Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary

Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Himalayan brown bear sightings in Rakchham-Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary have revived conservation interest after a female bear and her cubs were photographed recently.

About Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• The sanctuary is also referred to as `Sangla Wildlife Sanctuary`.  
• It is spread over an area of 30.98 sq.km.
• It is situated at an elevation ranging from 3200 to 5486 meters above sea level. 
• It is a part of the Western Himalayan range.
• It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush green valleys, and gushing rivers.
• The perilous Lamkhanga Pass is one of the many trekking routes that pass through this sanctuary. 
  • This pass connects the Himachal Pradesh province of Kinnaur to the Uttarakhand region of Gangotri.
• Unlike the climate of other sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh, the sanctuary is located in a dry zone; hence it does not experience monsoons.
• Vegetation: Sub-Alpine Forests, Dry Broadleaf and Coniferous Forests, Dry Temperate Forests and Dry Alpine Scrubs and Pastures.  
• Flora: Some of the common flora found in the sanctuary include rhododendrons, oak trees, pine trees, and medicinal herbs.
• Fauna: It is also home to various species of wildlife, such as snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, and numerous bird species.

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Key Facts about Himalayan Brown Bear

• It is the largest mammal found in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. 
• It is one of the most ancient brown bear lineages. 
• Scientific Name: Ursus arctos isabellinus
• It is also known as the “Himalayan Red Bear” and the “Isabelline Bear”. It is known as Denmo in the Ladakhi language.
• It is believed by some that the bear’s ability to walk upright probably gave rise to the legend of the Yeti or “Abominable Snowman.”
• Distribution:
  • They are found in the northwestern and central Himalayas, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, and Bhutan. 
  • They are found above the timberline, between 3,000 and 5,500 meters above sea level.
  • In India, this species exists in small isolated populations in the fragmented alpine and subalpine habitats of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. 
• Features:
  • Males are larger than females, with an average length of 1.9 m and weight of 135 kg, in comparison to the female averages of 1.6 m and 70 kg. 
  • It has thick fur, which is most often sandy or reddish-brown in colour. 
  • Food: Omnivorous, eating grasses, roots, bulbs, and other plants, insects, and small mammals such as marmots, pikas, and voles. 
  • They hibernate in dens during the winter. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

Source: IE