Context: The forest department launched a comprehensive scientific wildlife census in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary to assess the population and movement of key species.
About Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:
What it is?
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a prominent protected area in the Central Himalayan region, spanning approximately 59–47.59 sq km. It was primarily established to conserve the shrinking broad-leaf oak (Quercus) forests and serves as a vital habitat for high-altitude flora and fauna.
Established in: 1988.
Location: Situated in the Almora district of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, India. It lies atop a mountain about 30 km north of Almora town.
History:
- Chand Kings: Between the 11th and 18th centuries, Binsar served as the summer capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon.
- British Era: The British utilized the region for its cool climate. Sir Henry Ramsay, the Commissioner of Kumaon (often called the ‘King of Kumaon’), built the Khali Estate and the Grand Oak Manor, which served as his administrative center.
Key Features:
- Topography: The sanctuary is characterized by a series of rugged ridges and deep gorges. The altitude varies significantly from 900 metres to 2,500 metres.
- Flora: It is home to 25 types of trees and 24 types of bushes. The landscape is dominated by dense Oak and Deodar forests, with ruby-red Rhododendrons blooming in spring.
- Zero Point (Jhandi Dhaar): The highest point in the sanctuary, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trisul, Panchachuli, and Shivling.
- Fauna:
- Mammals: Leopards, Himalayan gorals, musk deer, Sumatran serow, red foxes, and wild boars.
- Avifauna: A birdwatcher’s paradise with over 200 species, including the Kalij pheasant, Monal, Koklass pheasant, and Eurasian jays.
Significance:
- It protects the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and acts as a refuge for several rare and threatened vertebrate species.
- The 2026 census is significant for documenting missing data on species like foxes and identifying critical movement corridors for large carnivores.
