Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary
Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Established in 1962, it spans over of forested terrain in the Shivalik range of the outer Himalayas. Its named after the Naina Devi temple.
Description
The sanctuary ranges in elevation from 500 m to 1,100 m, encompassing rugged hills and deep valleys dominated by sal and chir pine forests.Flora
The sanctuary supports tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests. Dominant trees include sal, khair, tun, and chir pine. Flowering and fruit-bearing trees enhance habitat quality for wildlife.A 2024 survey identified 108 forage plant species used by local communities grazing livestock within the sanctuary. Notable high-use taxa include Bauhinia variegata, Grewia optiva, Cassia fistula and Trifolium ''repens'', reflecting integration of traditional forage knowledge into local pastoral practices.
Fauna
The Sanctuary hosts leopards, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, Indian porcupine, and Himalayan black bear, among others.As a designated Important Bird Area, Naina Devi supports over 200 bird species including the Indian paradise flycatcher, kalij pheasant, Himalayan bulbul, grey-headed canary flycatcher, and oriental turtle dove.