Himachal Pradesh, recipe an abode of green pastures and diverse species of flora and fauna is home for many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. One of the most renowned wildlife sanctuaries here is the Govind Sagar Sanctuary located in the Mandi district of the State. The Sanctuary was permanently notified in revenue records of Himachal Pradesh on 27 March 1974.
Govind Sagar sanctuary is constituted out of the Bhakra Dam reservoir and is administered by Bhakra Management Board. Being a very popular tourist destination itself, pharm the sanctuary has Gobind Sagar Lake in its vicinity, which is another tourist attraction in the area.
Spread over an area of 10 hectares, Govind Sagar sanctuary is famous for the popular species of fish like Singhara, Catla, Jhalli, Grass Crap, Kuni Rohu, Guj, Ticto, Sarina, to name a few. Other than fishes, the sanctuary is also home to many reptiles and mammals. The sanctuary is a famous winter refuge for the migratory waterfowl, which provides a unique attraction to this world famous wildlife sanctuary.
Considering importance of the place as a prime tourist destination, the region has many good hotels like the Chitarkoot hotel, Joshi Lodge and the Neelam hotel. Himachal Tourism also has a hotel for visitors at Swarghat (town close to the sanctuary).
The sanctuary area is densely populated with northern dry Deciduous, Khair and Sisso forests. The region experiences wonderful weather throughout the year but the best time to visit the sanctuary is from July through September.
The sactuary is well connected by road from Shimla and Chandigarh. The nearest railway station is at Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab. Chandigarh and Bhuntar are the nearest airports.
The famous sanctuary of Naina Devi adjoins the south west boundary of this famous tourist attraction.