Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Government of India has designated areas around Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Mandi district, as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to reduce the impact of urbanisation and developmental activities on the surrounding protected areas.
- It is located in the district of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
- It covers the middle altitudinal range from 1,800 to 3,400 m of the Himalayas, showing the transition from pine through oak to alpine meadow.
- This sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, to whom a temple is dedicated and the place is considered sacred by Hindus.
- The temple is positioned in the middle of snow-capped mountains and dense pine trees at an elevation of 2850 m above sea level.
- An area of 7,200 ha surrounding the temple was declared a sanctuary in 1962.
- It is home to different species of animals and birds, including the goral, monal, black bear, barking deer, musk deer, cat leopard, and the Himalayan black bear.
- We can also see the Himalayan palm civet, barking deer, marten, Indian porcupine, Kashmiri flying squirrel, musk deer, common langur, leopard, common squirrel and snow leopard inhabiting the sanctuary.
