Kalesar National Park and Sanctuary

Kalesar Sanctuary is spread over 13209 hectar area along the Yamuna in Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana. The largest sanctuary in state, it comprised within the National Park. Situated in the foothills of Shiwalik ranges of Himalayas, it is a popular destination for bird-watching.

Located around 150 kms away from Chandigarh, the park shares boundary with three states viz., Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal and Uttar Pradesh. The Yamuna river form the Eastern boundary with Uttar Pradesh, the main Shivalik ridge separates state boundary among Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal in the north.

Kalesar National Park is named after the Mahakaleshwer Nav grah Temple on the Jagadhri Ponta Road, located in the protected area. The whole area is full of bio-diversity having dens Sal forest, Khair forest and patches of grass lands, which supports rich diversity of flora and fauna.

It was declared a Sanctuary on 13th December 1996, having an area of 13209 acres and upgraded to National Park on 8th December 2003.

Kalesar is the only National Park in Haryana that having good natural forest supporting such a large bio-diversity. This is the main reason behind Kalesar getting special significance in terms of conservation, education, tourism and research opportunities. To the north of National Park is Simbalwada Wildlife Sanctuary (Himachal Pradesh) separated by ridge line and marked by pillers. To the East Yamuna river makes boundary of park with Uttar Pradesh. To the south agriculture lands of villages viz., Tajewala Araynwala, Naggal, Tiberian, Khizri, Baghpat, Khillanwala, Kansli, Darpur, Chicken, Jatanwal and Kot are situated. The western side is bounded by the crop fields of villages Faqirmajra and Ibrahimpur.

Inside the Park, there is a 100-year-old colonial dak bungalow located at a picturesque point.

Fauna

It houses many threatened animals like 16 male and female leopards, Ghoral, Barking deer, 19 Panthers, Sambar, Chital, Python, King Cobra, Monitor lizard etc. Occasionally Tigers and Elephants visit this park from Rajaji National Park. So this park is very important in conservation of highly threatened animals like tiger and elephant. This habitat can provide alternate home for these two animals coming from Rajaji National Park.

Flora

Kalesar Forest has large variety of Flora, mainly the forest has sal trees and Khair, Shisam, Tun, Sain, Chhal, Jhingan, Sain and Amla. Kalesar forest maby the only forest in Haryana with a natural ‘sal’ tree belt.