The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is situated in the vicinity of Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination, and covers an area of approximately 500 square kilometers.

Flora and Fauna:

• The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of flora, including coniferous forests, alpine meadows, and sub-alpine scrub.
• The fauna includes several endangered species, such as:
• Mammals: Hangul (Kashmir stag), Brown bear, Black bear, Leopard, Snow leopard
• Birds: Monal, Snowcock, Golden eagle, Lammergeier
• Reptiles: Himalayan pit viper, Kashmir pit viper

Conservation Efforts:

• The sanctuary is managed by the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department.
• Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching, and research.
• The sanctuary is also home to the Overa-Aru Conservation Reserve, which provides additional protection to the area.

Tourism:

• The sanctuary offers trekking and hiking opportunities, with scenic trails leading to the Kolahoi Glacier and other nearby peaks.
• Visitors can spot wildlife, including Hangul, Brown bear, and Monal.
• The sanctuary is open to visitors from April to November, with the best time to visit being May to September.

Challenges:

• Habitat fragmentation and degradation due to human activities like agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
• Poaching and human-wildlife conflict.
• Climate change affecting the distribution and abundance of flora and fauna.

Overall, the Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is an important protected area in Jammu and Kashmir, providing a habitat for endangered species and supporting biodiversity conservation efforts.