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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh, India}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary
| iucn_category = IV
| image = Chander Taal Wildlife Sanctuary sign. Lahul & Spiti.jpg
| image_caption = Sign board of the Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary
| map = India Himachal Pradesh#India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| location = Lahaul and Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|32.4752|77.6171|region:IN-HP|display=inline}}
| area_km2 = 38.56
| established = 2007
| governing_body = Himachal Pradesh Forest Department
}}

'''Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a [[List of wildlife sanctuaries of India|wildlife sanctuary]] in [[Lahaul and Spiti district]] in the Indian state of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. It was first notified on 14 May 2007 and received final notification in June 2013 under the [[Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972|Wildlife Protection Act, 1972]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://spitiwildlifedivision.in/protected-areas/chandratal-wildlife-sanctuary/ |publisher=Spiti Wildlife Division, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

== Wildlife and habitat ==
[[File:Chandrataal-splendour.jpg|thumb|[[Chandra Taal|Chandratal Lake]]]]
It surrounds [[Chandra Taal|Chandratal Lake]], a high-altitude wetland designated as a Ramsar site in 2005. Its characterised by alpine meadows, rocky terrain and cold desert ecosystems.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chandertal Wetland |url=https://himcoste.hp.gov.in/Wetland%20Authority/Chandertal%20Wetland/CHANDERTAL_HOME.aspx |publisher=HIMCOSTE, Government of Himachal Pradesh |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

Fauna recorded include [[snow leopard]] (Panthera uncia), [[Himalayan ibex]] (Capra ibex), [[Bharal|blue sheep]] (Pseudois nayaur), [[red fox]] (Vulpes vulpes), marmot (Marmota bobak), [[Himalayan snowcock]], [[chukar partridge]], [[black-winged stilt]], [[brahminy duck]] (Tadorna ferruginea) and [[golden eagle]] (Aquila chrysaetos).<ref>{{cite web |title=Chandertal Wetland |url=https://himcoste.hp.gov.in/Wetland%20Authority/Chandertal%20Wetland/CHANDERTAL_HOME.aspx |publisher=HIMCOSTE, Government of Himachal Pradesh |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref><ref>See [https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Habitat-of-Chandra-Tal-and-Suraj-Tal‑high‑altitude‑wetlands‑of‑Lahaul‑Spiti‑A‑C‑Site_fig2_357092248 Fig. 2] in {{cite journal |last1=Dey |first1=Dipti |last2=Bhojak |first2=Puja |last3=Sekar |first3=K. Chandra |last4=Arya |first4=Dhani |title=An annotated checklist of vascular plants in and around two major high-altitude wetlands of Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India |journal=Check List |date=2021 |volume=17 |issue=6 |pages=1715–1730 |doi=10.15560/17.6.1715 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Conservation and management ==
The sanctuary is managed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. The official management plan of the sanctuary covers zoning, grazing control, eco-tourism regulation and ecological monitoring.<ref>{{cite web |title=Management Plan for Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://hpforest.gov.in/storage/files/1/pdf/Management%20Plan/Management%20Plan%20for%20Chandratal%20WLS_compressed.pdf |publisher=Himachal Pradesh Forest Department |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

In June 2025, a seasonal police check post was established at Chandratal to enhance tourist safety, emergency response and real‑time weather/route updates—reflecting the region's growing focus on responsible tourism management.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chandratal gets seasonal police check post to boost tourist safety |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/chandratal-gets-seasonal-police-check-post-to-boost-tourist-safety/536273 |work=The Tribune |date=14 June 2025 |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

The Forest Department also has imposed daily entry and activity fees (e.g.: ₹150 per Indian tourist, ₹500 per foreign national) to manage growing visitor numbers and protect ecological integrity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Himachal imposes entry, activity fee in Spiti's eco-sensitive zones |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/forest-dept-imposes-entry-activity-fee-in-spitis-eco-sensitive-zones/950123 |work=The Tribune |date=10 June 2025 |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

== Threats ==
Tourism-related pressures include littering, vegetation trampling and non‑compliance with e‑pass and safety protocols—local authorities have issued repeated warnings against swimming in the icy lake and disregarding registration requirements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Don't harm sanctity of holy Chandratal lake, tourists urged |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/dont-harm-sanctity-of-holy-chandratal-lake-tourists-urged/articleshow/84744636.cms |publisher=Times of India |date=26 July 2021 |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

Unseasonal snowfall in July 2023 left over 250 tourists stranded at Chandratal for several days, prompting large-scale rescue operations involving helicopters and road clearance teams—highlighting vulnerability to weather extremes and the importance of preparedness.<ref>{{cite news |title=256 Tourists, Stranded For 5 Days In Himachal Pradesh's Chandratal, Evacuated |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/256-tourists-stranded-for-5-days-in-himachal-pradeshs-chandratal-evacuated-4204475 |publisher=NDTV via Press Trust of India |date=13 July 2023 |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manhunt in unseasonal snow to evacuate 300 stranded tourists |url=https://www.uniindia.com/news/north/manhunt-in-unseasonal-snow-to-evacuate-300-stranded-tourists/3007801.html |publisher=UNI India |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of wildlife sanctuaries of India]]
* [[Bir Aishvan Wildlife Sanctuary]]

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Geography of Lahaul and Spiti district]]

Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

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