Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary and Catchment Area

It is situated 8km northeast of Shimla, just off the NH22(Kufri-Shimla) highway. The catchment has an area of 1020.32 hectares and receives 1600mm rainfall. The sanctuary serves twin objectives i.e conservation of wildlife and water harvesting. A century-old water harvesting plan has been preserved till today. The water supply based on gravity and is the source of supply of water to Shimla town. At the same time, it is an important wildlife sanctuary having a great conservation value. A long history of conservation has been associated with catchment area, it has been conserved for more than the past 135 years. It was in 1999 when the area was finally notified as a wildlife sanctuary and a reservoir at seog was constructed in 1901. Today the place is being managed by the Himachal Pradesh forest department.

The catchment area is rich in biodiversity, home to many species of plants, animals birds and insects. Many plants of medicinal importance are also found in the forest. The area supports dense Deodar forest. The other trees found in the catchment area includes Ban oak, Mohru oak, Kharsu oak, Himalayan spruce, Himalayan pine etc. Flowers include Blue Himalayan Anemone, Indian Paper plant, Himalayan Rose, Himalayan Balsam, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Red mountain etc. The catchment area is a Bird watcher's paradise, chirping of the birds is the only noise inside the sanctuary. Animals sightings are also very common. The sanctuary has a very high density of Koklass Pheasant. The place is a delight for wildlife lovers.

The catchment area offers a perfect day hike into the woods. The trail starts from the gates of the water catchment sanctuary, it is a 6km walk from the gates to a beautiful rest house at Seog. Below the trail are the pipelines laid a century ago. The trail is surrounded by tall Deodar and Himalayan oaks mainly. Along the way, there are many streams of water. Beautiful wooden cabins built inside the catchment area facilitate magnificent views of the dense forest and the valley.