Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu and Kashmir

The Himalayas and the sub Himalayan mountain ranges are a unique and pristine ecosystem where many rarae animals and birds can be found. On tours of Kashmir you could see the elusive and magnificent snow leopard, the burly Himalayan Black Bear, the majestic Hangul or Kashmir stag, the Chiru or Tibetan antelope, the Bharal or blue sheep, many species of mountain goats, the yak – a wild animal that has been domesticated for centuries as a best of burden – and many varieties of rare birds, including the splendid Monal pheasant and Himalayan Tragopan. Other animals you can see include Musk Deer, Ibex, Leopards, monkeys and langurs.

The unique wildlife of Jammu and Kashmir is characteristic of the Himalayan ecosystem. The pleasant summers and cold winters are reflected by animal and bird migrations. Many creatures move down the slopes to better grazing areas during the harsh winter and migrate up to the mountainous slopes in the warm summer. Summer is therefore the best time to see wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir. The animals can be seen in the wildlife sanctuaries, on the grassy slopes and the birds on the trees as they feed and look after their young during the warm summer.