Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary spreading over an area of 2600 hect. is situated at 1 Km. in the North-East of Sukhna Lake. It forms the part of Sukhna lake catchment area falling in Shivalik hills. Shivalik hills are ecologically sensitive and geologically unstable and thus are highly prone to soil erosion during rains. The soil in the Shivaliks is sandy, embedded with pockets of clay which is highly susceptible to erosion by surface run off. Sukhna lake was constructed in 1958 and in sixties & early seventies, the rate of siltation of the lake was very high due to high rate of soil erosion from its catchment area. Upto 1988, 66% of the original water holding capacity of the lake was lost due to siltation.In order to minimize & control soil erosion from hilly catchment area, various vegetative and engineering methods were adopted by Forest Department. These soil & water conservation measures under-taken on sustained basis yielded very good results and the rate of siltation of the lake has reduced drastically. Soil conservation measures supplemented with massive afforestation led to the development of very good forest in hilly catchment area which is now an ideal habitat for wide variety of fauna. Consequently, this area had been notified as “Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary”.