Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary

The Government of India has designated areas surrounding the Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) to mitigate the effects of urbanization and developmental activities on the protected regions.

• The Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1962, covers an area of 29.94 square kilometers.
• The ESZ encompasses 43 villages: 34 in the Nachan Forest Division and 9 in the Karsog Forest Division.
• The ESZ boundaries extend from 50 meters to 2 kilometers around the sanctuary.
• The sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, with a temple dedicated to her within its confines.
• The sanctuary’s vegetation includes Alpine Pastures, Sub-alpine Forest, Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest, West Himalayan Upper Oak/Fir forest, Kharsu Oak Forest, Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, and Ban Oak Forest.
• The sanctuary is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.