Gamgul Sanctuary is located in Bhandal Valley in Salooni tehsil, Chamba District which lies in the state of Himachal Pradesh in the northern part of India. The northern end of this beautiful sanctuary however, belongs to Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that Gamgul Wildlife Sanctuary is the one and only regional sanctuary of this state which boasts of Kashmir stag, a wonderful wild creature which survives in the upper ranges of the Himalayas. There are three villages within the sanctuary grounds while the neighbouring areas possess as many as 55 villages. It is spread over an area of nearly 108.85 square kilometres and was developed in the year 1974. This sanctuary is existent at an elevation of 1, 800 metres to 4, 000 metres.
Flora of Gamgul Sanctuary
One will find dense outgrowths of vegetation inside the grounds of Gamgul Sanctuary. Deodar Forests, Alpine pastures and Coniferous Forests comprise the main flora of this part of the country. The sanctuary is home to trees and plants which belong exclusively to higher altitudes and is a treat to the eyes of all nature lovers.
Fauna of Gamgul Sanctuary
Musk Deer, Serow, Ibex, Himalayan Weasel, Barking Deer, Leopard, Common Langur, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Hare, Jackal, Long-Tailed Marmot, Himalayan Fox, Leopard Cat, Brown Bear, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Muntjac, Common Giant Flying Squirrel, Indian Porcupine, Jungle Cat, Yellow-Throated Marten, Himalayan Palm Civet, Goral and Royle`s Pika are amongst the large quantity of wild beasts which wander about freely amidst the depths of this wildlife reserve. Besides these wild animals, visitors might also come across colourful birds like Jungle Babbler, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Green Bee Eater, Himalayan Bulbul, Pheasant, Black-Chinned Babbler, Crested Bunting, Crested Honey Buzzard, Malagasy Bulbul, Great Barbet, Red-vented Bulbul, Chestnut-Eared Bunting, Western Tragopan, Himalayan Tree Creeper, Large- Crowned Leaf-Warbler, Himalayan Slaty-Headed Parakeet, Red-headed Tit, Cheer Kokla, Yellow-Browed Ground Warbler, White-Cheeked Bulbul, Laughing Thrush, Himalayan Monal, Yellow Grosbeak Griffon Vulture, White-Browed Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-Bellied Crested Tit, etc.
The ideal time when one must approach Gamgul Sanctuary is the time between the months of May till June and again during September.
