Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

April 23, 2023

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister recently announced that Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary will be developed as a second home for cheetahs within six months.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

  • Location: It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.
  • The sanctuary was notified in 1974 and is spread over an area of km.
  • Landscape: A major part of the sanctuary consists of vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, with small patches of dense forests.
  • River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
  • Vegetation: Northern tropical dry deciduous forest, Northern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest and Dry deciduous scrub.
  • Flora: The principal tree species found here are Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu and Palash.
  • Fauna:
    • Herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena and Jackal are found in good numbers in the region.
    • It also has a good population of crocodiles, fish, otters and turtles
  • The sanctuary has many places of historical, archeological and religious importance such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Narsinghjhar Hinglajgarh fort, Taxakeshwar temple