Wide altitudinal ranges and varied topography of Himachal Pradesh has resulted in making the state a very rich repository of wild fauna and flora. The rugged terrain and clearly distinct agro-climatic/ physio-graphic zones in the State harbour area specific animals and plants. 

 Whereas, Snow Leopard, Ibex and Snow Cock have made cold deserts their home, the cold temperate regions of the state form natural habitat of Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Brown Bear, Monal and Western Tragopan.  The lower reaches of the state abound with Sambhar Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Ghoral and Leopard amongst mammals and pheasants including Cheer and White Crested Kaleej.  The state has an inventory of more than 3,500 higher plants, many of which are endemic to the region and many form the basis of local health traditions.

To conserve the entire range of biodiversity in situ, the state has established a network of Protected areas, comprising 2 National Parks and 32 Wildlife Sanctuaries.  Appropriate legislation related to wildlife conservation has also been put in place. 

Wildlife Fact Sheet in Himachal 

Ø      Area under Protected Area Network
           National Parks (2)                                        : 1440 km²
           Wildlife Sanctuaries (32)                            : 5562 km²
Ø      Recorded taxa of higher plants                 : >3500
Ø      Recorded species of mammals               : 77
Ø      Recorded species of birds                         : 463
Ø      Recorded species of reptiles                    : 44
Ø      Recorded species of fishes                       : 80
Ø      Recorded species of aquatic fauna        : 436