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Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is located 76-km from Srinagar , near Pahalgam, and has an area of 32.27-sq-kms. The area is home to a number of rare, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Air:
Nearest Airport is
Srinagar
(87-km).
Rail: Nearest railhead is Jammu
(280-km).
Road: Regular buses ply from Pahalgam
(11-km), Anantanag (40-km), and
Srinagar
(76-km) to the sanctuary.
For overnight stay there is a two-bedroom hut as well as a
10-bedded dormitory.
For More Tourist Information Contact:
For passes and reservations, contact the Office of the Chief Wildlife
Warden, Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar.
Note: When in a sanctuary or national park it is important to dress in
camouflage colors (khaki, green etc). Do not make undue noise and avoid
littering the forest floors with paper, tins and food leftovers. While
photographing take due caution not to disturb the birds and animals.