Overa Wildlife Sanctuary

Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is located 76-km from Srinagar, threatened and protected species of birds and mammals. It sustains 13 species of mammals and over 80 species of birds.

The sanctuary has acquired an outstanding position for its varied and magnificent species of pheasants. Flora The Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is richly covered with a variety of floral complexes, which comprise mainly of conifers; the principal species being Pinus Griffithii, Abies Pindrow, Aesculus Indica, Morus Alba, Juglans Regia, etc.

Major shrub associates are Indigofera Heterantha, Desmodium Tiliaefolium, etc, while the main ground layer is dominated by Dicotlydonous herbs comprising of Taraxacum Officinale, Artemisia Vulgaris, etc. Fauna This area houses a variety of mammals most of which are faced with the serious threat of extinction.

They are the Hangul, Musk Deer, Serow, Rhesus Macaque, Langur, Leopard, Leopard Cat, etc. Avifauna The sanctuary area as distinct from the other wildlife reserves of the valley holds a rich assemblage of pheasants like the Chukar, Koklas, Monal and Himalayan Snow Cock. Other avifaunas include the jungle Crow, red billed Chough, griffon Vulture, bearded Vulture, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, Rufous-backed Shrike, Indian Mynah, etc.