Wildlife Sanctuaries in Punjab provide safe natural habitats to several types of wild species, including some of the rare, threatened and critically endangered species of Indian wildlife. The control, safeguarding and maintenance of wild animals are supervised by the Wildlife Preservation Wing of Punjab, which also monitors the enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Presently, the state of Punjab is a home to 13 wildlife sanctuaries, as per the official records. Some of the wildlife sanctuaries in Punjab are described below.
Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Patiala. It is spread over an area of about 654 hectares. The sanctuary was amongst the cherished hunting reserves of the royal palace of Patiala. The sanctuary has a deer park. Animals like jackal, wild boar, cheetal and hog deer and birds like quail, myna, partridge and peafowl can be noticed here.
Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary
Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 15 km from the city of Abohar. It occupies an area of about 18. 650 hectares and includes farmlands in 13 villages inhabited by the Bishnois community. Many herds of antelope and blackbuck can easily be spotted wandering across the villages. As the Bishnois consider blackbuck holy, they are involved in the conservation of the species. Their efforts have lead to a phenomenal increase in the number of blackbucks. More specifically, the count increased to 4000 in the sanctuary.
Bir Bhunerhiri Wildife Sanctuary
Bir Bhunerhiri Wildife Sanctuary is situated in Patiala on Devigarh Road. It was proclaimed as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1972. It was one of the favorite hunting spots of the rulers of Patiala, at a certain point of time. The area covered by the wildlife sanctuary measures about 661 hectares and is subdivided by a single road, which runs through it.
Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary
Bir Gurdialpura Wildife Sanctuary is situated close to Patiala town on Patiala-Samana Road. It is known to be a hunting reserve of the early rulers of Patiala. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 2003. It occupies an area of about 620 hectares. It provides shelter to animals like hog deer, jungle cat, wild boar, hare, blue bull and rhesus monkey and birds like owlets and partridges.
Harike Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary
Harike Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as `Hari-ke-Pattan`, is situated at the intersection of two rivers namely, Sutlej and Beas rivers. It is spread over an area of nearly 4, 100 hectares. This wetland ecosystem possesses a rich biodiversity. Migratory birds like waterfowls are known to create a hydrological balance in this region.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries in Punjab
Some of the other wildlife sanctuaries in Punjab are Nangal Wildlife Sanctuaries, Bir Dosanjh Wildlife Sanctuaries, Kathlaur Kushlian Wildlife Sanctuaries and Jhajjar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuaries.
