Kugti Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh
Kugti Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh:
The Kugti Sanctuary:
This sanctuary is rich in high-altitude Himalayan wildlife, and is one of the last homes of Himalayan tahr in Himachal Pradesh. It is also well-known as a source of many medicinal plants. Abundant water resources, many originating from glaciers, and a diverse topography add to the attraction of the area. To the west it is connected with Tundah Sanctuary by a forest corridor. There is an annual pilgrimage by thousands of people to the Mani Mahesh Temple inside the sanctuary.
Area And Zoning :
37,886.68 ha. (378.87 sq. km). No zoning.
Location :
District Chamba;Latitudinal range 32°25´ to 32°35´ N; Longitudinal range 76°44´ to 76°53´E; Nearest Town Chamba (87 km); Nearest railhead Pathankot (209 km).
Approaches :
From Pathankot to Chamba (122 km), Chamba to Brahmaur (61 km), then to Harser (13 km), then on by foot to kugti village inside the sanctuary (14 km).
Topography And Climate :
Altitude 2250 to 6044 m; Temperature –10°C to 25°C; Mean annual rainfall 445 mm.
Flora :
Forest types include Moist Deodar Forest 12/C1 (c) spread over 5,800 ha., Western Mixed Coniferous Forest 12/C1(d) over 6,028 ha., and Alpine Pastures 15/C3.
The herbs Gentiana kuroo (Karu) and Jurinea macrocephala (Dhup) are believed to be locally threatened due to over-extraction. Plantation work over 133 hectares has been carried out from 1979 to 1984. Kail and Deodar were planted for commercial timber; other species planted are Poplar, Robinia, Walnut, Fir, and Spruce. Of these, Popular and Robinia are introduced. There is a forest department nursery at Kugti.
Fauna :
Mammals
Bear, Himalayan Black Ibex
Bear, Brown Langur, Common
Cat, Leopard
Deer, Musk Marten, Himalayan Yellowthroated
Fox, Indian/Red Serow
Goral Tahr, Himalayan
Birds :
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|
| Babbler | Jungle Turdoides striatus |
| Babbler | Redbilled Stachyris pyrrhops |
| Barbet | Crimsonthroated Megalaima rubricapilla |
| Barbet | Great Hill Megalaima virens |
| Bea-eater | Green Merops orientalis |
| Bul-Bul | Black Hypsipetes madagascariensis |
| Bul-Bul | Redvented Pycnonotus cafer |
| Bul-Bul | White cheeked Pycnonotus leucogenys |
| Bunting | Crested Melophus lathami |
| Bunting | Greyheaded Emberiza fucata |
| Buzzard | Honey Pernis ptilorhyncus |
| Buzzard-eagle | White-eyed Butastur teesa |
| Chat | Blue Erithacus brunneus |
Information for Visitors :
The best periods for visiting the sanctuary are May-June and September-October, when the weather is good. There is no regulation on entry to the sanctuary.
There is one rest house inside with 2 beds and one on the outskirts with 4 beds.
Kugti Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh
