Wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh’s high altitude, cold desert district of Lahaul & Spiti have started surveys as part of census to estimate the population of blue sheep or bharal and the Himalayan ibex.
- The numbers of blue sheep and Himalayan ibex have been increasing in Lahaul & Spiti in recent times due to the collective efforts of the forest department and locals.
- Himalayan ibex is a species of wild goat and is distributed in diverse habitats, ranging from cold deserts, rocky outcrops, steep terrain, high-land flats and mountain ridges to low mountains and foothills.
- The ibex is a goat with dramatic, sweeping horns, and is the model for the Sagittarius sign in the zodiac.
