The Haryana state of north India has 2 national parks, 8 wildlife sanctuaries, 2 wildlife conservation areas, 4 animal & bird breeding centers, 1 deer park and 50 herbal parks which are managed by the Forests Department of the Government of Haryana. Wildlife and forest areas of Haryana lies mainly in the foothills of Sivalik Hills range in the north and Aravalli Range in South Haryana. Aravalli mountains in Haryana are part of the Sariska to Delhi leopard wildlife corridor (including "Western-southern Haryana spur" which entails Satnali–Dadam–Tosha hill (ranges).
Types of protected wildlife areas in Haryana Hunting and poaching is illegal in all protected wildlife areas.
All rights of people within a National Park have to be resettled outside while rights over land can be allowed inside a Sanctuary. Grazing of livestock can be permitted inside a Sanctuary but not inside a National Park. A Sanctuary can be upgraded as a National Park. However a National Park cannot be downgraded as a Sanctuary. Wildlife National Parks, Sanctuaries and Conservation areas must remain free of roads, buildings, motorized equipment and mechanical transport.
National parks The Forests Department, Haryana of the Government of Haryana maintains two national parks:
Name of national park Area District & location Hisar Delhi Chandigarh Major wildlife supported Sultanpur National Park 142.52 hectares 25 km from Gurugram, location map 158 km 44 km 305 km Common hoopoe, paddyfield pipit, purple sunbird, little cormorant, Indian cormorant, common spoonbill, gray francolin, black francolin, Indian roller, white-throated kingfisher, spotbill, painted stork, black-necked stork, white ibis, black-headed ibis, little egret, great egret, cattle egret, crested lark, red-vented bulbul, rose-ringed parakeet, red-wattled lapwing, shikra, Eurasian collared dove, red-collared dove, laughing dove, spotted owlet, rock pigeon, magpie robin, greater coucal, weaver bird, bank mynah, common mynah and Asian green bee-eater. Kalesar National Park 4682.32 hectares 15 km from Yamunanagar on Chhachhrauli road, location map 251 km 244 km 125 km elephant, wild boar, sambhar, hare, red junglefowl, porcupine, monkey, chital
Wildlife sanctuaries The Forests Department of the Government of Haryana maintains the following Wildlife Sanctuaries:
Name of Wildlife Sanctuary Area District & Location Hisar Delhi Chandigarh Major Wildlife Supported Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary 411.55 hectares 15 km away Jhajjar on Jhajjar Kasani road, http://wikimapia.org/4409240 map] 127 km 105 km 300 km neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary 82.70 hectares 8 km from Chhuchhkvas, Jhajjar district, map 128 km 80 km 300 km neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary 211.35 hectares 5 km from Kosli on Kosali Mahendragarh road, Rewari district, Map 130 km 80 km 320 km neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary 28.92 hectares 10 km from Bhoor Saiyda village, Kurukshetra district, map 150 km 100 km 160 km blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary 4482.85 hectares 10 km Pahowa (Kaithal district), location map 150 km 200 km 108 km Wild boar (Sus scrofa), neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary 11530.56 hectares 10 km from Mandi Dabwali on Dabavali-Sangariya road, Sirsa district, map 168 km 322 km 208 km Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary 2226.58 hectares 0.5 km from Panchkula on Morni road, Panchkula district, Map 235 km 250 km 20 km Wild boar (Sus scrofa), neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary 767.30 hectares 8 km from Pinjore on Mallah road, Panchkula district, Map 245 km 260 km 20 km Wild boar (Sus scrofa), neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary 3271 hectares Surajkund, Bandhwari, Gwal Pahari 240 km 20 km 240 km leopard (Sus scrofa), neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), red-headed vulture, egyptian vulture, painted stork, white-faced ibis, european roller, black francolin and grey-headed fish eagle.
Conservation areas Name of Conservation area Area District & Location Hisar Delhi Chandigarh Major Wildlife Supported Bir Bara Ban Wildlife Sanctuary 419.26 hectares or 4.2 km2 5 km from Jind, location map 70 km 144 km 182 km Neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Chadhuriwali Community Reserve 144-acre (58 hectares or 0.6 km2) In Hisar district, 35 km west of Hisar 35 km 210 km 270 km
Flora: The flora of the Bir Hisar area, including the newly designated Chaudhariwali Community Reserve, is a representative example of a semi-arid, dry deciduous forest typical of the region. The vegetation is well-adapted to the local climate, with a mix of indigenous and planted species. Dominant native trees found in the area include Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Desi Kikar (Acacia nilotica), and Ker (Capparis decidua). These species are crucial to the local ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife while also having cultural and medicinal significance. The vegetation also includes a variety of shrubs, herbs, and grasses that contribute to the overall biodiversity. The recent declaration of the Chaudhariwali Community Reserve aims to protect these native plant species and prevent land-use changes that could harm the ecosystem."Hisar gets first Community Reserve for protection of wildlife, ecology," The Tribune, March 3, 2025.
Fauna: Bir Hisar provides a vital habitat for a variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds. The area's status as a protected reserve has been a significant step in conserving its animal population."Haryana's two new community reserves protect diverse species," The Times of India, March 10, 2025.
Mammals: The reserve is home to several species of mammals. Key species include blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra), a protected species often found in the open plains of Haryana. Other notable mammals recorded in the area are desert foxes (Vulpes vulpes pusilla), wild cats, jackals (Canis aureus), and various species of deer. The presence of these animals highlights the importance of the reserve in providing a sanctuary for wildlife in an otherwise agriculturally dominated landscape.
Reptiles: The dry, scrubland environment of Bir Hisar is also suitable for reptiles. The reserve is known to be a habitat for spiny-tailed lizards and various species of turtles. These reptiles play a crucial role in the local food web and are indicators of the ecosystem's health.
Birds: The region is a significant area for birdlife, attracting both resident and migratory species. A prominent resident bird is the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), which is frequently sighted. Other avian species, including various ground birds and smaller songbirds, also thrive in the diverse flora of the sanctuary. The Hisar district as a whole is known for its avifaunal diversity, with a variety of bird species recorded in and around its forested areas."Community Composition and Status of Avifaunal Diversity in and around District Hisar, Haryana, India," ResearchGate."Wildlife and Biodiversity of Haryana," https://haryana.pscnotes.com/. Shri Guru Jambheshwar Chinkara Community Reserve 68-acre (27 hectares or 0.3 km2) In Fatehabad district (Kajalheri), 35 km northwest of Hisar Airport 35 km 200 km 210 km Shri Guru Jambheshwar Chinkara Community Reserve is a protected area located in the Fatehabad district of Haryana. It was officially declared by the Haryana government to protect the region's unique biodiversity, with the active participation of the local community."Haryana's two new community reserves protect diverse species," The Times of India, March 10, 2025.
Location and Area: The reserve is situated in Kajalheri village in the Hisar district. It covers an area of 68 acres."Three Fatehabad villages to have wildlife reserves," The Tribune, February 24, 2018. The local Bishnoi community, which holds a strong tradition of environmental protection, has been instrumental in the conservation of the wildlife in this area for decades.
Primary Species and Conservation Focus: The reserve is a vital habitat for several species, with a particular focus on the Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) and blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra). The softshell turtle, which is listed as endangered by the IUCN, thrives in the village pond, which is a key part of the reserve. The area's status as a Community Reserve provides a legal framework to formalize and strengthen the conservation efforts of the local community. Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary 4482.85 hectares 10 km Pehowa (Kaithal district), location map 150 km 200 km 108 km Wild boar (Sus scrofa), neelgai (bluebull), geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) Mangar Bani 265 hectares or 2.7 km2 In Faridabad district, 5 km from Gurugram 170 km 20 km 280 km Leopard, geedar (jackal), langur (Presbytis entellus) and bandar (rhesus macaque), blue peafowl (mor), rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda), greater coucal (Centropus sinensis), Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris), coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala)
Animal and bird breeding centers The Forests Department of the Government of Haryana runs the following: