The short answer
Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
Only for travellers who like quiet, unmarked country and can plan around thin information. It is a long day outing from Abohar, so confirm access with the Haryana forest office and expect no organised facilities.
History and context
The story behind Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Haryana Forests Department notified the area as a wildlife sanctuary on 30 January 1987. Wikipedia gives its extent as 11,530.56 hectares and notes that about eleven villages lie within or around it.
A proposal exists to convert it into a Community Reserve to involve local people in management.
Useful facts
Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- Sirsa district, Haryana, near Mandi Dabwali
- Experience type
- Quiet rural sanctuary day trip
- Known for
- Protected semi-arid land and villages
- Notified
- 30 January 1987
- Area
- About 11,530 hectares
- Access
- Confirm with the Haryana Forest Department
Why it matters
Why Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
Abubshahar is one of Haryana's protected areas and is described in a conservation account as one of only two sanctuaries in India set within private reserves, alongside Abohar. Plans have been reported to convert it to a community reserve, which would give local people a larger role in protection.
For a visitor it offers a view of how conservation works on inhabited land in the dry plains, and a reason to compare it with Abohar across the state line.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
A Haryana sanctuary
One of the state's notified protected areas, set among villages.
- 02
Quiet countryside
Flat, semi-arid country where birds and small wildlife can be seen.
- 03
Contrast with Abohar
A different management history from the Punjab sanctuary across the border.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Plan this as a separate outing in Haryana. The sanctuary lies in Sirsa district, near Mandi Dabwali on the Dabwali to Sangaria road, with reported distances of about 10 to 15 km from Dabwali. Check the route on a map and ask locally for the nearest forest office, since signage is not guaranteed. Allow a full day with a driver, starting early.
It was notified as a sanctuary by the Haryana Forests Department on 30 January 1987 and covers about 11,530 hectares of semi-arid land and villages. Public sources say very little about wildlife viewing here, so treat it as a place of quiet countryside and birdlife and not as a place for guaranteed sightings. Take binoculars, water and snacks, and avoid disturbing animals or crops.
If the day proves too long, the Abohar sanctuary and Fazilka are easier substitutes closer to town.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm access with the forest office
- Hire a driver for the day
- Start early and carry water
- Do not expect facilities
- Have a backup plan if access is closed
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Sirsa district, Haryana, near Mandi Dabwali (separate day trip from Abohar)
- Time needed
- Full day including travel
- Best time
- Winter mornings; avoid the hot months
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- Roads and tracks near the sanctuary are rural and facilities are not published. Expect long drives, little shade and no seating, so it is not ideal for those with limited stamina.
- Tickets and access
- Fees, permits and entry points are not published; confirm with the Haryana Forest Department or the Sirsa forest office before you set out.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Roads and tracks near the sanctuary are rural and facilities are not published. Expect long drives, little shade and no seating, so it is not ideal for those with limited stamina.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where is Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary?
In Sirsa district, Haryana, close to Mandi Dabwali on the Dabwali to Sangaria road.
When was it notified?
On 30 January 1987 by the Haryana Forests Department.
Is it set up for tourists?
No visitor facilities are published, so confirm access in advance.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
