Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
India| Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary in Gulmarg, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, India | |
  Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary Location of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, India  Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary (India) | |
 Interactive map of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Location | Gulmarg, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Nearest city | Baramulla city |
| Coordinates | 34°04′44″N 74°21′43″E / 34.07889°N 74.36194°E |
| Area | 180 km2 (69 sq mi) |
| Max. elevation | 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) |
| Min. elevation | 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) |
| Established | 1987 |
| Visitors | 3000 per day (Summer)[1] (in 1979) |
| Governing body | Department of Wildlife Protection |
The Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 180 square kilometres (69 mi2) is a protected area in Gulmarg, Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.[2] It is one of the most beautiful and attractive sanctuaries in J&K. The sanctuary offers a pass that'll lead you to poonch district. Kanternag peak, Apharwatt peak, Neel kanth peak etc are the well known mountains of the sanctuary.The sanctuary lies on the north-eastern side of the Pir Panjal mountain range and falls under the northwest Biogeographic Zone 2A.[2] It lies 50 kilometres (31 mi) south-west of Srinagar and 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Baramulla. It is strategically very important for Indian armed forces due to its proximity to LOC(line of control). The sanctuary was first declared as a game reserve in 1981 and later upgraded to a sanctuary in 1987.[1]
The Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Pir Panjal Range of the Western Himalayas. The Gulmarg tourist resort including the Gulmarg Golf Club and the 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) long Gulmarg Gondola are surrounded by the sanctuary.[3][2] The elevation of the sanctuary ranges from 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) to 4,300 metres (14,100 ft).[1] It is surrounded by the forests of the Gulmarg basin and the upper catchment area of the Ferozpur stream. The sanctuary is bordered by the forest divisions of Jehlum Valley to the north and west, Poonch and Pir Panjal to the south and the Drang village to the east. The highly steep terrain of the upper reaches of Ferozpur gorge consists of Panjal volcanics, with exposed acidic lava flows. Limestone, shale, quartzite and slate occur throughout the sanctuary.[3] The Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary has a temperate climate. Snowfall during the winter amounts most part of the precipitation.[1]
