Nangal Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary

Nangal Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary is a man-made wetland and protected wildlife sanctuary on the Sutlej River at Nangal in Rupnagar district, Punjab. Formed by the reservoir created by the Bhakra and Nangal dams, it covers about 116 hectares and was designated a Ramsar site in September 2019. It is notable for its winter migratory birds, rich aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, and scenic reservoir landscape, making it an important eco-tourism and birdwatching destination.

Visitors can expect a tranquil reservoir wetland on the Sutlej River surrounded by the Shivalik foothills and the Nangal Dam infrastructure. The area offers open water, marshy edges, and wooded banks where migratory and resident birds can be observed, especially in winter. Facilities include viewpoints, watch towers and boating points for sightseeing and photography. The setting is natural and relatively undeveloped, focused on nature observation and landscape views of the dam and reservoir.

The wetland was formed by the reservoir of the Bhakra Dam (construction 1948-1963) and Nangal Dam (completed 1954), part of the Bhakra-Nangal multipurpose river valley project post-independence. The area was notified as Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government of Punjab in 2009 to protect its biodiversity and was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance on 26 September 2019.