The Manali Sanctuary spreads over an area of 31, 80 sq km in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It commences its stretch from about 2 kms away from the beautiful town of Manali and is a treasure - trove for wildlife buffs. The sanctuary is situated at an altitude ranging from 2,273 to 5,173 meters above the sea level. The verdant green forest with its rich diversity of flora and fauna was recognized as a sanctuary in the year 1954, under the Punjab Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act of 1933.

The Manali Wildlife Sanctuary forest cover, in the catchment area of Manalsu khad, is mainly made of trees like those of Walnut, Deodar, Kail, Horse chestnut, and Maple. The main species of animals found in the sanctuary are Leopard, Musk deer, Barking Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Himalayan Palm Civet, Himalayan Tar, Hare, Kashmiri Flying Squirrel Leopard, Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Ibex, and Serow and Stripped Hyena. The avi-faunal varieties found in the sanctuary are Monal, Koklas, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Chakor, Tree Creepers, Snow Pigeon, and Kingfisher. Mountainous snakes and lizards are also commonly found in the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary.

Text Courtesy :mapsofindia.com
Image Courtesy :beautiful-himachal.blogspot.com