Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary : Wildfire
The Indian Air Force deployed an MI17 helicopter to control the massive wildfire in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Almora, Uttarakhand.
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
- It is situated in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, approximately 33 kilometres north of the Almora district, Uttarakhand.
- The sanctuary covers an area of around 47 square kilometres.
- Binsar was the erstwhile summer capital of the Chand Dynasty rulers, who ruled Kumaon from the 7th to 18th century AD. situated at the height of 2,420 m.
- According to the local people Binsar was named after the Bineshwar Mahadev temple (A 16th century temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- It is known for its rich biodiversity and stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli and Kedarnath.
- The sanctuary is covered by oak and rhododendron forests at higher altitudes and by chir pine forests at a lower height.
- It has 25 types of trees, 24 types of bushes and seven varieties of grasses.
- It is host to more than 200 species of native and migratory birds and endangered species like Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens and porcupines.
- It also houses leopards, ghorals, wild boars, kakars, monkeys and Himalayan black bears and several species of birds including the Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant and Himalayan griffon.
