Gobind Sagar and Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuaries (18151)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Gobind Sagar and Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuaries
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.3775, Longitude: 76.7467
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 1019
Area of KBA (km2): 40.67632
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Gobind Sagar (10,034 ha) is situated in Bilaspur and Mandi districts, and Naina Devi (12,300 ha) in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. As the sanctuaries are located in the Lower Shiwaliks, floral and faunal affinities are close to Dry Deciduous Forests of the northern plains (Singh et al. 1990). Gobind Sagar, as the name indicates, is a water reservoir formed by the construction of the Bhakra Dam in the early 1950s on the Sutlej River. The reservoir attracts thousands of waterfowl, while the adjoining forests of Naina Devi Sanctuary represent many Biome-8 species. These two sanctuaries are treated as one IBA due to their proximity. Forest types on the periphery of Gobind Sagar include Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous. In Naina Devi there are northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests (3,000 ha) and Chir Pine (1,550 ha). There are also some dry bamboo brakes. Commercial plantations of Chir and Acacia were established in Naina Devi over 1,427 ha between 1979 and 1984. Eucalyptus has also been introduced (Singh et al. 1990).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: The avifauna is poorly recorded but Singh et al. (1990) provided a preliminary list of 15 bird species. As the forest is still intact in places, and the large wetland attracts numerous waterfowl, further surveys would yield at least ten times more species than the present record. Presently, we know of only two globally threatened species occurring here. More research is required to find out the total number of waterfowl and species-wise abundance and populations. Till such time, this site is considered as Data Deficient as far as bird information is concerned. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Almost all the representative large mammalian species of subtropical forests of the Lower Himalayas are found here, except for Tiger Panthera tigris, which became locally extinct due to hunting.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Grazing; Collection of timber, fuelwood, forest products,; Extraction of fodder; Disturbance due to religious activities; Water pollution; Human habitations. The local people have rights or leases for grazing, collection of timber, fuelwood and minor forest produce, fodder extraction, and religious activities. The Bhakra Management Board has control over the Gobind Sagar Sanctuary. The Public Works Department has control over the 20 km stretch of road inside Naina Devi Sanctuary (Singh et al. 1990). Therefore, this IBA is highly disturbed.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Singh, S., Kothari, A. and Pande, P. (Eds) (1990) Directory of national parks and sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh: management status and profiles. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. Pp 164.