Manali Sanctuary, Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh, India
Manali Sanctuary is a forest reserve in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, sheltering musk deer, brown bears, leopards, and snow leopards. The terrain rises through slopes covered in deodar cedar and maple trees, giving many animal species a place to live.
The sanctuary received its protected status in 1954, making it one of the early formally protected areas in the region. That decision set the foundation for the long-term care of the forest and the animals living in it.
A trail running through the sanctuary connects old log huts used by locals to the Dhungri Temple, a shrine dedicated to the goddess Hadimba. This path is regularly used by people from the area, showing how closely the forest is tied to everyday religious life here.
The sanctuary can be explored on foot using marked trails that wind through the forest and open up to mountain views. Visiting between May and October gives the most favorable conditions for walking and spotting wildlife.
In summer, groups of Ibex move through the glacier zones of the sanctuary while Himalayan martens roam the dense forests lower down. This means the character of the place changes noticeably depending on the season you visit.
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