Forest & Wildlife

Shri D.K.Tiwari, IAS is Administrative Secretary of Department of Forests & Wildlife and Conservator of Forests & Chief Wild Life Warden is the Head of the Department. Deputy Conservator of Forests is the Head of Office and Drawing & Disbursing Officer. There are two posts of Deputy Conservator of Forests viz. Deputy Conservator of Forests [Wildlife] & Deputy Conservator of Forests [Botanical Garden & Nature Reserve & Director, Minor Minerals]. 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 50.

Forest Area

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

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 the State of Forests Report -2009(SFR) of Forests Survey of India (FSI), the forest cover in UT Chandigarh is 43 sq. kms and another 11 sq kms area is under tree cover. Thus, the total green cover (forest cover + tree cover) of Chandigarh as per ‘SFR-2009’ is 54 sq. kms which form 38.8% of its total geographical area. As per SFR-2007, the total green cover of U.T. Chandigarh was 50 sq. kms. Thus, there is net increase of 4.0 sq. km (3.0%) in the green cover of UT, Chandigarh.

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

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.  193 water bodies have already been created in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary under this 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 tree guards etc. are being undertaken under this scheme.

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
• 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 plantation in lake & Patiala-ki-Rao forest & Sukhna choe forests, chain link fencing, removal of lantana-parthenium in forest area & environmental upgradation of sukhna choe etc. 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.

Communication and Building

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

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 has  been 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.  Permits are being issued on first come first basis to the nature lovers to visit ‘Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary’ for all days of the week except  Wednesday and on public holidays i.e. Independence Day, Republic Day, 2nd October and on the  day of ‘Diwali’ & ‘Holi’, on the following conditions :-

• No shooting, hunting & teasing of wild animals will be carried out.
• Carrying of Arms/ammunition is prohibited.
• No damage to flora will be carried out.
• Complete cleanliness will be ensured in the Sanctuary including Inspection Huts/Rest Houses and its surrounding grassy lawns.
• No Loudspeaker/ Music system is allowed.
• Carrying of plastic bags and containers inside the Sanctuary is prohibited.
• Cooking food or lighting fire is strictly prohibited.
• Parking fee for Buses in the Sanctuary shall be deposited in this office.
• Do not leave children alone. Always keep them in immediate sight. They are of the size of the Leopard prey.
• In case of Leopard sighting please inform the forests officials immediately.
• Do not get down from your vehicle, other than identified places.
• If you are going for a trekking on the routes identified by the department please inform the staff on duty at the entry gate/ inspection house.

Don’ts in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

• Please do not put on your car stereo or transistor. The quieter you are ,more is the possibility of wildlife sighting
• Do not carry gun or pistol .Feel free to shot snaps with a camera
• Don’t light campfires or smoke in the forest
• Consumption of non–vegetarian food and alcohol is strictly prohibited inside the sanctuary
• Do not smoke.
• Any type of Group Meeting is allowed in the Sanctuary area.
• Don’t honk vehicle horn.
• Does not litter the wildlife sanctuary. Please dispose the garbage in the dustbins only. Animals eat wrappers cans and bottles caps which damages them to a great extent. Further eating human food can cause among other things tooth decay, gum infection and ulcers in the animals.
• Cooking of food is prohibited.
• Keep safe distance from animals. Do not attempt to approach too close to an animal. Even seemingly harmless animals can be dangerous, if disturbed.
• Do not leave children alone. Always keep them in immediate sight. They are of the size of the Leopard prey.
• Do not feed animals. Feeding attracts animals to roadside areas where they could be in danger.

Do’s in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

• Please enter the Sukhna wildlife Sanctuary after taking necessary permit from the Office of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Chandigarh, Old Architect Building, Sector -19, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, Phone No.0172-2700284, 2700217.
• Drive slowly in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wear less bright clothes, as the bright clothes distract the animals
• Avoid wearing perfumes, it attracts animals
• Feel free to shot snaps with a camera
• Listen to the silence and the symphony of the forests. Talk only if necessary.
• Avoid using flash while photographing the wildlife. Use natural light. Animal’s eyes are very sensitive and you startle them with a burst of blinding light.
• While walking on the natural trail, avoid stepping off the track. By doing so you are damaging the vegetation specially saplings.
• Carry Binoculars, Cameras, books and other reading material to study and enjoy the flora and fauna of the wildlife sanctuary.
• Keep safe distance from animals. Do not attempt to approach too close to an animal. Even seemingly harmless animals can be dangerous, if disturbed.
• In case of Leopard sighting please inform the forests officials immediately

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.

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.

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.

Instructions/Advice to be followed by the public

• To inform the Department about the entry of wild animals like Sambar, Blue bull, Pangolin etc. in urban area.  People are advised not to try to catch wild animals on their own as the animal may hurt them in self defence.
• To inform the Department about monkeys creating problem in the city. Residents are requested to follow the directions issued by the Department to minimize/ reduce human-monkey conflict. People’s cooperation for catching the problematic monkey is solicited by the department.
• In case of snake problem particularly in rainy season, following may be contacted  for assistance:-
  • Range Officer, Wildlife Squad - 94172 16520
  • Forester & Wildlife Inspector - 99142 20550
  • Forester & Wildlife Inspector - 94172 18520
  • Office Landline numbers - 0172 2700217
• Whenever any person is found selling wildlife articles, information may be given to the office of Deputy Conservator of Forests & Chief Wild Life Warden to take further necessary action under rules, Phone:0172 2700284, 2700217.
• For illegal felling/removal of trees in city area, Executive Engineer (Horticulture) of Engineering Deptt., Chandigarh Administration/ Executive Engineer (Horticulture), Municipal Corporation may be informed for further necessary action.
• Concerned horticulture staff will lodge the complaint in Police against the offender.
• For obtaining necessary permission for felling of trees in the city/urban area, citizens are requested to approach the concerned Executive Engineer (Horticulture).
• To avoid any inconvenience to the residents of Chandigarh in case of monkey menace in the city, following phone numbers and  Hotline numbers may be used:-
  • Range Officer, Wildlife Squad - 94172 16520
  • Forester, Wildlife Squad - 99142 20550
  • Forest Guard, Wildlife Squad - 98555 94003
  • Forest Guard, Wildlife Squad - 98728 51011
  • Office Landline numbers (During office hours) - 0172 2700217, 2700284
  • Hotline number (Any time) - 4639999

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary at a glance

State Animal, Bird, Tree and Flower of Chandigarh

Location of Forest Nurseries & Plants available

Greening Chandigarh Action Plan 2011-12

Chandigarh Botanical Garden & Nature Park

Booklet on 'Herbs for Everyone'

How to deal with Monkeys