Sukhna
Wildlife Sanctuary
 Sukhna
Wildlife Sanctuary spreading over an area of 2600 hect. is
situated at 1 Km. in the North-East of Sukhna Lake. It forms
the part of Sukhna lake catchment area falling in Shivalik
hills. Shivalik hills are ecologically sensitive and
geologically unstable and thus are highly prone to soil
erosion during rains. The soil in the Shivaliks is sandy,
embedded with pockets of clay which is highly susceptible to
erosion by surface run off.
Sukhna lake was constructed in 1958 and in sixties & early
seventies, the rate of siltation of the lake was very high
due to high rate of soil erosion from its catchment area.
Upto 1988, 66% of the original water holding capacity of the
lake was lost due to siltation.
 In
order to minimize & control soil erosion from hilly
catchment area, various vegetative and engineering methods
were adopted by Forest Department. These soil & water
conservation measures under-taken on sustained basis yielded
very good results and the rate of siltation of the lake has
reduced drastically. Soil conservation measures supplemented
with massive afforestation led to the development of very
good forest in hilly catchment area which is now an ideal
habitat for wide variety of fauna. Consequently, this area
had been notified as “Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary”.
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