Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary
| Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve | |
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
  Naina Devi WS Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary (in Himachal Pradesh) | |
| Location | Bilaspur district and Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Nearest city | Bilaspur |
| Coordinates | 31°18′29″N 76°36′43″E / 31.308°N 76.612°E[1] |
| Area | 120.72 km2 (46.61 sq mi)[2] |
| Established | 1962[2] |
| Governing body | Himachal Pradesh Forest Department |
Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Established in 1962, it spans over 120.72 km2 (46.61 sq mi) of forested terrain in the Shivalik range of the outer Himalayas.[2] Its named after the Naina Devi temple.[3]
Description
[edit]The sanctuary ranges in elevation from 500 m to 1,100 m, encompassing rugged hills and deep valleys dominated by sal and chir pine forests.[1]
Flora
[edit]The sanctuary supports tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests. Dominant trees include sal (Shorea robusta), khair (Acacia catechu), tun (Toona ciliata), and chir pine (Pinus roxburghii). Flowering and fruit-bearing trees enhance habitat quality for wildlife.[4]
A 2024 survey identified 108 forage plant species used by local communities grazing livestock within the sanctuary. Notable high-use taxa include Bauhinia variegata, Grewia optiva, Cassia fistula and Trifolium repens, reflecting integration of traditional forage knowledge into local pastoral practices.[5]
Fauna
[edit]The Sanctuary hosts leopards (Panthera pardus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), sambar (Rusa unicolor), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), and Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus), among others.[4]
As a designated Important Bird Area (IBA), Naina Devi supports over 200 bird species including the Indian paradise flycatcher, kalij pheasant, Himalayan bulbul, grey-headed canary flycatcher, and oriental turtle dove.[6]
Conservation
[edit]The 2019 Wildlife Institute of India study raised concerns over unregulated tourism, habitat fragmentation, and firewood dependence, recommending controlled access, habitat demarcation, community eco-development initiatives, and integration of traditional grazing knowledge into management plans. Additionally, the 2024 forage documentation highlights the value of local forage species in sustaining livestock while maintaining ecosystem balance.[4][7]
Tourism
[edit]Accessible via Swarghat–Bhakra road from Bilaspur (≈30 km), the sanctuary is best visited from October to May. Visitor entry is overseen by the Himachal Forest Department.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Protected Area Network – Himachal Pradesh Forest Department". Government of Himachal Pradesh. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Protected Areas of Himachal Pradesh" (PDF). ENVIS Centre on Forestry and Forest Related Livelihoods. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ Shavi (25 September 2021). "Everything you need to know about Naina Devi Temple! | Travel Tips". Oceans Travel Blog. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Biodiversity Assessment of Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Wildlife Institute of India. 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Documentation and evaluation of forage plants in Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh". African Journal of Biomedical Research. 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary" (PDF). Bombay Natural History Society. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Documentation and evaluation of forage plants…". African Journal of Biomedical Research. 29 December 2024.