Covering an area of 30,729 hectares, the lake was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1983. It is nestled in the Kangra valley and a major habitat for migratory birds such as red jungle fowl, peafowl and partridges. The main wild life species found in the area are nilgai,
sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, clawless otter and leopard.
