Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected area in Shopian district, India.
Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, covering forested hills and rocky high-altitude terrain. It forms part of the Pir Panjal range, with slopes that rise from dense tree cover to open alpine areas.
The Indian government officially designated this area as a sanctuary in 1987, aiming to protect the wildlife of the Pir Panjal range. The move came during a broader push across the country to establish protected zones in mountain regions.
The Gujjar and Bakerwal communities move their herds through parts of the sanctuary every season, following routes their families have used for generations. Their temporary shelters and grazing paths are visible across the terrain.
The sanctuary is accessible via the Mughal Road, a mountain route that may close during winter or after heavy rain, so it is worth checking conditions before setting out. Sturdy footwear and warm layers are needed for walking in the higher parts of the area.
The Pir Panjal markhor, a wild goat with long, twisted horns, lives in very few places in the world, and this sanctuary is one of the rare spots where it can still be found in the wild. Sightings are not guaranteed, which makes an encounter with one genuinely memorable.
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