decision to close the park for winter is part of an annual protocol designed to ensure visitor safety and protect the delicate ecology of the region. Before the gates shut for the season, Gangotri National Park recorded 29,162 visitors, a number that stands out given the environmental disturbances that affected nearby areas earlier in the year. Adventure travelers, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts continued to pour in, reaffirming the park’s status as a premier destination for high-altitude exploration.

This surge in footfall translated into significant financial gains. The park generated over Rs 80 lakh in entry fees, reflecting a sharp rise compared to previous years. The growth highlights increased interest in Himalayan tourism as well as improvements in visitor infrastructure, streamlined entry systems, and better access to the region’s trekking corridors.

The park will now remain closed until April 1, 2026, when the arrival of spring makes the trails safe and accessible once again. During this winter break, conservation takes center stage. More than 50 motion-triggered cameras have been installed across the park’s sprawling 1,553-square-kilometre expanse, capturing the seasonal movements of rare and elusive wildlife. This surveillance period is vital for observing snow leopards, Argali sheep, Himalayan bears, and red foxes without the interference of human presence.

The final closure procedures were carried out at the main entry points leading into the park and toward Gartang Valley, a destination that witnessed some of the most enthusiastic visitor turnout of the season. The dramatic wooden pathway in Gartang Valley—constructed along a steep cliff face and elevated roughly 11,000 feet above sea level—stood out as a major magnet for thrill seekers. Stretching nearly 150 meters, this narrow walkway is believed to be part of an ancient trade link that once connected Himalayan communities. Its bold design, dizzying drop-offs, and unmatched views made it one of the most memorable experiences for trekkers this year.

Other celebrated routes within the park also flourished throughout the season. Trails leading to Gaumukh and Tapovan, known for their glacier-origin rivers, panoramic mountain walls, and untouched alpine meadows, attracted a steady stream of hikers. These paths continue to hold a near-mythical place in India’s trekking culture for their combination of spiritual significance, natural beauty, and physical challenge.

With winter now taking hold, Gangotri National Park shifts into a quieter yet equally important phase. The snow-covered months allow the terrain to recover, wildlife to move freely, and ecosystems to regain balance after months of tourism activity. The outstanding performance of the 2025 season—marked by high visitor satisfaction, record-breaking revenue, and strengthened conservation efforts—positions the park for an even more vibrant reopening in 2026.

When the gates rise again in spring, Gangotri National Park is expected to welcome a new wave of explorers eager to rediscover its dramatic landscapes, ancient trails, and captivating Himalayan wilderness.