Vikramn Singh

Faunal Diversity of Khajjiar Lake District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh Vikramn Singh

This book presents the details of faunal beauty of the scenic Khajjiar Lake which is a good representative of the unique Himalayan diversity. Khajjiar Lake also known as Mini Switzerland is one of the oldest preserved area of India notified on 01.07.1949. We have given detail morphological, taxonomic and abundance of all 223 species of different faunal groups (123 invertebrates and 100 vertebrates), spread over 193 genera, 79 families and 32 orders present in, on and around the Khajjiar Lake. This fauna includes some of the important threatened species like 3 species of butterflies placed under Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and thirteen species of mammals placed under Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and two critically endangered birds Indian White-backed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture. However nine species of mammals are also listed as threatened in Convention in Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). There is also an effort to deal with the potential threats and possible conservation measures for this beautiful faunal wealth. This book can be used by the students as a base line source for future studies of the fauna of Khajjiar Lake.