| Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 A view of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Hirpora in Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir | |
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 Interactive map of Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Location | Kulgam district andShopian district,Jammu and Kashmir |
| Nearest city | Shopiantown |
| Coordinates | 33°35′56″N74°36′56″E / 33.59889°N 74.61556°E /33.59889; 74.61556 |
| Area | 341 km2 (132 sq mi) |
| Established | 1987 |
| Administrator | Government of Jammu and Kashmir |
| Website | www |
HirporaWildlife Sanctuary orHeerpora Wildlife Sanctuary is located inKulgam district andShopian district ofJammu and Kashmir. It lies 12 km fromShopian town, 70 km (43 mi) south ofSrinagar.[1] It spreads over an area of 341 km2 (132 sq mi).[2] It is bounded to the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast byHirpora village, east by Rupri, south by Saransar and to the west by thePir Panjal pass. The slopes are gentle to moderately steep on the eastern aspect and very steep with many cliffs on the higher northern and western aspect. The southern and southeastern portions are moderately steep. Heerpora wildlife sanctuary is one of the beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir[1][3]
The vegetation types present in the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary include western mixed coniferous forests, deciduous sub-alpine scrub forests and sub-alpine pastures. Western mixed coniferous forest is dominated byKail pine withspruce andfir (Abies pindrow) as its primary associates. The West Himalayan sub-alpine forests are dominated by fir, while the deciduous sub-alpine scrub is dominated byHimalayan birch (Betula utilis) andjuniper (Juniperus communis) withwild rose as an associate. The southeastern part has moderately open coniferous vegetation dominated by Kail pine and associated with fir and spruce. The vegetation of the more rocky and open northwestern portion is predominantly sub-alpine scrub forest dominated by juniper and the Kail pine as an associated species. Man-made sub-alpine pastures also occur in both north-western and south-eastern parts of the sanctuary.[1]
The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is an abode to many species of animals including theHimalayan brown bear,[4]Himalayan black bear,musk deer,leopard,Tibetan wolf,[5]Himalayan palm civet[6] and around 50 individuals thecritically endangeredPir Panjal markhor.[7][8] Besides, 130 species of birds including thespotted forktail,western tragopan,[1]rock bunting,rufous-breasted accentor,Himalayan woodpecker,blue rock thrush,white-capped redstart,Himalayan griffon,common stonechat,red-billed blue magpie andgrey wagtail are found in the sanctuary.[2]
TheMughal Road cuts through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary and is believed to inhibit the movement of animals, especially the critically endangeredPir Panjal markhor.[9] The Sanctuary has also been disturbed due todeforestation, excessivelivestock grazing and construction of permanent huts by theGujjars,Bakerwals and local shepherds.[1]
