Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary

Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location Jammu and Kashmir, India
Area 0.50 km2
Established 2008

Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary (Sometimes Achabal Conservation Reserve) is in Anantnag district of Kashmir, 65 kilometers south of Srinagar.[1] It spreads over an area of 0.50 km2.[2] The Achabal forest area was once designated as a Game Reserve by the then Maharaja of Kashmir. In 2008, this area was upgraded to the Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary.[3]

Flora and fauna

Barking deer

The vegetation present in the Achabal Wildlife sanctuary mainly includes mixed coniferous forests where kail pine, spruce, fir, birch, deodar and juniper trees are predominant.

The Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary is abode to many species of animals including the Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, leopard cat, Indian porcupine, hog deer,[1] and the barking deer.[4] A few species of wild birds are also found in the sanctuary.[1]

Disturbance

The Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary is not properly fenced and there are only a few concrete demarcations from human habitations that are close to the sanctuary. Besides, timber smuggling has also disturbed the ecological balance of the sanctuary.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rashid, Afsana (January 24, 2009). "Hog deer at Achabal sanctuary". The Tribune. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ "WILDLIFE AREAS OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR" (PDF). J&K Forest Department. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "HUNT FOR HANGUL" (PDF). wti.org.in. Wildlife Trust of India. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Barking deer spotted in Babareshi". Greater Kashmir. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
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