Hastinapur Sanctuary, Wildlife sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, India

Hastinapur Sanctuary is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh spanning five districts with diverse habitats including river systems, woodlands, and grasslands. It shelters leopards, multiple deer species, primates, and a wide range of birds throughout these different environments.

The area takes its name from Hastinapur, an ancient Kuru kingdom capital significant in Hindu texts. The creation of the modern sanctuary connects this archaeological heritage with the protection of the region's current wildlife and ecosystems.

The sanctuary is named after Hastinapur, the ancient city on the west bank of the Budhi Ganga, which tradition identifies as the capital of the Kuru kingdom in the Mahabharata. Visitors pass through a landscape where most of the land is settled and farmed: sugarcane, rice, wheat, maize and cucurbits are the main crops. The painted stork, Asian open-billed stork and white-necked stork are among the 117 bird species recorded here.

Visit the Ganges sections early in the morning or late afternoon when wildlife is most active. The terrain is mostly flat and easy to access, though sturdy footwear and weather protection are wise for longer walks.

The sanctuary harbors a substantial population of gharials, a rare crocodilian species that is bred and released here for river restoration. These reptiles are primarily found in the river sections between Bijnor and the main sanctuary area.