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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve
| iucn_category = IV
| image =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| map = India Himachal Pradesh#India
| relief = yes
| mapframe = Yes
| map_alt = Location of Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh
| map_caption = Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary (in Himachal Pradesh)
| label = Naina Devi WS
| mark = Green pog.svg
| location = [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]] and [[Mandi district]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur]]
| coordinates = {{coord|31.308|76.612|region:IN-HP|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref name="HPForest">{{cite web |url=https://hpforest.nic.in/pages/display/59-protected-area-network |title=Protected Area Network – Himachal Pradesh Forest Department |access-date=3 July 2025 |publisher=Government of Himachal Pradesh}}</ref>
| area = {{convert|120.72|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name="ENVIS">{{cite web |url=https://hpforest.nic.in/files/Protected_Area_Network.pdf |title=Protected Areas of Himachal Pradesh |publisher=ENVIS Centre on Forestry and Forest Related Livelihoods |access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref>
| established = 1962<ref name="ENVIS"/>
| governing_body = Himachal Pradesh Forest Department
}}

'''Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a protected area located in the [[Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur district]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]], India. Established in 1962, it spans over {{convert|123|km2|abbr=on}} of forested terrain in the Shivalik range of the outer Himalayas.<ref name="ENVIS"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Himachal Pradesh |url=https://v1.wii.gov.in/eia/wildlife_database/himachal_pradesh |access-date=2026-01-03 |website=v1.wii.gov.in |language=en}}</ref> Its named after the [[Naina Devi]] temple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shavi |date=2021-09-25 |title=Everything you need to know about Naina Devi Temple! {{!}} Travel Tips |url=https://blog.oceanstravel.co.uk/naina-devi-temple/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Oceans Travel Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Description==
The sanctuary ranges in elevation from 500 m to 1,100 m, encompassing rugged hills and deep valleys dominated by sal and chir pine forests.<ref name="HPForest"/>

==Flora==
The sanctuary supports tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests. Dominant trees include sal (Shorea robusta), khair (Acacia catechu), tun (Toona ciliata), and chir pine (Pinus roxburghii). Flowering and fruit-bearing trees enhance habitat quality for wildlife.<ref name="WII">{{cite web |url=https://wii.gov.in/images/images/documents/publications/naina_devi_report.pdf |title=Biodiversity Assessment of Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary |publisher=Wildlife Institute of India |date=2019 |access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref>

A 2024 survey identified 108 forage plant species used by local communities grazing livestock within the sanctuary. Notable high-use taxa include ''Bauhinia variegata, Grewia optiva, Cassia fistula'' and ''Trifolium'' ''repens'', reflecting integration of traditional forage knowledge into local pastoral practices.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://africanjournalofbiomedicalresearch.com/index.php/AJBR/article/view/5667 |title=Documentation and evaluation of forage plants in Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary Bilaspur Himachal Pradesh |publisher=African Journal of Biomedical Research |date=29 December 2024}}</ref>

==Fauna==
The Sanctuary hosts leopards (Panthera pardus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), sambar (Rusa unicolor), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), and [[Himalayan black bear]] (Ursus thibetanus), among others.<ref name="WII"/>

As a designated Important Bird Area (IBA), Naina Devi supports over 200 bird species including the Indian paradise flycatcher, kalij pheasant, Himalayan bulbul, grey-headed canary flycatcher, and oriental turtle dove.<ref name="BNHS">{{cite web |url=https://ibareports.in/pdf/NainaDevi_IBASite.pdf |title=Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary |publisher=Bombay Natural History Society |access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref>

==Conservation==
The 2019 Wildlife Institute of India study raised concerns over unregulated tourism, habitat fragmentation, and firewood dependence, recommending controlled access, habitat demarcation, community eco-development initiatives, and integration of traditional grazing knowledge into management plans. Additionally, the 2024 forage documentation highlights the value of local forage species in sustaining livestock while maintaining ecosystem balance.<ref name="WII"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://africanjournalofbiomedicalresearch.com/index.php/AJBR/article/view/5667 |title=Documentation and evaluation of forage plants… |publisher=African Journal of Biomedical Research |date=29 December 2024}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Accessible via Swarghat–Bhakra road from Bilaspur (≈30 km), the sanctuary is best visited from October to May. Visitor entry is overseen by the Himachal Forest Department.<ref name="HPForest"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://hpforest.nic.in/pages/display/59-protected-area-network Protected Area Network – Himachal Pradesh Forest Department]
* [https://wii.gov.in/images/images/documents/publications/naina_devi_report.pdf Biodiversity Report – Wildlife Institute of India]
* [https://ibareports.in/pdf/NainaDevi_IBASite.pdf IBA Factsheet – Bombay Natural History Society]

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1962]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in Himachal Pradesh]]

Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

AyushAmar: new new biography needs work