Panjal Mastan National Park

Panjal Mastan Overview

Panjal Mastan National Park, locally known as پنجال مستان نیشنل پارک, is a newly designated protected area located in the Bagh District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

Covering approximately 303 square miles (785 square kilometers), the park is situated in the Himalayan foothills and includes the famed Panjal Mastan plateau, which rises to elevations of over 9,000 feet (2,750 meters). Officially declared a national park in 2022, it was established to safeguard the region’s unique biodiversity, high-altitude landscapes, and rich forest cover, making it one of the most ecologically valuable zones in the area.

The terrain of Panjal Mastan National Park features rolling alpine meadows, forested slopes, and steep ridges that lead up to the flat-topped Panjal Mastan plateau. The park’s elevation provides expansive views of surrounding valleys and distant mountain ranges.

Its meadows are interspersed with clusters of trees and traversed by small springs and rivulets, especially active during the summer snowmelt. Vegetation ranges from subalpine grasslands to temperate forests composed of Himalayan birch, fir, and blue pine. In spring and summer, wildflowers carpet the plateau, creating a vibrant and colorful landscape that draws both nature lovers and trekkers.

Wildlife in Panjal Mastan National Park reflects the park’s location within the western Himalayan ecological zone. Mammals found in the park include the common leopard, Himalayan black bear, rhesus macaque, barking deer, and yellow-throated marten. High-altitude species such as the Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan brown bear are also believed to inhabit its more remote areas.

Bird species include the Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant, griffon vulture, and various warblers and thrushes that thrive in the park’s forested and open habitats. The combination of meadows, woodlands, and clean water sources supports a rich web of animal and plant life.

One of the park’s most notable features is the Panjal Mastan plateau itself, a high, grassy expanse surrounded by forests and ridgelines, known for its scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere. It is a popular location for trekking, nature photography, and seasonal camping.

In recent years, the area has become increasingly known for eco-tourism, attracting visitors seeking less-crowded and untouched natural settings compared to more developed tourist spots. The panoramic views from the plateau include snowcapped peaks, lush green valleys, and cloud-filled skies, making it a favored spot during the warmer months.

Visitors experience Panjal Mastan National Park primarily through hiking, picnicking, camping, and guided nature exploration. The region’s trails and high-altitude meadows are best accessed between May and September, when snow has receded and the terrain is at its most hospitable.

Limited infrastructure is currently in place, but community-based tourism initiatives are growing, with local guides and home-stays helping to facilitate low-impact travel. Educational groups and researchers also visit the area to study its unique biodiversity and fragile mountain ecosystems.

Park Map

Panjal Mastan National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Panjal Mastan National Park, located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is a recently established protected area featuring lush alpine meadows, dense forests, and steep mountain slopes. Its high-altitude terrain and rich vegetation provide critical habitat for numerous rare and highland-adapted species of the western Himalayas.

Leopard
The top predator of the park, the leopard is secretive and highly adaptable. It patrols forested hills and alpine meadows in search of deer, monkeys, and smaller mammals, playing a vital ecological role.

Himalayan Black Bear
This large omnivore is identifiable by its dark coat and pale chest patch. It roams through thick forests and meadows, foraging on berries, roots, and insects, and hibernates during winter.

Rhesus Macaque
Highly social and adaptable, the rhesus macaque is often seen in noisy troops near forest edges and water sources. It feeds on fruits, leaves, seeds, and occasionally insects.

Himalayan Weasel
A small, energetic predator with a slender body, the Himalayan weasel hunts rodents and birds and is known for its speed and agility through rocks and thick ground cover.

Yellow-throated Marten
With a sleek body and striking golden-yellow throat, this bold carnivore is active during the day. It climbs trees and hunts birds, squirrels, and small mammals in wooded areas.

Jungle Cat
A solitary and nocturnal feline, the jungle cat prefers dense grasses and forest edges. It preys on rodents, birds, and reptiles, and is rarely seen during daylight hours.

Indian Crested Porcupine
This large rodent is covered in stiff, sharp quills for protection. Nocturnal and elusive, it forages for roots, bulbs, and fallen fruits on the forest floor.

Red Fox
A smart and adaptable predator, the red fox is found throughout the park. It preys on small mammals and birds and is often active at dawn or dusk near clearings and trails.

Indian Pangolin
An endangered, armored mammal, the pangolin uses its powerful claws to break into termite and ant nests. It is nocturnal and rarely seen, spending much of its time in burrows.

Indian Hare
Found in grassy clearings and forest edges, the Indian hare is quick and alert. It feeds on herbs and grasses and is most active during the early morning and evening.

Birds

With its combination of alpine meadows, dense temperate forests, and high ridges, Panjal Mastan National Park offers ideal nesting and feeding grounds for a wide variety of bird species, especially those adapted to montane habitats.

Himalayan Monal
The national bird of Nepal and one of the park’s most beautiful species, the Himalayan monal is known for its iridescent plumage. Males shine with metallic blues, greens, and reds, especially in sunlight.

Koklass Pheasant
A ground-dwelling bird of dense forests, the koklass pheasant is elusive but vocal. It has well-camouflaged plumage and is often heard calling at dawn and dusk.

White-throated Laughingthrush
This gregarious forest bird moves in noisy flocks, rummaging through the undergrowth for insects, berries, and seeds. Its brown and white plumage blends well with dense vegetation.

Slaty-headed Parakeet
A small green parrot with a greyish-blue head, it travels in flocks through forest canopies, feeding on fruit, nuts, and tender shoots with loud, chattering calls.

Verditer Flycatcher
A dazzling blue songbird often seen perched on high branches, the verditer flycatcher darts out to catch insects in mid-air and adds vibrant color to the montane woodlands.

Blue Whistling Thrush
A large, dark blue bird often found near streams, this thrush is known for its powerful and melodious whistling song, echoing across the valleys during early mornings.

Himalayan Woodpecker
This black-and-white bird with a red crown is a frequent sight in forested areas. It taps on tree trunks in search of insects and often nests in tree cavities.

Common Hoopoe
Recognized by its cinnamon-colored body, fan-like crest, and zebra-striped wings, the hoopoe forages on the ground for insects, worms, and larvae.

Black Drongo
A glossy black bird with a distinct forked tail, the drongo is agile and bold, often seen catching insects in flight and defending its territory from larger birds.

Oriental Turtle Dove
A softly-colored dove with scaly-patterned wings, the oriental turtle dove is a peaceful ground-forager that feeds on seeds and grains and is often heard cooing in the forest understory.