Chail Sanctuary: Solan

Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife.

Glance on Chail Sanctuary.

Spread in an area of more than 110 sq. kms, at the foothills of mighty Himalayas, Chail Sanctuary encompasses a vast forest cover. In 1976, Chail wildlife sanctuary was identified and was declared as a protected area. Apart from its animals and birds, the main attraction of the sanctuary is the Chir Pheasant breeding farm. The forests are mainly dense covers of Oak and Pine, apart from the other major grassland covers.

Attractions

Floral Attractions

The forests in Chail sanctuary mainly comprises of Pine and Oak trees. The northern slopes are forested while southern slopes support grasslands, usually with patches of forest or scrub in the depressions. Grasslands are maintained by regular burning and cutting of plants. Rhododendron forms pure stands in places and Cedar and Blue Pine have been sown in some areas. There is little mature forest and much secondary growth in these areas. The forest is largely confined to the northern half of the sanctuary. The grassland of Sanctuary also has some small stretches of Pine, Oak, Cedar and Robinia.

Wildlife Attractions

Chail Sanctuary has mainly mammals in its area. The large mammals include rhesus macaque, leopard, Indian muntjac and goral crested porcupine. Other species include Himalayan black bear, wild boar, common langur, sambar, black-naped hare. European red deer was introduced half a century ago by the former Maharaja of Patiala but none was sighted during a census in 1988. The avian population comprises majorly of Chir pheasant and Kalij pheasant. The Chir breeding and rehabilitation center has helped increase in number of Chir birds in the forests.

The Park Safari

The Chail sanctuary can be best viewed by the means of trekking, as the uneven land does not allow to take a jeep safari in the park. The forest officers also encourage trekking and other adventurers activities, so the animals and birds feel safe and secure.

How to Reach Chail Sanctuary

Chail sanctuary can be reached from Shimla (40 kms), and Chail (3 kms) by road. Shimla can be reached by the means of train or flights. Chail city to Chail sanctuary trip (3 Km) is one of the most favored small treks in the region.

Nature Park Kufri: Shimla

Kufri is a well known tourist resort near Shimla. A large number of tourists visiting Shimla also visit Kufri where a nature park has been established. In this park rare varieties of Hangal, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Brown Bear, rare species of Monal and other pheasants are kept in social groupings.

The main vegetation of the Nature Park comprises Fir- Spruce and Oak formations with scattered presence of Deodar-Blue Pine-Holly clusters. The area remains under snow for about three months from late December to March. The spring heralds the sprouting of many herbaceous species including primulas, potentillas, geraniums, balsams, and ground orchids that continue to bloom in succession till September adding much colour to the verdant surroundings. Walkways in the Nature Park help the visitors to appreciate Nature in its most serene self. While inside the Nature Park, one can also enjoy, on a clear day, a breathtaking view of the entire range of Himalaya’s snow clad peaks.

The natural habitat of the Nature Park has been used to house selected Himalayan animal species primarily for the purpose of education of visitors. However, the animal enclosures here are big enough to provide opportunity to the wild animals to be in near natural habitat. The animals are given opportunity to relax after morning meal behind a shrub or a large boulder (leopard) or even to hibernate (brown bear) during winter. The visitors would, therefore, need to spend time, as they would have spent to sight these animals in the wild, in the Nature Park to better appreciate the Himalayan fauna here.

Other attractive animals in the Nature Park include Musk Deer, Bharal, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Leopard Cat, Sambhar, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Monal, White Crested Kaleej and Cheer pheasant.

Nature Park Manali: Kullu

Manali is another tourist spot where a large number of visitors come. To expose visitors to the nature and to create awareness and love for wild life it is planned to develop many other facilities at Manali. There is a wild life sanctuary about 2 km away from Manali town. The tourists will be encouraged to visit this area and see the magnificence of nature here and also do some adventures activities over there.

Churdhar Sanctuary

Churdhar Sanctuary is situated on the Churdhar Peak in Sirmaur District, of Himachal Pradesh and lies at an altitude varying from 2000 m to 3647 m. Churdhar peak is the highest peak in outer Himalayas. It is like an Oasis of Alpine area in an ocean of temperate forests.

The views from Churdhar peak are astounding The sanctuary got its name from the Churdhar Peak, on the top of which sits a majestic statue of Lord Shiva. One is sure to come across a large number of multi-colored and agile Monals in the adjoining forests.

The total covered area of this sanctuary is 5616 hectares and this was notified on 15th November 1985. This is one of the newest sanctuaries of the State.

Various birds and animals that can adapt themselves to the cold climatic conditions of the Himalayan mountains, reside in this sanctuary.

Now at the point of local extinction, Churdhar still contains good habitat for Monals and other pheasants. Other fauna includes Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Common Langur, Leopards and Musk Deer etc.

Trekking

This is an excellent area for trekking during summer and early winters. Trekking from Nohra, Sarain and Pulbahal are tough but enjoyable.

How to reach Churdhar Sanctuary

The sanctuary can be reached from Dadahu (48 km away), the headquarters of Renuka tehsil, via Sangrah, Bhawai, Gandhuri and Naura through a bridle path. It can also be easily approached by the Solan Rajgarh road.

Daranghati Sanctuary: Shimla

This Sanctuary is located near Rampur Bushahr, in Shimla District having an area of  167.40-km. This place is 150 kilometers from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh India.

Daranghati sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla District, has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife and was notified on 27th March 1974. The total covered area of this sanctuary is 16740 hectares.

An erstwhile hunting reserve of the Rampur Bushahr royal family, it was notified as a sanctuary in March 1962 and then re-notified on 27th March 1974. The sanctuary is in two non-contiguous parts namely, Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary I and II. These two units lie on either side of the Dhaula Dhar hills, an intervening range that forms part of the Middle Himalaya. The total notified area of both the parts is 168 km

An erstwhile hunting reserve of the Rampur Bushahr royal family, it was notified as a sanctuary in March 1962 and then re-notified on 27thMarch 1974. The sanctuary is in two non-contiguous parts namely, Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary I and II. These two units lie on either side of the Dhauladhar Hills, an intervening range that forms part of the Middle Himalayas. The total notified area of both the parts is 168 km.

Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Himalayan Ibex, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow, Blue Sheep, Common giant flying Squirrel and Himalayan Weasel are the animals that are found over here.

There is a network of bridle paths and inspection paths in the sanctuary. Visitors are advised to seek assistance from the forest staff posted at Dofda and Sarahan. The area is ideal for those who love to trek along mountain heights.

Daranghati Weather

Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary has cool summers and severe winters. Annual precipitation is 625–900 mm, with heavy monsoon rains from July to September and frequent snowfall from January to March also required woolen cloths like shawls, sweater, cardigans etc. Temperatures range from –8°C in winter to 28°C in summer

How to reach Daranghati Sanctuary

Air

The Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km from Shimla and 150 kilometers from Rampur. All major domestic airlines cater their services from here to Shimla. One can catch direct flights from Delhi.

Rail

Shimla has a narrow gauge railway line on which toy train runs from Kalka to Shimla . The train cruises its way through valleys and beautiful landscapes at a very slow pace making the journey very pleasant. From Kalka one can take trains to other parts of the country. The Toy train from Shimla is of two types- one is the normal multi coach train and the other is the single car train, which has a glass roof giving an enthralling experience during the journey.

Road

Roads connect this capital city of Himachal with other places in the state as well as other major towns and cities. There is regular bus service from Delhi and Chandigarh as well as ordinary, semi deluxe, deluxe and AC coaches for Shimla are available too. Rampur is at a distance of around 132 km from Shimla. A fine network of roads connects Shimla to all major cities in India.