The Satluj Saga The Satluj (or Sutlej) is the main river draining this district, which it divides into two unequal parts. The Satluj River is a Trans Himalayan river which rises near Lake Mansarovar. It enters India through a fearsome gorge near the Shipki La. Thereafter, it flows through the cold tracts of Kinnaur to the hamlet of Wangtoo. It is one of the major tributaries of the Indus river system.

In its passage across Kinnaur, the Satluj River successively crosses three great mountain ranges -- the Zanskar range, the Great Himalayan range and the Dhauladhar range. To the east of the Satluj the valleys are narrow while in the west, they are wide and open. Many tributaries join the main

Extremely rare Western Tragopan pheasant. Credit: Karamjeet Singh

 Satluj River one after the other from the south. The Baspa is one of the major tributaries of the Satluj. The valley of the Satluj extends on both flanks of the Satluj River -- from where it enters Kinnaur to the place where it makes its exit. It is the largest valley of Kinnaur, extending in a northeast to southwest alignment for a length of about 140 km along the Satluj River. The northeastern part of this valley is drier and conditions become humid towards the southwest. The Satluj River has carved a deep gorge across the main or great Himalaya near Pshong- tong.

In the southern part of this valley there is extensive cultivation of fruits and agricultural crops. Barring some parts, extensive vineyards, thriving crops and orchards of apricot, apples and grapes are to be found in the entire region.

On the right bank of the Satluj is the Srikhand Mahadev range. Here small peaks and glaciers descend to miles of high-altitude pastures dotted with sheep and alpine flowers. The Rupi-Bhabha Wildlife Sanctuary is located here. It contains the Himalayan Bear, Ibex, Bharal and numerous exotic pheasants including the near-extinct Western Horned Tragopan.