Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
Sechu Sanctuary
Kugti Sanctuary
Tundah Sanctuary
Gamgul Sanctuary
Birds With there
Altitudinal Distribution
Wild Animals in Chamba
Endangered Species of
Medicinal Plants
Wild Life Sanctuaries in Chamba (Map is clickable)
This small sanctuary lies in the catchment of the Ravi River, and contains patches of good coniferous and Oak forests. A lovely bowl-shaped meadow at Khajjiar, with a lake and a ‘floating’ island, is a popular tourist spot. There is a ‘golden’ domed temple at the edge of this meadow, dedicated to the deity ‘Khajinag’, from whom the area derives its name.
AREA AND ZONING
2026.89 ha (20.27 sq. km). No zoning.
LOCATION
District
Chamba; Latitudinal range
32°02´ to 32°04´ N; Longitudinal range 76°01´ to
76°06´E;
Nearest Town Dalhousie (06 km); Nearest
railhead Pathankot (86 km).
APPROACHES
From Chandigarh to Dalhousie (352 km.), on to Lakkadmandi inside the sanctuary (10 km.). Kalatop is a further 3 km, and Khajjiar another 12 km. Alternately, from Chamba to Khajjiar (36 km).
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Altitude
1185 to 2768 m; Temperature –10°C to
35°C;
Mean annual rainfall 672.3 mm.
FLORA
The vegetation consists
of
Mature mixed Blue Pine and Deodhar forest, with some Green Oak and Tree Rhododendron…. Undergrowth in the forest is well developed, dense in places and with a good cover of grass in November.
Forest cover 1962.84 ha. Of the some area of the forest types being Ban Oak Forest 12/C1(a) over 120 ha., Moist Deodar Forest 12/C1 (c) over 1047.24 ha., and Western Mixed Coniferous Forest 12/C1(d) over 795.60 ha., Interspersed with these are some Alpine Pastures 15/C3.
FAUNA
Mammals
| Bear, Himalayan Black | Marten, Himalayan Yellowthroated |
| Cat Leopard | Deer, Barking |
| Goral | Squirrel, Common Giant Flying |
| Serow | Jackal |
| Langur, Common | Leopard |
BIRDS
| COMMON NAME | SCIENTIFIC NAME |
| Blackbird | Turdus merula |
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
The best period for visting the sanctuary are March-May, and from September to November, when the weather is favorable. Khajjiar meadow and lake, and the Khajinag temple, and places of tourist interest. There is one watchtower for wildlife viewing. There are five rest houses inside with a total of 21 beds.
CONTACT
ADDRESS
DFO
(WL)
Range Officer (WL), P.O. Khajjiar, Tehsil Brahmaur, District Chamba Himachal Pradesh
A very high altitude sanctuary with significant populations of Ibex, Musk deer, and Pheasants. Snow leopards are also reported from here.
AREA AND ZONING
10,295 ha. (102.95 sq. km). No zoning inside the sanctuary. However, a surrounding area of 4,570 ha. Is regarded as Buffer Zone.
LOCATION
District
Chamba; Latitudinal range
30°15´
to 32°00´ N; Longitudinal range 76°20´ to 77°00´E; Nearest
Town Chamba (113 km); Nearest
railhead Pathankot (235 km).
APPROACHES
From Delhi, via Pathankot (400 km), to Chamba (75 km) and then on to Sach Pass (4413 m, open from June to October) via Sathraundi (75 km), to Kilar (25 km), and on by foot to Sechu (15 km). Alternately, from Kishtwar (J & K) to Sarsu (36 km), then to Tholi (10 km), on to Ishtiari (25 km), then to Killar (25 km), on to Saj (13 km), finally to Sechu (12 km). Sarsu onwards is all on foot. A third approach is from Kyelang to Nigari (59 km), then on foot to Sach Khas (45 km), which is adjacent to the sanctuary.
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Altitude
2550 to 6072 m; Temperature –20°C to 27°C;
Mean annual rainfall 500 mm.
FLORA
Forest type include
Lower Western Himalayan Temperate Forest 12/C1, Moist Alpine Scrub
macrocephala, and Ephedra gerardiana.
FAUNA
Mammals
| Bear, Brown | Markhor |
| Bear, Himalayan Black | Cat, Jungle |
| Mouse-hare, Himalayan | Deer, Musk |
| Goral | Serow |
| Ibex | Sheep, Blue |
| Langur, Common | Thar, Himalayan |
| Leopard, Snow |
BIRDS
| COMMON NAME | SCIENTIFIC NAME |
| Accentor, Alpine | Prunella collaris |
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
The best period for visting the sanctuary are June to September due to good weather and easy accessibility. Hindu and Buddhist temples are located at Bhat, Tuan, Hilu, Chrroti, and Kalichor. There is no regulation of entry into the sanctuary.
There are three rest houses inside with a total of 12 beds.
CONTACT ADDRESS
DFO
(WL)
This
sanctuary is rich in high-altitude Himalayan wildlife, and is one
of the last homes of Himalayan tahr in Himachal Pradesh. It is
also well-known as a source of many medicinal plants. Abundant
water resources, many originating from glaciers, and a diverse
topography add to the attraction of the area. To the west it is
connected with Tundah Sanctuary by a forest corridor. There is an
annual pilgrimage by thousands of people to the Mani Mahesh Temple
inside the sanctuary.
AREA AND ZONING
37,886.68
ha. (378.87 sq. km). No zoning.
LOCATION
District
Chamba;Latitudinal range 32°25´ to 32°35´ N; Longitudinal
range 76°44´ to 76°53´E; Nearest Town Chamba (87 km);
Nearest
railhead Pathankot (209 km).
APPROACHES
From
Pathankot to Chamba (122 km), Chamba to Brahmaur (61 km), then to
Harser (13 km), then on by foot to kugti village inside the
sanctuary (14 km).
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Altitude
2250 to 6044 m; Temperature –10°C to 25°C;
Mean annual rainfall 445 mm.
FLORA
Forest
types include Moist Deodar Forest 12/C1 (c) spread over 5,800 ha.,
Western Mixed Coniferous Forest 12/C1(d) over 6,028 ha., and
Alpine Pastures 15/C3.
The
herbs Gentiana kuroo (Karu) and Jurinea macrocephala (Dhup) are
believed to be locally threatened due to over-extraction.
Plantation work over 133 hectares has been carried out from 1979
to 1984. Kail and Deodar were planted for commercial timber; other
species planted are Poplar, Robinia, Walnut, Fir, and Spruce. Of
these, Poplar and Robinia are introduced. There is a forest
department nursery at Kugti.
FAUNA
Mammals
| Bear, Himalayan Black | Ibex |
| Bear, Brown | Langur,
Common |
|
Cat, Leopard |
Leopard |
| Deer, Musk | Marten,
Himalayan Yellowthroated |
| Fox, Indian/Red ? | Serow |
| Goral | Tahr,
Himalayan |
BIRDS
|
COMMON NAME |
SCIENTIFIC NAME |
| Babbler, Jungle | Turdoides striatus |
| Babbler, Redbilled | Stachyris pyrrhops |
| Barbet, Crimsonthroated | Megalaima rubricapilla |
| Barbet, Great Hill | Megalaima virens |
| Bea-eater, Green | Merops orientalis |
| Bul-Bul, Black | Hypsipetes madagascariensis |
| Bul-Bul, Redvented | Pycnonotus cafer |
| Bul-Bul,White cheeked | Pycnonotus leucogenys |
| Bunting, Crested | Melophus lathami |
| Bunting, Greyheaded | Emberiza fucata |
| Buzzard, Honey | Pernis ptilorhyncus |
| Buzzard-eagle, White-eyed | Butastur teesa |
| Chat, Blue | Erithacus brunneus |
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
The
best periods for visiting the sanctuary are May-June and
September-October, when the weather is good. There is no
regulation on entry to the sanctuary.
There is one rest house inside with 2 beds and one on the outskirts with 4 beds.
A
high altitude sanctuary with good, though disturbed, habitat for
Himalayan tahr, Ibex and pheasants. The area also supports a small
population of Musk deer. It is connected to Kugti Sanctuary by a
forest corridor to the east..
AREA AND ZONING
6422.08 ha. (64.22 sq. km). There is a proposal to combine this sanctuary with Kugti Sanctuary, by adding some area. No zoning.
LOCATION
District
Chamba; Latitudinal range 32°27´ to 32°40´ N; Longitudinal
range 76°27´ to 76°37´E; Nearest Town Chamba (59 km);
Nearest
railhead Pathankot (184 km).
APPROACHES
From
Delhi to Pathankot (Train/Road 485 km), on to Chamba (80 km), and
from Chamba to Durgathi (44 km), then on foot (15 km). Alternately
from Shimla to Chamba (370 km), and on by same route as above.
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Altitude
2074 to 5532 m; Temperature –10°C to 30°C;
Mean annual rainfall 800 mm.
FLORA
Forest
type include Moist Deodar Forest 12/C1 (c), Western Mixed
Coniferous Forest 12/C1(d), Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest
12/C1(e), and Alpine Pastures 15/C3.ala
(Dhup) are believed to be locally threatened due to
over-extraction. Plantation work over 133 hectares has been
carried out from 1979 to 1984. Kail and Deodar were planted for
commercial timber; other species planted are Poplar, Robinia,
Walnut, Fir, and Spruce. Of these, Poplar and Robinia are
introduced. There is a forest department nursery at Kugti.
FAUNA
Mammals
| Bear, Himalayan Black | Ibex |
| Bear, Brown | Langur,
Common |
|
Cat, Leopard |
Leopard |
| Deer, Musk | Weasel, Himalayan |
| Fox, Indian/Red | Serow |
| Goral | Tahr,
Himalayan |
| Macaque, Rhesus | |
| Cat, Jungle,Marten | |
| Shrew, Grey | |
| Vole, Royle’s | |
| Wolf | |
| Langur, Common | |
| Squirrel, Common Giant Flying |
BIRDS
|
COMMON NAME |
SCIENTIFIC NAME |
| Babbler, Jungle | Turdoides striatus |
| Babbler, Redbilled | Stachyris pyrrhops |
| Barbet, Crimsonthroated | Megalaima rubricapilla |
| Barbet, Great Hill | Megalaima virens |
| Bea-eater, Green | Merops orientalis |
| Bul-Bul, Black | Hypsipetes madagascariensis |
| Bul-Bul, Redvented | Pycnonotus cafer |
| Bul-Bul,White cheeked | Pycnonotus leucogenys |
| Bunting, Crested | Melophus lathami |
| Bunting, Greyheaded | Emberiza fucata |
| Buzzard, Honey | Pernis ptilorhyncus |
| Buzzard-eagle, White-eyed | Butastur teesa |
| Chat, Blue | Erithacus brunneus |
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
The
best periods for visiting the sanctuary are May-June and
September-October, when the weather is good. There is no
regulation on entry to the sanctuary.
There
is one rest house inside with 2 beds and one on the outskirts with
4 beds.
CONTACT
ADDRESS
DFO
(WL)
Deputy Range Officer (WL), Tundah Village, Tehsil Brahmaur, District Chamba Himachal Pradesh
A high-altitude sanctuary harbouring small populations of Musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and pheasants. This is the only sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh which has reported the presence of Kashmir stag, though none have been observed in the last few years. The sanctuary is under severe human pressure and is heavily grazed. Its northern boundary adjoins the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
AREA AND ZONING
10,885.40 ha. (108.85 sq. km). No zoning.
LOCATION
District
Chamba; Latitudinal range 32°49´ to 32°52´ N; Longitudinal
range 75°52´ to 75°57´E; Nearest Town Chamba (75 km);
Nearest
railhead Pathankot (195 km).
APPROACHES
From
Delhi to Pathankot (Train/Road 485 km), on to Chamba (80 km), and
from Chamba to via Saluni to Bhandal (inside the sanctuary) (80
km). Shimla to Chamba (370 km), and on by same route as above.
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Altitude
1800 to 3919 m; Temperature –10°C to 35°C;
Mean annual rainfall 1430.2 mm. Mean annual
snowfall 1143 mm.
FLORA
Forest type include Moist Deodar Forest 12/C1 (c), Western Mixed Coniferous Forest 12/C1(d), and Alpine Pastures 15/C3.
FAUNA
Mammals
| Bear, Himalayan Black | Ibex |
| Bear, Brown | Langur,
Common |
|
Cat, Leopard |
Leopard |
| Deer, Musk | Weasel, Himalayan |
| Fox, Indian/Red | Serow |
| Goral | Tahr,
Himalayan |
| Macaque, Rhesus | |
| Cat, Jungle,Marten | |
| Shrew, Grey | |
| Vole, Royle’s | |
| Shrew, Grey | |
| Shrew, Grey | |
| Squirrel, Common Giant Flying |
BIRDS
|
COMMON NAME |
SCIENTIFIC NAME |
| Babbler, Jungle | Turdoides striatus |
| Babbler, Redbilled | Stachyris pyrrhops |
| Barbet, Crimsonthroated | Megalaima rubricapilla |
| Barbet, Great Hill | Megalaima virens |
| Bea-eater, Green | Merops orientalis |
| Bul-Bul, Black | Hypsipetes madagascariensis |
| Bul-Bul, Redvented | Pycnonotus cafer |
| Bul-Bul,White cheeked | Pycnonotus leucogenys |
| Bunting, Crested | Melophus lathami |
| Bunting, Greyheaded | Emberiza fucata |
| Buzzard, Honey | Pernis ptilorhyncus |
| Buzzard-eagle, White-eyed | Butastur teesa |
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
The best period for visting the sanctuary are March-April, and there are two rest houses inside with a total of 4 beds, and two in the outskirts with a total of 2 beds.
CONTACT
ADDRESS
DFO
(WL)
Deputy Range Officer (WL), P.O. Bhandal, Tehsil Chauraha District Chamba Himachal Pradesh