Binsar Forest Rest House Uttarakhand

Binsar Forest Rest House (FRH)

Uttarakhand

The FRH of Binsar is huge bungalow built in 1902. It is the only FRH in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread over 45-59 sqkm. The altitude in the Sanctuary varies from 1500-2500m. It ideal for bird watching with 166 recorded species of birds. It is also listed as an important Birding Area (IBA). Binsar has one of the last remaining natural temperate broad leaved forests in the middle Himalaya. It is the only wildlife sanctuary where walking is permitted on the 62km designated paths. The clear winter skies offer uninterrupted views the majestic peaks of Nanda devi, Nanda kot, Trishul and Panchachuli. Binsar sanctuary is open all year round.

The Binsar FRH is 11 km from the only entry point at Ayarpani. At the gate, there is a small interpretation centre to introduce you to the sanctuary, besides a nature shop. Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand rulers and later the administrative capital of the British. Henry Ramsay. Commissioner Kumaon (1874-1924) lives in the FRH for long durations. A while flag was put up whenever he held office here.

Binsar wildlife Sanctuary draws its name from this area earlier called Vineshwar which was of historical and religious importance in the 9th century. Binsar has also been political personalities before and after Independence. Here one can walk in the footsteps of luminaries like, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel, Swami Bhaskaran and Pandit Uday Shandkar. Dhaulichina and Dalar are popular home stays managed by the community who given a unique Kumauni experience.

The view from the rest house is fantastic and one gets a feeling that these beautiful snow clad peaks are just a few km away. Nevertheless everything else about this guest house is ordinary and overpriced. one gets only 2-3 hours of electricity at night from a polluting genset; no charging facility for cell phones in the rooms, ordinary lunch, one bucket per person of hot water in the morning; and too much commotion and noise from the hordes of tourists. All these things are not very conducive to soak in the beauty of Himalayas. Unfortunately in the absence of any other facility with such a view this is the best one has presently.

Elevation : 2286m AMSL

Year of Construction: 1902

Year of Renovation : 1983

Location : 11kms from Ayarpani & 32 kms from Almora

Tourist attraction near FRH : Surrounded by Oak, Deodar, Rhodendron forests, Himalayan view, Mayolikhan, Ghural kot.

Contact :                                             Divisional Forest officer,
                                                           Civil Soyam Almora Forest Division
                                                           Phone No-05962-230229
                                                           Email : csalmdfo@rediffmail.com