- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India.
- It is situated in the western part of the Kumaon Himalayas.
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is also knows as Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary.
- In 1986, the government of Uttarakhand declared the region as the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary. The sanctuary aimed to protect the endangered Himalayan musk deer species.
- In 2009, the sanctuary was upgraded and renamed as the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In 2021, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 600 square kilometers (230 square miles). The sanctuary area is known as ‘Green Paradise on the Earth’.
- Mountains: The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by several famous peaks. Here are some prominent peaks in the vicinity of the sanctuary:
- Panchchuli Peaks
- Neodhura Peak
- Naukana Peak
- Chhiplakot Peak
- Najirikot Peak
- River: The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is crisscrossed by several rivers and streams. Here are some notable rivers that flow through the sanctuary:
- Kali River
- Gori Ganga River
- Dhauli River
- Ikli River
- Flora: Here are some of the notable flora species found in the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary-
- Coniferous Trees (Deodar, Blue Pine, and Fir),
- Broadleaf Trees (Oak, Rhododendron, and Maple),
- Alpine Flora (Primula, Gentiana, Bistorta, Saxifrage, and various species of Orchids),
- Medicinal Plants (Aconitum heterophyllum, Picrorhiza kurroa, and Swertia chirayita).
- Fauna: Himalayan Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Fox, Himalayan Serow, Himalayan Goral, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Himalayan Mouse Hare, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Griffon, Himalayan Owl, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.