The name of this national park has been derived from the name of a temple called the Kaleshar Temple or the Shiva Temple. One of the well known forest reserves of Haryana. Located at the foot hills of the Himalayas, Kalesar National Park has huge variety of wild animals which entertain the visitors.

Kalesar National Park is located in the Yamunanagar District of Haryana at the foot hills of the Shiwalik ranges of Himalayas. Kalesar is the abode of leopards, panthers, elephants, red jungle fowl and other species of flora and fauna. The name of this national park has been derived from a temple called the Kaleshar Temple or the Shiva Temple. This temple is housed in the national park. Kalesar National Park is located at 30 degrees 22 minutes north and 77 degrees 32 minutes east. This national park is spread over an area of about 11,570 acres.

History of Kalesar National Park
Kalesar was declared a National Park on 8th of December, 2003 by them government of Haryana. Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary is located close to the National Park. Prior to the establishment of the national park, Kalesar was only considered as a protected area by the government of Haryana. This national park was established with the aim to provide protection to the endangered bird species of Red Jungle Fowl in Haryana.

Flora of Kalesar National Park
As per estimations, Kalesar houses about 53% of dense forest, 38% of open forest and 9% of scrubs. Total forest cover of Kalesar is about 71%. This national park is adorned with dense Sal forest, Khair forest and patches of grass lands. They serve as a home to a variety of plant and animal species. Sal trees are characteristically tall and leafy. These trees are part of the dense age old forest belt of the Doon Valley. Apart from the Sal trees other trees like Semul, Amaltas and Bahera have also been recorded in Kalesar. Climbers are also housed in Kalesar.

Fauna of Kalesar National Park
In the year 2016, the Wildlife Institute of India conducted the annual two-month animal counting survey using installed cameras. This survey revealed about 19 species of mammalians. Some of the animals recorded in the national park are about 42 Indian leopards, jungle cat, Indian jackal, sambar, nilgai, goral, Asiatic elephant, Indian crested porcupine, small Indian civet, common palm civet, gray langur, rhesus macaque, Indian gray mongoose, wild pig, Indian hare etc.

Avifauna of Kalesar National Park
Kalesar National Park also provides shelter to different species of birds. Some of the birds species recorded in the national park are red jungle fowl, chestnut bellied nuthatch, red billed blue magpie, grey hooded warbler, crested serpent eagle, bar tailed treecreeper and grey capped pygmy woodpecker etc.

Visiting Information on Kalesar National Park
Chandigarh Airport and Jagadhari Railway Station are the nearest to visit the Kalesar National Park. It is well connected to all parts of Haryana by roads as well. Yamunanagar Ponta Sahib State Highway passes through the Kalesar National Park. It is almost 50 km from Yamunanagar District.