A place considered as paradise for the wild animals in Chandigarh is Sukhna wildlife sanctuary. The wildlife sanctuary is the house for 9 species of mammals while around 63 kinds of bird species can be found here. These counts are as per the initial and only survey conducted for this wildlife sanctuary. This lake was created in 1958 located in the mountain ranges of Shivalik hills that are a part of the city of Chandigarh. Since the mountain range is grimy and has patches of clay so it makes the hills week and hence is exposed to soil erosion. Later to find the reason it was discovered that the Lake was congested and was swiftly piling up with the decayed soil. To help in the prevention of this siltation, the forest department in Chandigarh took major steps in its prevention. The steps taken were soil conversation, growing more and more trees, building up a total of 190 siltation prevention dam, almost a count of 200 check dams and urges.

The area around the sanctuary is green and lush. During the current time, soil erosion has been completely prevented in this area. The lake has trees and greenery all around. The dam built on this also is very beneficial and provides beauty. As per the assessment by Wildlife Institutes of Dehradun, it was seen that the wildlife sanctuary is beneficial for biodiversity conservation of the area.

The species and mammals housed in this sanctuary are leopard, Cheetal, Indian porcupine, blacknaped hare, grey langur, sambhar, wild boar, Indian pangolian and golden jackal. The bird species of almost 63 different kinds can be seen flocking in the vicinity of the wild life sanctuary. Few of them to be named are peacock, grey partridge, night jar, kingfisher, hoopoe, barbet, roller, parrot, jacana, coot, goose, duck, black drongo, jungle crow, hill myna, bee-eater, red jungle fowl, cuckoo, golden oriole, swift, hornbill, woodpecker, barn owl, dove, plover, hawk, swan, grebe, tree pie, bulbul, koel,  common myna etc. The fact that leopard can be seen in the wildlife sanctuary depicts that there are loads of small mammals in the sanctuary to be prey for the leopard for its survival. It is expected that as the time passes numerous wild animals would be seen wandering in Sukhna wildlife sanctuary.

Wildlife sanctuary is closed on Wednesday and on the public holidays like Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. Even on the day of Diwali and Holi, the sanctuary is closed. The entry to Sukhna wildlife sanctuary is given on the first come and first come service. The rules to be followed when visiting the wildlife sanctuary are: -

• It is not allowed to shoot, hunt or tease the wild animals in the sanctuary.
• Possessing Arms in the vicinity of sanctuary is punishable act.
• No harm should be done to the flora in the sanctuary.
• The use of Kansal Log hut/Nepli Inspection Hut is not permitted.
• No garbage should be thrown in the sanctuary. The areas like the Inspection Hut/Rest Houses and the lawns should be kept clean.
• No debris should be thrown in the vicinity of the wildlife sanctuary.
• Campfire is prohibited in sanctuary.
• Use of loud noises like high music or loudspeakers should be avoided.
• Carrying non-degradable wastes like plastic containers or bags should be avoided.
• It is not allowed to cook food in the sanctuary during the visit.
• The parking fee should be deposited in the sanctuaries office.
• Only permit holders are allowed to enter the sanctuary.
• Permit given is non-transferable.
• Care should be taken on sighting a leopard while strolling in the sanctuary.
• Young kids should not be left alone since they can fall prey easily to the leopards.
• On seeing the leopard, the forest officers should be intimated immediately.
• One should only get down from the vehicle where it has been marked safe.
• If one is interested to trek in the sanctuary, it should be informed prior to the forest officers.

Don’ts in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

• Use of loud music in the vehicle should be avoided. While wandering in the sanctuary silence should be maintained.
• Arms possession while visiting sanctuary is prohibited.
• Lighting of fire for campfires should be avoided.
• Visitors are not allowed to consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol in the sanctuary.
• Smoking and alcohol consumption is prohibited
• Gathering in large group should be avoided.
• Honking is not permitted in the sanctuary.
• Garbage should be properly disposed at the allocated locations. Littering is also not permitted. Carrying non degradable material like plastic can cause danger to the animals in case they consume the same, hence it should be avoided.
• Preparing food in the boundaries of sanctuary is also not allowed.
• While strolling in the sanctuary specified distance should be kept from the wild animals.
• Young kids should every time be accompanied by adults to prevent them from falling prey to leopard.
• Feeding to any animal is punishable since this may cause danger to the visitors.

Do’s in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

• The permit from Chief Wildlife Warden, Chandigarh, Old Architect Building, Sector -19, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, Phone No.0172-2700284, 2700217 must be taken before going to the sanctuary.
• While travelling in vehicle, only slow driving is permitted.
• Clothes with light colors should only be worn.
• Usage of scented materials like perfumes should be avoided since the fragrance can attract the animals.
• Taking pictures is permitted.
• Making loud noise should be avoided.
• Try to take pictures in natural light and flash lights should not be used since the lights can distract the animals and they can get violent.
• Stepping from the designated track should be avoided while moving in the sanctuary.
• One can carry Binoculars, relevant reading materials to take pleasure of the rich flora and fauna in the sanctuary.
• While strolling in the sanctuary a safe distance should be maintained from the animals.
• If one spots the leopard, it should be immediately be bring in the notice of forest officials.

The permit holder may be allowed to carry following items with them:-

• Camera,
• Binoculars,
• Umbrella,
• Stick,
• Prepared food/eatables,
• Water bottle.
• First aid box
• Simple playing equipment.

Flora

The habitat of the sanctuary is such that it supports wildlife in the sanctuary. There are large water ponds, green grass patches and plantations that support the wildlife. The rich flora of the sanctuary includes herbs, climbers, shrubs and grasses. Few of the trees that can be seen all around the year include Phulai, Raeru, Chhal, Semal, Kachnar, Tut, Kendu, Musket, Ber, Karaunda, Moonj, Rati, Khair, Kikar, Shisham, Neem, Dhak , Amla,  Jhingan, Kari patta, Amaltas, Bana or nirgundi, Vasaka, Giloe etc.

Fauna

The house for numerous mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles and honey-bee is Sukhna wildlife sanctuary. Variety of micro organisms can also be seen in the sanctuary. The mammals who have their abode in this sanctuary are Leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Small Indian Civet, Porcupine, Rhesus Monkey, Common-Mongoose, Common Rat, Wild boars, Jackals, Pangolin, Jungle Cat, Hanuman Langur, Indian Hare, Red Jungle Fowl, Squirrel etc. There are almost 150 different kinds of aquatic birds seen in the ponds of the sanctuary. Few of the other birds flocking in the vicinity of sanctuary are Red jungle fowl, Cuckoos, Golden Oriole, Swifts, Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Barn owls, Doves, Plovers, Hawks, Swan, Grebes, Tree pie, Bulbul, Koel, Common Myna, Grey partridge, Night jars, Kingfisher, Hoopoes, Barbets, Rollers, Parrots, Jacanas, Coots, Geese, Ducks, Black drongo, Jungle crow, Hill myna, Bee-eater, etc. The sanctuary also houses 950 peacocks.

The Parking fee to be charged is as follows:-

• Parking fee is levied @ Rs.50/- per school bus and
• Rs.200/- per private bus.

Timings:  The Sanctuary remains open from sunrise to sunset.

How to Reach

The wildlife sanctuary is located on the highway of Raipur-Deobhog.

By Air

Chandigarh Airport is the nearest airport that connects with the major cities of the country such as Amritsar, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Jammu.

By Rail

Chandigarh Railway Station is the nearest major station to approach Sukhna wildlife sanctuary.

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