Uttarakhand is known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. There are several wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand aimed at conserving the region’s flora and fauna. Here are some of the wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand:
Contents
1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India.
- It is situated in the western part of the Kumaon Himalayas.
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is also knows as Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary.
- In 1986, the government of Uttarakhand declared the region as the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary. The sanctuary aimed to protect the endangered Himalayan musk deer species.
- In 2009, the sanctuary was upgraded and renamed as the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In 2021, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 600 square kilometers (230 square miles). The sanctuary area is known as ‘Green Paradise on the Earth’.
- Mountains: The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by several famous peaks. Here are some prominent peaks in the vicinity of the sanctuary:
- Panchchuli Peaks
- Neodhura Peak
- Naukana Peak
- Chhiplakot Peak
- Najirikot Peak
- River: The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is crisscrossed by several rivers and streams. Here are some notable rivers that flow through the sanctuary:
- Kali River
- Gori Ganga River
- Dhauli River
- Ikli River
- Flora: Here are some of the notable flora species found in the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary-
- Coniferous Trees (Deodar, Blue Pine, and Fir),
- Broadleaf Trees (Oak, Rhododendron, and Maple),
- Alpine Flora (Primula, Gentiana, Bistorta, Saxifrage, and various species of Orchids),
- Medicinal Plants (Aconitum heterophyllum, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Swertia chirayita).
- Fauna: Himalayan Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Fox, Himalayan Serow, Himalayan Goral, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Himalayan Mouse Hare, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Owl, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.
2. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, India.
- Binsar Zero Point, also known as Binsar Viewpoint, is a popular attraction located within Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The Binsar Mahadev Temple is a revered Hindu temple located within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a 16th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- In 1988, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was officially established.
- Area: The sanctuary spans across an area of about 47 square kilometers.
- Mountains: It is situated in the Kumaon Himalayas, at an altitude ranging from 900 to 2,480 meters (2,953 to 8,136 feet) above sea level. The sanctuary offers views of the majestic Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Shivling and Panchachuli.
- Flora: Oak Trees, Rhododendron, Pine Trees, Cedar Trees, Alpine Flora etc.
- Fauna: Leopard, Himalayan Goral, Chital, Musk Deer , Himalayan Black Bears, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Griffon, Common Indian Monitor, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.
3. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts of the state of Uttarakhand, India.
- The sanctuary lies in the upper catchment of the Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers.
- In 1972, the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary was officially established.
- Area: The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary covers an approximate area of 975 square kilometers (376 sq mi). The altitude ranges from 1,160 to 7,068 m asl.
- Mountains: The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is bordered by several prominent peaks in the north. The mountains that border the sanctuary include-
- Kedarnath Peak
- Mandani Peak
- Chaukhamba Peaks
- River: Mandakini River is the primary river that flows through the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in a north-south direction
- Lake: Vasuki Tal is a glacial lake located near the sanctuary.
- Flora: Coniferous Forests, Oak Forests, Rhododendron Forests, Alpine Meadows etc.
- Fauna: Snow Leopard, Leopard Cat, Red Fox, Himalayan Black Bear, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Monal, Snow Partridge, Koklass Pheasant, West Himalayan Bush Warbler, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.
4. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the hill station of Mussoorie in Uttarakhand, India.
- It is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- It is also known as the Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It is a part of Rajaji National Park.
- In 1993, the sanctuary was established.
- Area: The Benog Wildlife Sanctuar covers an approximate area of 3.39 square kilometers (339 hectares).
- Hills: It is named after the Benog Hill, which is a prominent feature within the sanctuary.
- River: The Aglar River flow through the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary. Aglar River is a tributary of the Yamuna River.
- Flora: Oak Tree, Rhododendrons, Cedar Trees, Pine Trees etc.
- Fauna: Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Yellow-throated Marten, Himalayan Goral, Himalayan Weasel, Himalayan Palm Civet, Hill Partridge, Khalij Pheasant, Monitor Lizard, Himalayan Pit Viper, Himalayan Keelback, Himalayan Cobra etc.
5. Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nainital district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
- It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- It is a part of Terai Arc Landscape.
- In 2012, Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary was officially established.
- Area: Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 269 square kilometers (104 square miles).
- Since 2002, Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary area has been a part of the Shivalik Elephant Reserve.
- River: Nandhaur river flows through Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Flora: Sal, Khair, Sheesham, Bamboo, Teak, Semal, Mahua etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Pangolin, Red Junglefowl, Himalayan Bulbul, Hill Partridge, Indian Python, Russell’s Viper etc.
6. Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nainital and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand, India.
- It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas.
- It is part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
- In 1987, the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary was established to serve as a buffer zone for the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
- Area: The sanctuary covers an area of approximately 301.18 square kilometers (116.22 square miles).
- River: The sanctuary is named after the Sonanadi River, which flows through the sanctuary.
- Flora: Sal Forests, Mixed Deciduous Forests (mahua, tendu, axlewood), Bamboo Groves, Grasslands Epiphytes and Orchids etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian Leopard, Sambhar, Cheetal, Goral, Yellow-Throated Marten, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Bearded Vulture, White-Rumped Vulture , Monitor Lizard, Gharials, Mugger etc.