22 424 478 Himachal Pradesh

Important Bird Areas in India - Himachal Pradesh

424

C424M424Y424K424

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal Pradesh (30 22' - 33 13' North and 75 36' - 79 02' East) is situated in the northwest of India in the Himalayan ranges. It isbounded by Jammu and Kashmir in the north, Uttaranchal in the southeast, Haryana in the south and Punjab in the west and in theeast it forms Indias international boundary with Tibet (China). Himachal Pradesh has a geographical area of 5.57 million ha. TheState is mountainous with altitudes ranging between 460 and 6,600 m. It has a deeply dissected topography, a complex geological structureand a rich temperate flora in subtropical latitudes. Himachal Pradesh is drained by a number of snow-fed perennial rivers. The Chenab, theRavi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna are the important ones. Forestry in Himachal Pradesh constitutes the biggest land use.Agriculture and horticulture are the mainstay of Himachals economy as 71% of the people are engaged in these pursuits (Mathew 2003).Climatic conditions are suitable for a variety of fruits and cash crops such as seed potatoes, ginger, vegetable seeds, apples and otherfruits. The main cereal crops are wheat, maize and paddy.Himachal Pradesh is famous for its hill stations. Tourists come here mainly during the summer. The tourist department of HimachalPradesh claims that Kharjiar in the Chamba district has earned the name Mini Switzerland because of the striking similarity in landscape.The State is also known for its rich wildlife, especially for rare species such as Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster, Ibex Capra ibex,Himalayan Thar Hermitragus jemlahicus, Asiatic Brown Bear Ursus arctoides and Snow Leopard Uncia uncial. Some of the pheasantspecies which are very important in the State, include the Himalayan or Impeyan Monal Lophophorus impejanus, Western TragopanTragopan melanocephalus, Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha and Snowcocks Tetraogallus spp.The average rainfall in the State is 1,800 mm. The mean annual temperature ranges between 20 C to 22.5 C.The total population of the State is 6.08 million (2001 census) of which 90.2% is rural and 9.8% is urban. The population density is109 persons per sq. km.

VegetationThere are six major forest types in Himachal Pradesh: Tropical Dry Deciduous, Sub-tropical Pine, Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen, HimalayanMoist Temperate, Himalayan Dry Temperate, and Sub-alpine and Alpine. By legal status, the reserved forest constitutes 5.1%, the protectedforest 89.2% and the unclassed forest 5.7% (Ministry of Environment and Forests 2001).The Forest Survey of India report of 1999, states that there has been an overall decrease of 440 sq. km of dense forest because of theconversion of 640 sq. km to open forest, and of 33 sq. km to non-forest. Also 92 sq. km of open forest, 42 sq. km of scrub and 99 sq. kmof non-forest have been converted to dense forest.

Nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded in Himachal Pradesh, at different elevations.

Photo: Hi

ra Pu

njabi

IN-HP


425

C425M425Y425K425

IBAS AND PROTECTED AREASHimachal Pradesh has an area of 0.71 million ha (12.87%) under the protected area network, that comprises two national parks and32 wildlife sanctuaries, covering 0.14 million ha and 0.57 million ha respectively. The Great Himalayan National Park and the PinValley National Park have been identified as IBAs, and of the 32 wildlife sanctuaries, 24 are IBAs. Two non-protected areas arealso considered as IBAs.

Number of IBAs and IBA criteria

IBAs of Himachal PradeshIBA site codes IBA sites names IBA criteriaIN-HP-01 Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2IN-HP-02 Chail Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-03 Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary A3IN-HP-04 Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2IN-HP-05 Dhauludhar Wildlife Sanctuary and McLeod Gunj A1, A2, A3IN-HP-06 Gamgul Siahbehi Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-07 Govind Sagar And Nainadevi Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A3IN-HP-08 Great Himalayan National Park A1, A2, A3IN-HP-09 Kais Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2IN-HP-10 Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2IN-HP-11 Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2IN-HP-12 Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary A3IN-HP-13 Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-14 Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary A3IN-HP-15 Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary A1IN-HP-16 Manali Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-17 Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A3IN-HP-18 Pin Valley National Park A3IN-HP-19 Pong Lake Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A4i, A4iiiIN-HP-20 Rupi Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2IN-HP-21 Sangla Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-22 Sarah Valley, Lower Dharamshala A1, A3IN-HP-23 Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary A1IN-HP-24 Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-25 Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3IN-HP-26 Talra Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A3IN-HP-27 Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary A1, A2, A3

AVIFAUNAHimachal Pradesh is extremely important for the protection of many species of pheasants and forest birds. Its six major forest types haveWestern Himalayan species, some with significant populations. A total of 390 species of birds have been identified till now from the State(Grimmett and Inskipp 2003). Seven globally threatened species are found in the State. The two vulture and two eagle species are widelyfound but the two pheasant species (Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii and Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus) have restrictedrange, both in altitude and habitat. The Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola classified as Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2001) also hada wide distribution in the Himalayas based on old shooting records (Ali and Ripley 1987). Only few recent records are available after theprohibition of sport-hunting in India. It is reported only from Dhauladhar WLS, but is likely to be found in many more areas.

A1= Threatened species; A2 = Restricted Range species; A3= Biome species; A4=Congregatory species

IN-HP


426

C426M426Y426K426

IN-HP


427

C427M427Y427K427

Himachal Pradesh lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA 128). Eleven species are confined to this EBA (Stattersfield etal. 1998), out of which ten are known to occur in this State with confirmed records. They are: Western Tragopan, Cheer Pheasant, BrooksLeaf Warber Phylloscopus subviridis, Tytlers Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri, Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra (vagrant), White-cheeked Tit Aegithalos leucogenys, White-throated Tit Aegithalos niveogularis, Kashmir Nuthatch Sitta cashmirensis, Spectacled FinchCallacanthis burtoni and Orange Bullfinch Pyrrhula aurantiaca. Only Himalayan or Mountain Quail Ophrysia superciliosa, which wasanyway not reported from Himachal Pradesh, is missing from the EBA list of the State. These restricted range species are confined to theWestern Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh on an elevation between 1,500 to 3,600 m in the Temperate Coniferous/Broadleaf Forest, Sub-alpine Forest and Montane Grassland (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

Critically EndangeredOriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis IN-HP-02, 05, 07, 15, 19, 22Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris IN-HP-07, 19, 22

VulnerableGreater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga IN-HP-05Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca IN-HP-05Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus IN-HP-04, 05, 06, 08, 09, 11, 16, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii IN-HP-01, 02, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 20,

24, 25, 26, 27Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola IN-HP-05

Near ThreatenedRed-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus IN-HP-02, 05, 15Pallid Harrier (?) Circus macrourus IN-HP-02Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus IN-HP-05, 10, 15

Species for which Himachal Pradesh is importantHimachal Pradesh is very important for the conservation of the following three Globally Threatened species:

Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris Critically EndangeredThis newly recognized species is classified as Critical because it has suffered an extremely rapid population decline, particularly acrossthe Indian subcontinent (BirdLife International 2001). In Himachal Pradesh, it is reported from Gobind Sagar and Naina Devi WLS,Sarah Valley and Lower Dharamshala (J. W. den Besten per comm. 2003).

Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus VulnerableThis species is classified as Vulnerable because its sparsely distributed, smallpopulation is declining and becoming increasingly fragmented in the face ofcontinuing forest loss and degradation throughout its restricted range (BirdLifeInternational 2001). From Himachal Pradesh it has been reported from DaranghatiWildlife Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990; Pandey 1994), Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuaryand McLeod Ganj (Bose et al. 1989, Knox and Walters 1994), Gamgul SiahbehiWildlife Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), Great Himalayan National Park (Singh et al.1990, Gaston et al. 1993, Gaston and Garson 1992, Pandey 1993), Kais WildlifeSanctuary (Knox and Walters 1994; Singh et al. 1990), Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary(Singh et al. 1990; Pandey 1993), Lippa Asrang Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), ManaliWildlife Sanctuary (Wynter-Blyth 1951), Nargu Sanctuary (Pandey 1993), RupiBhabha Wildlife Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), Sangla (Raksham Chitkul) WildlifeSanctuary, Sangla (Raksham Chitkul) Wildlife Sanctuary (Narang 1993), Sechu TuanNala Wildlife Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), Talra Wildlife Sanctuary (Singh et al.1990), Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary [part of the Great Himalayan National Park] (Singhet al. 1990; Pandey 1993; Gaston and Garson 1992).Chamba district has a sizeable population of this bird (Shahid Bashir pers. comm. 2003). The important areas in Chamba are MakhanNalla, Monda Nala (Tak 1987, Chauhan and Sharma 1991), Dalli, c. 28 km northwest of Chamba (Narang 1993), Ghrotu Kotha andGharaatbada Reserve Forests, (Jandrotia et al. 1996); and the Kalatop and Khajjiar Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), but the presence thereappears doubtful (Javed et al. 1999).

Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii VulnerableThis pheasants small population is naturally fragmented because it lives in small patches of successional grassland. Human populationpressure, hunting and changing patterns of land use are resulting in its decline, classifying it as Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2001).From Himachal Pradesh it is reported from the following sites: Gamgul Siahbehi Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990); Sara Reserve Forest,(Gaston et al. 1981), Kugti Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), Manali Sanctuary (Gaston et al. 1981; Singh et al. 1990), Kalatop and KhajjiarSanctuary (Khajjiar-Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary), (Gaston et al. 1981); Kais Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1991); Kanawar Sanctuary, (Gastonet al. 1981; Singh et al. 1990); Nargu Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990, Gaston et al. 1993), Tirthan Sanctuary (Gaston et al. 1981; Singh etal. 1990), Shikari Devi Sanctuary, (Singh et al. 1990); Bandli Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), Daranghati (Sharma et al. 1990), MajathalWildlife Sanctuary (Gaston et al. 1981; Garson 1983, Mishra 1996), Talra Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990), Chail Wildlife Sanctuary(Gaston and Singh 1980, Gaston et al. 1981; Kalsi 1999) and Churdar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Photo: Ja

n Willem d

en Be

sten

IN-HP

The population of Vulnerable WesternTragopan is declining because of

habitat degradation.


428

C428M428Y428K428

Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii IN-HP-01, 02, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, 13, 15,

20, 24,25, 26, 27Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus IN-HP-04, 05, 06, 08, 09, 11, 16, 20, 21, 23,

26, 27Tytlers Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri IN-HP-05Spectacled Finch Callacanthis burtoni IN-HP-05, 08White-cheeked Tit Aegithalos leucogenys IN-HP-08, 11, 20, 27White-throated Tit Aegithalos niveogularis IN-HP-08, 20Orange Bullfinch Pyrrhula aurantiaca IN-HP-08, 20

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESIn Himachal Pradesh, deforestation is not an acute problem as compared to other neighbouring states. The forest cover remains extensiveand relatively stable, although destruction of the understorey through overgrazing by livestock is a major problem (IUCN 1993) and somedevelopment projects such as roads and dams also affect some of the IBA sites (Virendra Sharma pers. comm. 1999). There are few IBAswhere a viable population of the Western Tragopan and Cheer Pheasants are found. Because of habitat degradation, however, they remainonly in pockets as described by BirdLife International (2001). The Great Himalayan National Park is an important IBA site where asizeable population of the Western Tragopan and the Cheer Pheasant is found. Similarly, the Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary is an importantIBA for the Cheer Pheasant.Some of the key threats are expansion of cultivation, illegal logging, overgrazing by livestock, conversion to agriculture and plantations,weaknesses in protected area management, hunting of wildlife and trapping.New roads, dams, mines, buildings and other developments strongly contribute to habitat loss in the Western Himalayas, damagingforests, both directly and indirectly and by displacing people into forest areas (BirdLife International 2003). Construction of roads inhighland areas may cause landslips, and provide improved access to remote montane habitats for shifting cultivators, illegal loggers,hunters and harvesters of forest products (BirdLife International 2003).

Threats to IBAs

A=Agriculture intensification/expansion; B=Dams/Dykes; C=Disturbance to Birds; D=Firewood Collection;E=Industrialisation/Urbanisation; F=Unsustainable exploitation; G=Others; H=Natural Events

REFERENCESAli, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (Second Edition). Oxford University Press, Delhi.BirdLife International (2001) Threatened Birds of Asia: The BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.BirdLife International (2003) Saving Asias threatened birds: a guide for government and civil society. BirdLife International. Cambridge, U.KBose, A. K., Curson, J. and Jarman, N. (1989) Report on birds in some national parks and other areas of special interest in India and Nepal 88-89.

Unpublished report.Chauhan, B. S. and Sharma, V. (1991) Status of Western Tragopan in Himachal Pradesh, India. WPA News 34: 2528.Garson, P. J. (1983) The Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii in Himachal Pradesh, western Himalayas: an update. World Pheasant Assoc. J. 8: 2939.Gaston, A. J. and Garson, P. J. (1992) Himachal Wildlife ProjectIII. A re-appraisal of the Great Himalayan National Park. Unpublished report to Himachal Pradesh

Department of Forest Farming and Conservation, International Trust for Conservation, WorldWide Fund for Nature India and the Oriental Bird Club.Gaston, A. J. and Singh, J. (1980) The status of the Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii in the Chail wildlife sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh. World Pheasant

Assoc. J. 5: 6873.Gaston, A. J., Garson, P. J. and Hunter, M. L. (1981) Present distribution and status of pheasants in Himachal Pradesh, western Himalayas. World Pheasant

Assoc. J. 6: 1030.Gaston, A. J., Garson, P. J. and Pandey, S. (1993) Birds recorded in the Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh, India. Forktail 9: 4557.Grimmett, R. and Inskipp, T. (2003) Birds of Northern India. Oxford University Press, New Delhi.IUCN (1993) Nature reserves of the Himalaya and mountains of Central Asia. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: International Union for Conservation

of nature and Natural Resources.

IN-HP


429

C429M429Y429K429

Jandrotia, J. S., Sharma, V. and Katoch, S. S. (1996) A pheasant survey inthe Ravi catchment of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Ann.Rev. World Pheasant Assoc. 1994/1995: 6774.

Javed, S., Kaul, R and Khan, S. B. (1999) Status, distribution and ecologyof the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus in the WesternHimalayas. Aligarh, India: Department of Wildlife Sciences, AligarhMuslim University.

Kalsi, R. S. (1999) Status and habitat of Cheer Pheasant in HimachalPradesh. World Pheasant Assoc.- SARO News 1(1): 24.

Knox, A. G. and Walters, M. P. (1994) Extinct and endangered birds in thecollections of the Natural History Museum. London: BritishOrnithologists Club.

Mathew, K. M. (ed.) (2003) Manorama Yearbook 2003. MalayalaManorama, Kottayam.

Ministry of Environment and Forest (2001) Sate of Forest Report 2001. ForestSurvey of India. Ministry Of Environment and Forest, Dehra Dun.

Mishra C. (1996) Pheasants and other birds of Majhatal Harsang WildlifeSanctuary. Forktail 12: 16.

Narang, M. L. (1993) Searches for Western Tragopans in Himachal Pradesh,India, in 198789. Pp.5557 in D. Jenkins, ed. Pheasants in Asia 1992.Reading, UK: World Pheasant Association.

Pandey, S. (1993) Pheasant surveys and the conservation of protected areasin the Upper Beas valley, Himachal Pradesh, India. Pp.5861 in D.Jenkins, ed. Pheasants in Asia 1992. Reading, UK: World PheasantAssociation.

Pandey, S. (1994) A preliminary estimate of numbers of Western Tragopansin Daranghati Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh. Ann. Rev. World PheasantAssoc. 1993/1994: 4956.

Sharma, V., Garson, P. J. and Khera, S. (1990) Status surveys of Cheer andWestern Tragopan in Simla Hills of Himachal Pradesh. Pp.139141in D. A. Hill, P. J. Garson and D. Jenkins, eds. Pheasants in Asia1989. Reading, UK: World Pheasant Association.

Singh, S., Kothari, A. and Pande, P. (Eds) (1990) Directory of nationalparks and sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh: management statusand profiles. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.Pp 164.

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A., and Wege, D. C. (1998) EndemicBird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation.BirdLife International, UK.

Tak, P. C. (1987) On a rare sighting of Western Tragopan (Tragopan

melanocephalus) in District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India. Cheetal28(4): 42-45.

Wynter-Blyth, M. A. (1951) A naturalist in the north-west Himalaya. PartI. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 50: 344354.

Photo: Ja

n Willem d

en Be

sten

Some times birds are killed and cooked inside the forest.

IN-HP


430

C430M430Y430K430

BANDLI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas)PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in March 1962

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-01State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : MandiCoordinates : 31 28' 38" N, 76 55' 41" EOwnership : StateArea : 4,132 haAltitude : 762 - 1,260 mRainfall : 1,544 mmTemperature : 1 C to 35 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub Alpine Forest, Montane Wet

Temperate Forest

entellus and Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta are the non-humanprimates in the IBA.

LAND USEq Nature conservation

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Poachingq Human settlementq Forest firesq Denotificationq Cement factory projectBesides poaching, livestock grazing and forest fires plague most ofthe sanctuaries of northern India. Bandli Sanctuary is under threatof denotification by the Himachal Government, which intendsconstructing a large cement factory very close to the Sanctuaryborder. Earlier in 1992, the proposal to set up a cement plant wasrejected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) as theproposed mining site would have disturbed the Sanctuary. In 2001,the State Government revived the plan with a proposal to denotifyhalf the Sanctuary to facilitate the project. The residents have beenopposing the cement plant proposal since 1992, and have now formedseveral environmental protection groups to save the Sanctuary. Ithas been pointed out that a large number of people in Mandi arelikely to be adversely affected by the pollution from the cementplant. There are fears that water channels will dry up or becomepolluted, water mills will be rendered useless and cropping patternsand yields would be affected. The tourism industry is also opposingthe cement plant project in such sylvan surroundings.

KEY CONTRIBUTORSSanjeeva Pandey and K. Ramesh

KEY REFERENCESBirdLife International (undated) Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Asia:

Project briefing book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.,unpublished.


GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThis small sanctuary in Mandi district has been in the news due tothe state governments plan to establish a large cement factoryabout 500 m from the boundary. Bandli was a Reserve Forest till1962, when it was first notified as a Sanctuary. After the enactmentof the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, final notification took placein 1974. It is located about 7 km from Sundarnagar town. TheSanctuary was declared mainly to protect Cheer Pheasant Catreuswallichii, which had been exterminated from many nearby areasdue to hunting. The Sanctuary is under heavy pressure due to itsproximity to villages and towns.Singh et al. (1990) identified only two major forest types:Himalayan Subtropical Pine Forest and Ban Oak Forest.

AVIFAUNAThis sanctuary helps to protect a small surviving population ofCheer Pheasant. No detailed study on avifauna has been conducted,except for surveys of pheasants.This IBA comes under Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area(EBA-128) and Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest (BirdLifeInternational, undated). However, as we do not have the checklistof birds of this site, we do not know how many Restricted Rangeand Biome Restricted assemblages are found in this IBA. Besidesstudies on the globally threatened Cheer Pheasant to know its statusand distribution in this site, detailed studies on the general avifaunaare also required. It is a Data Deficient site.

VulnerableCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii

Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii

OTHER KEY FAUNALeopard Panthera pardus is quite common and a major cause ofconcern to livestock owners. Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanusis also found, but it confines itself to forest and grassland areas.Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak and Goral Nemorhaedus goralare the major natural prey of Leopard. Himalayan Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula are the major predators of CheerPheasant and other smaller prey. Common Langur Semnopithecus

HP-01


431

C431M431Y431K431

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONChail Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Solan and Shimla districts.Formerly, it was the private game reserve of the Maharaja ofPatiala. Inspite of degradation, it is still one of the best sanctuariesfor the Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii. The Sanctuary has, withinits boundaries, Chail town and numerous villages, and is connectedby a forest corridor to the Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary (anIBA) in the north. It comprises part of the catchment area of atributary of the Giri River.The forest cover of the Sanctuary includes Himalayan SubtropicalPine Forest, Ban Oak Forest and Moru Oak Forest, according tothe forest classification by Champion and Seth (1968). Thedominant forest tree is Ban Oak Quercus incana, mixed with ChirPine Pinus roxburghii at lower altitudes. RhododendronRhododendron arboreum forms pure stands in places and CedarCedrus deodara and Blue Pine Pinus wallichiana have beenplanted in some areas. There is little mature forest, and muchsecondary growth due to disturbance (Gaston and Singh 1980).Reference to the habitat map in Garson (1983) shows that the forestis largely confined to the northern half of the sanctuary. Around418 ha were planted with Pine, Oak, Cedar and Robinia up to1984 (Singh et al. 1990).

AVIFAUNAAt least 139 bird species are reported from the site (Naim Akhtarpers. comm. 2003), including five species of pheasants, i.e. Cheer,Koklass Pucrasia macrolopha, Kaleej Lophura leucomelanos,Peafowl Pavo cristatus and Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus. WhileCheer Pheasant occurs only in grassland, Kaleej and Koklass occurin oak forest.This IBA is extremely important for the protection of the globallythreatened Cheer Pheasant. In the late 1970s, Gaston and Singh(1980) and Gaston et al. (1981) estimated 40 to 60 pairs, while inMarch 1983, Garson (1983) estimated a minimum of 32 pairs.Sharma et al. (1990) conducted further surveys in March 1987,and recently Kalsi (1999) surveyed Cheer Pheasant in HimachalPradesh between March and June, and found many pairs in Chail.Most recent work on this species is by Akhtar and Narang (2002)who found high abundance of Cheer pheasant in Chail. It iswidely distributed in places called Blossom and Khari-un. Theyalso found one more grassland site near Bhagairh village.

CHAIL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas),A3 (Biome-7: Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest; Biome-8: Sino-Himalayan Sub-tropical Forest)

PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in March 1976

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-02State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : Solan, ShimlaCoordinates : 30 58' 15" N, 77 13' 58" EOwnership : StateArea : 10,854 haAltitude : 701 - 2,408 mRainfall : 1,603 mmTemperature : - 4 C to 28 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub Alpine Forest, Montane Grassy

Slopes, Sub-tropical Broad-leaf HillForest

This IBA lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA)(Stattersfield et al. 1998) and Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest(Biome-7) and Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest (Biome-8)(BirdLife International, undated). Eleven species are consideredrestricted range in this EBA and in Chail WLS, only one species(Cheer Pheasant) has been identified till now in this category.Perhaps, more detailed studies are required here to find out whetherother restricted range species occur here or not, although habitatand altitude look suitable for some of them.

Critically EndangeredOriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis


Near ThreatenedRed-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvusPallid Harrier (?) Circus macrourus


Biome-7: Sino-Himalayan Temperate ForestBlue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus caeruleocephalusRufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrataGreen-backed Tit Parus monticolusBar-tailed Tree Creeper Certhia himalayanaWhite-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura

Biome-8: Sino-Himalayan Sub-tropical ForestSlaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayanaHimalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenysGrey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboulBlack-headed Jay Garrulus lanceolatus

Major species of the Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest seen inChail are Himalayan Tree Creeper Certhia himalayana, Black-capped Sibia Heterophasia capistrata, Orange-flanked Bush RobinTarsiger cyanurus, Blue headed Redstart Phoenicuruscaeruleocephalus, Green Backed Tit Parus monticolus, and White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura. None of them are threatened

HP-02


432

C432M432Y432K432

Residents of Chail demand that the Sanctuary should be denotified,as their private land lies within the sanctuary and they are noteven able to repair their own houses due to the Indian Wildlife(Protection) Act 1972. They say that at least their land should betaken out of the Sanctuary.Two pheasant breeding centers, at Karium and at Blossom, arelocated within the Sanctuary where captive breeding of Cheer,Kaleej and Red Junglefowl are being attempted.

KEY CONTRIBUTORSSanjeeva Pandey, S. Sathyakumar and Naim Akhtar

KEY REFERENCESAkhtar, N. and Narang, M. L. (2002) Status, Distribution and Conservation

of Galliformes in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh.Proceedings of National Seminar on Galliformes. AVC College,Mayiladuturai.

Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact Handbook of the Birds of Indiaand Pakistan (Second Edition). Oxford University Press, Delhi.

BirdLife International (undated) Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Asia:Project briefing book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.,unpublished.

Champion, H. G. and Seth, S. K. (1968) A revised survey of forest types ofIndia, Govt. of India Press, Delhi. Pp. 403.

Garson, P. J. (1983) The cheer pheasant Catreus wallichii in HimachalPradesh, Western Himalayas: an update. WPA Journal 8: 29-39.

Gaston, A. J. and Singh, J. (1980) The status of the cheer pheasant Catreuswallichii, in the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary Himachal Pradesh. WPAJournal 5: 68-73.

Gaston, A. J., Hunter, M. L. Jr, and Garson, P. J. (1981) The wildlife ofHimachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. University of Maine Schoolof Forest Resources Technical Notes No. 82. Pp 159.

Kalsi, R. S. (1999) Status and habitat of Cheer Pheasant in HimachalPradesh. WPA-SARO News 1(1): 2-4.

Sharma, V., Garson, P. J. and Khera, S. (1990) Status surveys of Cheer andWestern Tragopan in Simla Hills of Himachal Pradesh. Pp 139-141.In: Pheasants in Asia 1989 (eds. Hill, D. A., Garson, P. J. and Jenkins,D.). World Pheasant Association, Reading, U.K.

Singh, S., Kothari, A. and Pande, P. (Eds) (1990) Directory of nationalparks and sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh: management status andprofiles. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. Pp 164.

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998)Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for BiodiversityConservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLifeInternational, Cambridge, U.K.

but they represent the Biome-7 assemblages of broadleaf deciduousand coniferous forests. The Plain-backed Thrush Zootheramollissima, listed by BirdLife International (undated) in Biome-5(Eurasian High Montane) is also seen in Chail. It is found between2,700 to 4,000 m but winters between 900 to 2,600 m (Ali andRipley 1987). The birds representing Biome-8 are: HimalayanSlaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana, Black-throated JayGarrulus lanceolatus, Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenysand Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul.

OTHER KEY FAUNALeopard Panthera pardus is the main predator, and has for its preyungulates such as Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, SambarCervus unicolor and Goral Nemorhaedus goral. Goral occurs invery good numbers in Chail as evident by the encounter rate of 7animals/km walk (S. Sathyakumar pers. comm. 2002). TheEuropean Red Deer Cervus elaphus was introduced more thanhalf a century ago by the former Maharaja of Patiala (Singh et al.1990), but none were sighted during a census in 1988 (S. Pandeypers. comm.). Other species include Asiatic Black Bear Ursusthibetanus, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Common Langur Semnopithecusentellus and Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis.

LAND USEq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationq Urban transport

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Forest firesq Livestock grazingq Firewood collectionq Disturbance to birdsThe Sanctuary area includes more than 120 villages, and evenChail town is located inside the Sanctuary! In addition, there are18 private industries including sawmills inside the Sanctuary. Thesurrounding area is also populated densely. Therefore, this smallSanctuary is under tremendous human pressure due to fuelwoodcollection, livestock grazing, quarrying and other activitiesunfavourable for the Sanctuary. Only 100 ha of the forest is freefrom these problems. Various government departments such asthe Public Works Department, Himachal Pradesh TourismDepartment, Military Engineering Services, Himachal PradeshForest Department and Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Departmentare located within the Sanctuary.

HP-02


433

C433M433Y433K433

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Sanctuary gets its name from Chur Peak, on top of which sitsa majestic statue of Lord Shiva, commanding a breathtaking viewof the valleys and forests below (Singh et al. 1990). Churdhar andthe nearby temples are important pilgrimage sites. Three mainforest zones could be demarcated in Churdhar WLS: AlpinePastures, Kharsu Oak Forest and Western Mixed Coniferous Forest.Forest classification is based on Champion and Seth (1968).Plantations of Deodar Cedrus deodara, Oak Quercus sp. and otherspecies have been established by the Forest Department.

AVIFAUNANo study on the avifauna has been conducted in this Sanctuarybut Singh et al. (1990) have provided a list of 30 bird speciesrecorded here. The IBA does not have significant populations ofany globally threatened species, but the temperate forests ofChurdhar still have good habitats for the Himalayan or ImpeyanMonal Lophophorus impejanus, Koklass Pheasant Pucrasiamacrolopha and other species of Western Mixed Coniferous Forestand Alpine Pastures (S. Pandey pers. comm. 2002).This site lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA).In this EBA, 11 Restricted Range species have been listed but aswe do not have good information on bird life, it is not known how

CHURDHAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A3 (Biome-7: Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest), Data DeficientPROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in November 1985

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-03State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : SirmaurCoordinates : 30 50' 31" N, 77 27' 38" EOwnership : StateArea : 5,615 haAltitude : 2,000 - 3,647 mRainfall : Not availableTemperature : Not availableBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub Tropical Pine Forest

Alpine Moist Pasture

many birds are found in this IBA. According to BirdLifeInternational (undated) classification of biome, this site shouldcome under Biome-7 (Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest). Thisbiome occurs from 1,800 to 3,600 m, which is also the altitudinalrange of this IBA. BirdLife International (undated) has listed 112bird species that represent biome assemblages of this area. Basedon the information by S. Pandey (pers. comm. 2002), only tenspecies of this biome are found in this IBA.Once detailed studies are conducted on the bird life of thisIBA, many more biome and restricted range species are likelyto be recorded. Till such studies, it is included as a DataDeficient site.

Biome-7: Sino-Himalayan Temperate ForestKoklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolophaHimalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanusVariegated Laughingthrush Garrulax variegatusChestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigulaSpot-winged Crested Tit Parus melanolophusBrown-crested Tit Parus dichrousWhite-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensisYellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoidesBrown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensisRed-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala

OTHER KEY FAUNABefore relentless poaching in the 1960s and 1970s, Churdharhad a good population of the Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster,and the Sanctuary was established primarily to protect thisspecies. Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak and GoralNemorhaedus goral are still surviving in comparatively goodnumbers, despite some poaching. Asiatic Black Bear Ursusthibetanus is found in the higher reaches. Leopard Pantherapardus is distributed all over the sanctuary, especially nearvillages and settlements as it thrives on livestock and also onWild Boar Sus scrofa. Pika Ochotona roylei is found mostlyabove 3,000 m and forms the prey base for many smallerpredators such as weasels, cats and civets.Pho

to: V

ivek R.

Sinha

The Temperate forest of Churdhar WLS is good habitatsfor Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus.

HP-03


434

C434M434Y434K434

LAND USEq Agricultureq Collection of fodder, timber, fuelwood and minor forest

produceq Grazingq Tourism and recreation

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Poachingq Human settlementsq Disturbance due to pilgrimsq Livestock grazingChurdhar has one of the last remaining natural forests in southernHimachal Pradesh (Singh et al. 1990). Residents have rights ofhabitation, agriculture, extraction of timber, fuelwood and minor

forest produce, livestock grazing and collection of fodder. Gujjars(nomadic graziers) are given permits for grazing and periodicallybring large numbers of livestock into the Sanctuary. Entry into theSanctuary is not regulated (Singh et al. 1990).

KEY CONTRIBUTORSShekar Singh and Sanjeeva Pandey



Champion, H. G. and Seth, S. K. (1968) A revised survey of forest types ofIndia Govt. of India Press, Delhi. Pp. 403


HP-03


435

C435M435Y435K435

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Daranghati Sanctuary lies in Shimla district. It is composedof two segments, with villages and cultivated areas in between.The two units of the Sanctuary lie on either side of the DhauladharRange that forms part of the Middle Himalayas. Part I of theSanctuary to the north forms the southern catchment area of theManglad Gad. Three main rivers, including Wajadi Gad and GharatGad, flow northwards into Manglad Gad. Part II of the Sanctuaryto the south encompasses the southern catchment area of the NogliGad. Main rivers flowing northwards through Part II into the NogliGad include Bankdari Nala, Rigir Gad and Setlu Nala. Mangladand Nogli are eastern tributaries of the Sutlej river. There areseveral wooden temples in the vicinity, featuring the uniquearchitecture of Himachal (Singh et al. 1990).Daranghati, a former hunting reserve of the Raja of Bushahr State,shows signs of degradation, but remains particularly importantfor pheasants, notably the Western Tragopan Tragopanmelanocephalus. It also supports a variety of Himalayan ungulates(Pandey 1990; Singh et al. 1990).Pandey (1995) notes five main forest types: (1) Moist Cedar Cedrusdeodara forest (1,900 m - 3,000 m) (2) Western Mixed ConiferousForest on northern and eastern slopes above 2,000 m, comprisingBlue Pine Pinus wallichiana, Silver Fir Abies spectabilis andSpruce Picea smithiana, with Cedar on well-drained sites. (3) MoistTemperate Deciduous, (4) Kharsu Oak forest with commonassociates Taxus baccata, Pyrus, and Prunus, and (5) WestHimalayan sub-alpine forest, with Silver Fir and some Quercussemecarpifolia, above 3,000 m.

AVIFAUNADetailed studies on birds of this site have not been conducted.Based on secondary information, Singh et al. (1990) prepared ashort list of birds of this Sanctuary. Species of conservation interestis the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus. Gaston et al.(1981a, b), found no evidence of Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii,although the species used to occur in this area (Wynter-Blyth 1951).Himalayan or Impeyan Monal Lophophorus impejanus, KoklassPheasant Pucrasia macrolopha and Kaleej Pheasant Lophuraleucomelanos are also found here.This site is selected as an IBA based on the presence of the globallythreatened Western Tragopan. Pandey (1995) estimate a density

DARANGHATI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas)PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1962

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-04State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : ShimlaCoordinates : 31 26' 01" N, 77 49' 56" EOwnership : StateArea : 16,700 haAltitude : 2,100 - 3,315 mRainfall : 750 mmTemperature : -8 C to 17 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Alpine Moist Scrub, Alpine Moist

Pasture, Sub Tropical Broadleaf Hill,Sub-Alpine Forest

of 1.5-birds per sq. km in winter habitat. He estimates that bothparts of Daranghati WLS and the surrounding areas may supporta population of 150 to 250 birds. This could be one of the mostimportant sites for this globally threatened bird, listed asVulnerable. It is also listed as restricted range in the WesternHimalayas Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

VulnerableWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus

Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus

OTHER KEY FAUNADaranghati WLS has almost all the representative mammals ofthe temperate forest and subalpine zone of Himachal Pradesh.Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus is the largest wild carnivoreof the Sanctuary, mainly found above 3,000 m in summer, muchlower in winter. Brown Bear Ursus arctos is also found in thealpine and subalpine regions. Leopard Panthera pardus is the majorcarnivore. Wild ungulates such as Musk Deer Moschuschrysogaster, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, GoralNemorhaedus goral, Serow N. sumatraensis and Himalayan TahrHemitragus jemlahicus. Ibex Capra ibex and Bharal Pseudoisnayaur are reported on higher elevations. Smaller carnivoresinclude Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, Himalayan Weasel Mustelasibirica, Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula, HimalayanPalm Civet Paguma larvata and Jungle Cat Felis chaus. Not muchis known about the reptile and amphibian fauna.

LAND USEq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationq Water management

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Forest fires and firewood collectionq Poachingq Grazingq Disturbance to birdsq Human settlements

HP-04


436

C436M436Y436K436

Like most of the sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh, Daranghati WLShas a large human population residing in and around the Sanctuary.Villagers have rights of fuelwood and minor forest producecollection, and livestock grazing. Two villages exist inside theSanctuary and the peripheral areas have 26 villages. NomadicGujjars have grazing permits. Poaching is not uncommon,especially of ungulates and pheasants.There is a need to link both parts of the Sanctuary and furtherenlarge the area so ecologically viable area could be provided forthe protection of Western Tragopan (Pandey 1990, 1995). Regularmonitoring of bird populations should also be undertaken.

KEY CONTRIBUTORSanjeeva Pandey

KEY REFERENCESGaston, A. J., Hunter, M. L. Jr. and Garson, P. J. (eds.) (1981a) The Wildlife

of Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. University of Maine Schoolof Forest Resources Technical Notes No. 82. Pp. 159.

Gaston, A. J. Garson, P. J. and Hunter, M. L. Jr (1981b) Present distributionand status of pheasants in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. WPAJournal 6: 10-30.

Pandey, S. (1990) Management plan of Daranghati Sanctuary (1990-1991to 1994-1995). Department of Forest Farming and Conservation, Simla.

Pandey, S. (1995) A preliminary estimate of numbers of Western Tragopanin Daranghati Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh. Ann. Rev. WPA 1993/94:49-56.



Wynter-Blyth, M. A. (1951) A naturalist in the Northwest Himalaya. J.Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 50: 344-354.

HP-04


437

C437M437Y437K437

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is an area of high altitudeforests, not yet exactly defined, but to be demarcated betweenNurpur and Jogindernagar, in Himachal Pradesh. The Sanctuaryand the surrounding Reserved Forests have been identified asan IBA. The forested region at the foot of the Dhauladharbetween 700 and 1,400 m, around Sarah below Dharamshalashould also be included in this IBA as many species from thehigher zones winter in these forests. Thus a contiguous areafrom the base to the higher altitudes in Dhauladhar Range couldbe considered as an IBA.Oak and Rhododendron forests are interspersed with grassy slopesand meadows in this IBA. Above the tree line alpine meadowsand rocky mountains dominate, covered in snow for much of theyear. In the reserved forests on the lower reaches of Dhauladhar,Deodar Cedrus deodara is dominant, while below 1,600 m largeareas have been planted with Pine trees. Other parts of this zonehave good examples of Oak forest.

AVIFAUNAThe Dhauladhar range, at elevation between 1,600 and 4,400 m,is rich in mountain birds of Biome-5, Biome-7 and Biome-8.The Himalayan or Impeyan Monal Lophophorus impejanus,Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha, Kaleej PheasantLophura leucomelana and Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueolaare common breeders in considerable parts of the area, whileCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii, Chukar Partridge Alectorischukar, Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa and Himalayan SnowcockTetraogallus himalayensis occur in smaller numbers in morerestricted habitats. (J. W. den Besten pers. comm. 2003). Huntersin the area claim that the Western Tragopan Tragopanmelanocephalus still occurs, on undisturbed slopes further fromMcLeod Gunj (pers. comm. to J. W. den Besten by Prem Sagarand Arvind Dharma 2003).Raptors are remarkably common in the area, with 36 speciesrecorded. Among the breeding species are the Booted EagleHieraaetus pennatus, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos,Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, Crested Serpent EagleSpilornis cheela, Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus, White-eyed Buzzard Butatur teesa, and Eurasian Hobby Falcosubbuteo. Possible breeders include the Common Kestrel Falco

DHAULADHAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas)PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in December 1994

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-05State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : KangraCoordinates : 32 15' 00" N, 76 19' 00" EOwnership : StateArea : 94,398 haAltitude : 1,600 - 4,400 mRainfall : 2,000 - 3,000 mmTemperature : Not availableBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Alpine Moist Scrub, Alpine Moist

Pasture, Himalayan Wet Temperate

tinnunculus, Mountain Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis andEurasian Sparrow-hawk Accipiter nisus. Globally threatened(BirdLife International 2001) species such as Imperial EagleAquila heliaca, Greater Spotted Eagle A. clanga and Lesser(Indian) Spotted Eagle A. pomarina have been observed in thearea, while Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensisis still fairly common in the lower areas and with small numbersof Red-headed Vultures or King Vulture Sarcogyps calvus andwintering Cinereous Vultures Aegypius monachus. TheRestricted Range species include Tytlers Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus tytleri, Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria andSpectacled Finch Callacanthis burtoni (J. W. den Besten per.comm. 2003).This is one of the very few sites where the globally threatenedWood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola has been reported. There is aspecimen in the British Museum (Natural History) of this birdcollected in October 1869 (BirdLife International 2001). The WoodSnipe had always been an uncommon bird. Now, it has a smalldeclining population, as a result of habitat loss and hunting. IBAsites such as Dhauladhar can play an important role in theconservation of this species.

Critically EndangeredOriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis

VulnerableGreater Spotted Eagle Aquila clangaEastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliacaWestern Tragopan (?) Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiWood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola

Near ThreatenedCinereous Vulture Aegypius monachusRed-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus

Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasWestern Tragopan (?) Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiTytlers Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus tytleriSpectacled Finch Callacanthis burtoni

HP-05


438

C438M438Y438K438

LAND USEq Tourism and recreation

THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Burning of vegetation and firewood collectionq Grazingq Tourismq PoachingWhile the Sanctuary extends over a large area above Dharamshala,it is influenced by the expanding Dharamshala/tourist activites atthe McLeod Gunj. While construction of hotels and other buildingsalways takes place outside the protected area, there is someconstruction on private land, and also the threat of road constructionup to Triund at 2,900 m, and possibly a cable track to the same.While pollution directly around the tourist centre at 1,900 m issevere, notably from solid waste and sewage, the impact of litteringextends into the mountains and into the Sanctuary because of thelarge numbers of trekkers and visitors.Forest fires are bound to increase with the rise in numbers of peoplecamping, trekking and walking through the area. Tea stalls set upin small plots of private land in and around the Sanctuary oftenuse wood for cooking and therefore add to deforestation, besideslittering the area. However, the presence of tourists may help toreduce the number of poachers in the area.Collection of branches and dry wood has some impact at all levels,but at higher reaches where the production of biomass is slowbecause of the climate, trimming of trees is extremely detrimental.Damaged trees die quickly.Pastures such as at Ilaka, where large numbers of herders gatheron their way to and from the pastures beyond the Dhauladhar,have experienced a slow and steady decline of tree cover right atthe tree-line. (J. W. den Besten pers. comm. 2003).

KEY CONTRIBUTORJan Willem den Besten



BirdLife International (2001) Threatened Birds of Asia: The BirdLifeInternational Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge,U.K.


This large IBA lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area(EBA), (Stattersfield et al. 1998) and has four out of 11 RestrictedRange species. BirdLife International (undated) has classifiedbiomes based on forest types and bird assemblages (A3 criteria).This site lies in Biome-7 (Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest). 112birds are listed in this biome, whose distributions are largely orwholly confined to this biome. With its extensive and largely intactforest cover, Dhauladhar WLS and reserve forests is perhaps oneof the best examples of Biome-7. Based on extensive survey, J.W. den Besten (pers. comm. 2003) has listed 51 species of Biome-7 from this site. He found 15 out of 48 species of Biome-5 (EurasianHigh Montane-Alpine and Tibetan), mainly in winter when thebirds came down. As Biome-7 and Biome-8 (Sino-HimalayanSubtropical Forest) intergrade and many species show altitudinalmovement, 10 species of Biome-8 are also found in this site.

OTHER KEY FAUNAThe following mammals have recently been reported in and aroundthe Wildlife Sanctuary: Leopard Panthera pardus, GoralNemorhaedus goral, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Toddy CatParadoxurus hermaphroditus, Himalayan Yellow-throated MartenMartes flavigula, Himalayan Weasel Mustela sibirica, HimalayanMouse-Hare Ochotona roylei, Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis,Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica, Red Flying squirrel Petauristapetaurista, Common Langur Semnopithecus entellus, Red FoxVulpes vulpes, Jackal Canis aureus, Asiatic Black Bear Ursusthibetanus (J. W. den Besten per. comm. 2003). Also reported inForest Department circulars are the Leopard Cat Prionailurusbengalensis, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Brown Bear Ursus arctos,Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, Ibex Capra sibirica, SerowNemorhaedus sumatraensis, Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur and SnowLeopard Uncia uncia.

Photo: Ja

n Willem d

en Be

sten

Buildings and roads are constructed very near to theWLS that create disturbance to the wildlife.

HP-05


439

C439M439Y439K439

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThis high altitude Sanctuary lies in the Chamba district innorthwestern Himachal Pradesh. Its northern boundary adjoinsthe Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Siul nullah flowsalong the western boundary of the Sanctuary and the nearestlargest town is Bhandal. This is the only Sanctuary in HimachalPradesh where Hangul or Kashmir Stag Cervus elaphus hanglu,a very rare species, was reported, but there have been no recentrecords.

Based on the classification by Champion and Seth (1968), threemain forest types have been identified by Singh et al. (1990). Theseare Alpine Pastures above 3,000 m, Western Mixed ConiferousForest and Moist Deodar Forest. The Forest Department has plantedDeodar Cedrus deodara, Pine Pinus wallichiana and other speciesfor commercial purposes. They have even also introduced PoplarPopulus sp.

AVIFAUNASingh et al. (1990) provide a preliminary list of 100 bird speciesfrom the Sanctuary, which includes four species of pheasants,including the two globally threatened species (WesternTragopan Tragopan melanocephalus and Cheer PheasantCatreus wallichii) and two comparatively common ones(Himalayan or Impeyan Monal Lophophorus impejanus andKoklass Pucrasia macrolopha).

Gamgul Siahbehi WLS lies in an area, which is classified as theWestern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA) by Stattersfieldet al. (1998). In this EBA, 11 restricted range species have beenlisted but as we do not have good information on the bird life, itis not known how many birds are found in this IBA. Only tworestricted range species could be identified, i.e. Western Tragopanand Cheer Pheasant.

According to BirdLife International (undated) classification ofbiome, this site should come under Biome-7 (Sino-HimalayanTemperate Forest). This biome occurs from 1,800 to 3,600 m, whichis also the altitudinal range of this IBA. The BirdLife International(undated) has listed 112 bird species that represent biomeassemblages of this area. Based on the information by S. Pandey(pers. comm. 2002) and Sondhi and Sondhi (1998), only 13 speciesof this biome are found in this IBA.

GAMGUL SIAHBEHI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY


IBA Site Code : IN-HP-06State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : ChambaCoordinates : 32 51' 23" N, 76 00' 12" EOwnership : StateArea : 10,885 haAltitude : 1,800 - 3,919 mRainfall : 1,143 mmTemperature : -10 C to 35 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub-tropical Pine Forest, Montane

Grassy Slopes, Sub-tropicalBroad-Leaf Hill Forest

Although this site is small (only 10,885 ha), due to its altitudinalvariation and varied habitats, it is an important protected areafor the conservation of globally threatened pheasants and manyhigh altitude forest birds. Detailed studies on the bird life areurgently required to know the density and abundance ofvarious species.

VulnerableWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii

Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii

OTHER KEY FAUNAPrior to Independence, more than 50 years ago, the Hangul couldbe seen throughout the year but more commonly during ruttingtime in October, above 3,000 m (Mukherjee and Mahajan 1978).They were never numerous in Himachal, probably not more than25 individuals, but now even these are not seen, due to poachingin the early 1950s and 1960s. Their population in Jammu andKashmir has also declined, so there is little hope of these mammalscoming to Himachal from there.Fortunately, the Sanctuary still has other fauna typical of thehigh altitude temperate forests and alpine pastures, albeit insmall numbers.The important species found in this IBA are Ibex Capra ibex,Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster, Serow Nemorhaedussumatraensis, Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus and GoralNemorhaedus goral. Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus andBrown Bear Ursus arctos are also found, the later mainly in thealpine pastures. At lower elevations, Leopard Panthera pardusis the main large predator. It also kills livestock, so man-animalconflict is common. Smaller predators include the Red Fox Vulpesvulpes, Himalayan Weasel Mustela sibirica, Jungle Cat Felischaus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus, Yellow-throated MartenMartes flavigula and Himalayan Palm Civet Paguma larvata iscommon in the alpine areas. Barking Deer or Indian MuntjakMuntiacus muntjak, Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica andCommon Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista are mostlyfound below 3,000 m in forested areas.

HP-06


440

C440M440Y440K440

LAND USEq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationq Urban transportq Human settlementTHREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Forest firesq Grazingq Firewood collectionq Disturbance to birdsThe Sanctuary is under severe anthropogenic pressure. Threevillages are located inside the Sanctuary and many on the border.Livestock grazing, fuelwood collection and timber extraction havegreat negative impact on the vegetation. In order to get fresh grassfor livestock, villagers start fires, which sometimes go out ofcontrol. Poaching is not uncommon, especially of pheasants andungulates.




Champion and Seth (1968) A revised survey of the forest types of India.Govt. of India Press, Delhi. Pp. 403.

Mukherjee, R. N. and Mahajan, K. K. (1978) Gamugal Siya-Behi Sanctuary,Himachal Pradesh. Cheetal. 20(1): 41-43.


Sondhi, S. and Sondhi, A. (1998) Trip Report: Gangul Siahbehi Sanctuary.Unpublished.


HP-06


441

C441M441Y441K441

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONGobind Sagar (10,034 ha) is situated in Bilaspur and Mandidistricts, and Naina Devi (12,300 ha) in Bilaspur district ofHimachal Pradesh. As the sanctuaries are located in the LowerShiwaliks, floral and faunal affinities are close to Dry DeciduousForests of the northern plains (Singh et al. 1990). Gobind Sagar,as the name indicates, is a water reservoir formed by theconstruction of the Bhakra Dam in the early 1950s on the SutlejRiver. The reservoir attracts thousands of waterfowl, while theadjoining forests of Naina Devi Sanctuary represent many Biome-8 species. These two sanctuaries are treated as one IBA due totheir proximity.Forest types on the periphery of Gobind Sagar include NorthernDry Mixed Deciduous. In Naina Devi there are northern DryMixed Deciduous Forests (3,000 ha) and Chir Pine (1,550 ha).There are also some dry bamboo brakes. Commercial plantationsof Chir and Acacia were established in Naina Devi over 1,427ha between 1979 and 1984. Eucalyptus has also been introduced(Singh et al. 1990).

AVIFAUNAThe avifauna is poorly recorded but Singh et al. (1990) provideda preliminary list of 15 bird species. As the forest is still intact inplaces, and the large wetland attracts numerous waterfowl, furthersurveys would yield at least ten times more species than the presentrecord. Presently, we know of only two globally threatened speciesoccurring here. More research is required to find out the totalnumber of waterfowl and species-wise abundance and populations.Till such time, this site is considered as Data Deficient as far asbird information is concerned.

Critically EndangeredOriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensisSlender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris

GOBIND SAGAR AND NAINA DEVI SANCTUARIES

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), Data DeficientPROTECTION STATUS: Gobind Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1962;

Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1982

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-07State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : Bilaspur, MandiCoordinates : 31 22' 39" N, 76 44' 48" EOwnership : StateArea : 22,334 haAltitude : 350 - 1,019 mRainfall : 1,155 mmTemperature : -2 C to 45 CBiogeographic Zone : Semi-AridHabitats : Reservoir and Dry Mixed

Deciduous Forest

OTHER KEY FAUNAAlmost all the representative large mammalian species ofsubtropical forests of the Lower Himalayas are found here, exceptfor Tiger Panthera tigris, which became locally extinct due tohunting.

LAND USEq Agricultureq Aquaculture/fisheriesq Nature conservation and researchTHREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Grazingq Collection of timber, fuelwood, forest products,q Extraction of fodderq Disturbance due to religious activitiesq Water pollutionq Human habitationsThe local people have rights or leases for grazing, collection oftimber, fuelwood and minor forest produce, fodder extraction, andreligious activities. The Bhakra Management Board has controlover the Gobind Sagar Sanctuary. The Public Works Departmenthas control over the 20 km stretch of road inside Naina DeviSanctuary (Singh et al. 1990). Therefore, this IBA is highlydisturbed.


KEY REFERENCESSingh, S., Kothari, A. and Pande, P. (Eds) (1990) Directory of national

parks and sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh: management status andprofiles. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. Pp 164.

HP-07


442

C442M442Y442K442

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe sprawling Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu districthas relatively undisturbed areas which support diverse Himalayanwildlife. The Park lies in the upper catchment area of the Tirthan,Sainj and Jiwa rivers, which flow westwards and feed the Beasriver. The Park includes parts of Tirthan Sanctuary, and is borderedby the Pin Valley National Park in the northeast, KanawarSanctuary in the northwest, and Rupi Bhabha Sanctuary in theeast (all of them IBAs). These constitute Himachal Pradeshs largestprotected area with regard to wildlife. The eastern part of the Parklies above the snowline, and has glaciers and permanent ice.Based on the forest classification by Champion and Seth (1968), 14forest types could be identified in Great Himalayan NP. In brief,about a third of the Park supports undisturbed forest, mainly aroundJiva, Sainj and Tirthan nullah (streams) and their tributaries,extending from the base of the valley to 3,300 m, depending uponthe aspect (Anon. 1997). A little over half of the Park area lies above4,000 m, forming alpine meadows, particularly on the south side ofSainj Valley above Shangarh and at Dela Thach, above Lopah. Thevegetation of Tirthan Valley has the northern aspects clothed in denseforest, dominated by Blue Pine Pinus wallichiana, and higher upby a diverse Deciduous Broadleaf Forest on moderately slopingareas and Fir Abies pindrow on steep areas. Tirthan Valley, betweenBandal and Rolla, also supports small areas of Oak forest (Quercussp. and Q. incana). The southerly aspects are generally more open;stands of Cedar Cedrus deodara are interspersed with grassy andshrub-clad hillsides, with a zone of Kharsu Oak Q. semecarpifoliaforest above 2,800 m. There is a stand of Yew Taxus baccata nearManjhan village in Jiwa Valley. This species is under constant threatdue to its valuable medicinal properties.

AVIFAUNAThe area is particularly noted for its prolific pheasant populations.The Park is home to over 300 species of birds (Gaston et al. 1994),an excellent representation of West Himalayan avifauna. TheHimalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus, Koklass PheasantPucrasia macrolopha, Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos andHill Partridge Arborophila torqueola are common, while CheerPheasant Catreus wallichii and the Western Tragopan Tragopanmelanocephalus have more restricted ranges. Chukar PartridgeAlectoris chukar, Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa and Himalayan

GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas)PROTECTION STATUS: National Park, established in 1962

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-08State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : KulluCoordinates : 31 44' 14" N, 77 32' 34" EOwnership : StateArea : 75,400 haAltitude : 1,500 - 5,805 mRainfall : 1,500 mmTemperature : -5 C to 30 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub-Alpine Dry Scrub, Alpine Moist

Pasture, Sub-tropical Broad-leaf HillForest

Snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis occur in suitable habitatsall over the Park. This IBA site could be the most important site inHimachal Pradesh as far as Galliform conservation is concerned.Ramesh et al. (1999) studied pheasants in this Park during 1997-1999 and reported encounter rates (Number of birds per km walk)for Himalayan Monal (range 1.5 to 3.9), Western Tragopan (0 to0.4) and Koklass Pheasant (0.3 to 1.4).This sprawling Park, and the adjoining IBA has the largest intactMontane Broadleaf Deciduous Forests and Mixed BroadleafConiferous Forests left in the Western Himalayas. BirdLifeInternational (undated) has identified various biome-restricted birdassemblages. In this IBA, the main biome is Sino-HimalayanTemperate Forest (Biome-7), between 1,800 m to 3,600 m but onthe higher reaches, above 3,600 m, Eurasian High Montane (Alpineand Tibetan) bird fauna is seen (Biome-5), while below 2,000 m,in the Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest (Biome-8), manysubtropical bird assemblages are found. As expected, the largestnumber of bird species are from Biome-7. BirdLife International(undated) has listed 112 species, out of which 50 have beenidentified till now. Forty-eight birds are listed for Biome-5. Thissite has 12 of them. As the area is remote, perhaps more than doublethe known number would be present, if detailed surveys areconducted. Eleven out of 95 species of Biome-8 could be locatedtill now. More are likely to be found.This large IBA lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area(EBA), (Stattersfield et al. 1998) and has five out of 11 restrictedrange species. Looking at the undisturbed habitat available, somerestricted range species would have considerable percentage oftheir numbers in this IBA alone.


Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiWhite-cheeked Tit Aegithalos leucogenysWhite-throated Tit Aegithalos niveogularisSpectacled Finch Callacanthis burtoniOrange Bullfinch Pyrrhula aurantiaca

HP-08


443

C443M443Y443K443

OTHER KEY FAUNAThe Park has almost all the representative mammalian fauna ofthe Western Himalayas. Among primates, both Rhesus MacaqueMacaca mulatta and Langur Semnopithecus entellus are present.Carnivores such as Leopard Panthera pardus and both AsiaticBlack Bear Ursus thibetanus and Brown Bear Ursus arctos arecommonly encountered. Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicusand Goral Nemorhaedus goral occur in good numbers, and BarkingDeer Indian Muntjak Muntiacus muntjak and Serow Nemorhaedussumatraensis in smaller numbers. Himalayan Musk Deer Moschuschrysogaster has been recorded in Tirthan and Sainj valley (Gastonet al. 1981; S. Sathyakumar pers. comm. 2003). Bharal Pseudoisnayaur is also found in the upper reaches of Tirthan and Sainjvalleys (Fox 1987; Vinod and Sathyakumar 1999).

LAND USEq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationq Water managementTHREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Forest firesq Construction of damsq Grazingq Firewood collectionDespite its large size and protected status, the Great HimalayanNP is not free from human disturbances. There are 4 villages andnumerous settlements inside the Park, and 75 villages in the bufferzone. Villagers have the right to graze livestock, collect timber,fuelwood, herbs and other minor forest produce. Nomadic graziers

can get permits to graze their livestock. In order to promote thegrowth of new grass, graziers start fires, which sometimes go outof control.Some poaching is known to occur, and a few cases have beenregistered. The locals are known to deliberately start fires in theforest area to catch escaping animals.However, the greatest and irreversible threat to the Park comesfrom denotification of certain areas for development projects. Onthe pretext of settlement of peoples rights, 1,060 ha of JiwanalValley was denotified in May 1999. The real reason was to makeway for a hydroelectric project. The Deodar-dominated forest ofthis valley is extremely important for the Western Tragopan.Brushing aside all protests from conservationists, the PrimeMinister himself laid the foundation stone of the Project.

KEY CONTRIBUTORSSanjeeva Pandey, S. Sathyakumar and K. Ramesh

KEY REFERENCESAnonymous (1997) Great Himalayan National Park: A Profile. Department

of Forest Farming and Conservation (Wildlife Wing), Pp. 33.BirdLife International (undated) Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Asia:


Champion and Seth (1968) A revised survey of the forest types of India,Govt. of India Press, Delhi. Pp. 403.

Fox, J. L. (1987) Caprini of northwestern India. Caprinae News 2(1): 6-8.Gaston, A. J., Hunter, M.L. Jr and Garson, P.J. (1981) The wildlife of

Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. University of Maine Schoolof Forest Resources Technical Notes No. 82. Pp 159.

Gaston, A. J., Garson, P. J. and Pandey, S. (1994) Birds recorded in theGreat Himalayan National Park. Forktail 9: 45-57.

Ramesh, K. and Sathyakumar, S. and Rawat, G. S. (1999) Ecology andConservation Status of the Pheasants of Great Himalayan NationalPark, Western Himalayas. In: Ecological Study of the Conservationof Biodiversity and Biotic Pressures in the Great Himalayan NationalPark Conservation Area An Ecodevelopment Approach. Final Report.Vol. III. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun.


Vinod, T. R. and Sathyakumar, S. (1999) Ecology and Conservation ofMountain Ungulates in Great Himalayan National Park, WesternHimalayas. In: An Ecological Study of the Conservation ofBiodiversity and Biotic Pressures in the Great Himalayan NationalPark Conservation Area An Ecodevelopment Approach. Final Report.Vol. III. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

More than 300 species of birds are reported fromthe Great Himalayan NP.

Photo: Sa

njeeva Pa

ndey

HP-08


444

C444M444Y444K444

KAIS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas)PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in February 1954

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-09State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : KulluCoordinates : 32 02' 06" N, 77 11' 42" EOwnership : StateArea : 1,419 haAltitude : 2,800 - 3,680 mRainfall : 1,071 mmTemperature : -5 C to 30 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub-tropical Pine Forest, Montane

Grassy Slopes, Alpine Moist Pasture

OTHER KEY FAUNAMusk Deer is the most famous mammal of this Sanctuary, but itspopulation has declined drastically due to poaching for its muskpod. Brown Bear Ursus arctos is seen in the subalpine and alpineareas, while Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus is found at loweraltitudes. Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, Barking Deeror Indian Muntjak Muntiacus muntjak and Goral Nemorhaedusgoral are the major wild ungulates that have to share the limitedresources of the area with a large number of domestic animals.Leopard Panthera pardus is sometimes found very close to villagesand settlements in search of easy prey. Not much is known aboutthe lesser carnivores of the Sanctuary.

LAND USEq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationq Water managementTHREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Burning of vegetationq Grazingq Firewood collectionThere are no villages inside the Sanctuary though there are manyvillages around it. Local inhabitants have the right to graze domesticanimals, collect fuelwood, medicinal plants and minor forestproduce. A shrine located inside the Sanctuary attracts many pilgrimsevery year. The Forest Department issues permits to nomadic graziersto graze their livestock inside the Sanctuary. There is a road insidethe Sanctuary, under the control of the Public Works Department.


KEY REFERENCESingh, S., Kothari, A. and Pande, P. (Eds) (1990) Directory of national

parks and sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh: management status andprofiles. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. Pp 164.

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Kais Wildlife Sanctuary, lies in the Kullu district ofHimachal Pradesh. This small (1,419 ha) high altitude sanctuaryincludes parts of the catchment of the Kais Nala, an importanttributary of the River Beas. It was declared mainly to protectthe Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster and pheasants, in 1954under the then Punjab Wild Birds and Wild Animals ProtectionAct, 1933.There is a lack of published information on the vegetation of KaisWLS. It is estimated that 1,174 ha of the Sanctuary is forested. FirAbies pindrow and Spruce Picea smithiana, with some OakQuercus semecarpifolia, Maple Acer sp., Poplar Populus sp.,Walnut Juglans regia and Cedar Cedrus deodara, predominate atlower altitudes, while the alpine zone bears Birch Betula utilisand Rhododendron scrub forest.

AVIFAUNAPractically no work has been done on the avifauna of thisSanctuary, although there is some information on the pheasants,for which it is famous. The globally threatened Western TragopanTragopan melanocephalus and Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiare reported to be present (Singh et al. 1990). The more commonspecies include Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus,Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelana and Koklass pheasantPucrasia macrolopha. The Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar isalso present. This site is designated an IBA based on the presenceof two threatened pheasant species. Checklist of the birds of thissite is not available so we do not know how many restricted rangeand biome species are found here. This site is considered asData Deficient.


Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii

HP-09


445

C445M445Y445K445

KALATOP KHAJJIAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY


IBA Site Code : IN-HP-10State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : ChambaCoordinates : 32 33' 36" N, 76 01' 11"EOwnership : StateArea : 6,100 haAltitude : 1,158 - 2,768 mRainfall : 2,647 mmTemperature : -10 C to 35 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Sub Alpine Forest, Sub-tropical

Broad-leaved Hill Forest,Alpine Moist Pasture

Pheasant Catreus wallichii were heard calling at Khajjar inNovember 1978, and January 1979 (Gaston et al. 1981b). TheHimalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus reportedly visits thesite in winter (Gaston et al. 1981a, 1981b). Thakur et al. (2002)have reported 66 bird species but there would be many more.Practically no work has been done on the avifauna, so this site canbe considered as Data Deficient.


Near ThreatenedCinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus


OTHER KEY FAUNAAlmost all mammals of the high altitude areas of Himachal Pradeshare known to occur in Kalatop-Khajjair Sanctuary but their statusand population structure is not known. Serow Nemorhaedussumatraensis is considered fairly common. Goral Nemorhaedusgoral is also seen at slightly lower elevations, with Indian MuntjakMuntiacus muntjak and Leopard Panthera pardus.

LAND USEq Agricultureq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationTHREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Forest fireq Livestock grazingq Tourismq Firewood collection, charcoal productionKalatop-Khajjair WLS suffers from a long litany of problems, allrelated to man. Grazing, collection of fuelwood and minor forestproduce are permitted under the rights given to villagers. Medicinalplants are collected from all over the Sanctuary, wherever anintrepid villager can reach. Fifteen villages exist inside theSanctuary, and 35 surrounding it. Their collective impact on the

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Sanctuary lies in the catchment area of the Beas River, andcontains patches of good coniferous and Oak Forests. Khajjiar isa meadow, with a small lake in the centre, which is a popular touristspot. The Sanctuary is drained by several tributaries of the RaviRiver, which lies just north of it. The golden domed temple at theedge of this meadow is also situated inside the Sanctuary. Theterrain is steep to very steep, with many rocky cliffs, good forHimalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus and Ibex Capra sibirica.Most of the Sanctuary is forested, the main forest types being BanOak Quercus incana, Cedar Cedrus deodara and Western MixedConiferous, interspersed with alpine pasture (Department of ForestFarming and Conservation 1984). Cedar and Blue Pine Pinuswallichiana are predominant in lower altitude coniferous forest,and mixed with some Moru Oak Quercus dilatata andRhododendron Rhododendron arboreum.

AVIFAUNASome 117 species of birds were recorded by Gaston et al. (1981a)in the Ravi Valley, including the Dalhousie-Chamba area.Published information specific to Kalatop-Khajjiar is limited topheasants. Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha and KaleejPheasant Lophura leucomelanos are common. One or two Cheer

Photo: Ja

n Willem d

en Be

sten

The Sanctuary suffers from a long litany of problems,all related to man. Fifteen villages exist inside

the Sanctuary.

HP-10


446

C446M446Y446K446

fragile ecosystem can be imagined. The law allows even charcoalproduction, a major destructive activity. Migratory graziers areissued permits. Trekking camps are regularly organised. Parts ofthe Sanctuary are used for roads, housing, and tree nurseries byvarious government departments (Singh et al. 1990).

KEY CONTRIBUTORSSanjeeva Pandey, S. Sathyakumar and Murari Thakur

KEY REFERENCESDepartment of Forest Farming and Conservation (1984) Scheme for

intensive management of Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary 1984-85 to 1988-89. Department of Forest Farming and Conservation,Government of Himachal Pradesh.

Gaston, A. J., Hunter, M. L. Jr. and Garson, P.J. (1981a) The wildlife ofHimachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. University of Maine Schoolof Forest Resources Technical Notes No. 82. Pp. 159 pp.

Gaston, A. J. Garson, P. J. and Hunter, M. L. Jr (1981b) Present distributionand status of pheasants in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas.World Pheasant Association Journal 6: 10-30.


Thakur, M. L., Paliwal, R., Tak, P. C., Mehta, H. S., and Mattu, V. K.,(2002) Birds of Kalatop-Khajjar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamba district,Himachal Pradesh. Cheetal 41(3 & 4): 29-36.

HP-10


447

C447M447Y447K447

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThis small Sanctuary is contiguous with the Great HimalayanNational Park, another IBA of Himachal Pradesh. The terrain issteep, with deep valleys and rocky cliffs. The Sanctuary has analtitudinal variation from 1,800 m to nearly 5,000 m. There aretwo main mountain peaks, Satupurna (3,519 m) and Shacha (3,542m). The Parvati river flows north of the Sanctuary. There are lakesand natural springs of religious and historical importance atKhirganga and Mantalai on the outskirts of the Sanctuary. Thereis also a temple and a gurudwara at Manikaran, adjacent to theSanctuary (Singh et al. 1990).Owing to its great altitudinal variation, seven forest types are presentin this Sanctuary. Based on the classification of Champion and Seth(1968), they are Alpine Pastures, West Himalayan Sub-AlpineForest, Kharsu Oak Forest, Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest,Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, Moist Deodar Forest and BanOak Forest. The Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest is one of thefew undisturbed fragments of this type extant in Himachal Pradesh.

AVIFAUNAGood populations of two globally threatened species i.e. WesternTragopan Tragopan melanocephalus and Cheer Pheasant Catreuswallichii are found in this Sanctuary, due to which it was selectedas an IBA. It also has many biome species. No detailed work hasbeen done in this area on birds, but Singh et al. (1990) provided apreliminary list of 80 bird species recorded in the Sanctuary.This site lies in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (EBA).In this EBA, 11 Restricted Range species have been listed, threeare found in this IBA. According to BirdLife International(undated) classification of biomes, this site should come underBiome-7 (Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest), occurring from1,800 m to 3,600 m, and Biome-5 (Eurasian High Montane), whichoccurs above 3,600 m. As we do not have good bird checklist, it isnot known how many biome species assemblages are found inthis IBA. This site certainly needs more detailed work to be doneon bird distribution, abundance and densities.

KANAWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

IBA CRITERIA: A1 (Threatened Species), A2 (Endemic Bird Area 128: Western Himalayas)PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in February 1954

IBA Site Code : IN-HP-11State : Himachal PradeshDistrict : KulluCoordinates : 31 58' 57" N, 77 21' 30" EOwnership : StateArea : 5,400 haAltitude : 1,800 - 4,833 mRainfall : 1,000 mmTemperature : -10 C to 25 CBiogeographic Zone : HimalayaHabitats : Alpine Dry Pasture, Alpine Dry

Scrub, Alpine Moist Pasture,Sub-tropical Broadleaf Hill Forest

HP-11


Endemic Bird Area 128: Western HimalayasWestern Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalusCheer Pheasant Catreus wallichiiWhite-cheeked Tit Aegithalos leucogenys

OTHER KEY FAUNAThe most important mammal of this Sanctuary is the highly elusiveand rare Snow Leopard Uncia uncia. Its natural prey are BlueSheep Pseudois nayaur, Ibex Capra sibirica, Musk Deer Moschuschrysogaster and Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus. Atlower elevations, Leopard Panthera pardus is present, whichmainly feeds on Goral Nemorhaedus goral, Barking DeerMuntiacus muntjak, and Serow Nemorhaedus sumatraensis. BothUncia uncia and P. pardus also prey regularly on domestic animals.Brown Bear Ursus arctos is generally found above 3,500 m in thesub-alpine and alpine regions, while the Asiatic Black Bear Ursusthibetanus is seen in temperate forests between 1,600 m and 3,500m. Tibetan Wolf Canis lupus chanco is also reported from thealpine zone. The smaller predators are Yellow-throated MartenMartes flavigula, Himalayan Palm Civet Paguma larvata,Himalayan Weasel Mustela sibirica, Indian Fox Vulpes vulpes,and Golden Jackal Canis aureus. The Common Giant FlyingSquirrel Petaurista petaurista is found in temperate forests at lowerelevations in the Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990).

LAND USEq Nature conservation and researchq Tourism and recreationq Urban transportq Water managementq Human habitation


448

C448M448Y448K448

HP-11 THREATS AND CONSERVATION ISSUESq Construction of dams

q Burning of vegetationq Livestock grazingq Firewood collectionq Disturbance to birdsq Unsustainable exploitationThere are 2 villages within the Sanctuary, and 14 adjacent to it.Besides, there are many temporary settlements of graziers. Villagershave grazing rights inside the Sanctuary, as a result of which nearly15,000 animals graze there. The local people also have the rightto extract fuelwood, and minor forest produce. Crop fields totalingabout 200 ha are present inside the Sanctuary. Thus, the Sanctuaryis under tremendous anthropogenic pressure. Both Snow Leopardand Leopard kill domestic livestock, especially in summer,resulting in man-animal conflict. Religious places adjacent to theSanctuary also attract pilgrims, who put additional pressure on

the natural resources as demand for fuelwood increases duringyatras and festivals. In order to allow fresh growth of grass, graziersburn the grasslands. These fires go out of control and devastatelarge areas.




Champion, H. G. and Seth, S. K. (1968) A revised survey of forest types ofIndia, Govt. of India Press, Delhi. Pp. 403.



449

C449M449Y449K449

KIBBER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

GENERAL DESCRIPTIONThe Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in the Trans-Himalayan district ofLahaul and Spiti, is situated in the cold desert area of the Himalayas,and has the unique flora and fauna characteristic of this area. Thesite falls in the rain-shadow area of the Himalayas, so the rainfallis very low. Most of the moisture is provided by snow. Summer isextremely dry, while winter is extremely cold, with the mercurydropping to -32 C.Kaza is the headquarters of Spiti subdivision, and of the Pin ValleyNP (an IBA) and Kibber WLS. Kibber is also administered by theDirector of Pin Valley NP. The Sanctuary is named after Kibbervillage, on its northern boundary.The vegetation cover consists of two zones: Dry Temperate Zone(3,100-4,000 m), with woody species only in small patches, their valuebeing leafy fodder, firewood and secondary timber. The main speciesare Juniperus macropoda, Salix and Betula sp. The herbaceous growthis remarkable for its variety. In the Alpine Zone (4,000-5,000 m) mostof the plants such as Junipers and Rhododendrons are in the form ofsmall shrubs, growing amid large patches of bare ground. Shrub speciesare Ephedra, Rheum, Rosularia, Rhodiola, Caragana and Lindelofia.The grasses frequently met with are Poa and Agropyron, which havehigh nutritive value.

AVIFAUNAPractically no work has been done on the avifauna of thisSanctuary, except for stray observations by Sanjeeva Pandey. Hesighted most of the high altitude birds such as the HimalayanSnowcock Gyps himalayensis, Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos,Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, Himalayan Griffon Gypshimalayensis, Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota, Yellow-billedChough Pyrrhocorax graculus and others. Chukar Alectoris chukaris common at lower elevations. This site is selected as an IBA onthe basis of criteria A3 (Biome species) as it has most of therepresentative avifauna of the Indian part of the Eurasian HighMontane (Biome-5), except perhaps the spectacular BlackneckedCrane Grus nigricollis.According to Sanjeeva Pandey (pers. comm. 2003), migratorywaterfowl have been seen on passage through the passes and thevalleys.

IBA CRITERIA: A3 (Biome-5: Eurasian High Montane)PROTECTION STATUS: Wildlife Sanctuary, established in April 199

Documents

22 424 478 Himachal Pradesh