List of 5 Conservation Reserves in Himachal Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh currently has five (5) notified Conservation Reserves as of November 2025.
- They cover a total area of 1,606.41 square kilometers.
- Established under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The most recent addition, Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve (notified May 7, 2025), is both HP’s and India’s largest conservation reserve.
Overview of Himachal Pradesh Conservation Reserves
- Serve as protected areas on government land, functioning as corridors or buffer zones connecting national parks and sanctuaries.
- Unlike strictly protected wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves are managed collaboratively with local communities through Conservation Reserve Management Committees.
- This promotes sustainable use and community participation.
Jump to Conservation Reserve
Summary of Conservation Reserves
Conservation Reserves by District
Solan District
| S. No | Conservation Reserve | Area (sq km) | Establishment Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darlaghat | 0.67 | ~2012 |
| 2 | Shilli | 1.49 | ~2011 |
Bilaspur District
| S. No | Conservation Reserve | Area (sq km) | Establishment Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Naina Devi | 17.01 | ~2010 |
Shimla District
| S. No | Conservation Reserve | Area (sq km) | Establishment Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Potter Hill | 2.24 | ~2012 |
Lahaul-Spiti District
| S. No | Conservation Reserve | Area (sq km) | Establishment Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Tsarap Chu | 1585 | 2025 |
Conservation Reserves Sorted by Establishment Year (Oldest to Newest)
| Establishment Year | Conservation Reserve | District | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~2010 | Naina Devi | Bilaspur | 17.01 |
| ~2011 | Shilli | Solan | 1.49 |
| ~2012 | Darlaghat | Solan | 0.67 |
| ~2012 | Potter Hill | Shimla | 2.24 |
| 2025 | Tsarap Chu | Lahaul-Spiti | 1585 |
Conservation Reserves Sorted by Area (Largest to Smallest)
| Conservation Reserve | District | Area (sq km) | Establishment Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsarap Chu | Lahaul-Spiti | 1585 | 2025 |
| Naina Devi | Bilaspur | 17.01 | ~2010 |
| Potter Hill | Shimla | 2.24 | ~2012 |
| Shilli | Solan | 1.49 | ~2011 |
| Darlaghat | Solan | 0.67 | ~2012 |
Detailed Guide to Each Conservation Reserve
1. Darlaghat Conservation Reserve
District: Solan
Area: 0.67 sq km
Establishment Year: ~2012
- Converted from its earlier status as a Wildlife Sanctuary (est. 1974, covering ~6 sq km).
- The conversion and area reduction reflect a “rationalization” process to exclude inhabited villages and cultivable land.
- This smaller reserve focuses on targeted species protection with community participation.
2. Shilli Conservation Reserve
District: Solan
Area: 1.49 sq km
Establishment Year: ~2011
- Originally established as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1963 (re-notified 1974), covering 2.14 sq km.
- The sanctuary was created specifically to preserve the endangered Himalayan Black Bear.
- Following conversion, the area was reduced to 1.49 sq km, but the biodiversity focus remains.
- Continues to support populations of leopards, musk deer, peacocks, and pheasants.
3. Naina Devi Conservation Reserve
District: Bilaspur
Area: 17.01 sq km
Establishment Year: ~2010
- Represents the most significant area reduction among converted reserves.
- Original Wildlife Sanctuary (est. 1962) covered ~120.72 sq km.
- Conversion reduced the protected area to 17.01 sq km, aimed at balancing conservation with local land use.
- Remains ecologically important, hosting leopards, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, Himalayan black bear, and over 200 bird species.
- Recognized as part of an Important Bird Area (IBA) designation.
4. Potter Hill Conservation Reserve
District: Shimla
Area: 2.24 sq km
Establishment Year: ~2012
- Unique as it was directly designated as a conservation reserve, not converted from a sanctuary.
- Home to the Western Himalayan Temperate Arboretum (WHTA), an important research facility.
- WHTA is established by the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), under ICFRE.
- Recognized for its significance in forest research and preserving temperate forest ecosystems.
5. Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve
District: Lahaul-Spiti
Area: 1585 sq km
Establishment Year: 2025
- Officially notified on May 7, 2025, a landmark in India’s conservation history.
- Covering 1,585 sq km, it is India’s largest conservation reserve (surpassing Rapan Chakot, WB).
- Established after extensive consultations with local panchayats.
Geographic Boundaries and Connectivity:
- Bounded by Ladakh (North), Kibber WLS (East), Kabjima Nala (South), and Chandratal WLS/Baralacha Pass (West).
- Located in the catchment area of Charap Nala.
- Serves as a vital wildlife corridor connecting the Kibber and Chandratal sanctuaries.
Fauna and Biodiversity:
- Hosts a high density of Snow Leopards (3,000-5,000m altitude).
- Other important species: Tibetan wolf, Bharal (blue sheep), Himalayan ibex, Kiang (wild ass), and Tibetan argali.
- Rare birds include the rose finch, Tibetan raven, and yellow-billed chough.
Management and Community Participation:
- Managed by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee with representatives from local panchayats.
- Ensures conservation efforts are aligned with community interests.
- Expected to promote wildlife conservation, research, and sustainable livelihoods (eco-tourism, trekking, etc.).
Legal Framework and Management Principles
- All reserves established under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- They differ from sanctuaries by being managed collaboratively with local communities (Panchayats, partners) rather than focusing only on strict protection.
- The process requires:
- Consultations with local communities.
- Field surveys and ecological data analysis.
- Official notification under Section 36A(1).
- Formation of Conservation Reserve Management Committees.
Significance of Conservation Reserves in HP
- The 5 reserves cover 1,606.41 sq km.
- Tsarap Chu (1,585 sq km) accounts for the vast majority; the other four combined cover only 21.41 sq km.
- Critical roles include:
- Biodiversity conservation (especially high-altitude ecosystems).
- Maintaining wildlife corridors for animal movement.
- Community engagement in conservation.
- Generating sustainable livelihoods.
- Building climate resilience in fragile regions.
- Tsarap Chu’s position within the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO recognition, Sep 2025) integrates it with Pin Valley NP, Kibber WLS, and Chandratal Wetland.