Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary

Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)

A view of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctary.
Location Jammu and Kashmir, India
Area 341 km2
Established 1987

Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary or Heerpora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shopian district of Kashmir, 70 kilometers south of Srinagar.[1] It spreads over an area of 341 km2.[2] It is bounded to the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast by Hirpora village, east by Rupri, south by Saransar and to the west by the Pir Panjal pass. The slopes are gentle to moderately steep on the eastern aspect and very steep with many cliffs on the higher northern and western aspect. The southern and southeastern portions are moderately steep.[1]

Flora

The vegetation types present in the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary include western mixed coniferous forests, deciduous sub-alpine scrub forests and sub-alpine pastures. Western mixed coniferous forest is dominated by Kail pine with spruce and fir (Abies pindrow) as its primary associates. The West Himalayan sub-alpine forests are dominated by fir, while the deciduous sub-alpine scrub is dominated by Himalayan birch (Betula utilis) and juniper (Juniperus communis) with wild rose as an associate. The southeastern part has moderately open coniferous vegetation dominated by Kail pine and associated with fir and spruce. The vegetation of the more rocky and open northwestern portion is predominantly sub-alpine scrub forest dominated by juniper and the Kail pine as an associated species. Man-made sub-alpine pastures also occur in both north-western and south-eastern parts of the sanctuary.[1]

Fauna

The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is an abode to many species of animals including the Himalayan brown bear,[3] Himalayan black bear, musk deer, leopard, Tibetan wolf,[4] Himalayan palm civet [5] and around 50 individuals the critically endangered Pir Panjal markhor.[6][7] Besides, 130 species of birds including the spotted forktail, western tragopan,[1] rock bunting, rufous-breasted accentor, Himalayan woodpecker, blue rock thrush, white-capped redstart, Himalayan griffon, common stonechat and grey wagtail are found in the sanctuary.[2]

Disturbance

The Mughal Road cuts through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary and is believed to inhibit the movement of animals, especially the critically endangered Pir Panjal markhor.[8] The Sanctuary has also been disturbed due to deforestation, excessive livestock grazing and construction of permanent huts by the Gujjars, Bakerwals & local shepherds.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "GOATS ON THE BORDER" (PDF). Wildlife Trust of India. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Guv visits Pir Ki Gali, Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary". Greater Kashmir. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Qadri, Azhar (June 21, 2013). "State animal, bird among endangered species". The Tribune. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Kashmir gets eco-tourism campsite". Greater Kashmir. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Alam, Ajmer (April 28, 2009). "Conserving endangered Pir Panjal mountain goat". Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kashmir's Markhor goat in peril". The Hindu. May 12, 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "Breather for endangered Markhor". Greater Kashmir. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  8. ↑ "Fading Glory". kashmirlife.net. June 4, 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
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