Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in News?
The Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary is in the news because the Punjab Forest Department finalized a comprehensive ₹5.36-crore development master plan. A dedicated sum of ₹2 crore has been approved for the 2026–27 fiscal year to fund its initial phase.
Location and Geography
- District: Situated in the Rupnagar district of Punjab, India.
- Proximity: Located roughly 15 kilometers away from the historic city of Sri Anandpur Sahib.
- Terrain: Nestled directly along the fragile foothills of the Shivalik Range.
- Hydrology: Strategically located adjacent to the Sutlej (Satluj) River, acting as an important habitat corridor for migrating seasonal wildlife.
Size and Land Ownership
- Total Coverage Area: Spreads over an extremely compact footprint of 289 acres (approx. 116 hectares).
- Smallest Status: Noted structurally as one of the smallest of Punjab's 13 notified wildlife sanctuaries.
- Village Distribution: The core layout is split across three distinct local villages:
- Jhajjar Village: Houses the vast majority, covering 218 acres.
- Bachauli Village: Spans 55 acres.
- Lamlehri Village: Comprises the remaining 16 acres.
Legal History
- Initial Protection: The region was first designated as a wildlife reserve via government notification in September 1998.
- Final Notification: Officially declared a protected sanctuary on December 11, 2003, under Section 18(1) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Flora and Fauna
- Vegetation Type: Predominantly composed of dry deciduous forests.
- Plant Species: Rich in native timber and medicinal trees, including Eucalyptus, Khair, Neem, Shisham, Amla, and Subabul.
- Apex Predators: Primarily known for its migratory and resident leopards.
- Other Wildlife: Serves as a vital sanctuary for Sambar deer, barking deer, wild boars, pangolins, blue bulls (Nilgai), porcupines, jackals, and jungle cats.
- Reptilian Diversity: Provides shelter to large reptiles, notably Python molurus (Indian Rock Python), cobras, rat snakes, and monitor lizards.
New Infrastructure & Safari Features
The new ₹5.36-crore eco-tourism development includes the following low-impact, sustainable facilities:
- Nature Interpretation Centre: A state-of-the-art educational hub for visitors.
- Observation Frameworks: Construction of camouflaged watchtowers, elevated viewing decks, and dedicated walking trails.
- Green Transit: Complete restriction on fossil-fuel vehicles inside, replacing them with battery-operated visitor vehicles.
- Clean Energy: Installation of independent solar lighting grids and perimeter chain-link security fencing.
Download Pdf
