Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in the News?
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved 5 crucial roads, including 4 that pass through the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- These include a route to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), India’s northernmost military outpost in Ladakh, which also houses the country’s highest airstrip.
About Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary:
| Details | |
| Location | Ladakh, India, situated in the eastern part of the Karakoram Range. |
| Area | 5,000 sq km (approximately), making it one of the largest high-altitude protected areas in India. |
| Altitude Range | Ranges from about 4,200m to over 7,500m at the peak of Saltoro Kangri. |
| Climate |
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| Biodiversity | Home to species like the snow leopard, Tibetan antelope (chiru), Tibetan wild ass (kiang), ibex, and blue sheep (Bharal). The sanctuary also supports migratory bird species during certain times of the year. |
| Flora | Sparse vegetation, with cold desert flora, including hardy grasses, shrubs, and medicinal plants. |
| Rivers | Shyok and Nubra Rivers flow through the Ladakh region, providing crucial water sources for the sanctuary. |
| Significance | Part of the larger trans-Himalayan ecosystem, offering a habitat for some of the rarest and most endangered species in the world. |
| Conservation Challenges | Harsh climatic conditions, limited accessibility, and poaching threats to species like the chiru, whose undercoat is highly prized. |
| Tourism and Access | Restricted due to its proximity to the international border with China. Special permits are required for researchers and travelers. |
PYQ:[2020] Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? (a) Kanha National Park (b) Manas National Park (c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary |
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