A Guide to Wildlife Sanctuaries in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, a north-Indian state comprising mainly of the Himalayan ranges, is famous for its Hindu Pilgrimage sites and the wide range of animal and bird species found in its lap. It is a vibrant place replete with natural beauty owing to the mountains and the age-old trees that come with it. Uttarakhand has seven wildlife sanctuaries, with Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, and Benog wildlife sanctuary being the most popular ones.

Let us look at the wildlife sanctuaries of Uttarakhand and the birds and animals they house.

Sanctuaries in Uttarakhand

• Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary

Situated in dense forests of Terai Biotic province of Shiwaliks, which covers a considerable 301.18 sq km, the Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary is a popular destination for tourists to Nainital. It was established in 1987 and is a birdwatcher’s delight. It is home to falcons, warblers, hornbills, Himalayan bearded vulture, thrushes, changeable hawk eagle, brown fish owls and many more species of birds. In this sanctuary, one can also find Asiatic elephants, tigers, barking deer, sambhar, and several reptiles. The sanctuary is well known for its local and migratory bird species, which visit it every winter. It is one of the many sanctuaries under India’s Save the Tiger project.

• Askot wildlife sanctuary

Askot Wildlife sanctuary, also known as Askot Musk Deer Park, was founded in Kumaon in 1987. It spreads over an area of 599.93 sq km. It is home to spectacular cobras, turtles, antlers, darters, bison, vipers, leopards, jungle cats, brown bears, barking deers, and serows, along with many species of birds.

• Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary

The Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary was established in 1972 and is spread over 975.2 sq km. It is the home to animals such as the endangered musk deer, Indian snow leopards, Himalayan black bear, jackals, red fox and the yellow-throated marten. The sanctuary is also famous for its avifauna, including Snow partridges, Himalayan monal, Koklass pheasant, West Himalayan bush warbler, and more. 

• Govind wildlife sanctuary

The Govind wildlife sanctuary was established in 1955 in Uttarkashi district. It is home to diverse flora, including Himalayan cedar, rhododendron and more. Around 70 species of butterflies, 20 mammals, and 100 species of birds like owls, thrush, pigeons, minivets, bulbul, cuckoo, warblers, and finches are found here. 

• Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary

Uttarakhand’s Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary of Uttarakhand was set up in 2012 over 269.96 sq km. It connects the Shuklaphanta and Bramhadev Wildlife Reserves of Nepal and the western woods of Ramnagar, and the Terai focal timberland division in India. Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary is home to over 200 bird species like the great pied hornbill, grey and red jungle fowls, partridges, brahminy ducks and herons. It also houses animals like tigers, wild elephants, leopards, jungle cats and the nilgai. The sanctuary was given the standard of “Third tiger reserve in the state” by The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 

• Binsar wildlife sanctuary

Binsar wildlife sanctuary, situated at the top of the Jhandi Dhar Hills, is spread over 45.59 sq km. One can spot forktail and blackbird (extremely endangered bird species) with ease. Therefore, this sanctuary has been declared an ‘Important Bird Area (IBA)’ by Bird Life International. Animal species like leopards, mountain goats, barking deer, wild boars, and porcupines are also seen.

• Benog Wildlife Sanctuary.

Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is located 11km from Library Point in the ‘Queen of Hills’ Mussoorie. It is a part of Rajaji National Park. The importance of Benog Wildlife Sanctuary has increased due to the growth of pines, old cedar trees, and medicinal plants, which are useful to humans. One can spot exotic birds like white-capped water redstart and red-billed blue magpie at this place. The extinct species like mountain quill was last spotted in 1876 and is now considered extinct.   

Importance of Uttarakhand’s Wildlife Sanctuaries

Thus, apart from being a sacred place, Uttarakhand is also home to several endangered and fascinating birds and animals species. Most importantly, it is a prominent state in the Save the Tiger Project, which aims to restore the tiger population in India. 

The state is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Its sanctuaries are home to several migratory birds in the winter, apart from their usual inhabitants. Most of the sanctuaries are located near the mountains, at a higher elevation, and are taken care of by the state government. 

Conclusion

Apart from being a sacred place, Uttarakhand is also home to extinct birds and animals species and the most important of all it is the prominent state in maintaining the number of tigers in India. The beauty of the sanctuary is mind-blowing with most of the sanctuaries being located near the mountains and at a higher elevation. The sanctuaries of Uttarakhand have a large number of migratory birds every year in the winters. These sanctuaries are taken care of by the Uttarakhand State Government.