Himachal Pradesh has rich biodiversity. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and few National park. Diverse Physiographic regions from low hills of Shivalik to higher Himalaya all have different -different Climate , which make Himachal a rich in biodiversity. Wildlife sanctuaries of Himachal Pradesh can be classified on number of basis like- region, climate, biodiversity and river regime.
Classification of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park of Himachal Pradesh.
A) Shivalik Region: Shivalik is area of low lying hills, it cover significant part of Himachal Pradesh. It is the most of dense region of Himachal Pradesh( see- Complete Physiographic Division of Himachal Pradesh. )Piedmont Plain on the foothills of Shivalik are very industrialized. Despite all this wildlife thrive in this zone.
- Most important protected area of this region is Simbalbara National Park which is southern most protected area of Himachal Pradesh.It fall in Yamuna river Basin and river Bata Flow through it.
- Similarly Renuka wildlife Sanctuaries is important protected area of Shivalik.
- Two other protected area of this region is Govindsagar wildlife sanctuary and Maharana Pratap Sagar wildlife sanctuary in district Kangra.
B) Lesser Himalaya:- Dhauladhar and Pirpanjal are two important mountain chain of this region. Lesser Himalaya is known for its dense forest, which make it excellent place for existence of Flora and fauna.
- Majority of Protected area( see below map) fall in this zone
- If we start from Dhauladhar range- Kais, Kalatope, Dhauladhar wildlife sanctuary, Khokhan, Nargu, Chail, Churdhar etc all are located here.( For more information see- below map and try to match Wild life sanctuary with mountain range)
- Similarly Tundah, Kugti, Inderkilla, Manali, Sainj etc are all located in Pirpanjal mountain range.
C) Greater Himalaya: This is the highest mountain range of Himalaya. Important wildlife sanctuaries of this region are Khirganga, Pin valley National Park, Greater Himalaya National Park, Raksham Chitkul and Rupi Baba wildlife sanctuaries.
Below is the Map of all wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park of Himachal Pradesh.
Classification of Wildlife Sanctuaries on the basis of River Regime, Himachal Pradesh:
Satluj River Basin:- It is the largest river basin of Himachal Pradesh. It hold significant number of wildlife sanctuaries.
- Kibber and Pin Valley national park are two important high altitude protected area of Satluj basin. Both are located in Cold Desert. Lippa Asrang, Chitkul and Rupi Bhabha etc of Kinnaur also fall into Satluj catchment.Similarly Darnghati, Majthal, Darlaghat and Govind Sagar etc are located in Satluj Basin.
Beas River Basin:- Beas river basin cover area south of Greater Himalaya. It has number of important wildlife protected areas like Manali, Inder Killa National Park, Greater Himalaya National Park, Khokhan wildlife sanctuary and Govindsagar Ramsar site.
Ravi Basin:– Ravi basin separated from Chandrabhaga basin by Pirpanjal Range , it has number of important wildlife sanctuaries likes- Kugti, Tundah, Kalatope, Kais and Gamgul. However it is important to understand here that Saechu Tauan Nala wildlife sanctuary of Chamba is part of Chandrabhaga basin. In fact Chandrabhga basin has only one Protect area i.e Secu Tuan Nala.
Tons Basin:– Tons Basin has one important National Park i.e Simbalbara. Besides it Chail wildlife Sanctuary, Talra and Churdhar, Renuka etc are also part of it.