Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary biodiversity gallery opens to promote eco-tourism

Tourists to Uttarakhand’s Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary can now visit a new biodiversity gallery at the Chorgalia and Kakarali entry gates. Officials say the initiative supports eco-tourism and improves conservation awareness by showcasing the sanctuary’s flora and fauna. The 269-square-kilometre sanctuary, notified in 2012, is also home to 37 tigers.

Visitors to Uttarakhand’s Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary can now use a new gallery to learn about local wildlife. An official said on Monday the space aims to support eco-tourism. It also seeks to build interest in conservation among nature lovers. The displays help people understand biodiversity, even if animals stay hidden.

Divisional Forest Officer of Haldwani Forest Division, Kundan Kumar, said the Nandhaur Biodiversity Gallery stands at two entry points. These are the Chorgalia and Kakarali gates of the sanctuary. Kumar said the project links with wider work to improve eco-tourism. It also supports efforts to increase conservation awareness.

Nandhaur Biodiversity Gallery highlights in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary

According to the latest tiger census, the forest division has 37 tigers. Kumar said Nandhaur is among Uttarakhand’s most biodiverse areas. Still, many visitors do not get to see much. "This gallery provides an engaging platform to understand the sanctuarys biodiversity, making it accessible even to those who may not spot wildlife during their trip, Kumar said.\"

Kumar, an Indian Forest Service officer from the 2017 batch, said the gallery uses clear visuals. The space includes high-quality panels on many species. These cover mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, and other fauna. The aim is to offer simple information for visitors. It also supports learning during short trips.

Nandhaur Biodiversity Gallery history section and Kumaon forest region

Kumar said a major part of the gallery is a history section. It contains rare and selected archival material on forest management. The section includes photos of old forest rest houses. Kumar said these show architectural heritage. They also show the long role of forest administration in the area.

The same section also documents the Nandhaur Tramway System, Kumar said. It was used earlier to extract and move timber. The visuals explain how the system worked in the past. Officials see this material as part of the region’s recorded forest history. It also adds context to conservation work now.

Nandhaur Biodiversity Gallery context: Nandhaur River and sanctuary details

The sanctuary is named after the Nandhaur River, which is nearly 30 km long. The river runs through the protected area. Nandhaur is the newest wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand. It was officially notified in 2012. The site spreads across 269 square km in the Kumaon forest region.

The Kumaon forest region is known to many readers through Jim Corbett’s writings. Corbett was a hunter who later supported wildlife conservation. Officials said the new gallery adds to visitor understanding of this landscape. It offers a way to learn about species and history. The displays aim to support informed visits.

With inputs from PTI