Sirmaur, April 13: The forests of Sirmaur district, particularly around Paonta Sahib, are witnessing a dramatic ecological transformation, emerging as a year-round refuge for elephants, tigers, and King Cobras — a first in Himachal Pradesh’s history.
Once a seasonal corridor, the region now hosts over 10 elephants permanently, with migration from Uttarakhand having virtually ceased. According to the Forest Department, these elephants no longer travel as a single herd but move in smaller groups across the valley. Two herds were recently spotted in Behral and Batamandi, prompting closer monitoring.
Paonta Sahib and Nahan forest divisions were recently included under Project Elephant and Project Tiger — the only ones in the state to receive this designation. The move has bolstered conservation efforts with new early warning systems, rapid response teams, and expanded community engagement.
Tigers, long absent from Himachal’s wildlife map, have now been sighted in Paonta Sahib and Shri Renuka Ji forest divisions, while the emergence of the King Cobra — India’s longest venomous snake — marks a first for the state. Forest officials have rescued several 10-foot-long specimens from residential zones in recent weeks.
The terrain of Sirmaur, resembling Rajaji National Park’s dense, moist forests, is seen as ideal for large wildlife. However, officials caution that illicit liquor activity in forest interiors may be attracting elephants, further complicating enforcement efforts.
While ecologists hail the developments as a conservation breakthrough, the presence of big cats and venomous snakes is raising alarm among villagers and nomadic communities near forest edges. Crop damage, fear, and livestock vulnerability are key concerns.
“Sirmaur’s forests clearly provide a stable habitat, but peaceful coexistence is crucial,” said Vasanth Kiran Babu, Conservator of Forests. Community outreach, protective fencing, and round-the-clock patrolling are underway to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Sirmaur now stands as the only district in Himachal with a permanent elephant population, and the only one where tigers and King Cobras have been confirmed — making it a rare and complex model of evolving biodiversity.
