imported>BrownHairedGirl at 17:10, 23 March 2021

2021-03-23T17:10:01Z

New page

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kalesar National Park
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Park
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| map_caption =
| image_flag =
| pushpin_map = India Haryana#India
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Haryana, India
| coordinates = {{coord|30|22|N|77|32|E|type:landmark_region:IN_dim:20000|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Haryana]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Yamunanagar district]]
| government_type = [[Government of Haryana]]
| governing_body = [[Forests Department, Haryana]]
| established_date = 2003
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code =
| website = {{URL|www.haryanaforest.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
}}

[[File:Nagarhole Kabini Karnataka India, Leopard September 2013.jpg|thumb|220px|[[Indian leopard]] is found at Kalesar]]
[[File:Elephas maximus (Bandipur).jpg|thumb|220px|[[Asiatic elephant]] is found at Kalesar]]

'''Kalesar National Park''' ({{convert|13000|acres|km2}}) and adjacent '''Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary''' ({{convert|13209|acres|km2}}) are protected areas in [[Yamunanagar district]] of [[Haryana]] state in [[India]], {{convert|122|km}} from [[Chandigarh]].<ref>
{{cite web | title = Kalesar National Park |publisher=Haryana Forest Department| url = http://www.haryanaforest.gov.in/KalesarNationalPark.aspx | access-date = 2014-08-08 }}</ref> Both are also contiguous to [[Simbalbara National Park]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Rajaji National Park]] in [[Uttrakhand]]. Kalesar is a popular destination for [[Indian leopard|leopard]]s, [[Black panther|panthers]], [[elephants]], [[red jungle fowl]] and [[bird-watching]].<ref name=ele6/><ref name=Leo42>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/haryana-wildlife-department-spots-42-leopards-in-kaleser-national-park-in-yamunagar/1/693079.html 2 Leopard spotted in Kalesar National park, Published 16 June 2016]</ref> This forested area in the [[Shivalik Hills|Shivalik foothills]] is covered primarily with [[Sal tree|sal]] with smattering of [[Bombax ceiba|Semul]], [[Cassia fistula|Amaltas]] and [[Terminalia bellirica|Bahera]] trees as well.<ref name=ele6/><ref>[http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070018119 Kalesar forest under miners' attack]</ref> Wildlife jeep safaris are available on 3 tracks.<ref name=ele8/> Park is closed July to September and during the remaining months visiting hours are 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm during summers, and 7 am to 11 am and 3.30 pm to 6 pm during winters.<ref name=ele8/>

==History==
Kalesar National Park spread across {{convert|13000|acres|km2}} was notified on 8 December 2003 and adjacent {{convert|13209|acres|km2}} Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary was notified on 13 December 1996.<ref name=ele8>[http://haryanaforest.gov.in/KalesarNationalPark.aspx Kalesar National Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308193930/http://haryanaforest.gov.in/KalesarNationalPark.aspx |date=8 March 2018 }}, Haryana Forests.</ref><ref name="Tribune 2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/community/wildlife-department-installs-80-camera-traps-for-animal-census/14223.html|title=Wildlife Department installs 80 camera traps for animal census|last=Bhardwaj|first=Bipin|date=5 December 2014|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=10 January 2015}}</ref> However, it is alleged, absence of sufficient funds from the Centre is proving to be a hindrance in wildlife conservation in the national park.

===Etymology===
Kalesar National Park is named after the ''Kalesar Mahadev'' temple located in this national park.<ref name=ele6/>

===18th and 19th Century===
Afghan invader [[Ahmad Shah Abdali]] camped at [[Pinjore Gardens]] in 1765 and [[British Raj]] soldier [[Rollo Gillespie]] camped in these hills in 1807 for tiger hunting in these hills. By 1892-93, the count of tigers and panthers had dwindled due to excessive hunting. Consequently, by 1913 [[Sirmur State]] had banned the hunting.<ref name=ele7>District Gazetteer of Ambala, 1892-93.</ref>

===Kalesar Mahadev temple===
The ancient '''Kalesar Mahadev temple''' takes its name from the a corrupted form of ''Kaleshwar'', a moniker of [[Hindu]] deity [[Shiva|lord Shiva]]. It is located near [[National Highway 907 (India)|NH 907]] on the east side and just 400 meter north of Kalesar Dak baglow (rest house) and 8.5 km north of [[Hathni Kund Barrage]]. There is also another later era Shiva temple north of Kalesar Mahadev temple.

As part of INR1200 crore Morni to Kalesar tourism development plan announced in January 2019, Government of Haryana is developing this temple, along with [[Kapal_Mochan#Kapal_Mochan_Mela|Kapal Mochan Tirth]], [[Panchamukha#Panchmukhi Hanuman_temple_of_Basatiyawala|Panchmukhi Hanuman temple of Basatiyawala]], [[Raipur_Rani#Sharda_Mata_Temple_Chotta_Trilokpur |Sharda Mata Temple of Chotta Trilokpur]] and [[Lohgarh (Bilaspur)|Lohgarh]] fort capital of [[Banda Singh Bahadur]].<ref name=kalesardev1>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/kalesar-kalka-stretch-to-be-promoted-for-tourism/715488.html Kalesar-Kalka stretch to be promoted for tourism], The Tribune, 18 jan 2019.</ref>

===Colonial Dak Bungalow===
This area, excellent for the ''bird watchers'' and [[wildlife]] enthusiasts, has a 100-year-old colonial [[dak bungalow]].<ref name=ele6/> It is located near [[National Highway 907 (India)|NH 907]] on the east side and just 400 meter south of Kalesar Mahadev temple and 8.1 km north of [[Hathni Kund Barrage]]. The forest rest house is at a picturesque point and commands a sweeping view of the [[Yamuna river]]. Surrounded with multi-layered gardens, and as typical of the Raj bungalow architecture, there are high-ceiling rooms, exquisite parquet flooring and teak paneling along walls. A fireplace with a mantelpiece above and antique furniture completes the period setting.

==Geography==
The Kalesar national park and wildlife sanctuary are located on both sides of [[Yamuna Nagar]]-[[Paonta Sahib]] Road in [[Yamuna Nagar district]] in [[Haryana]], about 8 km from [[Hathni Kund Barrage]], 15 km from [[Paonta sahib]],<ref name=ele8/> 55 km from [[Dehradun]],<ref name=ele8/> 43 km from [[Yamunanagar]], 119 km via bitumen-paved Bilaspur road through forest or 122 km via NH 7 from [[Chandigarh]]. It is bounded by [[Yamuna]] river to the east, [[Rajaji National Park]] in [[Uttrakhand]] to the northeast, [[Simbalbara National Park]] in main Shivalik Hill range to the north on Haryana's border with Himachal Pradesh, [[Morni Hills]] and agrarian farms to the west, and agrarian farms in planes of Yamunanagar district to the south.<ref name=ele8/> There are many local and [[Haryana Roadways]]-operated buses that take tourists to the park. Visitors can also hire taxis/cabs to reach the park.

===Wildlife Safaris===
Jeep safaris are available on the following 3 motorable tracks only during the designated park opening months and hours: 20 feet wide route-1 of 7 km, 60 feet wide route-2 of 6.5 km and 60 feet wide route-3 of 6 km.<ref name=ele8/> Private vehicles are not allowed on these routes, except only those pre-registered with the wildlife department for the purpose of operating safaris.<ref name=ele8/> Park is closed July to September and during the remaining months visiting hours are 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm during summers, and 7 am to 11 am and 3.30 pm to 6 pm during winters.<ref name=ele8/>

===Shivalik foothills===
The foothills of [[Shivalik Hills]] range, where this park lies, runs parallel with the Himalayan range from [[Haridwar]] on the [[Ganges]] to the banks of the [[Beas River|Beas]], with a length of {{convert|200|mi|km}} and an average width of {{convert|10|mi|km}}. The intermediate valley lying between the outer hills and the [[Mussoorie]]. The elevation varies from 2000 to {{convert|3500|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Geologically speaking the Shivaliks belong to the tertiary deposits of the outer Himalayas and are chiefly composed of low [[sandstone]] and conglomerate hills, the solidified and upheaved detritus of the great range in their rear. There are a number of pebbled dry rivulets, which come alive during the [[monsoon]] season. A dirt road diverts from the highway where a faded billboard announces entry into the reserve forest mainly consisting of [[Sal tree|Sal trees]].<ref name=ele6/>

==Flora==
=== Dense old forest ===
Kalesar has 53% dense forest, 38% open forest, 9% scrub. Total forest cover is about 71%. Spread over an area of 11,570 acres (46.8  km<sup>2</sup>), Kalesar reserve forest is the only one of its kind in Haryana. Besides the tall, leafy [[Sal (tree)|sal]] trees that constitute the dense age-old forest belt of the [[Doon valley]], there are other trees like [[Bombax ceiba|Semul]], [[Cassia fistula|Amaltas]] and [[Terminalia bellirica|Bahera]].<ref name=ele6/> [[Capparis decidua|khair]], [[shisham]], sain, jhingan, chhal (''[[Anogeissus latifolia]]'') also found in the forest. It is the only forest in Haryana with a natural Sal tree belt. Among the flora is the small sindoor tree — it has dainty flowers, which turn into pods to produce the vermilion [[sindoor]] that adorns the tresses of married women. Climbers snake up the tree stems, and the forest floor is littered with fallen leaves and foliage plants. Sculptural anthills dot the landscape. There is a long stretch of man-made forest clearing and a 'fire line' which helps in containing forest fires.

=== Medicinal plants ===
In the [[jungle]], there is a ''machaan'' (high observation tower) with a dangerous-looking service ladder. From top the effort is rewarded by a sweeping panorama of the 11000 acres (45 km<sup>2</sup>) of the great sal forest; criss-crossed by fire lines and meandering rivulets. About 20 km away on the [[Chuharpur]] road, is the [[Ch. Devi Lal Herbal Nature Park]], a project of the [[Forests Department, Haryana]]. The park, spread over {{convert|50|acre|m2}} with 61,000 [[shrubs]] of [[herbs]] and 6100 [[medicinal tree]] plants.

==Fauna==
===Wild animals===
[[File:Sambhar Deer by N A Nazeer.jpg|thumb|right|100px|[[Sambar deer]]]]
[[Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary]] and [[Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary]] are only 3 km aerial distance from each other, both are also only few km away from Kalesar National Park, all of which lie in the [[Shivalik hills]] of Haryana. All these three sanctuaries have similar species of wild animal
that migrate from one sanctuary to another.<ref name=MEF1>[http://forestsclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/AdditionalInformation/AddInfoReceived/10118122912101haryana472013.pdf Government of India's Ministry of Environment and Forests clearance, published: 2013]</ref>

In 2016, survey recorded [[Indian leopard]], [[leopard cat]], [[rusty-spotted cat]], [[jungle cat]], [[Indian jackal]], [[Asiatic elephant]], [[chital]], [[Sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[barking deer]], [[goral]], [[nilgai]], [[Indian crested porcupine]], [[small Indian civet]], [[common palm civet]], [[gray langur]], [[rhesus macaque]], [[Indian gray mongoose]], [[Sus (genus)|boar]] and [[Indian hare]].<ref name=Leo42/><ref name=ele2>[https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/haryana-wildlife-department-spots-42-leopards-in-kaleser-national-park-in-yamunagar-14437-2016-06-16 42 leopards spotted in Kalesar National Park, Haryana], India Today, 2016.</ref>

Earlier May 2004 survey in collaboration with [[Wildlife Institute of India]] found [[wild boar]]s, [[sambar (deer)|sambhars]], [[hare]]s, [[red junglefowl]], [[porcupine]], [[monkey]]s, [[chital]]s etc.

====Leopard====
{{see | Forests Department, Haryana#Leopards | l1= Leopards of Haryana| Gurugram leopard and deer safari}}
[[File:Leopard Male Nagarhole.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[Indian leopard]]]]

In 2016, the annual two-month animal counting survey done by the [[Wildlife Institute of India]] using [[Camera trap|installed camera]], found 19 species of [[mammalian]]s including 42 [[Indian leopard]]s.<ref name=Leo42/><ref name=ele2>[https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/haryana-wildlife-department-spots-42-leopards-in-kaleser-national-park-in-yamunagar-14437-2016-06-16 42 leopards spotted in Kalesar National Park, Haryana], India Today, 2016.</ref>

====Panthers====
In 2015, Kalesar also has endangered [[Black panther|panther]]s.<ref name=ele3>[http://indiagetaways.co.in/kalesar-national-park-harayana/ Kalesar National Park], India Getaways, 2015.</ref> A 1989 [[biodiversity]] report noted 19 panthers in Kalesar.<ref name=ele6>[http://forestsclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/wildlife/Userdetail/11112812201212WZQ21BriefReportonBio-diversity.pdf BriefReportonBio-diversity], Forests Clearance, 1989.</ref>

====Elephants====
{{see also | Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore | label 1 = Pinjore Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre | Morni#Morni_Pheasant_Breeding_Center | label 2 = Morni Pheasant Breeding Center}}
Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary has natural population of the wild elephants. It is also home to the '''Ch. Surinder Singh Elephant Rehabilitation Centre''' (ERC) at ''Ban Santoor'', which is a sanctuary to rehabilitate the rescued abused, exploited and sick elephants.<ref name=ele4>[http://wildlifesos.org/blog/wildlife-awareness-programme-for-kids-at-elephant-rehabilitation-center-haryana/ Ch. Surinder Singh Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC)], Wildlife SOS, 2015.</ref><ref name=ele5/> It was set up by the Harayana Forests department in association with an NGO called ''Wildlife SOS'', with the help of [[Government of India]] grant under the ''Project Elephant''. ERC has elephant shelters, veterinary services, elephant husbandry and fodder service, elephant walking and exercise trails, etc.<ref name=ele5>[https://wsosindia.wordpress.com/elephant-rescue-facilities/ Elephant rescue facilities], Wild SOS.</ref> In 2015, it had 3 rescued female elephants, namely Erica, Ella and Lilly.<ref name=ele4/> Wild elephants also roam Kalesar and adjoining [[Rajaji National Park|Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve]] spread across Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh. In January 2018, Delhi Forests department planned to rescue all the 7 domesticated elephants of Delhi kept in captivity, 2 of which will be sent to Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana and 4 will be sent to [[Rajaji National Park|Rajaji National Park and Tiger Reserve]] in Uttrakhand.<ref name=ele1>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/dehradun/in-delhi-s-jumbo-loss-major-gain-for-uttarakhand-tiger-reserve/story-EYd5cM3ta1jUm3JayokRoI.html In Delhi’s ‘jumbo loss’, major gain for Uttarakhand tiger reserve], [[Hindustan Times]], 31 January 2018.</ref>

===Wildlife preservation===
Eight watering holes have been dug up across the forest area to ensure that the wildlife does not stray into human habitats on its fringes in search of drinking water. Earthen dams have also been constructed to conserve rainwater for use of wildlife. Apart from this, there is proposal of Construction of 8 dams within this sanctuary area which is at the stage of Forest and wildlife clearances which is being taken care by Er. Navneet Kumar from Gaya Bihar working in Haryana Irrigation Department.

There is a plan to build a fence around the area.

====Wildlife protection force and courts====
As for the steps taken to ensure protection of wildlife and environment, the forest staff have been given weapons by the state government to tackle the menace posed by poachers. The state had also set up two special environmental courts in [[Kurukshetra]] and [[Faridabad]] to deal with crimes related to poaching and illicit felling of trees from the area.

====Monitoring and census cameras====
The [[Forests Department, Haryana]], with funding provided by the [[Wildlife Institute of India]], installed 80 cameras at 40 locations across the park in December 2014, primarily to monitor the movements of [[tiger]]s, [[leopard]]s and other animals in the park, as well as to conduct annual two-month long animal species and animal count survey.<ref name=Leo42/><ref name="Tribune 2014" />

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=220 heights=150>
Alert_Leopard.jpg|[[Indian leopard]] is found here
Wild_Elephant_by_N_A_Nazeer.jpg|Elephant
Black naped hare photographed in Yala National Park.jpg|[[Indian hare]] is found at Kalesar
Herpestes_edwardsii_at_Hyderaba.jpg|[[Indian gray mongoose]] is found at Kalesar
Hystrix_indica_(Indian_Crested_Porcupine)_at_IG_Zoological_park,_Visakhapatnam_03.JPG|[[Indian crested porcupine]] is found at Kalesar
PeterMaas-India-MudumalaiNationalPark-WildBoar.jpg|Wild boar
Grey_Langur_monkey_in_Rishikesh.jpg|Langur monkey
An_Indian_monkey_(bandar)_in_Malsi_Deer_Park_(photo_-_Jim_Ankan_Deka).jpg|Bandar (monkey)
Small black bird.jpg|Indian robin

</gallery>

==References==
===See also===
* [[Ch. Devi Lal Herbal Nature Park]]
* [[List of National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Haryana, India]]
* [[List of national parks of India]]
* [[Wildlife sanctuaries of India]]

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

{{Protected areas of Haryana}}
{{Protected Areas of India}}
{{National Parks of India}}
{{Haryana}}

[[Category:National parks in Haryana]]
[[Category:Yamunanagar district]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Haryana]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2003]]

Kalesar National Park - Revision history

imported>BrownHairedGirl at 17:10, 23 March 2021