Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.
• It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
• The sanctuary was notified in 1974 and is spread over an area of 368 sq.km.
• The River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
• Topography: The sanctuary is characterized by its diverse topography, which includes hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam on the Chambal River.
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and the reservoir is also a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
• 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, etc.

Q1: Which are the main tributaries of the Chambal River?

The tributaries of the Chambal include KShipra, Choti Kalisindh, Sivanna, Retam, Ansar, Kalisindh, Banas, Parbati, Seep, Kuwari, Kuno, Alnia, Mej, Chakan, Parwati, Chamla, Gambhir, Lakhunder, Khan, Bangeri, Kedel and Teelar.

Source: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary set to become India’s next Cheetah haven after Kuno!