Morni Hills Shivalik Panchkula Leopard Ecology Haryana

The Morni Hills in Panchkula district form the westernmost extension of the Shivalik Hills in Haryana, harbouring subtropical moist deciduous forest, twin Tikkar Taal crater lakes, and wildlife corridors linking the Yamuna-Ganga river system. The hills support leopard, barking deer, porcupine, Indian crested porcupine, and over 150 bird species including Black Francolin and White-throated Kingfisher. Haryana Forest Department cooperative ecotourism programme trains Morni village youth as certified jungle guides and lake boat operators. Local Gurjar pastoral communities practise seasonal cattle and buffalo grazing under Haryana Panchayat regulation. Wild forest honey harvested by cooperative collectors from Budhkeshwar and Thana villages is marketed through Haryana Agro cooperative retail outlets in Chandigarh. The Morni Hills represent the only remaining natural forested landscape in Haryana within easy distance of the Delhi-NCR urban belt, receiving growing ecotourism pressure.