13 Best Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal
Welcome to a world where the mountains touch the sky, rivers gush with pristine waters, and the forests come alive with the symphony of nature. Himachal Pradesh, often called “Dev Bhoomi” or the “Land of the Gods,” is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. However, hidden within its rugged terrain lies a secret world, a sanctuary for some of India’s most magnificent creatures.
In this blog, we embark on a journey through Himachal Pradesh’s best wildlife sanctuaries, where the call of the wild echoes through ancient forests, and elusive creatures roam freely. From the snow-capped peaks of the Great Himalayan National Park to the serene waters of Renuka Lake, each sanctuary holds a unique chapter in the story of Himachal’s wildlife.
Here’s a list of some of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh:
1- Great Himalayan National Park
The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is a national park in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It was constituted in 1984 and was formally notified as a national park in 1999. It is located in the far Western Himalayas, in the Banjaar Sub-Division of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India. GHNP is one of the most recent additions to a huge network of wildlife reserves found in the Himalayan region in India and adjoining countries.
The park is spread over 1171 km2; elevations within the park range between 1500 and 6000 m. The park is home to various wildlife, including snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and many species of birds. It is also home to several endangered species, such as the western horned tragopan and the snow leopard.
The best time to visit the Great Himalayan National Park is during the summer (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the park can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in the Great Himalayan National Park:
- Snow leopard
- Musk deer
- Himalayan tahr
- Western horned tragopan
- Monal
- Koklas
To visit the Great Himalayan National Park, you must obtain a permit from the forest department. You can get the permit from the forest office in Kullu.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset. The best way to explore the park is trekking or camping. Several trekking trails in the park range from easy to challenging.
2- Pin Valley National Park
Pin Valley National Park is a national park in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located in the Spiti Valley, within the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, in the Himalayas region. Spreading south of Dhankar Gompa near the Tibetan border, the park marks the border between the formerly separate districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The park’s elevation ranges from about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft) near Ka Dogri to more than 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) at its highest point.
The park was established in 1987 and is spread over an area of 675 square kilometers. It is home to various wildlife, including snow leopards, ibex, Tibetan gazelle, and many species of birds.
The best time to visit Pin Valley National Park is during the summer months (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the park can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Pin Valley National Park:
- Snow leopard
- Ibex
- Tibetan gazelle
- Bharal
- Monal
3- Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary
Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour District, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 27.88 square kilometers.
The sanctuary was established as a wildlife reserve in 1958 and later was re-established as a sanctuary in 1974. The sanctuary is also known as Col. Sher Jung National Park. The vegetation consists of dense Sal forests with grassy meadows.
The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sambhar, chittal, goral, and many species of birds. It is also home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard.
The best time to visit Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary is during the winter months (November to March), when the weather is pleasant.
Here are some of the animals found in Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Tiger
- Leopard
- Sambhar
- Chital
- Goral
4- Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary
Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 56.16 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after Churdhar Peak. Churdhar (elevation of 3,647 metres; 11,965 feet) is the highest peak in Sirmour district and the highest peak in the outer Himalayas. The peak has a great religious significance for the people of Sirmour, Shimla, Chaupal and Solan of Himachal Pradesh and Dehradun of Uttarakhand.
The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including leopards, goral, musk deer, langur, and many species of birds. It is also known for its rich biodiversity.
The best time to visit Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Leopard
- Goral
- Musk deer
- Langur
- Monal
5- Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary
Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 30.69 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including blackbuck, nilgai, barking deer, serow, wild boar, and many species of birds. It is also home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard.
Kalatop is a dense deodar and fir forest covering 19.63 square kilometers of the sanctuary, about 6 kilometers from Dalhousie. The sanctuary lies in the Ravi River’s path, surrounded by coniferous and oak forests.
The best time to visit Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary is during the summer months (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Kalatop-Khajjiar Sanctuary:
- Blackbuck
- Nilgai
- Barking deer
- Serow
- Wild boar
6- Tirthan Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
The Tirthan Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 61 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after the Tirthan River, which flows through it. The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including leopards, ibex, Himalayan tahr, and many species of birds. It is also home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976. The sanctuary is connected to the Great Himalayan National Park as well. It is located at an altitude of 2,100 to 4,900 meters.
The best time to visit Tirthan Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Tirthan Valley Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Leopard
- Ibex
- Himalayan tahr
- Western horned tragopan
- Monal
7- Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary
Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 4.028 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after Renuka Lake, which is located within it. The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including leopards, barking deer, jackal, hare, blue jay, black partridge, and many species of birds.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1957. It is connected to the Renuka Ji Mini Zoo, the oldest zoo in Himachal Pradesh.
The best time to visit Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Leopard
- Barking deer
- Jackal
- Hare
- Blue jay
- Black partridge
8- Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary
Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 220 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after the Pong Dam, a hydroelectric dam constructed across the Beas River. The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including blackbuck, nilgai, sambhar, chital, goral, and many species of birds. It is also home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1983. The sanctuary is connected to the Great Himalayan National Park as well. It is located at an altitude of 1,600 to 3,000 meters.
The best time to visit Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer months (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Blackbuck
- Nilgai
- Sambhar
- Chital
- Goral
- Bar-headed goose
- Common pochard
9- Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary
Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 167 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after the Daranghati Pass, located at 3,050 meters. The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including musk deer, goral, thar, monal, tragopan, koklas and kalij.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1962. It is located in the Dhauladhar mountain range and is surrounded by thick forests.
The best time to visit Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer months (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Musk deer
- Goral
- Thar
- Monal
- Tragopan
- Koklas
- Kalij
10- Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary
The Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 10.25 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is located in the upper reaches of the Shimla valley. It is home to various wildlife, including leopards, barking deer, langur, porcupine, and many species of birds. It is also home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1973. It is located at an altitude of 1,900 to 2,620 meters.
The best time to visit Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Leopard
- Barking deer
- Langur
- Porcupine
- Monal
Shimla Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular tourist destination for its scenic beauty.
11- Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Solan and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 110 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including leopard, rhesus macaque, Indian muntjac, goral, porcupine, wild boar, langur and Himalayan black bear. It also has prevented few endangered species of reptiles and birds.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1976. It is located at an altitude of 1,400 to 2,500 meters.
The best time to visit Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Leopard
- Rhesus macaque
- Indian muntjac
- Goral:
- Porcupine:
- Wild boar
- Himalayan black bear
12- Chanshal Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Chanshal Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 56.16 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after Chanshal Peak, the highest peak in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to various wildlife, including snow leopard, leopard, goral, musk deer, tahr, and many species of birds.
The best time to visit Chanshal Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer months (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Chanshal Valley Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Snow leopard
- Leopard
- Goral
- Musk deer
- Tahr
13- Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary
Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of 378 square kilometers.
The sanctuary is named after the Kugti Pass, which is located at an altitude of 5,040 meters. The sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including snow leopard, leopard, goral, musk deer, and many species of birds.
The sanctuary was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1967. It is located at an altitude of 2,195 to 5,040 meters.
The best time to visit Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer months (June to September), when the weather is pleasant. However, the sanctuary can be visited all year round.
Here are some of the animals found in Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Snow leopard
- Goral
- Musk deer
The sanctuary is also home to several endangered species, such as the snow leopard and the Himalayan tahr. The sanctuary is an important habitat for these species and is helping to protect them from extinction.
Final Notes:
In concluding our expedition through Himachal Pradesh’s best wildlife sanctuaries, we find ourselves humbled by the sheer majesty of nature. These sanctuaries, tucked away in the lap of the Himalayas, have opened our eyes to a world where harmony reigns among diverse species, and where every nook and cranny tells a story of survival, adaptation, and wonder.
From the iconic Great Himalayan National Park to the tranquil shores of Renuka Lake, we have witnessed the tireless efforts of conservationists and the undying spirit of nature. In these protected havens, wildlife flourishes, ecosystems thrive, and the delicate balance of life perseveres.
As we bid farewell to this virtual journey, remember that these sanctuaries are not just landscapes on a screen or tales in a blog. They are vital reservoirs of biodiversity, critical for our planet’s health and the survival of countless species.
