Small valleyes and perennial rivers of Uttarakhand offer wonderful experience to nature lovers and hikers. The vast open hay field, above the tree line present endless views of the variously coloured Himalayan flowers. The most interesting of them, aesthetically or botanically are seen in the higher altitudes, from 2,450 metres and above. The arrival of spring brings forward an uprising of colours, when the Semal and Palash put the lower altitude forests on fire with their blazing red flowers. It is also the time for Burans to spread its fire at a height of or above 2,450 metres adding colour to the blue and white panorama of snow. The flowers do not grow only in the Valley of Flowers but are found on different treks habitually upto great heights as also on the hay field and even in rock cracks or moraines. Some of the most interesting and floristically rich valleys/areas for nature lovers are:

1. Badrinath - Vasudhara Area
The Vasudhara valley has Ephedra gerardiana in great quantity. Near the Vasudhara Falls, on the southern bank of Alaknanda river is a blossoming grassy meadow, locally known as Lakshmiban. Betula utilis is found on Hilltops. Nearing the confluence of Bhagirathi and Osteopath glacial heads, there is a thick orchard of Birch trees along the Alaknanda River. The Alkapuri snow-clad mountains from the eastern side and the avalanche peak of Kunaling on the western side can also be viewed from the Alaknanda River. The riverbank is heavily boulder strewn supporting the large fleshy Leaved Bergenia stracheyiwhich is most conspicuous. This herb is locally known as Silphadu and the leaves are used for smoking and as a substitute for tea. Along the riverbank are also found stunted clumps of Juniperus communis and Myrica RIA. Salix fIabe/laris, polygonum affine, P. vaccinifolium and the aromatic Rhododendron anthropogenic are the other common plants of this boulder-strewn valley.

To the southwest of Badrinath is the magnificent peak of Neelkanth. At the foot of the glorious peak is the Rishiganga valley. The mountain stream of Rishiganga, originates from the Neelkanth glacier traveling through this valley before joining the Alaknanda at Badrinath. A number of smaller streams also form a network in the valley and along these steams and on the meadow in between, a large number of Alpine herbs are found during the summer months. Common among these are Gentiana stipitata, G. tenella, Cyananthus linifolia and C. Lobatus, Corydalis ramosa are found here and there, attached to stones amidst running water of streams. Aconitum laeve and A. heterophyllum are also frequently met with. The valley is covered with Anaphalis nubigena. Another species spread across the valley in small rosettes is Primula minutissima. Another Primula, perhaps, P. schlagintweitiana is also to be found here. The valley, however, is bleak and dull and the hill slopes all round are bereft of vegetation.

2. Darma Valley Area
To reach Darma valley the last bus terminus is Sobla, 16 km from Tawaghat, 35 km from Dharchula. From Tawaghat a 17 km trek leads to Mangti and further another 4 km trek leads to Gala. Gala to Budi is 16 km and Budi to Gunji is 14 km (3500m) Chhialake after a climb there is a vast plateau full of flowers and trees.

3. Har-ki-Doon
Har-ki-Doon is situated in the lying strip of Rawain sub-division of the Uttarkashi district. It is a unique valley expanding about 7-8 km. The beautiful valley has flourishing green grass, countless flowers and valuable herbs. At an altitude of 3,566 metres, Har-ki-Doon is popular as the most beautiful creation of nature. To reach Har-ki-Doon from Uttarkashi one passes through the Barkot Purola, Netwar and Taluka villages. The valley of 2 km from Har-ki-Doon passes through Asia the last village en route. River Tons flows in the valley adding to its charm.

4. Kanchulakharak Area
Kanchulakharak is better known for "The Kastura Mrig Prajanan Kendra" (Musk Deer Breeding Centre) as well as its floristic wealth. It is situated at a height of around 2,500 metres on the Mandal-Chopta road, a little above Pangarbasha. The vegetation here shows typical Himalayan gathering of Pangar, Moru Oak, Kharsu Oak, Maples, Burans, Anyar and Cornus macrophylla with Prinsepia utilis, Viburnum continifolium V. mullaha, Sarcococca sa ligna, Daphne papyracea, etc representing the shrubby elements. Thamnocalamus spathiflorus and Shinarundinaria anceps, and endemic species not found outside Uttaranchal, are also found as bushes of the forests.

5. Kedarkantha Area
Climbing a pretty gradual slope of Kedarnath, one passes the military camp in an open space, surrounded with magnificent trees of Abies webbiana and Quercus semecarpifolia among which Rhododendron campanulatum forms a large strangling shrub, in full bloom, even in the middle of the melting snow. Some of the peaks remain capped with snow. The forests also have an extended covering of thick coat of grass, followed by Alpine Arvicola, a tributary originating from the melting snow, and lined up with a species of Sphagnum on the sides. Primula stuartii and P. denticulata, with deep blue Gentiana and yellow Caltha palustris, form a bright contrast of colours.

On mounting the highest peak 3,850 metres the place is covered with deep beds of snow. A beautiful purple Primula, nearly allied to P.stuartii, and Oxygraphis polypetalous may be seen in bloom. A little below these, Phalangium, Fritillaria and Bistorta with Rhododendron Lepidotum and R. anthopogon as well as Salix lindleyana, form minute shrubs. Ranunculus hirtellus, and species of Draba, Agrostis and Festuca are also commonly encountered.

6. Munsiyari (2,290m): Milam Glacier and Johar Valley Area
Uttaranchal`s most thrilling treks are situated in Munsiyari. An herb, which is interestingly silver, hairy with drawn out brackets and red roots, grows here in the rocky surfaces. This is Macrotomia, locally known as Ratanjot, a valuable plant. Another such plant is Megacarpaea polyandra locally called Rooki. The route from Martoli to Milam is very rich with alpine herbs like polygonatum, Thalictrum, Bupleurum, Pinguicula, Primula elliptica, and Gueldenstaedtia himalaica. Other herbs are Cousinia thomsonii, a hazy, and thistle and tufted Astragalus species of yellow, pink and orange coloured flowers.

Beyond Milam the sub-alpine vegetation is represented by yellow flowered Berberi., white flowered Rosa, Ribes grossularia, species of Juniperus, Lonicera and Ephedra gerardiana. Intermixed with the shrubs are small semi-erect, prostrate cushioned or tufted species of Androsace, Arenaria, Stella RIA, Sedum, Astragalus and Leymus. The interesting carpet forming herbs are the species of Potentilla, Ranunculus Anemone and Polygonum. In Johar, especially in Malia Johar Patti, the bugyals extend from the Tibetan border town to the Goriganga Valley as far as its junction with the Ralam Valley. The shadow valleys or grooves are often forested with Betula utilis. Associated with it are the alpine shrubby vegetation and some sciophytic undergrowths.

The rich heritage is chiefly composed of delicate semi-erect or decumbent prostrate, cushion or tufted plants of varied colours. Plants of tree habit are found in shadow valleys or grooves upto 4,000 metres. The woody shrubs are habitually small and often exhibit suffruticose habits. Another pleasing aspect of the flora is continuous successive occurence of carpets of graceful herbs in patches, almost to the exclusion of other plants from early April to the end of September. About 5,000 metres upto the snowline, the flora is scanty, more or less strewn, and rarely they do appear in close association. Many of the herbs found above 5,000 metres have graceful silvery woolly vegetative as well as floral parts.

7. Panwali Kantha Area
Panwali Kantha is a 19 km trek; situated at a height of 3,963 metres. Panwali is a beautiful place with several hillocks with full variety of flowers. The path from Trijuginarayan to Panwali through Maggu, Kaunkola Khola provides all the colours. The Oak-Rhododendron forests with a mixture of Maples, Sorbus ursina, Rhododendron barbatum, Syringa emodi, and Picea smithiana are common. The shrubby elements include species of Lonicera, Ribes, Viburnum-Rosa, Salix, Berberis, Cotoneaster, etc. The species of the genera Caltha, Anemone, Primula, Plantago, Corydalis etc represent the herbaceous elements. Towards Kaunkola Khola (3,658m), Bhojpatra is seen in association with Rhododendron campanulatum, Syringa emodi and Oak. Bushy Rhododendron anthopogon with creamish flowers is common at the top of Kaunkola Khola. Species of Primula, Anemone, Potentilla, Fritillaria, Lagotis, Meconopsis, etc with their variously coloured flowers provide all the charm of nature. The Ground Orchid Cypripedium cordigerum and C. himalaicum and yellow flowered Meconopsis robusta are of rare occasion. Medicinally important plants like Kutaki, Podophyllum hexandrum and Hatthajari or the Salam-Panja are also seen here.

8. Pindari Glacier Area
The Pindari in the Bageshwar District is one of the most easily accessible glaciers. It lies between Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot peaks and finishes at an altitude of 3,627 metres. Pindari Glacier is located in the Pindar valley between 79°E to 89°2`E and 30oI5 and, with an area of 339.39 sq km. The flora available here is Juniperus recurva, Salix elegans, S. fIabellaris, Rhododendron lepidotum and R. hypenanthum. Another common woody post rate plant is Cotoneaster microphylla. This plant is notable for its mat forming habit and appears first to inhabit the rocks free from snow or ice. Plants of tufted habits are Cassiope fastigiated, Sedum quadrifidum, Astragalus lessertioides, and A.

candolleanus and Oxytropis lapponica. Cerastium vulgatum, another plant of carpet habit is very fine looking with its snow-white flowers. Other beautiful herbs are horizontal, purple flowered Thymus serpyllum, white flowered Euphrasia officinal is, blue flowered Pleurogyne carinthiaca, white flowered wooly Anaphalis nubigena and A.cuneifolia, yellow flowered tomentose herb Potenti/la argyrophylla and dark crimson flowered P. astrisanguinea.

During the rise from Bugyal to the foot of the Pindari Glacier one can experience the rich aroma of the herb Tanacetum nubigenum with small yellow heads. The streambeds support a varied type of graceful herbs like species of Corydalis, Anemone, Pedicularis, Sedum, Potentilla, Primula, Androsace, Epilobium, Polygonum, Poa, Juncus and Carex. The prettiest herbs are the deep blue-lowered Corydalis cashmeriana and the Cyananthus lobatus. Gentiana recurvata has also been recorded from the area. The dominating plant all along the lateral moraine is Cotoneaster microphylla. This is followed by Epilobium amplectens, Cassiope fastigiata and species of Rhododendrons. Some of the plants of medicinal interest collected in this region are Nardostach grandiflora (Jatamansi), a highly valued herb for its aroma and stimulating properties and Picrorhiza kurrooa, locally called Katugi, an aromatic, running herb.

9. Roopkund Area
The most beautiful Bedni Bugyal, hanging at an altitude of 3,354 metres, the valley stretches upto 5-6 km and is carpeted with lush green grass and a fascinating variety of flowers. Phenkamal is the most attractive species among the varieties found and also used to make medicines.

10. The Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers an alpine valley formed by the inquisitive glaciers have given a U-shape to the Valley, which was later occupied by numerous plants, adapting themselves to the ruthless climatic conditions. The Valley is generally covered with snow from November to May. The colours hidden in petals of the alpine herbs rage during the months of July and August; some flowering plants commonly met with are: Anemone, Geranium, Marsh Marigold, Primula, Potenti/la, Geum, Aster, Lilium, Himalayan Blue Poppy, Aconite, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Saussurea, Campanula, Pedicularis, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis Saxifraga, Lobelia, Thermopsis, Trollius, Aquilegia, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Strawberries and Rhododendrons etc. Anaphalises and Potenti/las are also prominent varieties adorning the valley. Primulas cover the shelves and terraces in most heavenly French Blue, emitting a sweet scent. Snow-white Anemones drench the ground, illuminating it like the galaxies.

With the arrival of monsoons in June, Balsam, Geranium, Pedicularis and many other species, mostly in pink and red set the dominating colour pattern of the Valley without subduing other seasonal shades of yellow, purple and white. From late July to the end of August, the Valley has an uprising of colours. The Pedicularis, Potentilla, Geum, Ligularia and many other yellow varieties dominate, with patterns of other colours blending in. The environment is filled with an unspeakable scent of the plant life.

By September, the plants start podding and the valley dons peaceful shades of brown, but the valley has a crystal clear atmosphere during the months of September and October. The oak trees, blue pine and other conifers, between Ghanghriya and the bridge on Pushpawati, are sometimes burdened with ferns and climbers hanging from their branches. The forests on the higher formations are full of birch trees, popularly known as Bhojpatra whose bark was supposedly used to write scriptures in ancient times. Although the main Valley extends to about 4 km from Ghanghariya, flowers and foliage in exotic varieties can be spotted throughout the route.

The valley is rich in herbal plants; many of these being flowering plants-Bergenia, Wood Lily, Trillium govanianum and Marsh Orchids are the popular ones. At several places the abundant growth of flowering and non-flowering plants carpet the valley with thick splashes of colour. Another beautiful plant is the Arisaema costatum, also known as Arum, its head resembling that of a cobra. The plant grows in shady recesses, often in isolated groups. Anemone vitifolia, White Dwarfs and Anaphalises give a white background to the Valley, accentuated by the varied colours of other flowers. The violet Iris kumaonensis, the superb Primula denticulata in purple and Potentillas in red, yellow and pink can be seen in colonies.

Along the riverside there are small patches of land between scattered boulders, which have become the natural habitat for a majestic flower, the Blue Poppy. Known as Meconopsis aculeata to botanists, it has the colour of the sky at dawn. An un-obstructive flower with un-surpassable delicacy and grace is the Fritillaria roylei. As the green bells on the springy stem nod and dip vivaciously in the monsoon wind, you may be tempted to strain your ears to hear their tinkling. The Corydalis cashmeriana, with narrow pipe-like stems and flowers tipped in dark blue grows in colonies of thousands. The rose coloured Cypripediun himalaicum has earned the popular title of `lady`s slipper` and there are so many of these flowers that they imbue the slopes with a rosy glow.