[Himachal GK] Mandi Wild Life Sanctuaries

Nargu Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 970 meters to 4034 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1380 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from -5 to 20°C.
Area : 27,837 hectares ( 278.37 sq. km. ).
Location : nearest town is Mandi.
Approaches : Mandi to inside sanctuary.



It was first notified as a sanctuary in 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. The sanctuary has a heavily degraded area which has only a few good patches of wild life habitat left in its higher, inaccessible reaches. This sanctuary in among the most densely populated sanctuaries in Himachal. Towards the South-East, it adjoins Khokhan sanctuaty.

Flora
Forest types include sub-tropical pine, Ban Oak, Moru Oak, Moist Deodar, western mixed Coniferous, moist temperate Deciduous, Kharsu Oak and sub Alpine forests.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Goral, Indian Hare, common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan yellow throated, stone Marten, Indian Porcupine, common giant flying Squirrel and Hhimalayan Weasel


Shikari Devi Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 1800 meters to 3369 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1038 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from -10 to 30°C.
Area : 7200 hectares ( 72 sq. km. ).
Location : nearest town is Sundernagar.
Approaches : Mandi to Sundernagar to inside sanctuary.

It was first notified as a sanctuary in 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. This sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, to whom a temple situated within the sanctuary is dedicated. Captivating sunrise and sunset from the temple is soul stirring. You can reach the place from Karsog via Bakrot ( Chindi ) or via Gohar ( Budhakedar ). This is very beautiful place and provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. One can easily feel sitting on top of the world here.

Flora
Forest types include Ban Oak, western mixed Coniferous, Kharsu Oak, west Himalayan upper Oak, Moist temperate Deciduous forest, sub Alpine pastures.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, cat Leopard, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Musk Deer, Goral, common Langur, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Marten, Indian Porcupine, Kashmiri flying and common Squirrel.

Bandli Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 762 meters to 2160 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1524 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from 1 to 35°C.
Area : 4133 hectares ( 41.33 sq. km. ).
Location : 7 km. from Sundernagar town.
Approaches : Mandi to Sundernagar to inside sanctuary.

It was first notified as a sanctuary in 1962 and re-notified on 27th March 1974. The area was earlier a protected forest. A heavily disturbed sanctuary with a small population of Chir Pheasant and Leopard.

Flora
Forest types include Himalayan sub-tropical Pine forest, Ban Oak forest and Chir Pine forest.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Himalayan Black Bear, common Palm Civet, Himalayan Palm Civet, barking Deer, Goral, Indian Hare, common Langur, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Rhesus Macaque, common Mongoose and Indian Porcupine.