Uttarakhand Forest Department Launches 2026

The Forest Department launches a comprehensive scientific wildlife census in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in 2026. The census is for assessing species population dynamics and mapping wildlife movement corridors.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Dimension	Key Details
Location	Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Almora district in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.
Regional Setting	The sanctuary lies atop a mountain in the Central Himalayan region.
Establishment	The sanctuary has been established in 1988.
Objective	The sanctuary provides for conservation of shrinking broad-leaf oak forests of the Himalayas.
Historical Significance	The area served as the summer capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon and hosted British-era administrative centres including Khali Estate.
Topography	The sanctuary has rugged terrain with deep gorges and ridges, and altitude ranging from 900 m to 2,500 m.
Zero Point	Zero Point or Jhandi Dhaar is the highest elevation point offering views of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trisul, Panchachuli, and Shivling.
Flora	The sanctuary is dominated by oak and deodar forests, along with rhododendrons, and hosts approximately 25 tree species and 24 bush species.
Mammals	Mammals include leopard, Himalayan goral, musk deer, Sumatran serow, and red fox.
Avifauna	The sanctuary is an Important Bird Area with over 200 species, including Himalayan monal, Kalij pheasant, Koklass pheasant, and Eurasian jay.
State Species	Musk deer is the State animal of Uttarakhand, and Himalayan monal is the State bird of Uttarakhand.
2026 Census Focus	The census provides for assessment of population dynamics and documentation of movement corridors for key species.
Data Gap	The census aims to document under-recorded species such as red foxes and wild boars.
Corridor Mapping	Corridor mapping provides for identification of movement corridors for large carnivores such as leopards.
Climate Indicator	Monitoring high-altitude species helps assess climate change impacts on the Himalayan ecosystem.