Spread over an area of 34 sq. km, the sanctuary is rich in fauna and provides refuge to a wide variety of mammals. The main species are leopard, wild boar, rhesus monkey, bharal, grey langur etc.

Like the Overa wildlife sanctuary, the Nandini, too, is the natural habitat for a significant population of pheasants. Among the other avifauna Indian mynah, blue rock pigeon, peafowl, red jungle fowl, chir pheasants, chakor etc.

The nearest airport from Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary is in Jammu, which is 26 kms away. The nearest railhead is also Jammu which is 28 kms away.
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary derives its name from the two lakes, located on each corner of the sanctuary. Occupying an area of 98 sq km, the sanctuary is located 58 kms away from the Jammu city. The sanctuary harbors a mammal population of 8 species which includes Goral, wild boar, barking deer, leopard etc. The vegetation of the sanctuary includes the mixed scrub forest which comprises mainly of broad leaved species which are mixed with stands of Pinus gerardiana. The common broad leaved species are Mallotus phillipensis, Acacia spp., dalbergia sissii, bahunia variegate, ficus religiosa.

Among the avifauna found in the sanctuary include 15 species of birds. The main species are black partridge, red jungle fowl, peafowl, grey partridge, green pigeon, blue rock pigeon, rufus turtle dove.

The Surinsar Mansar Wildlife sanctuary has an altitudinal range of 430 to 611 meters above sea level. The best season for bird viewing is March to May and mammal viewing is September to March. While in the sanctuary, it is advisable to have trekking shoes, raincoat, and light clothing during spring and summer. In winter trekking shoes, heavy woolens, waterproof windcheaters should be kept.

The nearest airport from Surinsar Mansar Wildlife is in Jammu, which is 58 kms away. The nearest railhead is Jammu which is 56 kms away.

Overa Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 76 kms from Srinagar in the south-east, Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by stunning mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys. Situated near Pahalgam, the region play hosts to a large number of rare and endangered species of mammals and birds. It harbors 13 species of mammals and over 80 species of birds. Much acclaim has been accorded to the Overa Wildlife Sanctuary, famous for its diversity of wildlife and best known for magnificent species of pheasants.

The Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in Flora which includes mainly coniferous forests. The main species found are aesculus indica, pinus griffithii, abies pindrow, morus alba, juglans regia, etc. Major Shrub associates are Desmodium tiliaefolium, Indigofera heterantha, Isdon spp., etc, while the main ground layer is characterized by dicotlydonous herbs comprising Artemisia vulgaris, Taraxacum officinale, Anemone spp, Primula spp., etc.

The sanctuary provides refuge to a wide variety of mammals most of which are on the verge of extinction. So efforts are being made in conserving these animals. Some of them are the musk deer, hangul, rhesus macaque, serow, langur, leopard, leopard cat, etc.

What makes the Overa different from the other wildlife sanctuaries of the Kashmir valley is that the area serves as the natural habitat for pheasants like the chukar, monal, koklas and Himalayan snow cock. Among the other Avifauna are the red billed chough, jungle crow, bearded vulture, griffon vulture, Himalayan whistling thrush, rufous-backed shrike, Indian mynah, etc