StellaWindsor21 at 03:24, 22 February 2026

2026-02-22T03:24:17Z

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{{short description|Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
| iucn_category = IV
| image = Hirpora Wildlife Sanctary Shopian.jpg
| image_caption = A view of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Hirpora in Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir
| map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| mapframe-zoom = 10
| location = [[Kulgam district]] and [[Shopian district]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| nearest_city = [[Shopian]] [[town]]
| coordinates = {{coords|33|35|56|N|74|36|56|E|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|341|km2|abbr=on}}
| administrator = [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir]]
| operator = Wildlife Protection Department, J&K
| website = {{url|http://www.jkwildlife.com/}}
| established = 1987
}}

'''Hirpora [[Wildlife Sanctuary]]''' or '''Heerpora Wildlife Sanctuary''' is located in [[Kulgam district]] and [[Shopian district]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. It lies 12 km from [[Shopian|Shopian town]], {{cvt|70 |km}} south of [[Srinagar]].<ref name=wti/> It spreads over an area of {{cvt|341|km2}}.<ref name=gkashmir/> It is bounded to the north by Lake Gumsar, northeast by [[Hirpora]] village, east by Rupri, south by Saransar and to the west by the [[Pir Panjal#Passes|Pir Panjal pass]]. The slopes are gentle to moderately steep on the eastern aspect and very steep with many cliffs on the higher northern and western aspect. The southern and southeastern portions are moderately steep. Heerpora wildlife sanctuary is one of the beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir<ref name=wti/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Aharbal {{!}} Shopian District, Government of Jammu and Kashmir {{!}} India|url=https://shopian.nic.in/tourist-places/|access-date=2021-05-27|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Flora ==

The vegetation types present in the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary include western mixed coniferous forests, deciduous sub-alpine scrub forests and sub-alpine pastures. Western mixed coniferous forest is dominated by [[Himalayan pine|Kail pine]] with [[spruce]] and [[fir]] (''Abies pindrow'') as its primary associates. The West Himalayan sub-alpine forests are dominated by fir, while the deciduous sub-alpine scrub is dominated by [[Himalayan birch]] (''Betula utilis'') and [[juniper]] (''Juniperus communis'') with [[Rose|wild rose]] as an associate. The southeastern part has moderately open coniferous vegetation dominated by Kail pine and associated with fir and spruce. The vegetation of the more rocky and open northwestern portion is predominantly sub-alpine scrub forest dominated by juniper and the Kail pine as an associated species. Man-made sub-alpine pastures also occur in both north-western and south-eastern parts of the sanctuary.<ref name=wti>{{cite web|title=GOATS ON THE BORDER|url=http://www.wti.org.in/oldsite/publications/goats-on-the-border-(revised-edition).pdf|publisher=[[Wildlife Trust of India]]|access-date=1 July 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203138/http://www.wti.org.in/oldsite/publications/goats-on-the-border-(revised-edition).pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Fauna ==

The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is an abode to many species of animals including the [[Himalayan brown bear]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Qadri|first=Azhar|title=State animal, bird among endangered species|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130622/j&k.htm#10|access-date=1 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|date=21 June 2013}}</ref> [[Himalayan black bear]], [[musk deer]], [[leopard]], [[Tibetan wolf]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Kashmir gets eco-tourism campsite|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2012/Sep/25/kashmir-gets-eco-tourism-campsite-41.asp|access-date=14 July 2013|newspaper=[[Greater Kashmir]]|date=25 September 2012}}</ref> [[Himalayan palm civet]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Alam|first=Ajmer|title=Conserving endangered Pir Panjal mountain goat|url=http://amchron.soundenterprises.net/articles/view/100252|access-date=1 July 2013|date=28 April 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130702151506/http://amchron.soundenterprises.net/articles/view/100252|archive-date=2 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and around 50 individuals the [[critically endangered]] [[Markhor#Astor markhor|Pir Panjal markhor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kashmir's Markhor goat in peril|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/kashmirs-markhor-goat-in-peril/article3409924.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=12 May 2012|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=gkmarkhor>{{cite news|title=Breather for endangered Markhor|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2009/Apr/26/breather-for-endangered-markhor-39.asp|access-date=1 July 2013|newspaper=[[Greater Kashmir]]|date=26 April 2009}}</ref> Besides, 130 species of birds including the [[spotted forktail]], [[western tragopan]],<ref name=wti/> [[rock bunting]], [[rufous-breasted accentor]], [[Himalayan woodpecker]], [[blue rock thrush]], [[white-capped redstart]], [[Himalayan griffon]], [[common stonechat]], [[red-billed blue magpie]] and [[grey wagtail]] are found in the sanctuary.<ref name=gkashmir>{{cite news|title=Guv visits Pir Ki Gali, Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2012/Jul/3/guv-visits-pir-ki-gali-hirpora-wildlife-sanctuary-72.asp|access-date=1 July 2013|newspaper=[[Greater Kashmir]]|date=3 July 2012}}</ref>

== Disturbance ==

The [[Mughal Road]] cuts through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary and is believed to inhibit the movement of animals, especially the critically endangered [[Markhor#Astor markhor|Pir Panjal markhor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fading Glory|url=http://www.kashmirlife.net/fading-glory/|work=kashmirlife.net|date=4 June 2012|access-date=1 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522003016/http://www.kashmirlife.net/fading-glory/|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Sanctuary has also been disturbed due to [[deforestation]], excessive [[livestock]] grazing and construction of permanent huts by the [[Gujjars#Jammu and Kashmir|Gujjars]], [[Bakerwal]]s and local shepherds.<ref name=wti/>

== Gallery ==

<gallery>
File:Heerpora Wildlife Sanctuary Shopian.jpg|A view of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary from the [[Mughal Road]].
File:Mughal Road via Hirpora Sanctuary.jpg|A view of the [[Mughal Road]], which cuts through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary.
File:Water Stream - Hirpora N.P. Shopian.jpg|A stream flowing through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary.
File:Stream - Hirpura N.P. Shopian.jpg|A stream flowing through the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary in Shopian district of Kashmir.
File:Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Shopian, Kashmir.jpg|Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary (As seen from Mughal Road).
File:Pastures Hirpora - Pir Ki Gali.jpg|Lush green Pastures of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary at Pir Ki Gali.
File:Hirpora WLS Shopian Kashmir.jpg|The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary has dense Coniferous Forests & difficult terrain.
</gallery>

== See also ==

*[[Dachigam National Park]]
*[[Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*[[Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*[[Kishtwar National Park]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[http://hillpost.in/2012/05/kashmirs-iconic-markhor-goat-on-critically-endangered-list/44952/ Kashmir’s iconic Markhor goat on critically endangered list]

{{Kashmir Valley}}

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Kulgam district]]
[[Category:Shopian district]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1987]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir]]

Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

StellaWindsor21 at 03:24, 22 February 2026