The fauna consists of barking deer, sambar deer, red fox, ibex, Himalayan tahr, the Himalayan brown bear, leopards and many others. The sanctuary is also home to the golden emperor butterfly, bar- headed goose, black naped hare, mountain hawk, red flying squirrel, golden ringed dragonfly, white throated dipper as well as the ever elusive snow leopard. It is worthwhile to mention that birds are in abundance in this area. You may find Bhutan Grey peacocks, Red Jungle Fowl peacocks, Cheer Pheasants, vultures, eagles, and if you are lucky you might even spot the Western Trapogan, which is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. This particular bird species’ numbers have been rapidly decreasing over the years, but thanks to it being declared as the state bird, there is a ray of hope for its revival. Hence, the reason Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for the bird- watchers and wildlife enthusiasts in the Western Himalayas.
As the sanctuary is spread over a large area, ranging between 1600m to 4500m above sea level, once you are beyond the tree line, you will see only bare huge rocks, mostly granite and the peaks laden with snow. The peaks are covered with snow all round the year due to their high altitude. The best time to view these magnificent peaks is in the early morning hours when the skies usually clear up for a brief period. As the sun rises higher and the day gets brighter the mountain peaks get steadily covered by mist. This happens for days at a stretch.
Sunsets and sunrises in the mountains are a delight to watch, and it is no different in the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, No matter wherever you are inside the sanctuary, do make it a point to witness at least the sunrise or sunset. The shimmering hues from bright yellow to orange...to pink and purple, it is mesmerising. The different seasons will bring different shades across the colour spectrum.
A Haven for Adventure Tourism
Himachal Pradesh is a haven for trekkers and hikers from around the world thanks to its varied topography when it comes to mountain ranges, ranging from ‘easy to advanced’ trekking circuits. Similarly, the entire region around the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to such treks and hikes where people can choose which one suits them the best. Even if you are more of a ‘tourist’ and not a ‘traveller’, rest assured there is still a lot you could do. In the vicinity, there is the Gopalpur zoo. You will get to see many indigenous animals and birds here. Then of course, there is Dharamsala, Mcleod Ganj, Kangra Valley, Nurpur and many other places where one can witness the vibrant culture and heritage of the state.
Some Mountain Trivia
Those of you who love mountains would know that Hanuman Tibba is the highest peak of the Dhauladhar range. Some of the other prominent peaks are, Manimahesh Kailash, Mun, Gaujunda, also known as the ‘Dhauladhar Matterhorn’. Moon Peak is also quite famous because of its visibility from Dharamsala and Mcleod Ganj.
Geographically, the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary covers the entire northeastern part of Kangra district. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful protected areas of Himachal Pradesh. The area is huge, sprawling about 950 square kilometres. It was established in 1994. The sanctuary is bordered on three sides by snow covered Himalayan peaks and a gorgeous green valley in front, which enhances the grandeur around the sanctuary. There are several eco- tourism spots and good home- stays, hotels and resorts. You can enjoy your stay with your family and friends.
To escape from the sweltering heat of the plains, this place is a welcome change in the summer months. You will find a veritable nip in the air and the weather quite pleasant.
