Kugti Sanctuary, Protected area in Chamba district, India.
Kugti Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, set within the western Himalayan range. It runs from densely forested lower valleys up to open rocky slopes and alpine meadows that clear of snow only in summer.
This mountain region served for centuries as a route linking communities around the Chamba plateau, and old temples along the valleys point to a long human presence here. The area was formally designated as a sanctuary in the 20th century to protect its wildlife and habitats.
The Gaddi, a mountain shepherding community, move their herds through the high valleys along old grazing routes that rarely appear on any map. Walkers passing through the meadows may cross paths with these herders and their flocks, which gives the visit a lived-in, grounded feeling.
The higher parts of the sanctuary can only be reached on foot, which means several hours of walking from the nearest village. Good physical fitness, warm layers, and waterproof gear are necessary since weather at altitude can change quickly.
The sanctuary is one of the few places in the western Himalayas where snow leopards are still regularly recorded, though most visitors never see one. These animals tend to stay above 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) and spend much of the day resting in rocky outcrops out of sight.
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