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Wildlife of
Himachal Pradesh |
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Himachal Pradesh has a varied topography, climate and
forest cover and is endowed with a vast variety of flora
and fauna. From times immemorial, this tract is known
for its wilderness, landscapes, beautiful forests and
wildlife. In Himachal Pradesh, out of the total
geographical area of 55,670 sqkm, the forest area as per
legal classification is 37,691 sqkm. At present there
are 32 Sanctuaries, 2 National Parks and 3 Games
Reserves. |
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RENUKA SANCTUARY :
This is a small sanctuary connected by motor able road.
Renuka lake and the temples attract a large number of
people from hills and plains. Forests and the catchments
of the lake add to its beauty and attraction. Lion
Safari and open Nature Parks with freely moving animals
like Chittal, Sambhar, Kakkar, etc. are a big
attraction. Tourist Bunglow and Cafeteria provide the
comforts |
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needed in a calm and quite place. Visitors come
all round the year. [Sirmour]
CHURDHAR SANCTUARY :
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Churdhar peak, with height of 3647 meters is the highest
peak in outer Himalayas. It is like a Oasis of Alpine
area in a ocean of temperate forests. This is an
excellent area for trekking during summer and early
winters. The view from Churdhar peak is un-paralled. One
is sure to come across a large number of multicoloured
and agile Monals in the adjoining forests.
Trekking from Nohra, Sarain and Pulbahal is tough but
enjoyable. There are Rest House |
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Rest Houses at Nohra, Choras and
Sarain. There is also a Sarai and a Shiv Temple at
Churdhar. |
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CHAIL SANCTUARY :
Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists.The
Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the
township are the abode of wildlife. One can see Sambar,
Goral and Cheer Pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja.Visitors
are welcome to the Cheer pheasant breeding centre at
both these places. Barking deer and Kalijin in the
forests are sure to meet and greet the visitors at dusk
and |
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dawn.
Trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja is
common and rewarding as one is sure to see wildlife and
beautiful snowy peaks. Range Officer Wildlife Chail and
his staff welcome the visitors and assists the wildlife
lovers to see wildlife in the sanctuary area. [Solan]
MAJATHAL SANCTUARY :
This sanctuary has a very steep and rugged terrain away
from habitation. This can be visited by |
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travelling
about
10 kms. on a kacha road Kararaghat (Shimla-Bilaspur-
Highway) to Kashlog and then walking on foot from
Kashlog. This sanctuary has the highest concentration of
Goral which can be seen in its natural habitat. This
sanctuary is reported to have the maximum population of
endangered Cheer pheasant. One has to stay in tents in
the forest, Best season to visit is the winters. [Solan] |
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MAHARANA PRATAP SAGAR :
This lake sanctuary is a big attraction for migratory
ducks from Siberian region during winter. One can see
thousands of ducks in the swamp area between Shahnahar
barrage and Pongdam and the surrounding shallow waters
of the lake. Clean blue water all around with the
panoramic view of Dhauladhar Ranges and Kangra Valley
make the visit to Ransar Island an unforgettable
experience. |
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Black
buck and Cheetal on the island along with Surkhab,
Cranes, Pintails and variety of water birds welcome the
visitors on the Island. [Kangra] |
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MANALI SANCTUARY :
This sanctuary starts about 2 km from Manali town. It
forms the catchment of Manalsu khad. A bridle path from
Manali log huts/ Dhungri temple passes through dense
Deodar, Kail, Horse chestnut, Walnut and Maple forests.
Night stay in tents at Lambadug or Gallant thatch is an
unforgettable experience. Alpine lush green pastures and
glaciers beyond Galant thatch are a romantic attraction
for the enthusiastic but |
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enduring visitors. One may
see Musk deer, Monal and Brown bear digging or sloughing
the land and also pug marks with scent of Leopard or
Snow leopard. Those who venture up to snows can see
herds of Ibex in the glacier zone in summers. [Kullu] |
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KANAWAR SANCTUARY :
This sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu
district. There is a Rest House at Kasol. R.O. wildlife
Kasol provides information and help to visitors. Uphill
walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense
majestic Deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable. This
sanctuary has large population of Himalayan Thar in
Himalayas and seeing this big goat on high mountain
cliffs is dream fulfillment of any wildlife lover. [Kullu] |
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KALATOP KHAJJIAR SANCTUARY :
This sanctuary area with its well laid out trekking
jungle trails both at Kalatop and Khajjiar is a tourist
paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are places of
solitude very close to Dalhousie town. Visitors should
look for pheasants and Serow in these forests but should
be beware of Black bear which can be encountered often
in the area. [Chamba] |
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DARANGHATI SANCTUARY :
This sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla
District has undisturbed forest area with plenty of
wildlife. Monal, Tragopan, Koklas and Kalij are the
pheasants found here. The area also has Musk deer, Goral
and Thar. There is a net work of bridle paths and
inspection paths in the sanctuary. Visitors are advised
to seek assistance from the forest staff posted at Dofda
and Sarahan. The |
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area is
ideal for those who love to trek along mountain heights.
[Shimla] |
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GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK :
The National Park with an area of 620 sq. km. is located
in Kullu District and has the representative area of
temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some
the virgin coniferous forests of the State.Vast areas of
alpine pastures and glaciers cap this park. This area
has many important wildlife species of Western
Himalayas, like Musk deer, Brown bear, Goral, Thar,
Leopard, Snow leopard, Bharal, |
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Serow, Monal, Kalij,
Koklas, Cheer, Tragopan, Snow cock etc.
Trekking of Rakti-Sar, origin of Sainj river and camping
in alpine partures is unforgettable. Similar is the
trekking route to Tirath the origin of Tirthan river.
Visitors can contact Director, National Park at Shamshi
or Range Officer wildlife at Sainj or Range Officer Wild
Life at Sai Ropa (Banjar) for assistance and guidance.
Camping equipment and guides are provided by the Forests
Department. [Kullu]
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PIN VALLEY NATIONAL PARK :
This National Park is situated in the cold desert of
Spiti Valley. In this area visitors come across large
herds of Ibex and Bharal. Snow leopard is found in this
park. This area can be visited only by those who have
tough leg muscles and strong lungs. Visitors can contact
Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife Division Sarahan,
Assistant Conservator of Forest Wildlife Kaza or Range
Officer Wildlife Tabo |
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for information about the park. The
area is closed to foreign visitors. Indian visitors are
also required to obtain a permit for entry from Deputy
Commissioner Shimla or Sub Divisional Magistrate Rampur.
[Lahaul & Spiti] |
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NATURE PARKS :
NATURE PARK, KUFRI:
Kufri is a well known tourist resort near Shimla. A large
number of tourists visiting Shimla also visit Kufri where a
nature park has been established. In this park rare
varieties of Hangal, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Brown Bear,
rare species of Monal and other pheasants are kept in social
groupings. [Shimla]
NATURE PARK, MANALI:
Manali is another tourist spot where a large number of
visitors come. To expose visitors to the nature and to
create awareness and love for wild life it is planned to
develop many other facilities at Manali. There is a wild
life sanctuary about 2 km away from Manali town. The
tourists will be encouraged to visit this area and see the
magnificence of nature here. [Kullu]
NATURE PARK, GOPALPUR:
Gopalpur is a village situated near Palampur on
Palampur-Dharamsala upper road. Kangra valley in Himachal
Pradesh is another area where visitors come regularly. In
this nature park animals will be kept in large enclosures
and conservation messages will be conveyed to the visitors
through audio-visual aids. [Kangra] |
