# Biodiversity Heritage Site

Biodiversity Heritage Sites are notified areas of biodiversity importance in India.
The Indian State Government can notify the Biodiversity Heritage Sites in consultation with local governing bodies under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act of 2002. These areas are considered unique and fragile ecosystems. They can be either terrestrial, coastal and inland waters or marine ecosystems.

## Gujarat

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Gujarat :
| No. | Name of the Site aritapatti and minakshipuram gaon | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance | Reference |
| 1 | Inland Mangroves (proposed) | Gujarat | Kutch | Lakhpat | Guneri | 33 ha (0.33 km$^2$) | Rare inland mangroves. Chinkara, migratory birds and ratel. | |
| 2 | Indigenous mango forest (proposed) | Gujarat | Dang | | Chinchli | 2,357 ha (23.57 km$^2$) | 2708 mango trees. Biodiversity hotspot. | |

## Haryana

* Aravallis and the Shiwaliks

## Himachal Pradesh

| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance | Reference |
| 1 | Sacred grove at Sural Bhatori Monastery, Block Pangi, District Chamba | Himachal Pradesh | Chamba | Pangi | Sural | 07-15-00 | A patch of Betula utilis or Bhojpatra trees with some interspersed Willow trees. Dominant shrubs and herbs: Rosa species, Lonicera species, Sorbus species, Agropyron longearistatum, Festuca species, Primula denticulata, Polygonatum verticillatum, Plantago asiatica, Heracleum candicans, Berberis species, Artemisia species, Bunium persicum etc. Major faunal species, in the surrounding area: Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Ibex etc. | https://hpbiodiversity.gov.in/BMC/Rajpatra%20of%20Himachal%20Pradesh%20(BHS).pdf |
| 2 | High altitude meadow at Muhal Dhar Shinkal, Gram Panchayat Hudan Bhatori, Block Pangi, District Chamba | Himachal Pradesh | Chamba | Pangi | Hudan | 108-00-00 | Cotoneaster species, Lonicera species, Sorbus species, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromusasper, Festuca species, Poa species, Primula denticulata, Picrorhiza kurroa, Anemone species, Iris species, Artemisia species, Lonicera species, Bunium persicum, Jurinea macrocephala etc. Important floral species recorded in the area: Picrorhiza kurroa, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Aconitum heterophyllum, Podophyllum hexandrum and Saussurea costus (cultivated). Major faunal species, in the region: Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Marmot, Ibex and Royle’s Pika | https://hpbiodiversity.gov.in/BMC/Rajpatra%20of%20Himachal%20Pradesh%20(BHS).pdf |
| 3 | Birch-pine forest patch at Nain Gahar village, Gram Panchayat Mooring, SubTehsil Udaipur, District Lahaul & Spiti | Himachal Pradesh | Lahaul & Spiti | Udaipur | Nain Gahar | 151 Bighas | Main trees are Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis) and Blue Pine (Pinus wallichiiana). A few middle aged trees of West Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithiana), Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Juniper (Juniperus species) are interspersed in the proposed patch. Besides, Willow (Salix species) and Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) are also present in the site. The proposed site also includes a very good patch of grassy area, which supports a very good population of important medicinal and aromatic plants like Picrorhiza kurroa, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Aconitum heterophyllum, Podophyllum hexandrum, Aconitum violaceum, Bunium persicum, Hippophae rhamnoides etc. Indirect evidence indicate the presence of important faunal species like Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Asiatic Black Bear, Himalayan Red Fox, Asiatic Ibex, Himalayan Musk Deer and Royle’s Pika in suitable season of the year. Threatened bird species, the Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis) and Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) have also been reported from the area. According to Trevor, 2019 (unpublished), Nain Gahar’s birch forest patch appears to be a point of meeting of Kashmir elements and Himalayan elements of avifaunal species, with at least two bird species forming hybrid zones there, namely, Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus and Phylloscopus trochiloides plumbeitarsus) an important ring species, and Variegated Laughing Thrush (Trochalopteron variegatum). | https://hpbiodiversity.gov.in/BMC/Rajpatra%20of%20Himachal%20Pradesh%20(BHS).pdf |

## Karnataka

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Karnataka :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Nallur Tamarind Grove | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Devanahalli | | 54 acres (0.22 km$^2$) | Believed as a surviving historical site from the Chola dynasty period. Visually impressive and has about 300 trees. Large and old trees. |
| 2 | Hogrekan | Karnataka | Chikmagalur | Kaduru | Balliganuru | 2,508.15 acres (10.1501 km$^2$) | Having Shola vegetation and grassland. Many floral species with medicinal value. Moderately wooded land. Dry deciduous type vegetation. connects Kudremukha, Bababudanagiri and Kemmangundi with Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Yemmedode Tiger Sanctuary. |
| 3 | University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Bengaluru | 167 ha (1.67 km$^2$) | 13 species of mammals, 10 species of reptiles, 165 of birds and 530 of plants are there in the campus. |
| 4 | Ambaragudda | Karnataka | Shimoga | | | 3,857.12 ha (38.5712 km$^2$) | A revenue land located between Sharavathi and Someshwara wildlife sanctuaries. Has Shola vegetation and grasslands. |
| 5 | Mundigekere lake | Karnataka | Uttara Kannada | Sirsi | Sonda | | Bird sanctuary |
| 6 | Zooribetta | Karnataka | | Koppal | | | |
| 7 | Siddarabetta | Karnataka | | Tumakuru | | | |
| 8 | Ramanagara hill | Karnataka | | | | | |
| 9 | Chikkamagalur hill | Karnataka | | | | | |
| 10 | Antaragange Betta | Karnataka | Kolar | Kolar | Kolar | | perennial water source |
| 11 | Aadi Narayana Swamy Betta | Karnataka | Chikkaballapura | Gudibande | Chikkaballapur | | dry-belt species protected by local people |
| 12 | Mahima Ranga Betta | Karnataka | Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Bengaluru | | Prominent green space of Bengaluru |
| 13 | Urumbi | Karnataka | Dakshina Kannada | Kadaba | Urumbi | | Unique environmental system on the banks of Kumaradhara river |

## Kerala

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Kerala :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Locality | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Pannivelichira | Kerala | Pathanamthitta | Mallappuzhassery | 62 acres (0.25 km$^2$) | Migratory and endemic birds. Water dyke used for irrigation. Wetland ecosystem. |
| 2 | Asramam | Kerala | Kollam | | 250 acres (1.0 km$^2$) | 190 years old British Residency, rare varieties of mangrove spread on residency complex and the creek of Ashtamudi Lake. |
| 3 | Cashew tree at the Nombizhi LP School | Kerala | Pathanamthitta | Pandalam Thekkerkara | | 200-years old cashew nut tree in Ward 5 |
| 4 | Pathiramanal | Kerala | Alappuzha | Muhamma | | Island in Vembanad lake. Has 4 species of fresh water mangroves, 160 species of flowering and 9 of ferns. 5 species of mammals, 18 of amphibians, 12 of reptiles, 89 of birds, 106 of butterflies, 72 types of small plants, 13 of creepers are found. 120 species of water. |
| 5 | Pandalam trees | Kerala | Pathanamthitta | Pandalam municipality | | 16 trees (heronries) in town |
| 6 | Chempaka trees in Ward 2 | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Anchuthengu | | Two Chempaka trees (250 years old) |
| 7 | Nattumavu tree | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Chirayinkeezhu | | 150 years old tree in Ward 5 |
| 8 | Kadalkandam and Poovanam | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Mudakkal | | a wetland and a two hundred-year-old tree |
| 9 | Nattumavu tree | Kerala | Kottayam | Ayarkunnam | | 200 years old tree |
| 10 | Eeyyabharanithuruthu | Kerala | Kannur | Alakkode | | island in the Kuppampuzha with biodiversity |
| 11 | Arattuchira | Kerala | Pathanamthitta | Pallikkal | | wetland ecosystem |
| 12 | Thudiyurulippara hill | Kerala | Pathanamthitta | Pramadom | 17.98 acres and 7.6 acres | Hill |

## Madhya Pradesh

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Madhya Pradesh :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Naro Hills | Madhya Pradesh | Satna | | | 200 ha (2.0 km$^2$) | Geologically unique and diverse. Has large number of species of flora and fauna. |
| 2 | Patalkot | Madhya Pradesh | Chhindwara | Tamia | | 8,367.49 ha (83.6749 km$^2$) | 1700-feet deep valley. About 6 million years -old ecosystem. Rare Bryophyte and Pteridopyte and other species are also found. |
| 3 | Sirpur Lake (proposed) | Madhya Pradesh | Indore | Indore | Indore | 800 acre | 130 endangered bird species |

## Maharashtra

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Maharashtra :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Glory of Allapalli | Maharashtra | Gadchiroli | | Alapalli | 6 ha (0.060 km$^2$) | A reserved forest with biological, ethnic and historical importance. |
| 2 | Anjarle and Velas beaches | Maharashtra | Ratnagiri | | Anjarle and Velas | 0.75 ha and 0.98 ha | Nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles. |
| 3 | Landor Khori forest | Maharashtra | Jalgaon | | | 266 ha | Natural forest with 190 species of birds and 24 species of mammals |
| 4 | Wardham Park | Maharashtra | Gadchiroli | | Sironcha | 8 ha | old plant and dinosaur fossils |
| 5 | Daldalkuhi | Maharashtra | Gondia | Salekasa | | | Swamp with a variety of ferns. |
| 6 | Shivaji Park | Maharashtra | Jalgaon | | | | Natural forest and presence of migratory birds in the nearby Mehrun lake. |
| 7 | Area at Amboli | Maharashtra | Sindhudurg | Sawantwadi | Amboli | 2.11 ha | Has endemic fish species (Schistura Hiranyakeshi) and a temple of Parvati where Hiranyakeshi river originates. Conserved by temple community. |
| 8 | Ganeshkhind Garden | Maharashtra | | | Pune | 58.6 ha | Botanical garden established in 1873 by G. M. Woodrow of British East India Company. Home to the first mango tree planted by Peshwas. |
| 9 | Myristica swamps | Maharashtra | Sindhudurg | Dodamarg | Hevale | 6.5 acre | Fresh water swamp protected as sacred grove. Have myristicaceaeflowering plant family. |

## Punjab

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Punjab
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance | Reference |
| 1 | Kaya Kalp Vriksh (Great Banyan Tree) | Punjab | Fatehgarh Sahib | Khera Mandal | Cholti Kheri | 3.5 acres (0.014 km$^2$) | 300 years old banyan tree | |

## Odisha

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Odisha
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Mandasaru | Odisha | Kandhamal | Raikia | 528 ha (5.28 km$^2$) | Mandasaru gorge has 1563 species of fungi, plants, and animals. |
| 2 | Mahendragiri Hill | Odisha | Gajapati | | 4250 hectare | A total of 1,358 species of plants including 1,042 species of angiosperms under 122 families, 60 species of pteridophytes, 104 species of bryophytes, 53 species of lichens and 72 species of macro-fungi and 2 species of gymnosperms occurring in the hill ecosystem. |
| 3 | Gandhamardan Hill | Odisha | Balangir, Bargarh | | | Gandhamardan known as the "ayurvedic paradise,". It is home to 1,200 plant species, 500 animal species, and several varieties of trees, shrubs, herbs, and medicinal plant species. |
|4 |Gupteswar Forest |Odisha |Koraput, Koraput | | | |Koraput forest is present aside of the "Gupteswar Temple,". It is home to 1,200 plant species, 500 animal species, and several varieties of trees, shrubs, herbs, and medicinal plant species. | |}

## Rajasthan

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in Rajasthan :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District |
| 1 | Akal Wood Fossil Park | Rajasthan | Jaisalmer |
| 2 | Keora-ki-nal | Rajasthan | Udaipur |
| 3 | Ram-kunda | Rajasthan | Udaipur |
| 4 | Nag-pahar | Rajasthan | Ajmer |
| 5 | Chhapoli- Mansa Mata | Rajasthan | Jhunjhunu |

## West Bengal

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in West Bengal :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Tonglu | West Bengal | Darjeeling | | | 230 ha (2.3 km$^2$) | Medicinal plant conservation areas |
| 2 | Dhotrey | West Bengal | Darjeeling | | | 180 ha (1.8 km$^2$) | Medicinal plant conservation areas |
| 3 | Chilkigarh Kanak Durga | West Bengal | Jhargram | Chilkigarh | Chilkigarh | 55.9 acres (0.226 km$^2$) (1,969 m (6,460 ft) perimeter) | A sacred grove rich in biodiversity. |
| 4 | Baneswar Shiva Dighi waterbody | West Bengal | Cooch Behar | | Baneswar | | Rare Black Softshell Turtle habitat |

## In other states

List of Biodiversity Heritage Sites in other states :
| No. | Name of the Site | State | District | Taluka | Locality | Area | Importance |
| 1 | Dialong Village | Manipur | Tamenglong | | | 1,135 ha (11.35 km$^2$) | |
| 2 | Ameenpur lake | Telangana | Sangareddy | | Ameenpur | 93 acres (0.38 km$^2$) | 300 years old artificial lake with resident and migratory birds |
| 3 | Majuli | Assam | Majuli | | | 216,300 acres (875 km$^2$) | A river island in the Brahmaputra river with ecological and cultural importance. |
| 4 | Gharial Rehabilitation Centre | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | | Kukrail Reserve Forest | 10 ha (0.10 km$^2$) | A centre for conservation and rehabilitation of Gharial. |
| 5 | Khlaw Kur Syiem KmieIng | Meghalaya | Ri-Bhoi | Umling | Dorbar | 16.05 ha (0.1605 km$^2$) | Natural habitats with biodiversity. Sacred grove having monoliths and religious places. |
| 6 | Purvatali Rai | Goa | North Goa | Bicholim | Surla | 7,300 m$^2$ (0.0073 km$^2$) | Sacred Grove |
| 7 | Arittapatti hillocks (2022), Melur | Tamil Nadu | Madurai district, Madurai | | | | Seven hillocks with several water bodies. Many birds, raptors. |
| 8 | Vagaikulam (proposed) | Tamil Nadu | Tirunelveli | | Vagaikulam | | Birds |
| 9 | | |