Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
| Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
_India_9.png) Snow leopard in Kibber WS | |
  Kibber WS Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (in Himachal Pradesh) | |
| Location | Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Nearest city | Kaza |
| Coordinates | 32°12′35″N 78°04′35″E / 32.2096°N 78.0765°E[1] |
| Area | 1,654 km2 (639 sq mi)[2] |
| Established | 1999[1] |
| Governing body | Himachal Pradesh Forest Department |
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is a high-altitude protected area in the Spiti Valley of Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1999, it covers 1,654 km2 (639 sq mi) of cold desert and alpine habitat around the village of Kibber, at elevations from 3,800 m to over 6,000 m.[1] On 7th April 2013, the area was increased to 2,220.12 km2 (857.19 sq mi).[1] Its the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in the Himachal Pradesh. Its also the only Cold desert Wildlife Sanctuary in India.[3]
Geography
[edit]The sanctuary encompasses the upper Spiti River valley and surrounding ridges. It borders the Pin Valley National Park to the south via a high-altitude corridor. The terrain is characterized by stark rocky slopes, glacier-fed streams, and sparse alpine meadows.[4]
Flora & Fauna
[edit]A total of 116 plant species were recorded during a floristic survey in Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, representing 71 genera and 33 families. Among these, 9 species were shrubs and 107 were herbs. The survey results indicated that the dominant family was Asteraceae, followed by Fabaceae and Rosaceae. The vegetation of the sanctuary is primarily herbaceous and is known for its medicinal properties. Commonly found species include Ratan Jot (Arnebia euchroma), Atis (Aconitum heterophyllum), Pashanved (Bergenia stracheyi), Somlata (Ephedra gerardiana), Kutki (Picrorhiza kurrooa), Caragana (Caragana versicolor), Thangdoom (Hyoscyamus niger), Gipachi (Nepeta longibracteata), and Sangthick (Primula spp.).[5]
Kibber WS supports several emblematic high-altitude mammals. Key species include the endangered snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco), and Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica). Other mammals recorded are marmot (Marmota himalayana), Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata), and Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus).[5] There are upto 30 Snow leopards in the sanctuary as of 2018.[6]
Over 90 bird species have been documented, including the Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis), lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), and Tibetan snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus).[7]
Tourism and access
[edit]Access is via the Kaza–Chandratal road; the nearest airhead is Bhuntar (approx. 250 km). Best months to visit are May–October, when passes are open. Local homestays in Kibber village offer permits and guided wildlife treks.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Government of Himachal Pradesh" (PDF). Government of Himachal Pradesh. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Protected Areas of Himachal Pradesh" (PDF). ENVIS Centre on Forestry and Forest Related Livelihoods. Retrieved 3 July 2025.[dead link]
- ^ "Sanctuaries - Himachal Tourism Official Website". Himachal Tourism Official Website. Archived from the original on 28 August 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Biodiversity Assessment of Spiti Region (including Kibber WS)" (PDF). Wildlife Institute of India. 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2025. [dead link]
- ^ a b "Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary". Spiti Wildlife Division. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Up to 30 snow leopards in Kibber wildlife sanctuary of Spiti". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Bird list – Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary". eBird. Retrieved 3 July 2025.