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Site description (2004 baseline):

The Daranghati Sanctuary lies in Shimla district. It is composed of two segments, with villages and cultivated areas in between. The two units of the Sanctuary lie on either side of the Dhauladhar Range that forms part of the Middle Himalayas. Part I of the Sanctuary to the north forms the southern catchment area of the Manglad Gad. Three main rivers, including Wajadi Gad and Gharat Gad, flow northwards into Manglad Gad. Part II of the Sanctuary to the south encompasses the southern catchment area of the Nogli Gad. Main rivers flowing northwards through Part II into the Nogli Gad include Bankdari Nala, Rigir Gad and Setlu Nala. Manglad and Nogli are eastern tributaries of the Sutlej river. There are several wooden temples in the vicinity, featuring the unique architecture of Himachal (Singh et al. 1990). Daranghati, a former hunting reserve of the Raja of Bushahr State, shows signs of degradation, but remains particularly important for pheasants, notably the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus. It also supports a variety of Himalayan ungulates (Pandey 1990; Singh et al. 1990). Pandey (1995) notes five main forest types: (1) Moist Cedar Cedrus deodara forest (1,900 m - 3,000 m) (2) Western Mixed Coniferous Forest on northern and eastern slopes above 2,000 m, comprising Blue Pine Pinus wallichiana, Silver Fir Abies spectabilis and Spruce Picea smithiana, with Cedar on well-drained sites. (3) Moist Temperate Deciduous, (4) Kharsu Oak forest with common associates Taxus baccata, Pyrus, and Prunus, and (5) West Himalayan sub-alpine forest, with Silver Fir and some Quercus semecarpifolia, above 3,000 m.

AVIFAUNA: Detailed studies on birds of this site have not been conducted. Based on secondary information, Singh et al. (1990) prepared a short list of birds of this Sanctuary. Species of conservation interest is the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus. Gaston et al. (1981a, b), found no evidence of Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii, although the species used to occur in this area (Wynter-Blyth 1951). Himalayan or Impeyan Monal Lophophorus impejanus, Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha and Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos are also found here. This site is selected as an IBA based on the presence of the globally threatened Western Tragopan. Pandey (1995) estimate a density of 1.5-birds per sq. km in winter habitat. He estimates that both parts of Daranghati WLS and the surrounding areas may support a population of 150 to 250 birds. This could be one of the most important sites for this globally threatened bird, listed as Vulnerable. It is also listed as restricted range in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

OTHER KEY FAUNA: Daranghati WLS has almost all the representative mammals of the temperate forest and subalpine zone of Himachal Pradesh.

Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus is the largest wild carnivore of the Sanctuary, mainly found above 3,000 m in summer, much lower in winter. Brown Bear Ursus arctos is also found in the alpine and subalpine regions. Leopard Panthera pardus is the major carnivore. Wild ungulates such as Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Goral Nemorhaedus goral, Serow N. sumatraensis and Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus. Ibex Capra ibex and Bharal Pseudois nayaur are reported on higher elevations. Smaller carnivores include Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, Himalayan Weasel Mustela sibirica, Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula, Himalayan Palm Civet Paguma larvata and Jungle Cat Felis chaus. Not much is known about the reptile and amphibian fauna.

MAIN THREATS: Forest fires and firewood collection; Poaching; Grazing; Disturbance to birds; Human settlements.

Like most of the sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh, Daranghati WLS has a large human population residing in and around the Sanctuary. Villagers have rights of fuelwood and minor forest produce collection, and livestock grazing. Two villages exist inside the Sanctuary and the peripheral areas have 26 villages. Nomadic Gujjars have grazing permits. Charaching is not uncommon, especially of ungulates and pheasants. There is a need to link both parts of the Sanctuary and further enlarge the area so ecologically viable area could be provided for the protection of Western Tragopan (Pandey 1990, 1995). Regular monitoring of bird populations should also be undertaken.

Key contributor: Sanjeeva Pandey.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/daranghati-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 23/11/2024.