Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh
The naturally beautiful Himachal Pradesh has some of the greatest places to see. It has more than enough to offer to the travellers and tourists. Situated in the northern part of India this hilly state has a great landscape and topography which has allowed it to flourish in tourism, wild life and breath-taking scenic views. Especially the climate here is of unique type, a beautiful blend of both warm and cool air flows here that also brings ample amount of rainfall. This has allowed the region to grow immense amount of greenery. There is a huge forest cover in Himachal and because of this there is a vast variety of flora and fauna. The wildlife in Himachal has attracted people from everywhere. Animal lovers come here to get a glimpse of the beautiful Himalayan animals and birds.
Himachal has tropical forests that have trees of wide variety such as the cedar, pine, oak, fir, birch, alder, etc. Beautiful Rhododendrons make the forests enchanting to see and the green fresh grasses make a perfect jogging area here. Among these beautiful plants and flowers there are some beautiful birds and animals such as the pheasants, partridges, patient,kites, snow leopard, bharal, thar, deer and Himalayan bear that have made the Himachal Pradesh wildlife unique and incredible. This amazing state has been blessed with such beautiful wonders and the Himachal Tourism and the state government has successfully constructed 32 wildlife sanctuaries, 2 national parks and 3 game reserves.
Himachal Pradesh has about 27 per cent of its total area under forests. This makes the wildlife thrilling and exciting. It has been announced recently that there are about 3295 species of flora and about 5721 species of fauna alone in the forests of Himachal. Some of the important wildlife sanctuaries are Manali sanctuary, Churdhar sanctuary, Great Himalayan National Park, Nature Park Gopalpur, Nature Park Manali, Pin Valley National park, Nature Park Kufri and KalatopKhajjiar Sanctuary
The Himalayan animals like the snow leopard, snow partridge and snowcock are adapted to extreme cold climate. In lower altitudes there are birds such as the cheer pheasant and western tragopan and animals like Himalayan thar and musk. There are also a number of lakes, rivers and artificial reservoirs where various migratory birds are found during summer. The Himachal government has shown interest in wildlife and thus has built good standard rest houses in the forests and also has allotted land for camp sites. Wildlife has also provided opportunity for trekking, camping, safaris, etc. in Himachal.
Quick Facts Related to Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh
- In June, 2014, the great Himalayan National park was added to the UNESCO world heritage sites list under the category of “exceptional natural beauty and conservation of biological diversity”.
- Wildlife trekking in Himachal Pradesh
Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary, Majathal Sanctuary, Daranghati Sanctuary and Pin Valley National Park
- Wildlife Camping in Himachal Pradesh
Chail Sanctuary, Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary, MaharanaPratapSagar Sanctuary and Simbalbara Sanctuary.
- Wildlife Safaris in Himachal Pradesh
Great Himalayan National Park, Renuka Sanctuary, ShriNainadevi Sanctuary and Pin Valley National Park.
National Parks in Himachal Pradesh
The Great Himalayan National Park is crammed with lush forests of oak, conifer and bamboo, alpine meadows, and endangered animals and birds. The national park in Himachal Pradesh covers an area of 1,171 sq. kms. The Great Himalayan National Park is home to animals like musk deer, brown bear, Goral, thar, leopard, snow leopard, bharal, serow, monal, Kali, koklas, cheer, tragopan, snow cock etc. The Sainj Valley trek, RupiBhabha Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sainj-Tirthan valley trek to Parvati River Valley are the best modes to explore the national park. Apart from conserving wildlife, the Park runs programmes that provide a sustainable living for people living on the periphery of the conservation area.
Moreover the Pin Valley National Park is located within the cold biosphere reserves and is one of the high altitude national parks in India that covers an area of 1,150 sq. kms. as buffer zone and 675 sq. kms. as core zone. The park is home to many animals and birds from like Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge, Snow Partridge, Red Fox and Snowfinch Flourish. There are 22 rare and endangered medicinal plant species in Pin Valley National Park. Himachal Pradesh tourism provides some wonderful eco-tourist facilities and trained guides to tourist for safe excursion.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh
33 wildlife sanctuaries are situated here. The wildlife centuries of Himachal Pradesh are the natural habitat of some rare animal and bird species.Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Renuka Sanctuary, Simbalbara Sanctuary, Daranghati Sanctuary, Manali Sanctuary, and Majathal Sanctuary are prominent. Further, some of the mammals that can be spotted are the Himalayan Black Marten, Deer, Goral, Squirrel, Serow, Jackal, Langur, etc. It also indulge Sanctuary and in bird watching at MaharanaPratapSagar Reservoir, Renuka Lake, Kalatope Wildlife Khajjiar Lake.
Nature Parks in Himachal Pradesh
Apart from the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, there are many nature parks in Himachal Pradesh. Here Himalayan animal species are kept in paddocks, quite close to nature. Some of the famous nature parks in Himachal Pradesh are located in Kufri, Manali, and Gopalpur In these national parks, wildlife enthusiasts can get a sight of Musk Deer, Bharal, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Leopard Cat, Sambhar, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Monal, White Crested Kaleej and Cheer pheasant.
The parks of Himachal provide a refuge to a host of animals, from big cats like lions, tigers and leopards, reptiles like rhinos, pythons and crocodiles, to innumerable deer species.
ECOTOURISM IN HIMACHAL PRADESH:
The ‘eco-tourism’ – a tourism that isecologically sustainable and culturally sensitive, and that provides insights to thetourists into natural beauty and cultural richness of the State.
Nestled in the Western Himalayas, the State of Himachal Pradesh offers unlimited opportunities to one and all to enjoy nature in its most pristine state. Thevery mention of the State instantly evokes images of the mighty Himalayas with loftysnow-capped peaks, meandering rivers, perennial springs, vast stretches of alpinemeadows and lush green forests known to harbour a variety of plants and animals.
Himachal Pradesh A State with unlimited eco-tourism options
The majestic coniferous trees from an enchanting backdrop to the mountainswith broad-leafed species like the Oaks, Maples, Birdcherry, Hazelnut, Walnut,Horsechestnut and Rhododendrons adding grandeur to the landscape. Whereas the levies clinging to the trunks of stately Cedars appear to veil secrets of Nature, the vinesflowing from atop the trees seem to invite the visitors with open arms. The violaspopping up from under the forest floor and the riot of colours provided by theanemones, primulas, buttercups and many other herbs in the alpine meadows lay acolourful feast before eyes of the beholder.
Besides plants, the State also provides a very congenial habitat to a widevariety of Himalayan fauna. The HimalyanTahar and the Ibex can be spotted assilhouettes on the high ridges in the trans-Himalayas. The Brown Bear and Musk Deerroam happily in the temperate forests, in the company of colorful pheasants includingthe Monal, the Western HornesTragopan, the Koklas and the Kalij. The lucky onescan even be treated to rare sight of critically endangered species like the SnowLeopard and Snow Cock.
Also known as the ‘Abode of Gods’, the State conjures up visions of ancienttemples, with exquisitely carved wooden panels, occupying almost every hilltop andthe festivities associated with these religious places. Even a casual glimpse at thetraditionally attired local deities being carried in meticulously decorated palanquins,devotees dancing to the rhythmic play of traditional drums and clarions, leaves alasting imprint on one’s mind.
This natural and cultural richness of the State coupled with its simple peaceloving people and traditional hospitality makes the State a most favoured tourist95destinations. Anybody with a zest for life, a spirit of adventure and a love for naturewill find all that his heart desires amongst the pristine environs of Himachal Pradesh
Eco-Tourism A new era of nature enjoyment and learning
The State, live to the need for providing better opportunities to the visitors toenjoy its natural beauty and cultural heritage, now aims to allow the use of itsinfrastructure for the benefit of the tourists.
The State Forest Department alone manages more than 400 forest bungalowslocated at vantage-points across the length and breadth of the State. It also manages a5000 kilometres long network of bridle paths and inspection trails criss-crossingthrough the most beautiful forests of the State. This gives visitors myriadopportunities to trek across mountain passes, to remote temples, crystal clear lakesand traditional villages. These facilities beckon the young and the old alike to comeand enjoy the best of Himachal Pradesh in all its splendour. To assist the tourists, theState Forest Department is actively engaged in identification and development of ecotreksalong these bridle paths. ‘Nature Parks’ are also being developed to provide
tourists a nature education experience. The ‘eco-tourism’ – a tourism that isecologically sustainable and culturally sensitive, and that provides insights to thetourists into natural beauty and cultural richness of the State.
Eco-Tourism Societies (ETSo)
Eco-tourism Societies have so far been established to cover the following places:
Great Himalayan National Park: Located in Kullu district, this NationalPark is a prime protected area of the country and provides opportunities to the ecotouriststo enjoy nature at its best. To be covered entirely on foot, the Park has welldeveloped eco-treks taking off from an altitude of about 1500 meters to more than6000 meters. The park has many forest bungalows and tenting sites for nights halts.Private guest rooms in traditional housed are also being developed. Prior permissionof park Director is required to visit the park. Local guides and porters are available.
Himalayan Nature Park: Located at an altitude of 2700 meters and about 18kilometers from Shimla on the Hindustan-Tibet Road, this Nature Park covers about
100 hectares of prime Western-Himalayan temperate forest with all its floral diversity.
The nature park also houses high altitude fauna of the State in near natural habitat andprovides the visitors a one stop opportunity to appreciate Brown Bear, Musk Deer,Yak, Bharal, Sambhar, Ghoral, Monal pheasant and many other animals and birds.The park also offers 3-6 hour guided trek to mahasu peak and catchment forests andhas limited lodging facilities.
Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary:Renuka wildlife sanctuary clothes the slopesaround the picturesque Renukalake in the outer Himalayas with deciduous forestcover. Attractions include ancient temples of rishi Jamdagni, goddess Renuka andlord Parshuram, a lion safari, a mini zoo and trekking. Boating facilities are availablein the lake. Limited lodging facilities are also available.
Potters Hill Van Vihar: A new site to enjoy Nature and AdventureLocated at an altitude of 2050 metres and about 7 KM West of Shimla,adjacent to HP University, Summer Hill, Shimla, popularly known as Potter’s Hill,covers 100 hectares of prime Western Himalayan temperature forest with all its floraldiversity. The hill once used by potters to obtain clay has now been developed into anature Park barely 5 KMs from the famous Mall Road.
Objectives
This ‘community based eco-tourism’ policy in the state is proposed with along-term goal of conserving the rich cultural and ecological heritage of the state, sothat various benefits from this conservation endeavour, including the benefits by wayof tourism, could continue to accrue to generations to follow.
The policy also aims at achieving the following immediate objectives:
– To enable the local communities in managing eco-tourism for optimumeconomic benefits to them.
– To develop ways and means to attract responsible nature and adventure lovingtourists to the state so as to broaden the tourism base and place the state firmlyon the international tourist map.