Punjab Wild life

Punjab is one of the smallest states of India with an area of 50,362 sq.km. It is primarily an agrarian state with 84% area under intensive cultivation. Over time, partitioning of the original area of Punjab into various states and diversion of large areas of forestland for non-forestry purposes such as agriculture and other developmental activities led to present day Punjab losing much of its forest and biodiversity. The remaining relict populations of conservation value are largely confined to some parts of plains and Shivalik region of Punjab. These are the areas which harbour natural biodiversity and provide a home to rare and endangered animals like Indus river dolphin, Pangolin, Otter and Python The important wild animals and birds in zoos and deer parks are Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Lion, Hippopotamus, Lion tailed macaque, Baboon, Elephant, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Zebra, Gaur, Gharial, Crocodile, various species of deer such as Chinkara, Black Buck, Swamp Deer, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Sambar, Blue Bull, Pangolin, Fishing Cat, Hog Deer, Python, Kaleej Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Barking Deer, Smooth Indian Otter, seven species of turtles, Indus River Dolphin and more than 350 species of both native and migratory birds.
The important birds are Emu, Kaleej Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Mangolian Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Red Jungle Fowl, Painted Stork, Sarus Crane, etc.

The important wild animals found in nature are Black Buck has been declared as State Animal of Punjab vides Govt. notification. The State of Punjab is proud to have one of the largest population of Black Bucks in Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary with approximately 3500 in number roaming freely in the wild.

Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary
Spreads over an area of 186.5 Sq. Kms. in Ferozepur District. The entire area of the sanctuary belongs to private farmlands belonging to thirteen Bishnoi Villages. Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is an unique success story of Wildlife Conservation where Bishnoi community on its own has joined hands to protect the State Animal, Black Buck which is considered sacred by them. Blue Bull is another mammal protected religiously. The population of Black Buck has risen beyond 3000 which is the largest free ranging group surviving in Punjab plains. Watching the herds of this beautiful antelope in the wild is a feast to the eyes. Black buck, Blue Bull, Wild boar are in abundance in this sanctuary.

Bir Aishwan
Bir Aishwan is one of the most important first declared Wildlife Sanctuaries in Punjab. The management history of Bir Aishwan dates back to 1952 when it was first notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS). Blue Bull, Hare, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Rhesus Macaque, Peafowl, Black and Grey Partridges, Rose Ringed, Parakeets, Spotted Owlet can be watched in this sanctuary.

Bir Bhadson
Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest Protected Areas of Punjab falling in district Patiala which was also used by the erstwhile rulers of Patiala for hunting and shooting. It was preserved and maintained as a shikargah. It was declared as a protected forest and then as a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act. Blue Bull, Hare, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Rhesus Macaque, Peafowl, Black and Grey Partridges, Rose Ringed, Parakeets, Spotted Owlet can be observed roaming freely in this sanctuary.

Bir Gurdialpura
Wildlife Sanctuary was one of the important hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala state. It was declared a protected forest and then as a sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act. The sanctuary has good ecological value has a good habitat for number of wild animals. Main wildlife species found in the sanctuary are Blue bull, Hog deer, Hare, Jungle cat, Jackal, Rhesus Monkeys, Peafowl, Rose, Black and Grey Partridges, Dove and Spotted owl.

Harike Wildlife Sanctuary
Harike Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the confluence of Beas and Sutlej rivers bordering District Tarn Taran, Kapurthala and Ferozepur. This wetland ecosystem came into existence consequent to the construction of barrage in 1952, and is an internationally recognized Ramsar site which attracts one of the largest congregation of waterfalls in Northern India. It also supports a large variety of mammals, fish and avifauna. Bird-watching from close quarters is a major attraction of Harike Wetland. During winters the migratory birds arrive in thousands from Himalayas, Europe and Siberia and Harike is humming with its avian guests. Winter season is the best time of the year to visit Harike. Main wildlife species found in the sanctuary are large Cormorant, Darter, Purple moorhen, Bar headed goose, Pintail, Common teal, Shovellor, Common pochard, Red crested pochard, White-eyed pochard etc. Recognised as Ramsar site and attracts large number of migratory birds during the winter months. Recently, fresh water Dolphins have been reported in Harike Lake.

Jhajjar Bacholi
This Wild life sanctuary is located in close proximity of Anandpur Sahib town. The area is just on the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and occasional presence of leopards has been reported from this sanctuary. Being in the Shivaliks, it has good habitat diversity. Main wild life species found are Sambar, Barking Deer, Hare, Jackal, Leopard (Migratory), Python, Cobra, Rat Snake.

Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary was one of the important hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala state. It was declared a protected forest and then as a sanctuary under the Fauna of Patiala Act. On the way to sanctuary one can see historically significant monuments of Qila Mubarak, famous Baradari Gardens, National institute of Sports, Shish Mahal and North Zone Cultural Centre. A small zoo is located on the outskirts of this sanctuary. Main wildlife species found are Black buck, Chital, Hog deer, Blue bull, Wild boar, Jackal, Rhesus Monkeys, Peafowl, Brahminy Myna, Black and Grey Partridges and Quails.

Takhni-Rehmapur
Takhni-Rehmapur is a representative area of Shivalik range of the Himalayas passing through Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur District of Punjab bordering H.P. It is located in District Hoshiarpur near village Mehngrowal. Wildlife species found are Sambar, Hog deer, Barking Deer, Jungle Cat, Jackal, Black napped Hare, Mongoose, Leopard (migratory from Himachal Pradesh) Wild Boar, Pangolin, Rat Snake, Cobra, Python, Monitor Lizard, Garden Lizard and 88 species of Birds.

Prominent Flora And Fauna

Mammals

Various mammals such as Flying Fox, Smooth Indian Otter, Wildcat, Hog Deer, Squirrel, Common Mongoose, Wild Boar and Fruit bat are found here.

Birds

Especially in winters, one can see all types of foreign and migratory birds. Great Crested Grebe, Adjutant Stork, Pintail, White Necked Stork, Eastern Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Mallard, Spotbill Duck, Gadwall, Brahminy, Tailor Bird, Ruddy Sheduck, Wigeon, Peafowl and Coot, mostly fly here.

Reptiles And Amphibians

7 turtle species’ and also species of Tortoise, Snakes, Toads and Frogs, which are four in number, exist here.

Fishes

These waters are home to 16 types of fishes. Puntius, Channa, Abeo, Cirrhina, Cyperinus, Notopterus, Catla, Ambasis ranga and Mystus are the main species.

Plants

A variety of flora, which includes aquatic as well as terrestrial plants are also found here, and the important ones are Hydrilla, Typha, Phragmites, Ficus, Prosopis, Azolla, Dalbergia, Ipomoea aquatic, Zizyphus Mauritiana, Albizzia, Syzgium cumini, Grasses, Nelumbo and Cyprus.

Endangered Species

Some uncommon birds and animals such as Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Testudine turtle, Indian Skimmer, Falcated Teal, Rufous-vented Prinia , Scaup Duck, etc. can be seen here.

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