Betla National Park: Bihar

Palamu shot to fame as early as 1932 for its tiger census - the first of its kind in the world. In 1974 it became one of the country?s earliest tiger reserves. Endowed with thick tropical forests and a rich variety of fauna, the core area of the sanctuary has been declared as Betla National park (232 sq. kms.).This park is a great attraction to tourists. The Park, at an average elevation of 1,000 ft. is open throughout the year although February to April are the best months. It is 140 kms from Ranchi.

Fauna: Large herds of Gaur and Chital are commonly seen. Elephants are present mostly after the monsoons up to the time when water holes begin to dry up in March. Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Kakar, Mouse Deer are also permanent residents. Large families of langurs are an ever-present attraction. Palamu is now one of the nine Tiger Reserves in India under Project Tiger. It has waterfalls and hot springs too. The forest department has made arrangements for providing jeeps for viewing the wildlife here. 

Hazaribagh Sanctuary: Bihar

Nestled in low hilly terrain, at an average altitude of 1800ft. Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary stretches over 184 sq. kms. of plains, undulating country, steep hills and deep nullahs with tropical forests and grass meadows.

Fauna: An abundance of wild animals is a very pleasant sight. Wild bear, Nilgai, Chital and Kakar can be seen at dusk and dawn, gambolling and enjoying themselves in the waters of the lake. The tiger and panther, exclusive attractions at this sanctuary demand extreme patience from the viewer. Hazaribagh perhaps holds more Sambhars than any other area of comparable size. The 1970 census has established the presence of 14 tigers, 25 Panthers and 400 Sambars.

Palamau Tiger Reserve: Bihar

Spread over an area of approximately 1026 sq. km., Palamau Tiger Reserve is located within the civil administrative district of Palamau in the South Chhotanagpur plateau of Bihar. The undulating terrain is set off by sal forests and thickets of bamboo. The circuitous Koel River and its tributaries meander through the park.

Fauna: Palamau has the distinction of being the forest where the world's first tiger census was conducted by way of pugmarks, in 1934. Large herds of Gaur & Chital are commonly seen. Elephants are present mostly after the monsoon upto the time when the water holes begin to dry up in March. Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Bear, Sambar, Nilgai, Deer are also permanent residents.Palamau National Park is now a part of one of nine tiger reserves in India, under "Project Tiger?. Man-animal conflicts, caused largely by elephants are a major problem and pose Project Tiger with one of its greatest challenges

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Haryana

Sultanpur National Park: Haryana

Located 46 kms from Delhi, Sultanpur National Park, is just a- short drive away from the Delhi - Jaipur Highway. A stretch of marshy land has been remodelled. The artificial mounds have turned into green glades. The marsh has been converted into a water body. A number of organisms like crustaceans, fish and insects thrive during floods, which attract a number of birds to this area.

Flora: The vegetation of this park is tropical and dry deciduous and the flora include grasses, dhok, khair, tendu, ber, jamun, acacia, and banyan tree.

Fauna: The park is home to a large range of birds, both resident and migratory. Migratory geese and Siberian cranes spend the winter in Sultanpur and there are also the demoiselle cranes, ruddy shelducks, pelicans, flamingoes, bar-headed geese, grey lags, gadwalls, mallards, pochards, shovellers and teals. Local species include plovers, red-wattled lapwings, herons, cormorants, white ibises, spoonbills and painted storks. Other wildlife in the park include blackbuck, nilgai, hog deer, sambar, wild dog or dhole, caracal, wild cat, hedgehog, mongoose, striped hyena, Indian porcupine, rattle/honey badger, leopard, wild pig, and four horned antelope

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Himachal Pradesh

Bandli Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

This sanctuary is situated in district Mandi and is 7-kms away from Sunder Nagar Town. It is heavily disturbed sanctuary with a small population of Chir pheasant and Leopard. The area was earlier a protected forest.Other wildlife found over here includes Himalayan Black Bear, common Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Goral, Indian hare, Rhesus Macaque

Chail Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife. Chail sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares.

Fauna: One can see Sambar, Goral, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Deer, Silver-White Oak, Barking Deer, Indian Hare Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Indian Porcupine, Common Giant and Kashmiri Flying Squirrel.and Chir Pheasants at Blossom and Jhajja.A Chir Pheasant breeding and rehabilitation programme has been started in 1988.Visitors are welcome to the Chir Pheasant Breeding Centres at both Blossom and Jhajja. Barking deer and Kalijin in the forests are sure to meet and greet the visitors at dusk and dawn.

Churdhar Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

Churdhar peak, with height of 3,647m, is the highest peak in outer Himalayas. It is like an Oasis of Alpine area in an ocean of temperate forests. The view from Churdhar peak is un-paralled. The sanctuary got its name from the Chur Peak, on the top of which sits a majestic status of Lord Shiva. One is sure to come across a large number of multi-coloured and agile Monals in the adjoining forests. The total covered area of this sanctuary is 5616 hectares and this is notified on 15th November 1985. This is one of the newest sanctuaries of the State. Now at the point of local extinction, Churdhar still contains good habitat for Monals and other pheasants. Other fauna includes Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Common Langur and Leopards but Musk Deer has been severely depleted by hunting.

Daranghati Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

Daranghati sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla District, has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife and was notified on 27th March 1974. The total covered area of this sanctuary is 16740 hectares.

Fauna: Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Himalayan Ibex, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow, Blue Sheep, Common giant flying Squirrel and Himalayan Weasel are the animals that are founf over here

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

It's possible to trek 30-km from Dalhousie to Chamba along the eastbound road from Gandhi Chowk. A short but steep ascent leads to the Kalatope wildlife sanctuary, from which one can walk into a pleasant track. This sanctuary area with its well-laid out trekking jungle trails both at Kalatop and Khajjiar is a tourist paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are places of solitude very close to Dalhousie town.

Fauna: The sanctuary is rewarding for the view but its Ibex, deer, bears and leopards rarely come out of their hiding. Visitors should look for pheasants and Serow in these forests but should be beware of Black bear, which can be encountered often in the area

Kanwar Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

This sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense majestic Deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable.This sanctuary has large population of Himalayan Thar in Himalayas and seeing this big goat on high mountain cliffs is dream fulfillment of any wildlife lover

Maharana Pratap Sagar: Himachal Pradesh

This lake sanctuary is a big attraction for migratory ducks from Siberian region during winter. One can see thousands of ducks in the swamp area between Shahnahar barrage and Pongdam and the surrounding shallow waters of the lake. Clean blue water all around with the panoramic view of Dhauladhar Ranges and Kangra Valley make the visit to Ransar Island an unforgettable experience.

Fauna: In 1983, the Sagar was declared a wildlife sanctuary and over 2,20 species of bird belonging to 54 families have been sighted over the waters and the fringing mud-banks-these include black - headed gulls, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl and egrets.The land portion of the sanctuary has barking deer, sambar, wild borars, nilgai, leopards and claw-less others.Twenty-seven species and sub-species of fish belonging to six families have been recorded in the Sagar's waters. Some of the important commercial varieties are - Labeo dero (Gid), Labeo rohita, Labeo Calbasu, Tor putitora (Mahsir), and Mystus seenghala (Singhara). Since 1976, fishing has been a major economic activity in the areas and today, this provides employment to some 1,500 fishermen and the annual catch is valued at over a corore rupees.

Manali Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

This sanctuary is located in District Kullu's nearest town, Manali. The area of this sanctuary is 3,180 hectares. The sanctuary was notified on 26th February 1954, under the Punjab Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act, 1933.It forms the catchment of Manalsu Khad. A bridle path from Manali log huts/ Dhungri temple passes through dense Deodar, Kail, Horse chestnut, Walnut and Maple forests. Alpine lush green pastures and glaciers beyond Galant thatch are a romantic attraction for the enthusiastic but enduring visitors.

Fauna: One may see Musk deer, Monal and Brown bear digging or ploughing the land and also pug marks with scent of Leopard or Snow leopard. Those who venture up to snows can see herds of Ibex in the glacier zone in summers. Other fauna in the sanctuary include Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow, Kashmir flying Squirrel and Himalayan Tahr

Majathal Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

This sanctuary has a very steep and rugged terrain away from habitation. This can be visited by travelling about 10 kms. on a kacha road Kararaghat (Shimla-Bilaspur- Highway) to Kashlog and then walking on foot from Kashlog.

Fauna: This sanctuary has the highest concentration of Goral which can be seen in its natural habitat. This sanctuary is reported to have the maximum population of endangered Cheer pheasant. One has to stay in tents in the forest, Best season to visit is the winters

Pin Valley Park: Himachal Pradesh

Pin Valley national park is situated in Lahual Spiti district. In this park there is a variety of rare animals such as wooly hare, Tibetan gazelle and snow Leopard. The entire area is a cold desert. It was declared National Park on 9th January 1987 and occupies an area of 67,500 hectares.

Fauna: Animals that are found in this sanctuary includes Red Indian Fox, Tibetan Gazelle, Wooley Hare, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Marmot, Himalayan Mouse-hare, Indian Hodgsoris Porcupine, Blue Sheep and Wolf. In this area visitors come across large herds of Ibex and Bharal. Snow leopards are also found in this park.

Pong Lake Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

The Pong Dam Lake is significant for a wildlife sanctuary with wild life species like Nilgai, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Buar, Clawless Otter, and Leapord. The reservoir is developed on a large scale for promoting water sports for tourists.This lake sanctuary is a big attraction for migratory ducks from Siberian region during winter. One can see thousands of ducks in the swamp area between Shah Nahar barrage and Pong Dam and the surrounding shallow waters of the lake

Renuka Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

Renuka sanctuary is situated at Renuka, which is an excursion from Nahan. Renuka Lake and the temples attract a large number of people from hills and plains. Forests and the catchments of the lake add to its beauty and attraction.

Fauna: The Renuka Sanctuary also adds much to the ambience of the place. It is home to a large number of animals including Asiatic lions, spotted deer, lion tailed macaques, peacocks, nilgai or large grey Indian antelope, barking deer and Himalayan black bears.Around the place flutter thousands of gorgeous butterflies. There's a small aviary here, which houses a variety of waterbirds, red jungle fowl, black pheasant and peacock.Adjoining the zoo is a big lion safari and the Department of Forest provides an armoured van, which enters the large enclosures allowing a closer glimpse of at least two dozen well-bred lions. A tourist bungalow and cafeteria cater to visitors

Simbalbara Sanctuary: Himachal Pradesh

This sanctuary is located in Paonta Valley of Sirmour District. The area surrounding the sanctuary bears beautiful dense Sal forests with grassy glades. This is probably the most picturesque area of Shivaliks. There is a perennial stream in the area too.Goral, Sambhar and Chittal can be easily seen here. There are walking trails in the quiet adjoining forests. Winter is the best season to visit this sanctuary

The Great Himalayan National Park: Himachal Pradesh

Great Himalayan National Park: The National Park with an area of 620 sq. km. is located in Kullu District and has the representative area of temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some the virgin coniferous forests of the State. Vast areas of alpine pastures and glaciers cap this park.

Fauna: This area has many important wildlife species of Western Himalayas, like Musk deer, Brown bear, Goral, Thar, Leopard, Snow leopard, Bharal, Serow, Monal, Kalij, Koklas, Cheer, Tragopan, Snow cock etc.Trekking of Rakti-Sar, origin of Sainj River and camping in alpine partures is unforgettable. Similar is the trekking route to Tirath the origin of Tirthan River. Visitors can contact Director, National Park at Shamshi or Range Officer wildlife at Sainj or Range Officer Wild Life at Sai Ropa (Banjar) for assistance and guidance. The forest department provides camping equipment and guides