The short answer
Bir Bunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary: what visitors should know first
A modest outing for people who like quiet forest and birds, not a major attraction. Go with a car on a cool morning, expect no facilities, and check access with the Patiala wildlife office, because visitor arrangements are not published.
History and context
The story behind Bir Bunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bir was kept as a Patiala-state forest and was formally notified as a sanctuary in 1952 under a PEPSU notification, according to the state wildlife department. Sources disagree on a 1972 date, so treat 1952 as the better documented year. The Punjab forest and wildlife department manages it today.
Useful facts
Bir Bunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary facts at a glance
- Location
- About 15 km from Patiala on the Patiala-Devigarh road
- Area
- 661.66 hectares
- Habitat
- Dry deciduous forest; shisham and kikar
- Wildlife
- Blackbuck, sambar, nilgai, hog deer, jackal (listed)
- Notified
- 1952, as a Patiala-area bir
- Access
- Not published; confirm with forest office
Why it matters
Why Bir Bunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary is worth your time
Punjab kept a scatter of bir forests from the princely era, and Bunerheri is among the larger ones near Patiala. Bunerheri is one of the larger Patiala-area birs and, in April 2025, was among the Punjab sanctuaries declared eco-sensitive zones, with construction banned within 100 metres of its boundary. That tells you what it is: a protected green island between farms and the growing edge of the city.
For a visitor, the interest is modest but real: open forest, birdsong and the chance of deer, within half an hour of the city. It rewards patience more than itinerary-ticking, and it is best treated as a quiet morning, not a headline stop.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Blackbuck and deer
Listed species include blackbuck, hog deer and sambar, best looked for at dawn.
- 02
Dry forest
Shisham and kikar woodland is typical of the Punjab plains and good for birds.
- 03
Eco-sensitive status
A 2025 declaration restricts building within 100 metres of the boundary.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Reach Bunerheri by car along the Devigarh road, ideally leaving Patiala by 7 am. The sanctuary is a flat tract of dry forest, so what you see depends on patience: sit still near water or clearings and watch for deer and birds rather than walking long distances.
Listed fauna includes blackbuck, sambar, nilgai, hog deer and jackal. Not every animal is easy to see, and a portion of the area has been fenced, so access to the best-stocked part may be restricted. Ask at the forest office or the gate what you are allowed to enter.
Carry water, snacks and a hat, because nothing is sold nearby. Combine the trip with a morning at Moti Bagh or Sheesh Mahal rather than treating it as a full-day destination.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Call the Patiala forest and wildlife office before you go
- Take water, a hat and food, as nothing is sold nearby
- Leave early and avoid summer afternoons
- Do not enter fenced areas without permission
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 15 km from Patiala, Patiala-Devigarh road
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel
- Best time
- October to March, mornings
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- No published seating, toilets or paved paths, and the ground is uneven, so it suits fit older visitors only if they stay near the road edge and carry water.
- Tickets and access
- Entry rules, fees and permissions are not published. Contact the Patiala forest and wildlife office before travelling, as parts of the forest are fenced and may not be open to casual visitors.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bir Bunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
No published seating, toilets or paved paths, and the ground is uneven, so it suits fit older visitors only if they stay near the road edge and carry water.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Bunerheri from Patiala?
About 15 km by road along the Patiala-Devigarh road, roughly 30 minutes by car.
Can I do a safari there?
No safari system is published. Ask the forest office what is permitted.
Is there food or accommodation?
None is published at the sanctuary. Eat and stay in Patiala.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
