CHAPIER-K Chapter 11 STUDY AREA 2.1 Location of the Study area 43 2.2 Physical Environment 44 2.2. J Topography 44 2.2.2 Mountain systems 44 2.2.3 Climate 51 2.2.3.1 Temperature 53 2.'2.3.2 Humidity 54 2.2.3.3 Rainfall 54 2.2.4 Rivers and Lakes 55 2.2.4.1 Rivers 55 2.2.4.2 Lakes 56 2.2.5 Geology 58 2.3 Biodiversity 61 2.3.1 Flora 61 2.3.2 Fauna. 64 2.4 Protected area networks 65 2.4.1 Kalatop Kajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary 65 2.4.2 Sechu Tuan Nala Sanctuary 65 2.4.3 The Kugti Sanctuary 65 2.4.4 Tundah Sanctuary 66 2.4.5 Gamgul Sanctuary 66 2.5 Socioeconomic Environment 67 2.5.1 Population 67 2.5.2 Agriculture 68 2.5.3 Forestry 69 2.5.4 Husbandry 70 2.5.5 Forest Produce 71 Chapter II: Study Area 2.1 Location of the Study area The State of Himachal Pradesh is a green pearl nestled in the Western Himalayan Mountain range. It extends from the perpetual snow-covered mountains separating it from Jammu and Kashmir and China in the north to Punjab Siwalik ranges in the southwest and Uttaranchal in the southeast. Its hilly terrain system known for its natural wealth, forests, meadows, rivers and steep valleys is enriched with rich cultural and religious heritage. The majestic array of perpetual lofty snow peaks presents a breathtaking panoramic view visible from far and wide. The state is known for its forests and their floral and faunal diversity. Out of a total 45,000 species of plants found in the country as many as 3,295 species (7.32%) are reported to be in this state (Anon., 1993). In Himachal Pradesh (HP), there are 30 wildlife sanctuaries, 2 national parks and 3 game reserves covering an area of 5,940 km^. These life-supporting systems are presently under great threat due to the impact of modem civilization, economic development and growth in human and livestock population. "^^'^^ Figure 2.1 Geographic location of the study area with district administrative boundaries. 43 Chapter 11: Study Area The district derives its name form the principal state town, which in the days of the rajas was the seat of the darbar (Palace hall), and is, now the headquarters of the district administration. Chamba, the headquarter district and northwestern border of HP, is situated between 32°00'00"-33°00'00" N and 75°45'00"- 77° 15'00" E and at an elevation of 996 m above mean sea level on the south bank of the Ravi (earlier known as Irawati) river. Its place is unique for being a total representative of the biogeographical diversity of the state. 2.2 Physical Environment 2.2.1 Topography Mountain systems and ranges, coupled with river basins, determine the natural divisions. Broadly speaking, the main natural divisions are the Ravi valley, which means the Chamba valley proper, including Brahmaur, the Chaurah area and part of the Bhattivat tahsil (sub-divion of district); the Chenab valley comprises Pangi, inclusive of Chamba-Lahul and the Beas region which takes in the rest of Bhattiyat. Next come the basin of the Chander Bhaga (Chenab) and its tributaries, which extend between the mountain ranges of Pir Panjal and Zaskar. Both the Ravi and the Chander Bhaga flow through the district. The third river, the Beas, does not pass through the district at all. However, it commands, through its tributaries- the Chakki, the Dairh and the Brahl streams- a catchment area over that part of the district which lies between the Dhaula Dhar range of mountains and the Hathi Dhar range of hills. 2.2.2 Mountain systems The Hathi Dhar It is a low range, running parallel to, and to the south of, the Dhaula Dhar at a distance of about 10 miles as the crow flies. This range, of which the highest point is 5,256 feet, is really the inner ridge of the Siwalik area, and maintains a nearly unbroken course from the Rihlu area in Kangra. This abrupt and almost 44 Chapter II: Study Area perpendicular drop on the southern flank, and the more gradual decline towards the north, is a general and prominent feature, more or less, of all the Himalayan ranges. Drianage Network Himachal Pradesh W««r« rfw^rt »•-••-• '"***' ^^^ET^ i ,1M^\^^ ! ^SKIf^* • '^tT^* J<y 1^^^ • '" fiL ^•r^ , "• -'•TV*i :•.. ' -O'^TOi k TE'S. J^II^^IK yOfiN r- ^^JyySL^JH i ^ •LV^^' W W ^ I^H^I^^^^^n kT*'! ^^^^^K^''^ ^""v?^^"^ "^ « \ [J^HF i * """"^ iit^trt «•*" !»»»» tr**'^ fnmiMlkiiMj Boimdmy XV' Rivm Kilom«l«n •^Z* DWriclBoundwy /^ Streams ^cale 1:1700000 * WIMiir« Sanduay I'X I'A I] X ISMapScfia : rrap<»niNPftwis Figure 2.2 Drainage network of Himachal Pradesh overlaid on digital elevation model (DEM) 45 Chapter II: Study Area Table 2.1 Chamba district at a glance 2001 Population Total 460,499 Male 234,812 Female 225,687 Rural Total 425,981 Male 216,393 Female 209,588 Urban Total 34,518 Male 18,419 Female 16,099 Total +17.09 Percentage decadal growth Rural +17.22 1991-2001 Urban +15.49 Area (km') 6,528 km'(11.72% of HP) Total 961 Sex ratio Rural 969 Urban 874 Total 63.73 Literacy rate Male 77.22 Female 49.70 People and culture Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian GeoEraphical area Total 4,88,278 hectares Forest area Reserved forest 37,304 hectores Demarcated protected 3,52,129 hectares . Forests Undemarcated protected 97,671 hectares Forests Location Longitude 75°49'and77°3' (East) Latitude 32° ir and 33° 13' (North) Major rivers Ravi, Chanderbhaga (Chenab) Distances Nearest railway station Phatankot(120km) Nearest airport Gaggal (Dist. Kangra) Administrative setup Subdivisions 6 Tehsils 7 Gram Panchayats 270 Number of villages 1,591 Inhabited 1,144 Uninhabited 447 Number of towns 5 Source: http://hpchamba.nic.in Towards the western extremity of the Dhaula Dhar, where the height is much diminished, oaks and pines surmount the range, clothing it, especially on the northern slopes, with dense forests, interspersed with rhododendron trees in great profusion, displaying in early spring a wealth of blossom that is very pleasing to the eye. 46 Chapter II: Study Area Landforms Himachal Pradesh JAMMU & KASHMIR Source: NBSS&UIF L«g«nd 'CiJi lirtpmallonal Boundaiy FluvWValry • I* M M 4* M TSt. SuirBoiBKfaiy •I Oatm KiloiTKten IS? Dblrtcl Boundvy ' CilwIo-FKvtal Vdcy ^caU 1:1700000 [3:1 NatknalFaA • Modcfalely Smp u> Smp llUh ofSiwalili CXTi WUdUfe Suiduaiy •i nrdnmil i-fatn I'X l°« 13'X D'MapScria •I Sicvp lo Very S(c«p llilh (if (^rvaler Himalaya cxr: FtapoHi NP* wij Slnp lo Vny Strrp Hilb of l,n>n HkiHbya • Water Body Figure 2.3 Landforms of Himachal Pradesli 47 Chapter II: Study Area The Pangi Range The Mid-Himalaya or the Pangi range is a direct continuation of the main Himalayan axis. After separating Kulu from Labul and Spiti, it enters Chamba territory on the western border of Bara Bangahal, and traverses the district, from southeast to northwest, for more than 60 miles. This range divides the territory into two large sections of unequal size, and severs these from each other to such an extent that even in summer there is comparatively little inter-communication; while for 4 or 5 months in winter the passes are blocked with snow, and all intercourse, for the time, is at an end. The northern or smaller section, called Pangi and Chambatahul, is then completely isolated from the outer world. So forbidding was this snowy range regarded in former times of the princely regime that every state official proceeding to Pangi on duty was granted a special allowance, under the head of "funeral expenses," as his return alive or dead, was not taken at all to be a matter of certainty or even of high expectation. It is said that, for the same reason, Pangi was formerly made use of as a place of banishment for criminals and political offenders. Features of the range This range forms a second mountain barrier with magnificent snowy peaks, some of which reach an altitude of 19,000 feet or so. The mean elevation of the peaks cannot be less than 17,000 feet; and the passes range from about 14,328 to over 17,000 feet. The only position from which a panoramic view of the range can be obtained is from Dayankund (Dain Kund), at the western end of the Dhaula Dhar, near Dalhousie. Seen from this point, at a distance of 30 or 40 miles, it is a grand and imposing spectacle, though the effect is softened and impaired by distance and the intermediate ranges, many of which attain a high altitude. In this range also the southern flanks are abrupt and precipitous, while, to the north, the spurs subside gradually to the Chander Bhaga. After passing out of the district, the range continues its course westward to join the Pir Panjal proper, with which it is in unbroken line, except where it is pierced by the Chander Bhaga at Kashtwar. 48 Chapter II: Study Area The Dagani Dhar On the northwest border, where the Pangi range leaves the territory, it gives off a branch to the southwest, called the Dagani Dhar, which forms the boundary between Chamba and Bhadrawah in Jammu. At its western extremity this branch is connected with the Chafer Dhar by a short ridge, in which are the Padri and Chatar Dhar passes. Orographically, the Dagani Dhar and Chatar Dhar are different sections of one continuous offshoot, forming, with the Pangi range, the watershed between the Ravi and the Chander Bhaga.