Bird Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh

Maharana Pratap Sagar Bird Sanctuary

Maharana Pratap Sagar is a reservoir located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is named in memory of the great warrior Maharana Pratap. Earlier it was known as the Pong Dam Reservoir. Geographically, the lake is situated at a height of 450 metres above mean sea level between 32° North latitude and 76° East longitudes. The lake is situated at a distance of 170 kilometers from Chandigarh and 110 kilometers from Dharamshala, the district headquarters.

The closest railway station near the lake are the Mukerian Railway station at a distance of 30 kilometers and the Pathankot Railway station at a distance of 32 kilometers. The closest airport is Gaggal at a distance of forty kilometers. The Lake is also well connected by a good network of roads.

In the 1970`s the Sagar was made a reservoir with the construction of a dam in a wetland zone of the Siwalik Hills at an average elevation of 350 to 500 metres. Rocky ridges and small mountain streams encircle the reservoir. In 1983, the Sagar was declared a Bird Sanctuary where two hundred and twenty species of bird belonging to fifty-four families visit the waters of the lake. Some of the common species found here are black-headed gulls, plovers, northern pintail, Black stork, Goose, terns, ducks, waterfowl and egrets. Nearly twenty-seven species and sub species of fish belonging to six families live in the Sagar`s water. Through out the year various activities like swimming, water skiing, surfing, rowing and sailing are carried in the waters of the lake.

Kalatop Khajjiar Bird Sanctuary

Khajjiar is the smooth pasture that is surrounded by thick plant life of Deodar trees on every side. The panoramic view of the snow capped Pir Panjal range of mountains overlooking the forests, the city of Khajjiar is not any less than a paradise on earth.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary covers the area from the deodar forest between the slopes of Khajjiar and Dalhousie in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This is one of the well known and frequently visited wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh. Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is spread over a lush green area of 1962 hectares.

The sanctuary is also easily accessible as the nearest railway station of Pathankot is 86 kilometers. Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is well connected to other major cities of Himachal Pradesh.

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Summary

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is abundant in flora and fauna that consists of rich vegetation of deodar, blue pine and oak forest. The sanctuary is rich in small scrubs and herbs along with other wild plants.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary also boasts of being the perfect dwelling for a number of rare species of wild animals. Some of the easily spotted animals of the sanctuary are Bear, Leopard, Himalayan Black Marten, Barking Goral, Deer, Squirrel, Jackal, Serow and Langur along with rare species of other animals. The sanctuary is also a house of various species of birds and the migrant birds. Touring around the jungle area alone in the night without a specified guide can also lend into some risky business as the Himalayan bear often rules the area.

The temperatures of the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary it varies from 10 degree to 35 degree. One of the stream of River Ravi flows through the Sanctuary.

Add-on Facilities

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is an ideal place for camping and spending a wildlife holiday. There are facilities like the guided tour along with comfortable accommodation and adventurous facilities. Travelers can also avail transport facility and guidance in the sanctuary.

Chail Widlife Sanctuary

Chail is a beautiful and famous hill station near Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. One of the main tourist attractions of Chail is its wildlife sanctuary. The Chail Sanctuary is located amidst the forests of Pine and Oak trees. The wildlife Chail Sanctuary comprises of mammals mainly which includes rhesus macaque, leopard, Indian Muntjac (Barking Deer) and goral crested porcupine. Other animals found at Chail sanctuary in Himachal are Himalayan black bear, wild boar, common langur, sambar etc. There are trekking provisions in this wildlife sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh to make the trip more adventurous and interesting. Chir Pheasant breeding farm is another tourist attraction of the Chail Sanctuary.

Surrounded by Deodar and Oak forests, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Solan valley of Himachal Pradesh. Established in the year 1976, the sanctuary is spread over a sprawling area of 10,854.36 hectares, barking deer and kalijin being the major attractions of the sanctuary.

It is also home to rare orchids and several endangered species of wildlife. Ranging from large mammals like Rhesus Macaque, Leopard, Indian Muntjac, Goral and Crested Porcupine, one can also find Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Boar and common Langur here. People visiting this place must also come to the Chir Pheasant Breeding and Rehabilitation Center, which was set up in 1988 at Bossom and Jhajja.

The best time to visit Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is from March to October. Accessibility to this Wildlife Sanctuary is possible via Kalka-Shimla route. About 40 kms from Shimla, the sanctuary is well-connected by road to all the nearby places.