Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

Situated in the northwestern part of the Chamba district, Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is in the must visit list of every wildlife enthusiast. This wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh is replete with dense single stand and mixed forests providing home to various species of birds and animals. Its terrain is steep in some areas. Other attractions in the sanctuary are a lake in the center of Khajjiar sanctuary and a temple with a golden dome at its northern edge.

Established in: 1958

Area and Altitude: It covers an area of 61 square kilometers spread across the Himalayan mountain slopes of 1,158 to 2,768 meters above sea level.

Forest cover: It lies in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic zone and has the forest types of sub tropical broadleaved hill, sub alpine and alpine moist pasture forests.

Climate and visiting season: This region gets heavy rainfall of 2,647 millimeters in the monsoon season. In winter, it has a temperature of around 10 degree centigrade and in summer, temperature is 35 degree centigrade. The visiting seasons are summer and autumn.

Flora at the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary: The flora in the Kalatop Khajjiar wildlife sanctuary is mainly deodar, oaks (ban and moru), conifers (cedar and blue pine), firs and rhododendron. It is also famous for its medicinal herbs that are collected by the villagers for treating health problems.

Fauna at the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary: Among the avifauna there are about 117 rare species. You can easily spot pheasants such as koklas, kaleej, Himalayan monal and cheer. Other bird species include chestnut billed rock thrush, Eurasian jay and black bird.

Goral, Himalayan tahr, ibex, langur, bears, Himalayan squirrel, musk deer, barking deer, Himalayan black marten, Indian muntjak, leopard and serow are the animal species found in the sanctuary. The Himalayan serow is the vulnerable animal species conserved in this sanctuary. It is a goat-antelope endemic to this region.

Things to do in Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

The best way to enjoy bird watching and wildlife viewing is by trekking in the sanctuary. You can also go on a wildlife safari. Forest rest houses are available for tourists to spend a serene holiday amidst the Himalayan beauty. While visiting please keep the natural integrity of the sanctuary intact.

How to reach Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

You can drive from Chamba to Khajjiar (43 kilometers) to reach the sanctuary. Buses are available in this route. Another route is from Dalhousie (6 kilometers). Pathankot (86 kilometers) has the nearest airport and railway station.

Visit Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary by booking a tour on indianholiday.com.