Kais Wildlife Sanctuary (18153)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kais Wildlife Sanctuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.0350, Longitude: 77.1950
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2800 to 3680
Area of KBA (km2): 12.63842
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Kais Wildlife Sanctuary, lies in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. This small (1,419 ha) high altitude sanctuary includes parts of the catchment of the Kais Nala, an important tributary of the River Beas. It was declared mainly to protect the Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster and pheasants, in 1954 under the then Punjab Wild Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act, 1933. There is a lack of published information on the vegetation of Kais WLS. It is estimated that 1,174 ha of the Sanctuary is forested. Fir Abies pindrow and Spruce Picea smithiana, with some Oak Quercus semecarpifolia, Maple Acer sp., Poplar Populus sp., Walnut Juglans regia and Cedar Cedrus deodara, predominate at lower altitudes, while the alpine zone bears Birch Betula utilis and Rhododendron scrub forest.
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: Practically no work has been done on the avifauna of this Sanctuary, although there is some information on the pheasants, for which it is famous. The globally threatened Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus and Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii are reported to be present (Singh et al. 1990). The more common species include Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus, Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelana and Koklass pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha. The Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar is also present. This site is designated an IBA based on the presence of two threatened pheasant species. Checklist of the birds of this site is not available so we do not know how many restricted range and biome species are found here. This site is considered as Data Deficient. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Musk Deer is the most famous mammal of this Sanctuary, but its population has declined drastically due to poaching for its musk pod. Brown Bear Ursus arctos is seen in the subalpine and alpine areas, while Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus is found at lower altitudes. Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus, Barking Deer or Indian Muntjak Muntiacus muntjak and Goral Nemorhaedus goral are the major wild ungulates that have to share the limited resources of the area with a large number of domestic animals. Leopard Panthera pardus is sometimes found very close to villages and settlements in search of easy prey. Not much is known about the lesser carnivores of the Sanctuary.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Burning of vegetation; Grazing; Firewood collection. There are no villages inside the Sanctuary though there are many villages around it. Local inhabitants have the right to graze domestic animals, collect fuelwood, medicinal plants and minor forest produce. A shrine located inside the Sanctuary attracts many pilgrims every year. The Forest Department issues permits to nomadic graziers to graze their livestock inside the Sanctuary. There is a road inside the Sanctuary, under the control of the Public Works Department.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | 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 |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | 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.