Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu & Kashmir – Complete Notes for JKSSB / JKPSC By Home Academy

 

Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu & Kashmir – Complete Notes for JKSSB / JKPSC

By Home Academy

Introduction

Wildlife is one of the most valuable natural resources of a region. To conserve wild animals, birds, forests, and maintain ecological balance, governments create protected areas. Wildlife Sanctuaries play an important role in preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species.

Jammu & Kashmir is known for its rich biodiversity because of its varied climate, mountains, forests, valleys, and high-altitude ecosystems.

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What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?

A Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area declared by the government for conserving wild animals and their natural habitats.

These areas protect species from:

• Hunting

• Habitat destruction

• Illegal trade

• Human interference

Wildlife Sanctuaries in India are mainly protected under the:

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

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Objectives of Wildlife Sanctuaries

1. Conservation of endangered species

2. Protection of natural habitats

3. Maintenance of ecological balance

4. Prevention of poaching

5. Conservation of biodiversity

6. Promotion of environmental awareness

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Difference Between Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Basis	Wildlife Sanctuary	National Park
Main Objective	Protection of species	Protection of entire ecosystem
Human Activities	Limited activities allowed	Highly restricted
Grazing	May be permitted	Not allowed
Boundaries	Can be altered	Strictly protected

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Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir has 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries which form an important part of the protected area network.

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Complete List of 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu & Kashmir

No	Wildlife Sanctuary	District	Year	Famous For	Major Wildlife
1	Bani Wildlife Sanctuary	Kathua	1981	Mountain ecosystem	Goral, Leopard
2	Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary	Baramulla	1987	Alpine forests	Musk Deer, Brown Bear
3	Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary	Shopian	1987	Markhor conservation	Markhor, Leopard
4	Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary	Kathua	1987	Shivalik biodiversity	Cheetal, Wild Boar
5	Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary	Baramulla	1987	Markhor habitat	Markhor, Brown Bear
6	Limber Wildlife Sanctuary	Baramulla	1987	Conservation of Markhor	Markhor, Musk Deer
7	Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary	Jammu	1987	Bird diversity	Goral
8	Overa–Aru Wildlife Sanctuary	Anantnag	1987	Largest sanctuary	Hangul, Snow Leopard
9	Rajparian (Daksum)	Anantnag	1988	Hangul habitat	Hangul, Leopard
10	Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary	Jammu	1987	Dry forest ecosystem	Goral, Cheetal
11	Surinsar–Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary	Jammu Region	1987	Twin lake ecosystem	Wild Boar, Jackal
12	Tata Kutti Wildlife Sanctuary	Kulgam	1987	Mountain biodiversity	Markhor
13	Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary	Ganderbal	1987	High altitude habitat	Brown Bear
14	Tral Wildlife Sanctuary	Pulwama	1988	Rare Himalayan fauna	Markhor, Leopard

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Detailed Explanation of Important Sanctuaries

1. Overa–Aru Wildlife Sanctuary

• District: Anantnag

• Established: 1987

• Largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu & Kashmir

• Located near Pahalgam

Famous For

• Conservation of Hangul (Kashmir Stag)

Wildlife Found

• Hangul

• Snow Leopard

• Himalayan Black Bear

• Musk Deer

• Monal

Exam Point: Largest Wildlife Sanctuary of Jammu & Kashmir.

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2. Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary

• District: Shopian

• Established: 1987

• Located in Pir Panjal region

Famous For

• Conservation of Pir Panjal Markhor

Wildlife Found

• Markhor

• Brown Bear

• Black Bear

• Leopard

Exam Point: Most famous sanctuary for Markhor.

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3. Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary

• District: Baramulla

• Established: 1987

Famous For

• Alpine forests

• Bird diversity

Wildlife Found

• Musk Deer

• Brown Bear

• Leopard

• Red Fox

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4. Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary

Famous For

• Protected habitat of Markhor

Wildlife Found

• Markhor

• Brown Bear

• Leopard

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5. Surinsar–Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary

Famous For

• Surrounds famous twin lakes

• Rich biodiversity

Wildlife Found

• Cheetal

• Wild Boar

• Jackal

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Important Wildlife Species Found in Jammu & Kashmir

Mammals

Hangul (State Animal)

Markhor
Snow Leopard
Himalayan Black Bear
Brown Bear
Musk Deer
Leopard
Goral

Birds

Himalayan Monal

Koklass Pheasant
Snowcock
Tragopan

Forest Vegetation

Deodar

Fir
Kail
Pine
Alpine Meadows

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Most Important One-Liners for JKSSB / JKPSC

1. Number of Wildlife Sanctuaries in J&K — 14

2. Largest Wildlife Sanctuary — Overa–Aru

3. Famous sanctuary for Markhor — Hirpora

4. Sanctuary famous for Hangul — Overa–Aru

5. Wildlife Protection Act — 1972

6. Sanctuary near twin lakes — Surinsar–Mansar

7. Sanctuary in Shopian — Hirpora

8. State Animal of Jammu & Kashmir — Hangul

9. Sanctuary in Ganderbal — Thajwas

10. Major Markhor habitat — Lachipora and Limber

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MCQs for Competitive Examination

Q1. Which is the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu & Kashmir?

A. Hirpora
B. Overa–Aru
C. Tral
D. Gulmarg

Answer: B. Overa–Aru

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Q2. Markhor is mainly associated with which sanctuary?

A. Hirpora
B. Ramnagar
C. Jasrota
D. Nandni

Answer: A. Hirpora

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Q3. Wildlife Sanctuaries are protected under which Act?

A. Forest Act
B. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
C. Environment Act
D. Biodiversity Act

Answer: B. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

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Q4. Which sanctuary is famous for Hangul?

A. Overa–Aru
B. Tral
C. Gulmarg
D. Hirpora

Answer: A. Overa–Aru

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Q5. Surinsar–Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for:

A. Twin Lake Ecosystem
B. Desert Species
C. Coral Reefs
D. Mangrove Forests

Answer: A. Twin Lake Ecosystem

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Q6. Which wildlife sanctuary of Jammu & Kashmir is dominated by bamboo plantations?
A. Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
B. Surinsar–Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary
C. Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary
D. Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary

Answer: C. Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary

Area of All 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Jammu & Kashmir (For JKSSB / JKPSC Exams)

S.No	Wildlife Sanctuary	District	Area (Sq. Km.)
1	Overa–Aru Wildlife Sanctuary	Anantnag	425.00
2	Rajparian (Daksum) Wildlife Sanctuary	Anantnag	20.00
3	Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary	Baramulla	180.00
4	Limber Wildlife Sanctuary	Baramulla	43.75
5	Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary	Baramulla	93.50
6	Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary	Shopian	341.25
7	Thajwas (Baltal) Wildlife Sanctuary	Ganderbal	203.00
8	Tral Wildlife Sanctuary	Pulwama	154.15
9	Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary	Jammu	31.50
10	Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary	Jammu	33.34
11	Surinsar–Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary	Jammu / Samba / Udhampur	97.82
12	Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary	Kathua	10.04
13	Tata Kutti Wildlife Sanctuary	Poonch	66.27
14	Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary	Reasi	31.77

Important exam facts:

Largest Wildlife Sanctuary in J&K: Overa–Aru Wildlife Sanctuary (425 sq km)

Smallest Wildlife Sanctuary in J&K: Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary (10.04 sq km)
Sanctuary famous for bamboo vegetation: Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary
Total area covered by these 14 wildlife sanctuaries: approximately 1699.62 sq km.