Biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism will get a boost
Shimla
Himalayan Nature Park located in Kufri, Himachal Pradesh has achieved a significant milestone in the field of wildlife conservation. Here the rare blue sheep, called Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in the local language, has been successfully bred.
This achievement is a solid and inspiring step towards preserving the biodiversity of the western Himalayas.
Located at an altitude of about 2,600 meters, this nature park is spread over an area of 13.73 hectares and is surrounded by dense forests of pine, fir, spruce and oak, providing a suitable environment for high Himalayan species.
In the year 2023, three Bharal were brought here under the wildlife exchange program run in collaboration with Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling. First they were kept in quarantine and adapted to the local weather and environment and then they were released in the designated enclosures. This scheme reached successful breeding in such a short time, which is considered a major achievement.
Bharal plays an important role in the Himalayan ecosystem, as it is part of the natural food chain for endangered predators like snow leopard. A healthy population of this species ensures the sustainability of major predators like snow leopard. This successful breeding has proved that the conservation strategies of the park are effective and long-term.
The presence of rare wildlife like Bharal has now become another big attraction in the Himalayan Nature Park. Tourists will now be able to get the experience of seeing these species in the natural environment. This will not only promote environmental education but will also give impetus to local sustainable tourism.
After the successful breeding of Bharal, the park administration is also working on plans to conserve other extinct or endangered species. Along with this, plans are being made to advance educational awareness, national and international cooperation, and natural research efforts so that the unique biodiversity of the Western Himalayas can be protected.
