All about Wildlife Sanctuaries in Maharashtra

“Sanctuary” means an area proclaimed as a wildlife sanctuary, whether under section [26(A)5] or adjudged to be publicly announced under subsection (3) of Section 66. A sanctuary is a shielded area designated for the preservation of animals. Human activities such as collecting forest products, harvesting timber and private ownership rights are permitted as long as they do not interfere with the well-being of the animals. Maharashtra, located in the western central region of the Indian peninsula, is India’s third-largest state in terms of area and population. The climate in Maharashtra is tropical monsoon. 

Maharashtra is home to a wide range of flora and fauna due to its diverse topographical and meteorological conditions. A large portion of the state is covered by southern tropical dry deciduous forests, with tropical thorn forests, littoral forests and swamp forests. The state’s flora and fauna are typical of this type of forest. Owing to all these factors, Maharashtra is home to 42 wildlife sanctuaries.

Famous wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra

The wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra are a treat for the soul and the eyes, thanks to the rich biodiversity, varied topography, pleasant weather and lush greenery. 

Listed here are some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra.

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary  

The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northern part of Maharashtra’s Western Ghats. It is located at the crest of the main Sahyadri range, with spurs gradually leading into the eastern plains and steep terraced western slopes leading to the Konkan. Ridges, hill slopes, plateaus, uplands, gorges, ravines, cliffs, valleys, rocky stream basins, spurs with flat tops and valleys are the main physical features of the sanctuary. 

The Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of species and is recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. It is one of the most well-known protected habitats for the Indian Giant Squirrel. Aside from that, there are mammals such as wild boar, langurs, barking deer and a plethora of insects, amphibians, reptiles and butterflies.

Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Melghat Tiger Reserve was established in 1967 as a wildlife sanctuary and was designated a tiger reserve in 1974 due to its large tiger population. This reserve is home to 80 tigers spread across 1,674 square kilometres. They are primarily found in the reserve’s interior, which is inaccessible. Some of the animals that can be seen in the area include the Indian leopard, Bengal tiger, pangolin, wild boar, mouse deer, flying squirrel and python. 

Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. It is home to various rare animal species such as the blue bull, leopards, peacocks, wild boars, flying squirrels, etc. The sanctuary is relatively new and is surrounded by numerous plant species such as mango, Jamun, bamboo trees, and shrubs such as tarot and kuda. Two rivers, Pamalgautam and Parlkota, flow through the sanctuary and are a major source of water to the animals as well as the tribes who live nearby, particularly the Gonda and Madia tribes, who rely on the forest for survival. 

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary 

The Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Maharashtra’s Satara district, within a dense, green forest. The government of India designated the protected forest area as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985. It is located in the Western Ghats and has abundant water flow and lush vegetation, making it a thriving environment for animals to survive. The sanctuary covers 423 square kilometres and has elevations ranging from 600 meters to 1000 metres. The sanctuary is fed by several bodies of water, such as Kandati, Koyna and Solashi. The Royal Bengal Tiger and the King Cobra are two of the most spectacular species found in the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. UNESCO designated Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary as a World Heritage site in 2012.

Bor Tiger Reserve 

Bor Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary that became a tiger reserve in July 2014. It is situated near Hingani in Wardha District, Maharashtra, India. The reserve encompasses an area of the Bor Dam’s drainage basin. Bor Tiger Reserve is located among several other Bengal tiger habitats, including Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, Navegaon Tiger Reserve and Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, Tadoba Tiger Reserve, Melghat Tiger Reserve and Satpura National Park.

Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary

The name Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary comes from the fact that it is located in the village of Gautala, a few kilometres outside of the main city. It is one of the country’s most beautiful sanctuaries and came into being in 1986 when the government designated it as a protected area based on the existing flora and fauna. The flora is made up of southern dry deciduous forests. Trees do not grow to be very tall in this area. River valleys are home to moist vegetation. Despite this, the vegetation is suitable for migratory birds. There are over 250 bird species here: cranes, spoonbills, storks, ibis and other water species are among the most noteworthy migratory birds. Jungle cats, monkeys, civet cats, barking deer, fox, jackal, leopard, wolf and other mammals can be found here. Cobras, kraits and pythons are some of the reptiles seen here.

Largest wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district. It is the oldest and largest national park and Maharashtra’s most important wildlife sanctuary. The Tadoba Region’s national park was established in 1955, covering an area of 116.54 square kilometres. It was merged with Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary in 1995 to form India’s 41st tiger reserve under Project Tiger. The park boasts of teak and bamboo thickets, jagged cliffs, marshlands and lakes that are home to various animals such as panthers, tigers, wild dogs, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, barking deer, bison and so on. Tadoba is one of India’s best wildlife destinations for an exciting tiger-sighting tour.

Conclusion

As wildlife is threatened by climate change and increased human-animal conflict, National Parks and Sanctuaries play a crucial role in preserving a region’s natural aspects. Wildlife sanctuaries are more important because they protect the ecosystem while educating the public about wildlife conservation through collaborative initiatives.