Simbalbara National Park
Simbalbara National park is one of the most attractive tourism place, situated in the Paonta Valley in Sirmour District of the state of Himachal Pradesh. The park flaunts romantic wilderness, deep green valleys, mountains, rivers and forests.
It was established as a wildlife reserve in 1958 and later was re-established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1974. In past, the sanctuary was the hunting ground of later Maharaja’s of Sirmour. The Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a National Park in the year of 2010. Total area of the park is about 27.88 Km2.
The park is a peaceful, isolated wildlife holiday perched in the lower reaches of the Shivalik hill ranges. The sanctuary falls under the regulation of Department of Forests, Himachal Pradesh government.
The Park is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife and bird species. This park has a better biodiversity manner as the entire ecological system of the area is well connected with a food chain and parasitic environment maintains the balance in biodiversity.
The vegetation consists of various species of herbs, medicinal plants and shrubs. This area bears dense Sal forests with grassy glades. In the area there is a perennial stream.
The park is a home to Goral, Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Chittal, Himalayan black bear, Hanuman langurs, Indian muntjacs and many other animals. The walking trails provide a picturesque view of Sal trees and grassy glades.
Trekking is a prominent activity which tourists can enjoy here. Trekking is probably the best way to explore the ins and outs of the sanctuary as it offers scenic landscapes and views. Simbalbara National park is the right place to see the captivating wild world.
There are walking trails in the quiet adjoining forests. Winter is the best season to visit this sanctuary. Simbalbara Forest Rest House is well-connected from Puruwala and provides a beautiful view of the valley.
Geography
Simbalbara National park is situated in the Paonta Valley in Sirmour District of the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Shivalik hills, and is located close to Haryanas Kalesar National Park.
The Shivalik ridge is said to be the most important physio-graphic feature of this park. The landscape consists of thick woodlands of Sal forests and lush-green grassy pastures.
Inside the park there are two waterfalls and one of them is almost dry and naturally converted into the habitat of some wild quadruped. Lush greenery is obvious as the hilly terrain is generally falls under wet climatic conditions. In the area there is a perennial stream.
The park shares a boundary with the Kalesar forest to the west, and is contiguous with the Darpur, Majra and Nagli reserve forests, which together have much larger populations of wildlife. Perennial waterholes, streams and pools are spread over the park area.
Dominant fauna
Mammals – Himalayan Bear, Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Barking Deer, Goral, Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Chittal, Hanuman langurs, Indian muntjac, wild boar, Partridges, red jungle fowl, Crested Porcupine, common Langur etc.
Birds – Hornbill, Billed Pageant, Myna, Parrots etc.
Some migratory birds are also seen in the summers from Siberia and Mongolia but frequency of these birds is no usual.
Reptiles – Black Cobra, Hilly Lizard, Python, monitor lizard etc.
Other Attractions
Shivalik Fossils Park
Rajgarh
Renuka Ji Temple
Mata Bala Ji Ka Mandir
Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary
Gurudwara Paonta Sahib