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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
| native_name = केदारनाथ वन्य जीव अभ्यारण
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = wildlife sanctuary
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttarakhand, India
| coordinates = {{coord|30|45|00|N|79|36|00|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Chamoli District|Chamoli Garhwal]] & [[Rudraprayag district|Rudraprayag]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 1972
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 975
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1160
| population_footnotes =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]] , [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar]], [[Uttarakhand]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[IUCN protected area categories|IUCN category]]
| blank2_info_sec1 = IV
| blank3_name_sec1 = Governing body
| blank3_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = {{convert|3093|mm|in}}
| blank2_name_sec2 = Avg. summer temperature
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|25|C|F}}
| blank3_name_sec2 = Avg. winter temperature
| blank3_info_sec2 = {{convert|-10|C|F}}
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary''', also called the '''Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary''', is a wildlife sanctuary declared under [[Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]] and located in [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]. Its alternate name comes from its primary purpose of protecting the endangered [[Himalayan musk deer]].<ref name=roma/> Consisting of an area of {{convert|975|km2|mi2|abbr=on|0}}, it is the largest protected area in the western [[Himalayas]].It is famous for alpine musk deer, Himalayan Thar, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Black bear, Snow Leopard and other flora park and fauna. It is internationally important for the diversity of its flora and fauna (particularly of ungulate species).

<ref name="iucn" /><ref name="anchal">{{Cite web|url=http://lifemi.com/~mitry/LP/india12th%20Edition%20September%202007/india-12-uttarakhand_v1_m56577569830522869.pdf|title=Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal)|work=Kedarnath Temple trek|pages=27 of 43}}</ref>

Located in the Himalayan Highlands with an elevation ranging from {{convert|1160|m|ft|abbr=on|-1}} (near Phata) to the [[Chaukhamba|Chaukhamba peak]] at {{convert|7068|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}, it was a notified reserve forest between 1916 and 1920. It was changed to a sanctuary on 21 January 1972, and has been designated a "Habitat/Species Management Area" by the [[IUCN]].<ref name=roma>{{Cite book|author= Roma Bradnock|title= Foot Print, India |work=Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary|page= 231|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWKaR6LbEGcC&q=Kedarnath+Musk+deer+sanctuary&pg=PA231|publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2004|isbn= 978-1-904777-00-7}}</ref><ref name=iucn>{{Cite web|url=http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/pa/0188v.htm |title=Kedarnath Sanctuary |access-date=2009-07-17 |publisher=UNEP & WCMC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518123616/http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/pa/0188v.htm |archive-date=2009-05-18 }}</ref> Since 1972, the area of the park has expanded from {{convert|967|-|975|ha|acre|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name=iucn/>

The sanctuary straddles a geographically diverse landscape and transitional environment.<ref name=environ>{{Cite web|url=http://ueppcb.uk.gov.in/pdf/soe_report_2004.pdf |title=Uttaranchal SoE November 2004 |access-date=2009-07-18 |work=state of the environment |pages=15–16 |publisher=Uttranchal Environment and Pollution Control Board |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162021/http://ueppcb.uk.gov.in/pdf/soe_report_2004.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rudraprayag.nic.in/|title=Rudraprayag|access-date=2009-07-18}}</ref> IUCN has reported that "From 44.4% to 48.8% of the sanctuary is forested, 7.7% comprises alpine meadows and scrub, 42.1% is rocky or under permanent snow and 1.5% represents formerly forested areas that have been degraded."<ref name=iucn/>

The sanctuary takes its name from the famous [[Hindu temple]] of [[Kedarnath]] which is just outside its northern border. The entire {{convert|14|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} route from [[Gaurikund]] to Kedarnath temple ({{convert|3584|m|ft|abbr=on|0|disp=or}}) passes through the sanctuary in uttrakhand

== Geography ==
The sanctuary is geographically situated in the [[Chamoli]] and [[Rudraprayag]] districts of Uttarakhand. It lies within the larger [[Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows]] of [[Alpine climate|alpine]] [[ecoregion]] of [[India]], [[Nepal]] and [[Tibet]],<ref name=wwf>{{WWF ecoregion|id=pa1021|name=Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows|accessdate=2009-07-18}}</ref> The sanctuary is at its higher altitudes is characterised by [[glaciers]] which through glacial action over centuries have created deep "v" shaped valleys.<ref name=negi>{{Cite book|author= Sharad Singh Negi|title= Himalayan wildlife, habitat and conservation |work =Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary|pages=171–172|access-date=2009-07-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W88pkms1dXEC&q=Kedarnath+Musk+deer+sanctuary&pg=PA171|publisher= Indus Publishing|year=1993|isbn=978-81-8518-268-1}}</ref> Generally in the north-south direction river valleys are formed by the [[Mandakini River|Mandakini]], Kali, Biera, Balasuti and Menan rivers flowing through the sanctuary. The geological formation in the catchment is made up of "Central Crystallines" that are [[metamorphic rocks]] such as [[gneisses]], [[granites]] and [[schists]].<ref name=iucn/><ref name=anchal/> Lakes, waterfall and high-rise mountain peaks abound in this forest belt, as do a number of old Hindu pilgrimage sites - [[Madhyamaheshwar]], Tungnath, [[Rudranath]], Kedarnath, [[Triyuginarayan]] and [[Kalpeshwar]] all are located within or on the periphery of the sanctuary.

== Religious and social aspect ==
[[File:Kedarnathji-mandir.JPG|thumb|left|[[Kedarnath temple]] gives its name to the sanctuary as it is located amidst the temple precincts]]

The sanctuary has a large number of [[Hindu]] temples located within its precincts. [[Kedarnath temple]] is the most historic of these and is visited by a very large number of pilgrims.<ref name=Indian>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indian-wildlife.com/kedarnathsanctuary.htm|title=Kedartnath Sanctuary|access-date=2009-07-18}}</ref> This temple dates to the 8th century. Other temples, though not of matching importance, have strong legends related to the epic [[Mahabharata]] days. These are the [[Mandani]], Madhyamaheshwar, [[Tungnath]], Ansuya Devi and Rudranath. The local [[Hindu culture]] is also imbibed by the [[Bhotiyas]] (may be with some [[Tibetan culture|Tibetan]] link) who have pastoral work culture and are an integral part of the valleys.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=anchal/><ref name=travel>{{Cite book|author= P.C. Sinha|title= Encyclopaedia of Travel, Tourism and Ecotourism |work= Kedarnath Musk deer|pages=166–167|access-date=2009-07-18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xUHl6ZGCrEMC&q=Kedarnath+Musk+deer+sanctuary&pg=PA166|publisher= Anmol Publications PVT. LTD.|year= 2005|isbn=978-81-261-2398-8}}</ref> Visitors to these temples have occasionally been attacked by wildlife.<ref name=iucn/>

== Climate ==
A typical [[temperate]] to sub-arctic [[climate]] prevails in the locale of the sanctuary. The South West summer [[monsoon]] rains recorded is the mean annual [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] of {{convert|3093|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}. This high value of precipitation is due to the fact that the hill ranges to the south, of about {{convert|3000|m|ft|abbr=on}} height, are open without much of rain-shadow effect. On the basis of [[rainfall]] of {{convert|3050|mm|in|abbr=on}} recorded near [[Tungnath]] in 1979-81, the monsoon rain (June to September) was about 81% while [[snow]] precipitation during December–March was 11%. [[Summer]] temperature recorded is {{convert|25|C|F|abbr=on|0}}, the highest in May or June; a mild and pleasant condition. The lowest [[winter]] temperature recorded in the first half of January is {{convert|-10|C|F|abbr=on|0}}, when heavy snowfall is received in the upper region. This results in severe cold conditions. For about three months, following heavy [[snowfall]] in December, the sanctuary is snow-covered.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=negi/>

==Flora==
The sanctuary is reputed to be one of the world’s richest bio-reserves.<ref name=wwf/><ref name=okata>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oktatabyebye.com/Travel-Ideas/Wildlife-Holidays/Kedarnath-Musk-Deer-Sanctuary.aspx|title= Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary - Wild Beauty|access-date=2009-07-18}}</ref> It is host to [[temperate]] [[forests]] in the middle altitudes; higher elevations are dotted by [[coniferous]], sub-alpine and alpine forests, and further up by alpine [[grasslands]] and high-altitude [[Bugyal]]s. The diverse climate and topography in the sanctuary area has created dense forests of [[Pinus roxburghii|chir pine]], [[oak]], [[birch]], [[rhododendrons]] and alpine [[meadows]] with incidence of numerous Himalayan flowering plants.<ref name=roma/> At Tungnath, two [[sedges]], [[Carex]] lacta and C. munda, have been reported which had previously only been reported in the far west region of Nepal.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=negi/>
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="180">
File:Rhododendrons enroute Tungnath temple, Uttarakhand.jpg|[[Rhododendrons]](''Ericaceae'')
File:Abies pindrow.jpg|[[pindrow fir]] (''Also known as West Himalayan Fir'')
File:Danthonia decumbens horst.jpeg|[[Danthonia decumbens]]
</gallery>

The sanctuary is reputed to have many high value medicinal and aromatic plant species, of which 22 species are rare and endangered. Aconitum balfourii, Angelica glauca, Arnebia benthamii, Artemisia maritima, Bergenia stracheyi, and Dactylorhiza hatagirea are among the threatened medicinal plant species of the sanctuary.<ref>Kala, C.P. Conservation Biology, 2005, 19: 368-378http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00602.x/abstract</ref>

== Fauna ==
The sanctuary is rich in faunal, avifaunal and aquafaunal species (some are pictured in the gallery).<ref name=roma/><ref name=iucn/><ref name=Indian/><ref name=travel/><ref name=hand>{{Cite book|author= Sharad Singh Negi|title= Handbook of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves in India |work=Kedarnath Musk deer Wild Life sanctuary|page=165|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JYFmoOWfmX8C&q=Kedarnath+Musk+deer+sanctuary&pg=PA165|publisher= Indus Publishing|year= 2002|isbn=978-81-7387-128-3}}</ref>

===Mammalians===
• [[Carnivore]]s are: [[Indian jackal]] (''Canis aureus indicus''), [[red fox]] (''Vulpes vulpes''), [[Himalayan black bear]] (''Selenarctos thibetanus laniger'') (V), [[yellow-throated marten]] (''Martes flavigula''), [[leopard cat]] (''Felis bengalensis''), [[Indian leopard]] (''Panthera pardus fusca'') (V) and [[snow leopard]] (''Uncia uncia'').

• [[Ungulates]] are [[Indian boar]] (''Sus scrofa cristatus''), [[Himalayan musk deer]] (''Moschus leucogaster''), and [[Indian muntjac]]. The [[primates]] recorded are [[rhesus macaque]] (''Macaca mulatta'') and [[common langur]] (''Presbytis entellus''). Among the smaller mammals are [[Hodgsons's brown-toothed shrew]] (''Episoriculus caudatus''), [[red giant flying squirrel]] (''Petaurista petaurista''), and [[Royle's pika]] (''Ochotona roylei'').

In June 2019, a tiger was also captured on camera in this sanctuary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Hindustan |title=Tiger spotted in Kedarnath at 3,400m altitude |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tiger-spotted-in-kedarnath-at-3-400m-altitude/story-Pdn0IT6zjDj4ihmTa1cGYJ.html}}</ref>

===Avians===
Important bird species reported are [[Himalayan monal]] (''Lophophorus impejanus'') (the state bird of Uttarakhand), [[Snow Partridge]] (''Lerwa lerwa''), [[kalij pheasant]] (''lophura leucomelanos hamiltonii''), [[koklass pheasant]] (''Pucrasia macrolopha''), [[West Himalayan bush warbler]] (''Locustella kashmirensis''), [[little pied flycatcher]] (''Ficedula westermanni''), [[grey-cheeked warbler]] (''Seicercus poliogenys'') and [[Rusty-flanked treecreeper]] (''Certhia nipalensis'').

===Reptilians===
Recorded reptile species are [[Gloydius himalayanus|Himalayan pit viper]] (''Gloydius himalayanus'' syn. ''Ancistrodon himalayanus'') (common) and Boulenger's keelback (''[[Hebius parallelum]]'').

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="180">
File:Royle'sPika-Ochotona roylei-Tungnath-Uttarkhand-India-3thJune2013.jpg|[[Royle's pika]](''Ochotona roylei'')
File:Himalayan Monal Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary Chamoli Uttarakhand India 01.12.2015.jpg|[[Himalayan monal]](''Lophophorus impejanus ♂'')
File:Himalayan Monal Adult Female Tungnath Rudraprayag Uttarakhand India 14.06.2013.jpg|[[Himalayan monal]](''Lophophorus impejanus ♀'')
File:Snow Partridge Tungnath Uttarakhand India 01.12.2015.jpg|[[Snow partridge]](''Lerwa lerwa'')
</gallery>

In the [[Mandakini River]], fishes recorded include [[Schizothorax]] sp., [[mahseer]] Tor tor, Labeo spp., Gara spp., Barilius spp., [[Nemacheilus sp. nov.]], Glyptothorax spp. and Balitora brucei.<ref name=iucn/>

== Conservation ==
{{details|White-bellied musk deer}}
Among the more notable of the animals in the region is the animal for which it is alternatively named; the musk deer. Declining population (over 40% in 21 years) of this species and large scale poaching for profit, dictated the decision to declare it as an endangered animal (EN) in 1973 (Halloway, 1973) and the species was listed vulnerable in the red data book of IUCN in 1974. It is found, not only in Uttarakhand in the Himalayan belt up to lowest elevation of {{convert|2500|m|ft|abbr=on}} (within a restricted zone), but also in some parts of the Himalayan belt starting from [[Northern India]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Sikkim]], and in [[Bhutan]], [[Nepal]] and [[China]] (southwest [[Xizang]]) with small numbers reported in China.<ref name=roma/><ref name =redlist>{{Cite web|url={{IUCNlink|13901}}
|title= Moschus leucogaster|access-date=2009-07-18|publisher=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009.1}}</ref><ref name=joshi>{{Cite book|author=C.Tiwari|author2=Bhagwati Joshi|title= Wildlife in the Himalayan foothills|pages= 125 of 376|access-date=2009-07-20 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1U8F4hdP6wgC&q=History+of+Kedarnath+Wild+Life+Sanctuary&pg=PA125| publisher=Indus Publishing|year=1997|isbn=978-81-7387-066-8}}</ref> These deer dwell generally live alone at a density of 3-4 animals per square kilometer in meadows, fell-fields, shrublands or first forests.<ref name =redlist/>

The male species of the endangered musk deer in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary carries the much valued pods [[musk]] pod ([[glands]]). They are poached for its pod, which is valued at US$45,000 (Indian Rs 2 million) per {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}} that is used in [[cosmetics]]. It has reportedly [[pharmaceutical]] properties also. Its meat is also consumed as a delicacy.<ref name=roma/><ref name=iucn/><ref name =redlist/> The animal is protected under the "Threatened Deer Programme" of the IUCN, with cooperation by the [[Government of India]] and [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] .<ref name =joshi/> The sanctuary includes a breeding center at Kharchula Kharak, both to help advance understanding of the animal's conservation requirements and to breed it in captivity for reintroduction to the wild. Through 1987, it had successfully reared nine deer.<ref name=roma/><ref name=iucn/><ref name=anchal/><ref name =joshi/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/6325714/09|title=Uttaranchal 09|access-date=2009-07-20|publisher=Scribd}}</ref>

Other scientific activities centered around the sanctuary have been: the high-altitude botanical field station established at Tungnath ({{convert|3500|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}) by the Garhwal University; further ecological studies of the ungulates; [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] on ecology of the Himalayan musk deer and other ungulates near Tungnath, together with surveys of the mammalian fauna and avifauna; and fish fauna studies in the Mandakini River.<ref name=iucn/>

== Management of Sanctuary ==
The management of the wildlife sanctuary is done by the Uttarakhand Forest department. The Divisional Forest Officer(DFO) Kedarnath Wildlife Division is responsible for scientific management of the wildlife sanctuary as per the approved management plan. The headquarter of Kedarnath Wildlife Division is located at Gopeshwar, District Chamoli. The permission of trekking, camping or conducting scientific study inside the sanctuary is provided by DFO Kedarnath. Wildlife Division.
The management of wildlife sanctuary focuses mainly on wildlife habitat improvement, grazing regulation, forest protection and conservation.

== Visitor information ==
Visitors are mostly Indian nationals on pilgrimage to various temples, though a few international tourists also visit the area. The approach to Kedarnath Temple is only through the sanctuary. Visiting season is from April to June and again from September to November. The number of visitors to the Kedarnath shrine, who passed through the sanctuary, was 5,57,923 in 2007 as against 87,629 in 1987, a quantum jump in 20 years.<ref name=iucn/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/content-kedar.aspx?id=9|title=Number Of Pilgrims|access-date=2009-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721155418/http://www.badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/content-kedar.aspx?id=9|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The nearest airport is at [[Jolly Grant Airport]] at [[Dehradun]] at a distance of {{convert|227|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Chopta, the entry point to the sanctuary. [[Rishikesh]] is the nearest rail head at a distance of {{convert|212|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Chopta. [[National Highway (India)|National Highway]] [[NH 58]] from [[Delhi]] passes through [[Chamoli]] via [[Meerut]], [[Muzaffarnagar]], [[Roorkee]], [[Haridwar]], [[Rishikesh]], [[Devprayag]], [[Srinagar]], [[Rudraprayag]], Okhimath; and by state highway to Chopta.<ref name="okata"/>

The sanctuary and surroundings offer some housing for visitors, including the forest hut at Madhyamaheshwar for which prior reservation needs to be done through the DFO, Kedarnath Wildlife Division, [[Gopeshwar]]. The Temple Committee maintains [[Dharamshalas]] (rest houses or [[inns]]) for use by pilgrims and tourists at Trijuginarayan, Dougalbitta, [[Mandal]], [[Gaurikund]] and Kedarnath. There is also a guest house at Sonprayag.<ref name=iucn/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantigers.com/kedarnath-wildlife-sanctuary.html |title=Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary |access-date=2009-07-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827183347/http://www.indiantigers.com/kedarnath-wildlife-sanctuary.html |archive-date=2008-08-27 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianwildlife.org/the-national-parks-and-wildlife-sanctuaries-of-%20india/Kedarnath-Wildlife-Sanctuary.html |title=Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary |access-date=2009-07-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726174612/http://www.indianwildlife.org/the-national-parks-and-wildlife-sanctuaries-of-%20india/Kedarnath-Wildlife-Sanctuary.html |archive-date=2011-07-26 }}</ref>

===Sanctuary Landscape===
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="180">
File:Chaukhamba peak, Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand.jpg|Chaukhamba peak, northern boundary of sanctuary
File:Nanda devi.jpg|[[Nanda Devi]] in reserve forests precincts
File:Chopta, Uttarakhand.jpg|Sanctuary entry from Chopta
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Rudraprayag district]]
[[Category:Musk deer]]
[[Category:Geography of Chamoli district]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1916]]

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

imported>Yakku3 at 07:26, 16 July 2021