KULLU MANALI WILDLIFE

The woodlands of Kullu preserve a variety of wildlife. The district has five wildlife sanctuaries of which Manali, Kais, Kanawar, Khokhan are in Kullu Valley and the Great Himalayan National Park is in Sainj valley. These sanctuaries preserve animals like Musk Deer, Common Fox, Leopard, Ibex, Himalayan Tahr, Porcupine, Bear (black & brown), Goral (Nemorhaedus goral), Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Langur and Flying Squirrel etc. and pheasants like Cheer Pheasant, Monal, Western Tragopan etc.

Manali Wildlife Sanctuary: Located about 2 km from the Manali town in the picturesque valley of Manali, the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary is reputed for its variety of flora and fauna and breathtaking scenic beauty. Alpine lush green pastures and glaciers beyond gallant thatch beckons the tourists from all around. Spread in an area of 31.80 sq km, the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary houses - Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow, Kashmir flying Squirrel and Himalayan Tahr.

The sanctuary has marvelous trekking routes and also have facilities for camping in the wild. The gushing streams fascinating alpine pasture and high snow covered peaks provide a celestail pleasure to the tourists.

The Great Himalayan National Park: The great Himalayan National Park is situated in the Sainj valley of Kullu district. The park harbours more than 300 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals. The park provides habitat for some of the highly endangered species like western tragopan, snow leopard and musk deer.

The park provides an excellent habitat for pheasants. Out of 7 pheasants found in the Western Himalayas, six are found in the park viz. Western Tragopan (Tragopan Melanocephalus), Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), Cheer (Catreus Wallichi), Koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha), Kaliz (Lophura leucomelana) and snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis).

Kanawar wild life sanctuary: is located in the Parvati valley of Kullu district. The sanctuary is famous for the variety of wild life. The species of animals found in the sanctuary are musk deer, barking deer, brown bear, snow leopard, black bear, Himalayan tahr, civet cat, Porcupine, blue sheep, flying squirrel etc. Pheasant like Western Tragopan and Cheer are also found in the sanctuary.

Khokhan wildlife sanctuary: is located at a distance of 19 km from Kullu Main species of animals found in the sanctuary are Black Bear, Leopard, Barking deer, Ghoral, Musk deer, Porcupine, Gothu, besides numerous birds like Monal, Cheer pheasants, Kaleej, Chakor etc. are also found.

Kais sanctuary: Kais sanctuary is located 16 km from Kullu. Animals found in the sanctuary are ghoral, black bear, brown bear, barking deer. Birds like monal, cheer pheasant, kaliz are also found.