Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The Bengal government recently decided to shrink the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary from 5 km to 1 km. 

About Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is situated in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
• It is located on the foothills of the Himalayas and in between the Teesta and the Mahananda rivers.
• It was started as a game sanctuary for children in 1955. In 1959 it got the status of a sanctuary mainly to protect the Indian Bison and Royal Bengal Tiger, which were facing the threat of extinction. 
• The altitude varies from 500 ft. at the southern area near Sukna and rises up to 4,300ft towards the northern area near a place called Latpanchar.  
• Vegetation: It varies mainly from riverine forests to dense mixed-wet forests due to the difference in altitude. 
• Flora:
  • It is the home of 300 different kinds of plantations, but the prominent ones are Sal, Simul, Sisco, and Khair. 
  • Some of the other trees include Lali, Jamur, Gamar, Bamboos, Fern, Orchids, Fern, Teak, Udal, and more. 
• Fauna:
  • The important mammalian species include Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian elephants, Indian bison, spotted deer, barking deer, many species of lesser cat, Himalayan black bear, leopard including clouded leopard and many other smaller animals like rare mountain goat (Serow), porcupines, snakes, etc. 
  • In the plain areas of the lower region, you will get to see several elephants migrated from Nepal, Assam, or other forests of West Bengal. 
  • There are about 243 avian species found here, including the Himalayan pied hornbill, peacock, peafowl, fouls, king fisher, drongo, robin, fly catchers, woodpeckers and others . 
  • It is also a haven for the migratory birds, which arrive here from Central Asia.

News: TOI

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