Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
Famous for its almost-extinct mountain quails, deer, leopards and red-billed blue magpie, the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is well known to house rare species of birds and offers an excellent trail of pine-clad slopes surrounded by Himalayan peaks for a refreshing walk.
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary a part of Rajaji National Park is located about 11 km from Library Point in the ‘Queen of Hills’ Mussoorie. It is surrounded by the benedictory pines, old cedar trees, and medicinal plants that grow in abundance in this area. The sanctuary has developed as a bird watching haven and is a home to a wide variety of birds such as White Capped Water Redstart and Red Billed Blue Magpie to name a few. One can also admire an eye-captivating view of the snow-clad Chaukhamba and Bandarpunch peaks from here. The popular tourist spots near the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary are the Hathipaon Estate and Cloud’s End
Flora-Fauna
Famous for being a home to the myriad colourful birds, one can spot the White Capped Water Redstart, the Red Billed Blue Magpie, and the mountain quails. The commonly found animal species found in this sanctuary are the Himalayan goat, panther, leopard, deer, and bear. Being nestled in the quaint hills of Mussoorie, the sanctuary offers refreshing views of the natural vistas and a truly magical view of the sunrise and sunset.
Best Time to Visit Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary remains open throughout the year but the best time to visit this sanctuary is from April to November.
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is located in a pine-clad slope and is surrounded by snow capped peaks of the Himalayan ranges. Being a natural habitat of extinct species of mountain quails and red-billed blue magpie, the sanctuary serves as a home to many endangered and rare species of avifauna. Apart from fauna, herds of deer and leopards are also spotted in their natural habitat.
The flora of the forest mainly comprises fir and pine trees, which was once a home of the Himalayan quail, an extinct bird, last sighted in 1876. In addition to this, the area is rich in medicinal plants. Both herbivores and carnivores species are found in abundance including Himalayan goat, panther and Himalayan bear.
Beautiful views of snow peaks like Chaukhamba and Bandar Punch can be seen from this sanctuary. Aglar River, a tributary of Yamuna River flows from the town to this sanctuary. Owing to its scenic beauty and lush green surroundings, the place is ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers.
Being well connected by roads, the sanctuary can be reached by hiring buses and taxis that are available from Dehradun and Mussoorie.
Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is surrounded by pine trees and snow-capped mountain peaks. It serves as the natural habitat for rare species of birds including mountain quails and red-billed blue magpie, as well as wildlife like the Himalayan goat, the Himalayan bear, panthers, deer, and leopards. Thickly forested with pine and fir trees, the area is also rich in medicinal plants. Take in stunning views of the surrounding peaks, and sit beside the Aglar River which flows down from Mussoorie into the sanctuary. This is an ideal jaunt for nature lovers and bird watchers.
This sightseeing place in Mussoorie, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of Rajaji National Park and home to a wide variety of endangered mountain birds such as quails and red-billed blue magpie. You may also find a rare breed of deer and leopards among the common animals that include panther, bear, and the Himalayan Goat. Vinog Mountain Quail Sanctuary, which is also a part of the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is home to Pahari Quail, which was apparently last spotted in 1876. Nestled amidst the pine and fir forests with the charming view of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks- Chaukhamba and Bandarpunch, the rich flora and fauna of the wildlife sanctuary make it the perfect visiting spot for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. This place is about 11 km from the Library Point and also has various trek tours available for visitors. A perfect combination of adventure and leisure, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary makes for a must visit place in Mussoorie.