Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary (18158)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.7288, Longitude: 78.3458
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 4000 to 5022
Area of KBA (km2): 29.31198
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This high altitude Sanctuary lies c. 28 km from Morang, the nearest town, in Kinnaur district. The Sanctuary can be reached by a motorable road up to a village called Jangi and then onward by foot. Much of this high altitude Sanctuary is a plateau of barren cold desert. Lippa Asrang is one of the few sanctuaries in India where feral Yak Bos grunniens have been reported.
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: There is practically no literature on birds of this IBA. Most of the Sanctuary is closed to tourists, and there are few visitors. As the Sanctuary represents undisturbed alpine habitat, many birds of Biome-5 are present, hence it was selected as an IBA. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Mammals reportedly include the Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus, Brown Bear Ursus arctos, Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster, Goral Nemorhaedus goral, Ibex Capra sibirica, Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur and Yak Bos grunniens (Singh et al. 1990).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Grazing. This Sanctuary is away from human habitations and has very few visitors in its barren, cold desert plateau habitat. Grazing of livestock takes place, which is unsustainable due to the fragile ecosystem. Otherwise, little can be said without data regarding conservation issues.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | 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.