Forest & Wildlife

Public Notice regarding closing of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary for public from 11 June, 2019 to 1 October, 2019 (Size: 132 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
Nature Bird Walk organized by Department of Forests & Wildlife in association with Chandigarh Bird Club Size: 616 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English )
Trekking Calendar for 2019 in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctury and its participation / registeration  (Size: 1.24 MB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
Trekking will be on 'First Come First Serve' basis and maximum '500 nos.' will be registered for the event. On the Spot registration shall not be entertained.
Guidelines for Public in case of man-animal conflict -- Helpline  (Size: 377 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
Bicycling Activity Calendar-2019 and Procedure for its participation  (Size: 679 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
Trek Route map of Nature Trail in Sukhna Lake Reserve Forest  (Size: 611 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
Trekking Routes in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (Size: 4.28 MB, Format: PDF, Language: English)
Modified Nature Trek Route of Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (Size: 146 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wild Life Warden is the Head of the Department. There is one post of Conservator of Forests & two posts of Deputy Conservator of Forests viz. Deputy Conservator of Forests [Wildlife] & Deputy Conservator of Forests [Botanical Garden & Nature Reserve & Director, Minor Minerals]. Conservator of Forests is the Head of Office and Drawing & Disbursing Officer. There are two posts of Sub Divisional Soil Conservation Officers [gazetted], 2 Range Officers, 1 Deputy Ranger, 12 Foresters and 15 Forest Guards. The total strength of the department including Ministerial staff is 52.

Forest Area

Total forest area in U.T.Chandigarh is 3245.30 hectares as shown in the following table :-


Sr.No.		 Name of the forests Area in hectares
1. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary 2610.99
2. Lake Reserve forests 105.57
3. Sukhna choe Reserve forests 387.12
4. Patiali-ki-Rao forests 136.19
5. Forest area at Brick kiln Manimajra 5.53
  Total: 3245.30

The Department is taking up multifarious activities for improving the green cover of U.T. Chandigarh, preserving and protecting the Wildlife, creating awareness among the people of Chandigarh about the protection of flora and fauna & preservation & restoration of bio-diversity. To increase green cover in U.T. Chandigarh, “Annual Greening Chandigarh Action Plan” is being prepared and released for implementation by all greening departments.
 
Green Cover of UT Chandigarh
As per India State of Forest Report – 2017 (ISFR) released by Forest Survey of India (FSI), the forest cover in U.T. Chandigarh is 47.56 sq.km and another 10 sq.km. area is under tree cover. Thus, the total green cover (Forest cover + tree cover) of Chandigarh as per ISFR-2017 is 57.56 sq.km. which form 41.11% of its total geographical area.

The Schemes of the department and their objectives are as under:-

1. Forest Conservation & Development

The main objective of this scheme is to reduce the silt inflow to Sukhna lake by carrying out various kinds of soil conservation works. The works like construction of silt retension dams, masonry check dams, spurs/revetments, desiltation of dams, construction of grade stabilizers, planting of live-hedge and opening of choe bed etc. are being undertaken under this scheme.

2. Plantation Scheme

The main objective of this scheme is to provide a carpet of vegetation in open patches/hill tops to reduce soil erosion by planting/sowing of seeds. Plants raised in the newly acquired land as well as the southern Sectors are also being maintained. The works like plantation, patch-sowing & installation of chain link fencing etc. are being undertaken under this scheme.

3. Greening of City Beautiful

The main objective of this scheme is to raise plantation in and around city to provide pollution free environment to the people of the city beautiful. Mixed plantations raised in southern sectors along Vikas Marg are also being maintained under this scheme. Seedlings are being supplied to the institutions/ NGO’s & public free of cost from following Nurseries :-

  • Hallomajra Nursery on Ambala –Chandigarh National Highway
  • Daria Nursery at Forest Rest House in front of Railway Station
  • Kishangarh Nursery at Kishangarh village.
  • Forest Nursery in Patiala-ki-Rao Forests (behind Panjab University)
  • Forest Nursery near Boat Club
  • Medicinal Plants Nursery at Chandigarh Botanic Garden, Sarangpur

Saplings are distributed during all working days between 9 AM to 5 PM.

Chain link fencing are being provided around forest area to avoid encroachment. The works like Biodiversity enrichment plantation in Lake Reserve Forest, Patiala-ki-Rao & Sukhna choe forests and removal of lantana-parthenium in forest area are being undertaken. Apart from maintaining Lake reserve forest, Sukhna choe reserve forest and Patiala-ki-Rao forests, department is maintaining plantations over 100 hactares of land in southern sectors & brick kiln area.

4. Communication and Building

The main aim of the scheme is to provide easy access to forest area for the effective check on forest offences, control on Forest Fires, maintenance works and to maintain the staff quarters and Rest house/Inspection hut, jeepable roads and causeway etc.

5. Preservation of Wildlife

The main aim of this scheme is to protect, preserve and propagate the wildlife of the area by creating & improving natural habitats and promoting water facilities by constructing water holes, provision of salt licks etc. In addition to this, the department is maintaining two animal rescue centres in Nepli and Kansal area. Animals are treated here and being released in the sanctuary area. To increase mobility of the staff and for effective implementation of the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972, communication network is being developed. The works like raising of water holes, suppression of lantana/ pathenium etc. are being undertaken. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is free from the menace of lantana.

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh(Size: 74.6 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

6. Establishment of Botanical Garden

Chandigarh Administration has established a Botanical Garden near village Sarangpur, Lahora and Dhanas. The total land acquired for the establishment of Botanical Garden is 176 acres. The works like raising & maintenance of nursery, raising of plantations (new), raising of shrubs, creation of lawns, land leveling, construction of check dams etc. has been undertaken. The following Sections have been developed in the Botanical Garden and other features to promote eco-tourism.

  • Medicinal Plants Section
  • Bambusetum,
  • Ficus grove
  • Palmatum,
  • Pinetum,
  • Ornamental plants
  • Arboretum,
  • Sacred grove,
  • Nutrition garden,
  • Orchidarium
  • Cactus & Succulent
  • Aquatic Plant
  • Rare Plants
  • Tropical Rain forest
  • Bulbous garden & Japanese garden.

This Botanical Garden has been opened for public on 2nd January, 2007.

Helpline Nos. for public in case of Wild Animal i.e. Monkey & Snake etc. in UT Chandigarh;

  • Deputy Range Forest Officer, Wildlife Squad 94172-16523
  • Forester & Wildlife Inspector 99141-67444
  • Forest Guard 9915127299
  • Office Landline number 0172 – 2700217

Guidebook on Plastic (Size: 9.43 MB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

Guidelines for Public in case of man-animal conflict -- Helpline(Size: 377 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

SCHOOL NURSERY YOJANA(Size: 17.4 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

Digitization of Forest Flora in Chandigarh & its Identification

State Animal, Bird, Tree and Flower of Chandigarh(Size: 389 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

Location of Forest Nurseries & Plants available(Size: 682 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

Chandigarh Botanical Garden & Nature Park

First - ever Wildlife Census conducted in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh(Size: 473 KB, Format: PDF, Language: English)

Forest & Wildlife Acts & Notification

Publications of Department

Maps

Application Form for Permit to visit Nepli/Kansal Forest Area

Trekking Calendar 2019 in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and Procedure for its participation/ registration

Bicycling Activity Calendar 2019 and Procedure for its participation

Nature Bird Walk' being organized by Department of Forests & Wildlife in association with Chandigarh Bird Club, its participation/ registration