10 Best Wildlife Sanctuaries In Punjab, India - Updated 2024

1. Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary

Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled adjacent to Nabha town on Nabha-Malerkotla Road in Punjab’s Patiala District and covers 123.43 hectares (305.00 acres) of government land. This sanctuary is a haven for wildlife lovers and boasts diverse fauna and animals such as Rhesus Monkeys, Jungle Cats, Peacocks, Blue Bulls, and Jackals.

Moreover, the destination is part of the Northern Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous forest and is also home to a variety of flora, such as Siris, Eucalyptus, Jamun, and more.

Bir Mehas Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Near Nabha, Patiala, Punjab

2. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary

Spend a serene day at Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located in the Shivalik foothills and is home to endangered species, such as Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Hog Deer, Indian Pangolin, and Golden Mahseer. Spread over an area of 116 hectares (286.64 acres), the destination houses about 35 species of fish and 154 species of birds.

Managed by the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, the sanctuary boasts a human-made reservoir that benefits people by reducing flood risk.

Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Shivalik foothills, Rupnagar District, Punjab

3. Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located at a distance of approximately 15 km (9.3 miles) from the holy city of Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular name on this list. Spread over an area of 289 acres (116 hectares), the sanctuary is home to a wide range of species like the barking deer, sambar, jackal, cobra, python, the migratory leopard, rat snake, hare, etc. The unique thing about this sanctuary is that out of 289 acres (117 ha), 218 acres (88.2 hectares) belong to the village Jhajjar, 55 acres (22.3 hectares) to Bachauli and 16 acres (6.5 hectares) to Lamlehri village. The best time to visit this sanctuary is during winters, i.e. from October to February, when large varieties of flora and fauna can be spotted.

Jhajjar Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Bacholi, Punjab 140118

4. Takhani Rehmanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Takhani Rehmanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Punjab with a total covered area of 943.9 acres (382 hectares). It was declared a sanctuary in 1999. The best thing about this sanctuary is that it is a part of the Shivalik Mountain Range and, therefore, provides perfect weather and climatic conditions for different types of flora and fauna to flourish. Birds in groups can also be spotted during the peak season of November to February. Some of the common species of animals found here are jackals, jungle cats, wild boars, leopards, and black-naped hares. Apart from these, mongoose, snakes, pangolins, monitor and garden lizards, are also present.

Takhani Rehmanpur Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Rahmanpur, Hoshiarpur, Punjab 144209

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

5. Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Situated in the Panchkula district of Haryana, Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the Pinjor-Mallah Road. If you are heading towards Kalka, then do pay a visit here. It is 10 km (6,2 miles) from the spot. Apart from this, the wildlife sanctuary is half an hour’s drive from Chandigarh and Panchkula. Established in 1987, the Government of India declared this area an Eco-sensitive Zone, resulting in the prohibition of any developmental work. If you are a wildlife watcher and would love to spot an Indian Leopard resting on a tree, then do visit Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary. It offers a serene home to wild species like the Asiatic elephant, Rhesus macaque, Chital (spotted deer), Indian jackal, striped hyena, gray langur and many more. With a massive real estate of approximately 1896 acres (767.3 hectares), it also has a Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre.

Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Pinjore, Haryana 134102

6. Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

You might have heard of stories of rulers leaving their house to go hunting. Well, Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary is believed to be the hotspot for the erstwhile rulers of Patiala where they would hunt. Spread across 1532 acres (620 hectares), the area is filled with flora and fauna. The place has deciduous trees providing shelter to a wide range of fauna, like the jungle cat, blue bull, rhesus monkey, hog deer, hare, and jackal. It is also a paradise for bird watchers. One can spot several numbers of spotted owls, doves, partridges and peafowls, etc.

Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Samana Road, Gurdial Pura, Punjab 147101

7. Trps Sanctuary Park Hoshiapur

Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed

Located in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, the Trps Sanctuary Park Hoshiapur attracts locals and visitors as well. The presence of a wide range of flora and fauna in the peak season, like October to February, is going to be a memorable visit for you. Take a trip to this wildlife sanctuary to escape from city life. It is a favored destination for those who love to be close to nature.

Trps Sanctuary Park Hoshiapur

Address: Hoshiarpur, Punjab 146110

8. Kathlour Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on the by-pass of Jammu-Amritsar Highway, the Kathlour Wildlife Sanctuary covers a whopping area of 1876.5 acres (759.4 hectares). The sanctuary houses a large number of deer and ungulates species. The area is rich in flora and has a dense cover of closed-canopy trees, open grassland, and the River Ravi on one side. The sanctuary has a good number of birds, reptiles and other species of animals.

Kathlour Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Kathlour, Punjab 143534

9. Harike Bird Sanctuary

With a real estate of approximately 10131 acres (4100 hectares), Harike Bird Sanctuary, or Hari-ke-Pattan, is one of the largest wetlands in northern India. This bird sanctuary in Punjab spreads over three districts- Ferozepur, Tarn Taran Sahib, and Kapurthala. The place is a popular tourist spot as it houses several species of amphibians, snakes, turtles, invertebrates and fish. The best thing about the species found here is that these are declared unique, and because of this, several studies have been conducted. Situated at a distance of approx 10 km (6.2 miles) from the bus stand and Makhu Railway Station, this place presents a true example of rich diversity.

Harike Bird Sanctuary

Address: Nihalpur, Punjab 143412

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sat)

10. Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Patiala

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This is yet another area that was preserved for hunting for the Maharajas in ancient India. Spread over an area of 1600 acres (647.5 hectares), Bir Motibagh, also called Patiala Bir, is situated on the outskirts of Patiala, roughly 5 km (3.1 miles) from the city center. It is one of the top tourist destinations and has some of the most beautiful animals and birds to spot.

Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: Punjab 147001, India

Explore the wildlife sanctuaries of Punjab

The northwestern state of Punjab is popular among the international community for its vibrant culture and the beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar. However, the state is also a haven for nature lovers. Abounding in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, Punjab attracts many locals as well as international tourists every year. These wildlife sanctuaries are perfect if you want to see native flora and fauna at their best.