Close to the southeast of Srinagar, there is one of the famous tourist attractions of this region which is also close to Pahalgam. Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is about 76km from Srinagar and there is a chance to spot some of the rarest species of birds, animals and avifauna. The lush green hills, serene landscapes of mountains and the deep valleys are a delight to watch and witness. Leaving aside those many plants and animals and birds, this sanctuary is also home to many types of wildfowl. The Koklas, Monals, chukar, Himalayan Snow Cock can be spotted over here and this sanctuary is richly covered with different types of plans and vegetation and it comprises mainly of conifers and the major part of it being the Griffithii, Aesculus Indica, Abies Pindrow, Desmodium Tiliaefolium, Pinus, Juglans Regia and Morus Alba. The ground layer is covered by the major shrubs comprising of Artemisia Vulgaris and Taraxacum Officinale, etc.

Overa Wildlife Sanctuary was formed to protect those endangered species that were on the verge of extinction.

Topography of Overa Wildlife Sanctuary

Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over a sprawling area of 32.27 sq km and a home to those many endangered species that now cannot be seen anywhere else. The 13 mammal species and more than 80 types of birds available in this sanctuary make the topography of this beautiful paradise highly important for India environmental heritage.

Flora in Overa Wildlife Sanctuary

Overa Wildlife has a rich vegetation cover while encompassing a variety of complex and beautiful looking plants. It majorly comprises of conifers and the principal species are:

• Abies pindrow
• Pinus griffithii
• Juglans regia
• Morus alba
• aesculus indica

The major shrubs that can be seen in this wildlife sanctuary are:

• Desmodium tiliaefolium
• Isdon spp
• Indigofera heterantha

But the ground layer is majorly covered and dominated by dicotlydonous herbs and consists of:

• Artemisia vulgaris
• Primula spp
• Taraxacum officinale
• Anemone spp

Fauna

This area has many endangered species that just stun every eye. The Pheasants like Koklas, chukar, Himalayan Snow cock and Monal add to the beauty of the locality. The other avifauna that increase and enhance the look and credibility of the wildlife sanctuary are the griffon vulture, bearded vulture, red billed chough, jungle crow, rufous-backed shrike, Indian mynah, Himalayan whistling thrush, etc. The endangered species of this wildlife cannot be seen and found anywhere else which makes this place worth a visit to experience the beauty of the different varieties of mammals, birds and avifauna.

Prime Attraction

The wildlife sanctuary boasts of 13 species of mammals, more than 80 species of birds and avifauna and it has some of those endangered species that cannot be spotted anywhere else. A real joy of nature’s treasure is bestowed by this sanctuary for years.

How to Reach

By Air

The closest airport is in Srinagar that is at a distance of 87 km.

By Rail

The nearest railway line is in Jammu which is at a distance of 280 km.

By Road

From Srinagar it is 76 kms, 11 km from Pahalgam and 40 km from Anantnag.

Where to Stay

Accommodations can be found in Kashmir where one can easily get to stay in a hotel or a lodge or guest house in famous places of Jammu and Kashmir. It is easy to commute to sanctuary with the many options of conveyance available for the tourists. Hotels with basic facilities and hotels with high and luxurious facilities can be found in Jammu and Kashmir for people with different needs.

Also, there is a hut within the sanctuary that can be rented for which one can contact the Chief Wildlife Warden, tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. The hut has 10 bedrooms and a dormitory.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit for mammal view is from September to April and those who wish to go for the birds can go from March to August.

Visitor Information

When one visits the national park or a sanctuary, it is important and recommended to dress up in the colors that camouflage with the forest and some of those colors are Khaki and green. It is advisable not to make undue sound. Tourists are requested to refrain from littering the natural resource with papers, wrappers, food items, tins etc. Also, photography should be done without disturbing the flow of animals and birds.