Wildlife Sanctuaries & Zoos

Wildlife is an important component of our environment. The Wildlife Preservation Wing, Punjab is responsible for the protection, conservation and management of wildlife both in nature as well as in captivity. The protection works include detection of wildlife offences and their prosecution in the courts and enforcement of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The wildlife conservation and management activities involve rehabilitation of various species of wildlife to their natural habitat, management of Zoos and Mini Zoos (Deer Parks), protection of rare and threatened species of birds and animals along with management and development of protected areas in the state.There are 12 wildlife sanctuaries duly notified in the State. The total area under these sanctuaries is 32,370.64 ha

Bir Motibagh
Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary was one of several prized hunting reserves of Patiala’s royal house. The sanctuary covers an area of approximately 654 hectares, which includes a deer park. The main sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, notably, chital, hog deer, wild boar, jackal, peafowl, myna, partridge, and quail.
- Location
Chhatbir Zoo
The Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park was created out of the Chhatbir Protected Forest in 1977. Named after the governor of Punjab who envisioned it, the Park continues to support conservation of endangered and rare species of wildlife through captive breeding, as well as, encouraging research and awareness on wildlife.
- Location
Ropar Wetland
This is a man-made freshwater wetland covering 1,365 hectares. Also called the Ropar Lake, the wetland developed consequent to the construction of a regulator on the Sutlej River. Surrounded by the Shivalik hills in the northwest and the plains in the south, eight hundred of its acres are submerged under the river.
- Location
Nangal Wetland
Like Harike and Ropar, the Nangal wetland also draws sustenance from the Sutlej River. Encompassing an area of over 700 acres, it is spread over six villages in Rupnagar. Nangal wetland is home to numerous species of both resident as well as migratory birds from the trans-Himalayan region.
- Location
Keshopur Wetland
The only major natural wetland in the State, the reserve is spread over 850 acres of marshy land near Gurdaspur. It was designated as India’s first community reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act and attracts hundreds of thousands of migratory birds from Central Asia and Siberia in the winters.
- Location
Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary
The 382-hectare Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary is distributed more or less equally between the two villages that make up its name. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1999, it is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Its mixed deciduous forests harbour a rich variety of fauna and flora including a number of avian species.
>
- Location
Abohar Black Buck Sanctuary
Spread over an area of about 18,650 hectares, the Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is unique in that it is an open sanctuary, comprising farmlands of 13 Bishnoi villages. Herds of black buck, the indigenous antelope, with their distinctive twisted horns, can be found wandering freely through the villages and even homes. Considered sacred by the Bishnois, concerted efforts by this community have saved them from poaching, with their numbers rising beyond 4000 in the sanctuary.
- Location
Kanjli Wetland
Located on the Bein rivulet, the Kanjli Wetland’s water-spread area boasts 92 species of birds besides various kinds of mammals, amphibians and fish. It is a very popular site for bird watching and boating.
- Location
Harike Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary
Harike, also known as Hari-ke-Pattan, is situated at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers. The wetland ecosystem, covering an area of 4,100 hectares, was created following the construction of the Harike barrage across the Sutlej River, and is an internationally recognised Ramsar site.
- Location
Bir Bhunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary
A popular attraction, Bir Bhunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary, was once the hunting reserve of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1972, it covers over 661 hectares and is divided into two by a road running through it.
- Location
Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary
Bir Gurdialpura, also one of the main hunting reserves of the erstwhile rulers of Patiala, is spread over a little more than 620 hectares.
- Location
Tiger Safari
Amaltas Tiger Safari, placed on Ludhiana-Jalandhar Highway (GT Road) is located about 6 km from the main Ludhiana city. Covering the total area of about 25 acres, this zoo is delighting tourists since 1993.
- Location
Emu Farms
Situated in Village :Katehra in Fazilka district very near to Jayani natural farm. This farm rear Emu birds.
- Location
Deer Park
Mini Zoo (Deer Park) Bir Talab : This Mini Zoo is situated approximately 5 km from Bathinda City. It is located in Bir Talab Forest area.
- Location