Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary

About Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is situated in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. 
• Covering a total surface area of 578 sq km and stretching across the Aravalli ranges, it encircles parts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, and Pali districts. 
• Once the hunting grounds of royals, this area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1971.
• The wildlife sanctuary encompasses the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort and is also named after the fort.
• It acts as a dividing line between Mewar and Marwar, two different parts of Rajasthan.
• Rivers:
  • River Banas also graces the sanctuary and is the primary source of water. 
  • The rainwater on the western slopes flows as small rivers such as Sukdi, Mithdi, Sumer and Kot, all of which are the tributaries of River Luni that ultimately merge into the Arabian Sea.
• Flora:
  • Many types of flora are found here, mainly a variety of herbal flora like Dhok, Salar and Khair.
  • Many trees and plants and medicinal plants with herbal properties are also included in it.
• Fauna:
  • It provides a suitable habitat for endangered and rare wild animals, including four horned antelope, sambar, wild boar, nilgai, sloth bear, leopard and caracal. 
  • There are a large number of birds to be sighted here, the most common one spotted here is the grey jungle fowl.

Q1) Which are the main tributaries of Banas River?

The Banas river rises near Pindwara village in Sirohi district of Rajasthan at an elevation of 372.5 m above mean sea level. The number of principal tributaries, which contribute significantly, is seven. Sipu is the only major tributary on the right bank. The other six tributaries namely Batria, Sukli, Sewaran, Suket, Balaram and Khari drain into the main channel from the left bank.

Source: NTCA gives in-principle nod to Kumbhalgarh Tiger Reserve