The Department of Forest, Government of Himachal Pradesh (HP Forest Dept.), on June 6, 2026, notified the Wildlife (Protection) Himachal Pradesh (Amendment) Rules, 2026, amending Rule 28 of the Wildlife (Protection) Himachal Pradesh Rules, 1975. The amendments revise the fee structure for entry, photography, filming, and related activities in wildlife sanctuaries across the State.
The revised rules prescribe separate entrance fees for Indian citizens and foreign nationals for purposes such as photography, tourism, and lawful business within sanctuaries. Additional charges have also been introduced for vehicles entering sanctuaries, with fees of ₹1,000 per day for light vehicles and ₹2,000 per day for heavy vehicles. Students are entitled to pay only half of the applicable fee, while children below five years of age are exempt from payment of entry fees.
The amendment further revises fees for operating still and cine cameras, filming feature films, documentaries, and home videos, and introduces a framework for granting special permission for drone usage. Drone operations may be permitted only by the Chief Wildlife Warden for Indian citizens or institutions for educational, research, publicity, or awareness purposes, subject to prescribed fees and conditions. The amended rules came into force from the date of publication in the Himachal Pradesh e-Gazette.
[Notification No. FFE-B-A(3)-5/2019]
