Chail Sanctuary is situated at Chail, which is a spectacular hill station located at a distance of nearly 63 kms away from Shimla, in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The approximate area covered by this wildlife sanctuary measures about 110 square kilometres and boasts of a thick layer of forest region which is one of the main attractions of the sanctuary. A large number of travellers and nature enthusiasts pay visit to the sanctuary, lured by the diverse wildlife and beautiful flora in this place. Chail Sanctuary is present at an elevation of 7, 152 feet in the Himalaya Mountain Ranges. The sanctuary is a dream tourist locale for bird lovers as well as wildlife lovers and is based on the outskirts of the region of Chail, overlooking Sutlej Valley.
History of Chail Sanctuary
The premises of Chail Wildlife Sanctuary once were the favourite hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala, known as Bhupinder Singh. The beautiful hill station of Chail was developed by this very ruler immediately after he was denied permission to enter Shimla by the then Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Army named Lord Kitchener as he had eloped with his daughter. The Chail Forest was officially proclaimed a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1976 and it was also declared a Protected Area under the local government. During 1988, the breeding and rehabilitation scheme of the Chir Pheasant was introduced in Chail Wildlife Sanctuary.
Flora of Chail Sanctuary
Trees like Deodar, Pine and Oak are a few of the lush green vegetation which are spread throughout the entire area of Chail Sanctuary, which measures over 10, 000 hectares. Different varieties of grass are also seen to be thriving in this well-known sanctuary.
Fauna of Chail Sanctuary
Chail Sanctuary possesses numerous wild creatures like Indian Muntjac, Rhesus Macaque, Goral Crested Porcupine, Leopard, Sambar, Himalayan Black Bear, Spotted Deer, Flying Squirrel, Black-Naped Hare, Common Langur, Wild Boar and many more. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had ushered in the European Red Deer into Chail Sanctuary more than half a century ago. However, no such animals have been spotted here in 1988 according to the survey. Various endangered species of birds and reptiles are existent in Chail Sanctuary. Khalij Pheasant and Chir Pheasant are amongst the birds which are frequently sighted in this region, apart from the Grey-Headed Flycatcher and Golden Eagle.
The ideal to visit Chail Sanctuary is between the period of March and October.
