The Deosai plateau, covering an area of over 400 sq.kms, all of it is above 4000m is uniquely beautiful region.
In China, the word translates literally as ‘giants bode’, and it isn’t hard to see how a landscape of such a massive scale could have inspired stories of giants. In local language (Balti), the region is known as Bhear Sar, meaning ‘place of flowers’, an apt description during summer. The Deosai is at its best from mid-July to end of September. While the weather can be glorious in daytime during this period, the temperature drops dramatically ay night, and can also turn nasty very quickly, which intense windstorms often sweeping across the plateau.
The plateau is home to the Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos Isabellinus), a species of bear unique to this part of the world. Other mammals include the Golden Marmot (in large numbers), Tibetan Wolf, Tibetan Red Fox, Himalayan Ibex, Ladakh Urial and various small rodents, including voles and shrews. Reptiles include lizards such as the Himalayan Agma, Ground Skink and Glacial Skink. The unique snow carp are found in the Deosai rivers. This region also home to some Snow Leopards and Musk Deer, particularly among birch and juniper forests. The recently discovered Alpine Toad looks set to qualify as a separate species. The plateau provides spring and summer breeding grounds for many of Pakistanis birds, including the Himalayan Golden Eagle, Lammergeier (bearded vulture), northern Hobby (a falcon), Kestrel and Long-legged Buzzard, as well as larks, wagtails, warblers and sand plovers. It also lies on the flight path a number of migratory birds which can be seen from late September to mid-October on their return from central Asia to the plains of the subcontinent. Species include the Osprey, Damoselle Crane, Little Trunk, Great Black-headed Gull and ducks such as the Common Teal, Pintail, Shoveller, and Marganzer. More than 40 spices of plants and grasses are found on the Deosai, including colorful flowers such as Aconitum, Rheum, Iris, Astragalus ad Spiraea.
There is also a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants, including Ginger, Primula, Geranium, Mint, Artemesia, Rubus and Barberry. At lower altitude on the peripheries wild rose is found, as well as trees such as Juniper, Blue Pines, Spruce, Penciul Cedar, White Birch, Himalayan Poplar and Chinese Salix.
