Language: English
This book presents the details of the fauna of the scenic Khajjiar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India, which is a good representative of the unique Himalayan diversity. Khajjiar Lake is also known as Mini Switzerland and is one of the oldest preserved areas of India, having been awarded protection in 1949. The authors have given details of the morphology, taxonomy and abundance of all 223 species of different faunal groups (123 invertebrates and 100 vertebrates), spread over 193 genera, 79 families and 32 orders present in, on and around Khajjiar Lake. This fauna includes some of the important threatened species like 3 species of butterflies placed under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), thirteen species of mammals placed under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and two critically endangered birds, the Indian White-backed Vulture and the Red-headed Vulture. However, nine species of mammals are also listed as threatened in the Convention in Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). There is also an effort to deal with the potential threats and possible conservation measures for this beautiful faunal wealth. This book can be used by the students as a base line source for future studies of the fauna of Khajjiar Lake.