Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

About Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is a protected area located in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
  • It is situated in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, approximately 33 kilometres north of the Almora district, Uttarakhand.
  • The sanctuary covers an area of around 47 square kilometres.
• History:
  • Binsar was the erstwhile summer capital of the Chand Dynasty rulers, who ruled Kumaon from the 7th to 18th century AD. situated at the height of 2,420 m.
  • According to the local people Binsar was named after the Bineshwar Mahadev temple (A 16th century temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• It is known for its rich biodiversity and stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli and Kedarnath.
• Flora:
  • The sanctuary is covered by oak and rhododendron forests at higher altitudes and by chir pine forests at a lower height.
  • It has 25 types of trees, 24 types of bushes and seven varieties of grasses.
• Fauna:
  • It is host to more than 200 species of native and migratory birds and endangered species like Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens and porcupines.
  • It also houses leopards, ghorals, wild boars, kakars, monkeys and Himalayan black bears and several species of birds including the Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant and Himalayan griffon.

Q1: What are rhododendrons?

Rhododendrons are a diverse genus of about 1,000 species of woody flowering plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers and handsome foliage.They are native to the temperate regions of Asia, North America, and Europe, as well as to the tropical regions of southeast Asia and northern Australia.

Source: Fire in Uttarakhand’s Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary kills 4 forest dept staffers, 4 injured