Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary: Recenly, the Punjab government submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court (SC) stating that the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary will remain at 100 meters for the Nayagaon municipal committee, instead of 1 to 3 km.

• About Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary: It is a protected area in Chandigarh, near Sukhna Lake, at the foothills of the Shivalik range.
• History: The Lake was constructed by Le Corbusier in 1958 by diverting the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream from the Shivalik hills.

o The sanctuary was developed through afforestation for soil conservation around the lake, established in 1998, it covers an area of 2600 hectares.

• Geography: Unstable terrain, prone to soil erosion due to surface runoff during rains, contains sandy soil of the Shivalik with clay pockets in some areas.
• Apart from Sukhna Lake, the sanctuary has around 150 water bodies forming its catchment area.
• Vegetation: Mix of forests, grasslands, and wetlands, with Sukhna Lake as a crucial part of the ecosystem.
• Flora: Includes species like Khair, Phulai, Kikar, Shisham, Moonj, Amaltas, Jhingan, Amla, Rati, and Vasaka.
• Fauna: Mammals (Squirrel, Common Mongoose, Indian Hare, Porcupine, Jungle Cat, Jackal, and Wild Boar) & Birds (Peacock, Hill Myna, Jungle Crow, Black Drongo, Parrots, and Doves. Also attracts migratory birds).