| Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
| Location | Daksum, Forest Block,Anantnag district,Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Nearest city | Anantnagcity |
| Area | 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) |
| Established | 1981[1] |
Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary is aprotected area located in Daksum, Forest Block, nearAnantnag city inAnantnag district ofJammu and Kashmir,India. It lies 42 km fromAnantnag city, the district headquarter, 85 kilometres (53 mi) south ofSrinagar. It spreads over an area of 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi).[2] This area was protected as agame reserve forhangul during the Maharaja's period, prior to 1948. In 1981, it was upgraded to the Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary.[1]
The vegetation types present in the Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary include dense coniferous forests and sub-alpine pastures. In dense coniferous forests,kail pine,spruce,fir,birch,deodar andjuniper trees are predominant.
The Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary is abode to many species of animals including theHimalayan black bear,[3]hangul,[1] andmusk deer.[4] A number of species of wild birds are also found in the sanctuary.
In 1970, theGovernment of Kashmir constructed a sheep breeding farm on 1300 hectares of prime wintering area of the nowcritically endangeredhangul. This sheep breeding farm is believed to have had an adverse effect on the movement of hangul in this area.[1] Besides, the sanctuary has also been disturbed due to excessive grazing by thelivestock of non-localBakarwals.[5]
