Renuka Sanctuary - Geographic Aspect

Geographic Aspect

The sanctuary falls in the bio-geographical zone IV and biogeographical province IV as per the classification done by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). According to forest types classification, the area falls under group 5B/C2 i.e. dry mixed deciduous forest and group 5/051 i.e. dry sal forest.

The forest bears mixed crop of Anogeissus, Lucinea, Terminalia, Khair, Shisham, Carrie, Cordia and a number of climbers in moist depressions.

The fauna includes Leopard, Samber, Spotted Deer, Barking deer, Jackal, Hare, Jungle cat, Plam Civet, Porcupine, Blue jay, Black Partridge, Drongos, [Hill Crow, Scarlet Minivet, Bulbul, Common Coots, Greenm Pigeons.

Renukaji Zoo is the oldest zoo in Himachal Pradesh, which was initially started during 1957 with rescued, stray and deserted wild animals from the forests. The first animal brought here was a male spotted deer named Moti. To accommodate the increasing number of animals, an open park was conceived and the park was established in 1983. Black Buck and Nilgai were brought from Pipli Zoo. A pair of Mithun, gifted by Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India in 1985, was brought from Arunachal Pradesh and another was brought from Nagaland in 1986. A pair of lions was brought to the zoo from Zunagarh in 1975.

The periphery of the area is fenced by inter-channeled chain fence to restrict the illegal entry of villagers to the area. At present the lion safari, zoo, aviary and sanctuary are under control of the administrative control of the Shimla Wildlife Division.