District Uttarkashi is particularly famous for having two pilgrimage centres, Gangotri and Yamnotri, the sources of Ganga and Yamuna rivers respectively. There is yet another valley located in the North West part of the district, known as Tons Valley which is famous for beautiful natural landscape and unique culture.
Situated in uppermost catchment area of the river Tons, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is particularly catching tremendous attention amongst trekkers and mountaineer from all over the world. Established in 1955, the sanctuary spread over 953 sq. km covering the whole catchment of Rupin and Supin, tributaries of tons river. Besides, having colourful flora and fauna, the area is particularly famous for its lush green alpine valley the Harkidun valley, a popular destination for nature lover and trekkers.
The faunal species of the sanctuary include snow leopard, black and brown bear, musk deer, thar wild goat, blue sheep, serow, monal, tragopan , koklas and kallej pheasants. Trekking towards Harkidun, right from Naitwar one can observe a gradual succession of sub tropical , sub temperate, temperate and alpine forest flora viz pine (Chir), oak, blue pine, deodar, fir, spruce and finally birch forest and alpine flora at Harkidun. Thus this area is very important for educational trekking tours too.
The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is endowed with well known mountain ranges - Bandarpoonch, Black peak and Swargarohini peaks. It has glaciers, mountain meadows and glacial lakes viz. Ruinsara tal, Bharasar Kanatal, Kedarkantha, Devkyara Manji van, Changshil etc. A free trekking trouts also leads to Baspa valley (H.P) and Yamunotri and Harsil (Uttarkashi) via Changsil Kimloga and Barsu Passes. The area is culturally very rich known for traditional wood houses, temple architecture, and sites linked to Mahabharata legend. The people of the area lead a simple life living in harmony with nature.