Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
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| Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
_India_9.png) Snow leopard in Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary | |
  Kibber WS Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (in Himachal Pradesh)  Kibber WS Kibber WS (India) | |
 Interactive map of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Location | Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Nearest city | Kaza |
| Coordinates | 32°12′35″N 78°04′35″E / 32.2096°N 78.0765°E |
| Area | 2,220.12 km2 (857.19 sq mi) |
| Established | 1999 |
| Governing body | Himachal Pradesh Forest Department |
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is a high-altitude protected area in the Indian Himalayas. It is located in the Spiti Valley of Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It was established in 1999, and covers an area of 2,220.12 km2 (857.19 sq mi).[1] It is the only cold desert sanctuary in India.[2]
The Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary spans an area of 2,220.12 km2 (857.19 sq mi) in the Spiti Valley of the Himalayas. It forms part of the Lahaul and Spiti district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and is the largest protected area in the state. It mainly consists of cold desert and alpine habitat around the village of Kibber, at elevations ranging between 3,800–6,000 m (12,500–19,700 ft).[1] The sanctuary encompasses the upper Spiti River valley and the surrounding ridges. It borders the Pin Valley National Park to the south via a high-altitude corridor. The terrain is characterized by stark rocky slopes, glacier-fed streams, and sparse alpine meadows.[3] The reserve can be accessed via the state highway connecting Kaza and Chandra Taal.[1]