Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary

Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, also spelt Heerpora, covers 341 square kilometres across Shopian and Kulgam districts, about 12 km from Shopian town and 70 km south of Srinagar. Lake Gumsar marks its northern edge and the Pir Panjal pass its western one. The eastern slopes are fairly gentle, while the higher north and west are very steep and full of cliffs.

Its vegetation ranges from mixed conifer forest of Kail pine, spruce and fir to fir-dominated sub-alpine woods, scrub of birch and juniper with wild rose, and open pasture. The sanctuary holds Himalayan brown and black bears, musk deer, leopards, Tibetan wolves and palm civets, as well as around 50 of the critically endangered Pir Panjal markhor. Some 130 bird species have been noted, among them the western tragopan, Himalayan griffon and spotted forktail. The Mughal Road crosses the sanctuary.