Wildlife

Haryana has a forest covered land of about 3.5 per cent of the total area. A thorny dry deciduous forest, pine and thorny shrubs can be found all over the state. Chief trees are Kikar or Babul (Acacia nilotica), Khair (Acacia catechu), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Shisham or Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo), Pipal or Bo Tree (Ficus religiosa), Aam or Mango (Mangifera indica), Jamun or Java Plum (Syzygium cumini), Imli or Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Barh or Banyan (Ficus indicus), Sagwan or Teak (Tectona grandis), Ber or Indian Jujube (Zizyphus mauritiana), Mitha Jal or Pillu (Salvadora indica), Khara Jal or Pillu (Salvador persica), Semul, Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Lasura or Lehswa (Cordia dichotoma), Amla, Dhak (Butea frondosa), Shahtoot or mulberry (Morus alba atropurpurea), eucalyptus, Amrood or Guava (Psidium guajava), pine and poplar.

The Kalesar forest is full of Sal trees. The Ritha tree can be found in the Morni Hills as well as the Kalesar forest. Another relatively bigger forest is the Saraswati Plantation near Pehowa. An important shrub species of the state is the leafless Kair or Teat (Capparis decidua). Another important plant that has religious and medicinal values, is the Tulsi. A beautiful flowering tree is the Kachnar, whose flowers are used for many purposes. Other trees that are found in Haryana are Tun (Red Cedar), Baheda and Bel.

Primates are represented by the Bandar (rhesus macaque) and the common Langur (presbytis entellus). The carnivore found in the state are the Leopard (Panthera pardus), Jungle cat ( Felis chaus), the small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), the common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi), Geedar or Jackal (Canis aureus) and the Indian fox. The state has deer like the Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) , Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Chital (Axis axis) and antelopes like Neelgai (Blue Bull) and Black Buck. Most of the bigger wild life, including the Wild Boar is found in the forests of Morni Hills, Kalesar forest, Saraswati Plantation and the Aravali hills region, while the birds can be seen at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and Bhindawas Sanctuary.

The graymusk shrew or chachunder (Suncus murinus) and two species of bats, the common yellow bat and the Tickell's bat are usually seen. The Gilheri or five stripped palm squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), Seh or Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), the Indian gerbil, the common house rat (Rattus rattus) and the common house mouse are the common rodents found. Sassa, the Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis) is also found in the bushes.

The common colorful birds such as Indian Roller (Neelkanth), Northern Green Barbet, Coppersmith Barbet, Northern Golden backed Woodpecker, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Alexandrine Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Pied Crested Cuckoo, Koel, Kingfishers such as Common Kingfisher, White breasted Kingfisher, Indian Pied Kingfisher, Red vented Bulbul, Lal munia (Red Avadat), Purple sunbird, Indian Spotted Munia and Crested Bunting etc., along with National Bird of India, the Blue Peafowl, add beauty to the varied wildlife of the state. Besides, some other birds like White Storks, storks, cranes, White Ibis and egrets and Yellow wattled lapwings are also found in the state.

Snakes : The poisonous snakes like common Indian Krait, Russell's Viper, Phoosra and other snakes like Blind Snake, Indian Python, John's sand boa, wolf snake, rat snake and sand snake are found in Haryana.

Lizards : The common lizards can be seen in the houses. Kirla or girgit is found in the lawns and hedges and attracts the attention by changing its colors. Sanda is found in sandy areas. Besides, a few other types of lizards are found in bushes and areas of thick vegetation.

Tortoise : Two species of tortoises are also found in the state.

Frogs : The common frogs found in Haryana are Indian Bull Frog, Indian Cricket Frog, Indian Burrowing Frog and common Toad.

Fish : The different water courses of the state abound with many species of fish. The species important point of view of food and game are the feather back fish parri, katla, mrigal, chunni, bata, siriha, ghally, mallee, and the snake-head fish, dolla and curd.

Top