Wildlife of
Uttarākhand

Terai-Bhabar and lower Shivalik foothills support tropical/subtropical deciduous forests (notably sal and mixed deciduous) with a pronounced dry season; these are key elephant-tiger habitats in the Corbett-Rajaji landscapes.

Foothills and lower elevations, especially in the southwest (Terai-Bhabar/Siwalik belt).

Mid-elevation Himalayan temperate broadleaf and mixed forests (oak-rhododendron, mixed broadleaf, and chir pine on warmer slopes) form the dominant natural vegetation belt across much of the middle Himalaya.

Widespread across mid-altitudes in Kumaon and Garhwal; one of the largest continuous biome components by area.

Upper montane to subalpine conifer-dominated forests (fir, spruce, deodar, blue pine in suitable zones) represent a cold-adapted conifer belt approaching treeline.

Higher elevations below treeline across the central and northern districts; patchy-to-continuous depending on valley aspect and elevation.

Above treeline, alpine meadows (high-altitude pastures), herb-rich flower valleys, dwarf rhododendron/juniper scrub, scree and snowbed communities occur, supporting species like Himalayan tahr and specialized pollinators.

High Himalaya zones (especially in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar); limited area but high ecological significance.

Near and above the highest alpine zones, very sparse vegetation on cold, wind-exposed ridges and cold deserts/scree near glaciers resembles alpine tundra conditions (mosses, lichens, cushion plants).

Small, highest-elevation pockets near glaciers and exposed ridgelines in the far north.

Glacier- and snowmelt-fed rivers (Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Kali/Sharda), mountain streams, oxbow and floodplain wetlands, and high-altitude lakes support rich aquatic biodiversity and provide major downstream water services.

Statewide along river networks and headwaters; densest aquatic habitats in major valleys and foothill floodplains.

Includes Terai marshes and floodplain wetlands, riparian swamps, montane marshes, and high-altitude wet meadows and lake fringes important for waterfowl and amphibians.

Localized but ecologically important-Terai lowlands and scattered montane/high-altitude basins.

Extensive forested landscapes from Terai sal to mid-elevation oak-rhododendron and upper conifers; major protected blocks include Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rajaji NP, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve buffer forests.

Sal-dominated and mixed deciduous forests in the foothills (Terai-Bhabar), crucial for tiger, elephant, chital and rich birdlife; strong seasonal leaf-fall and grassy understories in places.

Upper montane/subalpine conifer belts (fir-spruce, deodar patches, blue pine on drier slopes) forming cold-climate forests below treeline.

Open pine woodlands (notably chir pine on warmer slopes) and degraded/open-canopy areas around villages and along drier aspects, often with grassy/shrubby ground layers.

Terai tall grasslands and riverine grasslands in lowlands (important in Corbett landscape) and smaller mid-elevation grassy openings maintained by slope, fire, or grazing.

Subalpine and alpine dwarf shrub zones (juniper, rhododendron scrub) and secondary shrublands on disturbed slopes.

High-elevation alpine meadows (high-altitude pastures) and herb-rich meadows (e.g., Valley of Flowers region) with short growing seasons, high endemism and seasonal grazing pressure in some areas.

Rugged Himalayan terrain with strong aspect/elevation gradients, landslide-prone slopes, glacial valleys and high peaks shaping microhabitats and connectivity corridors.

Steep rock faces and gorges along river valleys and high ridgelines, supporting raptors and cliff-nesting birds and specialized rock-dwelling flora.

Karst/limestone and river-cut caves occur locally (notably in parts of Kumaon), used by bats and cave-adapted invertebrates; culturally significant cave sites also occur.

Major headwater rivers and fast mountain streams (rapids, pools, braided foothill reaches) supporting otters in suitable stretches, mahseer in lower reaches, and diverse benthic fauna.

High-altitude lakes and tarns (e.g., Roopkund, Hemkund area lakes) and smaller mid-elevation lakes (notably around Nainital district) with cold-water and montane lake ecosystems.

Village ponds, small impoundments and seasonal waterbodies across foothills and mid-elevations supporting amphibians and waterbirds.

Terai marshes, floodplain wetlands, riparian backwaters, and high-altitude wet meadows/lake-edge marshes important for migratory birds and hydrological buffering.

Localized waterlogged forested/riverine patches in the Terai and along lowland riparian zones; habitat for wetland birds and amphibians where intact.

Open marshes and reedbeds in the Terai and along slow-moving foothill river sections and reservoirs; important for waterfowl and waders.

Terraced agriculture on mid-slopes (millets, pulses, horticulture) and more intensive farming in foothills/plains (rice-wheat), creating a mosaic with forest edges and human-wildlife interface.

Urban centers in valleys and foothills (e.g., Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani, Rudrapur) affecting river corridors, wetlands, and peri-urban forests through expansion and pollution.

Expanding peri-urban belts around major towns and along transport corridors in Doon valley and Terai, increasing fragmentation and pressure on nearby forests and riparian zones.