This West Himalayan bio-geographic zone has Himalayan subtropical pine forest cover in the higher altitudes and moru and ban oak forest cover in the lower altitudes. Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a number of bird species that will grab your attention. This wildlife zone is a chance to refresh your mind and give your life a dose of nature. It attracts photographers, nature lovers, peace seekers, and birdwatchers. This is one of the best wildlife zones in the Himalayan range.
Climate and Visiting Season:
The weather is pleasant during the summer season (28 degrees centigrade) and winter has temperatures below freezing point (-4 degrees centigrade). So, the best time to visit is during the months April to June and September to November.
Flora at the Chail Sanctuary:
The ban oak and chir pine trees dominate the foothills of the Himalayan slopes. As you trek towards the peak, you will find rhododendron, robinia, cedar, and blue pine trees. Check out the wild orchids as you walk around. They are stunning!
Fauna at the Chail Sanctuary: Chail Sanctuary is famous for the endangered cheer pheasant or Wallich's pheasant. This pheasant is gray and brown in color and has a long tail. You can identify it by the red patch around its eyes. Look out for the cheer pheasant in the grasslands of Blossom and Khari-un. Four other pheasant species, red junglefowl, koklass, kaleej, and peafowl, can be found in the higher altitudes of the sanctuary.
If you are lucky, you may spot the red-headed vulture and pallid harrier that belong to the near-threatened category of the ICBN Red List. Other bird species include the grey winged blackbird, slaty-headed parakeet, Himalayan bulbul, black-headed jay, blue capped redstart, bar tailed tree creeper, green backed tit, and white-browed rosefinch. In addition, look out for Eurasian bird species, the plain backed thrush, in the higher elevations of 2,700 to 4,000 meters. Among the animal species are leopard, barking deer, goral, European red deer, sambhar, Asian black bear, langur, black-naped hare, and wild boar.
Things to do in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
Vehicle safari is not possible in Chail Sanctuary since the region has an undulating terrain. Trekking is the best way to enjoy its natural beauty. Please do not litter while trekking in this protected area.
