Punjab is a fertile land area and has beautiful natural landscape with abundant water supply owing to the rich rivers.The historical background is opulent owing to the glorious past the state had with many rulers.Punjab exists from the Indus valley civilization period and is also a state that was present during the Ramayana period.
The epic has its evidence left behind in certain places and this is a great attraction to tourists, especially the pilgrim tourists.Wildlife in Punjab is the least know fact that it is the natural habitat for several flora and fauna. Punjab wildlife is not very prominent, but as it is a fertile land there is no dearth of wildlife being preserved.
Punjab wildlife is significant as there are numerous wetlands, zoological parks and bird sanctuaries all over Punjab. This land of cultural colors allows you to enjoy a lion safari at Chhatbir zoo adjacent to Chandigarh. Migratory birds fly at Hari Ke Pattan at Amritsar.
The wildlife in Punjab especially at Hari Ke pattan is a national wetland and wildlife sanctuary at Amritsar. It is an important lake and more than 350 migratory birds come in the winter season. Numerous colorful as well as exotic birds fly from Siberia. This is a famous homed to varied wildlife.
The wildlife in Punjab include the Satluj water body wetland as it has more than 250 species of migratory birds and the scenic surroundings makes it more a popular spot for kayaking, angling, boating, canoeing and swimming for long distances.
The Punjab wildlife at Kanjli wetland at Kapurtala is enveloped with natural scenery.This has many rivulets joined and the lake invites the migratory birds.This is also a popular picnic spot as boating is allowed in this lake. The rich biodiversity is supported by the wetlands and this makes the place worth visiting.
The zoological park at Chhatbir houses 52 species of animals. This includes royal tiger of Bengal, the Himalayan black bear and 62 bird’s species.This is the biggest park and few other interesting places are the Deer park at Neelon and the tiger safari adjacent to Ludhiana. The wildlife in Punjab finds a natural abode owing to the rich flora and fauna.
There are various mammals such as the Hog deer, Flying fox, Squirrel, Wildcat, Indian Otter, Wild boar, Fruit bat and common Mongoose is seen here. The Punjab wildlife includes exotic migratory birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, plants and endangered species.
1.Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Notified in 1975, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over an area of 186.5 Sq. Kms. in Ferozepur District. The entire area of the Sanctuary belongs to private farmlands belonging to thirteen Bishnoi Villages. Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is an unique success story of Wildlife Conservation where Bishnoi community on its own has joined hands to protect the State Animal, Black Buck which is considered sacred by them. Blue Bull is another mammal protected religiously. The population of Black Buck has risen beyond 3000 which is the largest free ranging group surviving in Punjab plains. Watching the herds of this beautiful antelope in the wild is a feast to the eyes.
Flora: Acacia nilotica, A. tortilis, Albizia lebbeck, Azadirachata indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Melia azedarach, Prosopis cineraria and P juliflora.
Fauna: Black buck, Blue Bull, Wild boar.
2. Bir Aishwan Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Bir Aishwan is one of the most important PAs and one of the first declared Wildlife Sanctuaries in Punjab. The management history of Bir Aishwan dates back to 1952 when it was first notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS).
Flora: Eucalyptus, Mulberry, Neem, Shisham, Kikar, Khair, Beri, Simbal, Jamun, Arjun, Mesquite, Karir, Karonda.
Fauna: Blue Bull, Hare, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Rhesus Macaque, Peafowl, Black and Grey Partridges, Rose Ringed, Parakeets, Spotted Owlet.
3. Bir Bhadson Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Bir Bhadson Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest Protected Areas of Punjab falling in district Patiala which was also used by the erstwhile rulers of Patiala for hunting and shooting. It was preserved and maintained as a shikargah. It was declared as a protected forest and then as a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act.
Flora: Shisham, Kikar, Eucalyptus, Neem, Mesquite, Mulberry, Drek, Beri, Simbal, Phalahi, Jamun, Arjun, Mesquite and Dhak.
Fauna: Blue Bull, Hare, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Rhesus Macaque, Peafowl, Black and Grey Partridges, Rose Ringed, Parakeets, Spotted Owlet.
4. Bir Bhunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Bir Bhunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary was one of the important hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala state. It was declared a protected forest and then as a sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act. The sanctuary is traversed by road dividing it in two blocks. Due to it’s situational proximity from the Patiala city, it is an important tourism destination.
Flora: Shisham, Kikar, Dhak, Beri, Jand, Simbal, Phalahi, Neem, Toot, Jamun, Siris, Arjan, Mesquite, Mallah, Karir, Karonda, Sarkanda, Kahi, Dholi, Nara, Palwan, Sarala.
Fauna: Porcupine, Black Buck, Sambar, Blue Bull, Rhesus Macaque, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Hare, Peafowl, Black and Grey Partridges, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Spotted Owlet, Bank Myna, Quails, Dove, Blue Rock Pigeon and Jungle Babbler.
5. Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary was one of the important hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala state. It was declared a protected forest and then as a sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act. The sanctuary has good ecological value has a good habitat for number of wild animals.
Flora: Mesquite, Kikar, Shisam, Siris, Toot, Beri, Mango, Jamun, Neem, Drek, Khajoor, Lasura, Teak, Imli, Eucalyptus, Bamboo, Karir, Karonda.
Fauna: Main wildlife species found in the sanctuary are Blue bull, Hog deer, Hare, Jungle cat, Jackal, Rhesus Monkeys, Peafowl, Rose, Black and Grey Partridges, Dove and Spotted owlet.
6. Harike Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Harike WLS is situated at the confluence of Beas and Sutlej rivers bordering District Tarn Taran, Kapurthala and Ferozepur. This wetland ecosystem came into existence consequent to the construction of barrage in 1952, and is an internationally recognized Ramsar site which attracts one of the largest congregation of waterfowls in Northern India. It also supports a large variety of mammals, fish and avifauna. Bird-watching from close quarters is a major attraction of Harike Wetland. During winters the migratory birds arrive in thousands from Himalayas, Europe and Siberia and Harike is humming with its avian guests. Winter season is the best time of the year to visit Harike.
Fauna: Main wildlife species found in the sanctuary are large Cormorant, Darter, Purple moorhen, Bar headed goose, Pintail, Common teal, Shovellor, Common pochard, Red crested pochard, White-eyed pochard etc. Recognised as Ramsar site and attracts large number of migratory birds during the winter months.Recently, fresh water Dolphins have been reported in Harike Lake.
7. Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Jhajjar Bacholi WLS is located in close proximity of Anandpur Sahib town. The area is just on the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and occasionally presence of leopards has been reported from this sanctuary. Being in the Shivaliks, it has good habitat diversity.
Flora: Khair, Shisham, Subabul, Siris, Kikkar, Ficus species, Neem.
Fauna: Sambar, Barking Deer, Hare, Jackal, Leopard (Migratory), Python, Cobra, Rat Snake.
8. Kathlaur-Kaushlian Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Kathlaur-Kaushlian Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Tehsil Pathankot, District Gurdaspur. The protected forest of Kathlaur and Kaushlian are known to harbour rich wildlife in terms of mammals and birds. The most of the area falls in river bed of Ravi river and its tributaries passes through the forest. The area has most dynamic riverine ecosystem.
Flora: Sarkanda, Kana, Kahi (Saccharum spontaneum, S. officinalis, S. munja etc) and young plantations of Khair (Acacia catechu), Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Kikar (A. nilotica), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bamboo (Bambusa bambos & Dendrocalamus strictus), Amrud (Psidium gujava), Willow (Salix sp.), Safeda (Eucalyptus hybrid). Innumerable shrubs, herbs and weeds also give shelter to various fauna and birds.
Fauna: Hog deer, Barking deer, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Wild boar, Python, Pangolin and birds like Partridges, Parrots, Hawk Eagle and Vultures.
9. Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: The name Bir Mehas symbolises and refers to village Mehas which is located adjacent to the bir. The track falls in tehsil Nabha of civil district Patiala. The Maharaja of Nabha used this bir for hunting and shooting. He preserved and maintained it as a shikargarh. The Bir Mehas was declared as a protected forest by Punjab Government Notification No. 2026/A- (iv)-61/3654-3659 dated 05-07-1961. The bir forest area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary known at that time by the name “Game sanctuary” under the preservation of fauna Act.
Flora: Eucalyptus, Mulberry, Shisham, Kikar, Khair, Beri, Simbal, Phalahi, Jamun, Siris, Arjun, Mesquite, Karir, Karonda.
Fauna: Blue Bull, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Rhesus Macaque, Wild Boar, Peafowl, Black and Grey Partridges and many species of butterflies.
10. Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary was one of the important hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala state. It was declared a protected forest and then as a sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act. On the way to sanctuary one can see historically significant monuments of Qila Mubarak, famous Baradari Gardens, National institute of Sports, Shish Mahal and North Zone Cultural Centre. A small zoo is located on the outskirts of this sanctuary.
Flora: Mesquite, Kikar, Shisam, Sirism, Toot, Beri, Mango, Jamun, Neem, Drek, Khajoor, Lasura, Teak, Imli, Eucalyptus, Bamboo, Karir, Karonda.
Fauna: Black buck, Chital, Hog deer, Blue bull, Wild boar, Jackal, Rhesus Monkeys, Peafowl, Brahminy Myna, Black and Grey Partridges and Quails.
11. Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
Introduction: Takhni-Rehmapur is a representative area of Shivalik Range of the Himalayas passing through Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur District of Punjab boardering H.P. It is located in District Hoshiarpur near village Mehngrowal.
Flora: Dalbergia sissoo, Terminalia arjuna, Butea monosperma, Albizia lebbeck, Ficus religiosa, Azadirachata indica, Leucaena leucephala, Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus sissoo, Azadirachata, Ficus bengalensis, Mangnifera indica, Prosopis juliflora, Holoptelia integrifolia.
Fauna: Sambar, Hog deer, Barking Deer, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Black napped Hare, Mongoose, Leopard (migratory from Himachal Pradesh) Wild Boar, Pangolin, Rat Snake, Cobra, Python, Monitor Lizard, Garden Lizard and 88 species of Birds (including Red Jungle Fowl and Kaleej Pheasant).
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