Certificate - Etheses - Saurashtra University

Gamgul Siabehi are relatively less disturbed and support several rare and endangered
species of flora and fauna.
3.2 Biophysical features
The study was carried out in Kugti wildlife sanctuary which was first notified in the
year 1962. In 1974, it was re-notified by the Government of Himachal Pradesh in
order to give legal protection to its wildlife. The sanctuary is located in the north-
eastern part of Bharmour forest division of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh,
covering an area of 379 km 2 . The geo-coordinates of the study area lie between the
latitude 32º 20’ N and 32º 35’ N, and longitude 76º 35’ E and 76º 55’ E (Map 1). On
one side, the study area falls in the Pir Panjal Himalayan range. It forms the upper
catchment of Budhil nala, one of the tributaries of river Ravi.
The topography of the area is mountainous comprising of rugged deep gorges and
steep slopes with an altitudinal range of 2400m to 5000m, and includes different
zones like temperate (2000-2800m), upper temperate (2800-3300m), subalpine (3300-
3600m) and alpine zone >3600m. The upper reaches of the sanctuary has a large
number of glaciers and snow banks which give rise to numerous streams and lakes.
The sanctuary forms gateway to Lahul and Spiti through a number of high passes
which have been used by the local Gaddi shepherds since historical times. On the
south, several passes lead into Dhaula Dhar ranges. On the southern flank of the
sanctuary lies a sacred peak locally known as Mount Kailash (5656 m) and a glacial
lake, Mani Mahesh (4572 m). The lake is visited by over 70,000 pilgrims every
summer. Photograph 1 shows alpine and sub-alpine areas in Kugti wildlife
sanctuary.
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