Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary (18154)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.5600, Longitude: 76.0197
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1158 to 2768
Area of KBA (km2): 48.80919
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Sanctuary lies in the catchment area of the Beas River, and contains patches of good coniferous and Oak Forests. Khajjiar is a meadow, with a small lake in the centre, which is a popular tourist spot. The Sanctuary is drained by several tributaries of the Ravi River, which lies just north of it. The golden domed temple at the edge of this meadow is also situated inside the Sanctuary. The terrain is steep to very steep, with many rocky cliffs, good for Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus and Ibex Capra sibirica. Most of the Sanctuary is forested, the main forest types being Ban Oak Quercus incana, Cedar Cedrus deodara and Western Mixed Coniferous, interspersed with alpine pasture (Department of Forest Farming and Conservation 1984). Cedar and Blue Pine Pinus wallichiana are predominant in lower altitude coniferous forest, and mixed with some Moru Oak Quercus dilatata and Rhododendron Rhododendron arboreum.
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: Some 117 species of birds were recorded by Gaston et al. (1981a) in the Ravi Valley, including the Dalhousie-Chamba area. Published information specific to Kalatop-Khajjiar is limited to pheasants. Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha and Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos are common. One or two Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii were heard calling at Khajjar in November 1978, and January 1979 (Gaston et al. 1981b). The Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus reportedly visits the site in winter (Gaston et al. 1981a, 1981b). Thakur et al. (2002) have reported 66 bird species but there would be many more. Practically no work has been done on the avifauna, so this site can be considered as Data Deficient. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Almost all mammals of the high altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh are known to occur in Kalatop-Khajjair Sanctuary but their status and population structure is not known. Serow Nemorhaedus sumatraensis is considered fairly common. Goral Nemorhaedus goral is also seen at slightly lower elevations, with Indian Muntjak Muntiacus muntjak and Leopard Panthera pardus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Forest fire; Livestock grazing; Tourism; Firewood collection, charcoal production. Kalatop-Khajjair WLS suffers from a long litany of problems, all related to man. Grazing, collection of fuelwood and minor forest produce are permitted under the rights given to villagers. Medicinal plants are collected from all over the Sanctuary, wherever an intrepid villager can reach. Fifteen villages exist inside the Sanctuary, and 35 surrounding it. Their collective impact on the fragile ecosystem can be imagined. The law allows even charcoal production, a major destructive activity. Migratory graziers are issued permits. Trekking camps are regularly organised. Parts of the Sanctuary are used for roads, housing, and tree nurseries by various government departments (Singh et al. 1990).
| 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 | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Department of Forest Farming and Conservation (1984) Scheme for intensive management of Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary 1984- 85 to 1988-89. Department of Forest Farming and Conservation, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Gaston, A. J., Hunter, M. L. Jr. and Garson, P.J. (1981a) The wildlife of Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. University of Maine School of Forest Resources Technical Notes No. 82. Pp. 159 pp. Gaston, A. J. Garson, P. J. and Hunter, M. L. Jr (1981b) Present distribution and status of pheasants in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas. World Pheasant Association Journal 6: 10-30. 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. Thakur, M. L., Paliwal, R., Tak, P. C., Mehta, H. S., and Mattu, V. K., (2002) Birds of Kalatop-Khajjar Wildlife Sanctuary, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. Cheetal 41(3 & 4): 29-36.