Area and Altitude
It covers an area of 39.4 square kilometers on varying altitudes of 900 to 1,966 meters above sea level. Established in 1962 (first notified) and March 1974 (re-notified)
Forest Cover
Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary has a forest cover typical to the lower elevations of the west Himalayan region. The forest is of Himalayan dry temperate type.
Climate and Visiting Season
With an annual average temperature of -1 to 29 degree centigrade, this sanctuary can be visited any time of the year. The monsoon season during July to September has an annual rainfall of 1040 millimeters. You can avoid visiting during this time as the probability of landslides increases when it rains.
Flora at the Majathal Sanctuary
The sanctuary is thinly forested with grasses dominating the sanctuary and oak trees of ban, kharsu and moru species. Chir pine is the only conifer growing in this area.
Fauna at the Majathal Sanctuary
Majathal Sanctuary has a good population of the rare cheer pheasant and goral. Goral is a small goat like animal with cylindrical horns. Cheer pheasant is a long tailed bird with a crimson area around the eye. Other animals you can sight are Himalayan black bear, leopard, rhesus macaque, jungle cat, Himalayan palm civet, yellow throated marten, barking deer, sambar, Indian wild bear and langur. Bird watchers can look out for the oriental white backed vulture, black francolin and kaleej and koklas pheasants. The sanctuary for Himalayan Brown Bears is located in the tribal Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh. This region is home to a mere population of 20 bears in Kugti and 15 bears in Tundah.
Things to do in Majathal Sanctuary
Nature trails and climbing on the steep and undulating terrain are popular adventures at Majathal Sanctuary. Jeep safaris may not be possible here. Other attractions include a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Harsingh. Please do not throw anything around in the sanctuary and help the area remain clean.