21°45′38″N73°47′41″E / 21.7606223°N 73.7948516°E /21.7606223; 73.7948516
| Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
   | |
 Interactive map of Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Location | Gujarat, India |
| Area | 607.7 km² |
| Established | 1982 |
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area inIndia'sGujarat state, located in the westernSatpura Range south of theNarmada River and is 607.7 km2 (234.6 sq mi) large. It shares a common boundary withMadhya Pradesh andMaharashtra. It encompasses mixed drydeciduous forest,riverine forest, few pockets of moistteak forest, agricultural fields and two water reservoirs.[1][2]It was established in 1982.[3]
The physical aspect is dominated by Rajpipla hills. Dhanmal is the highest peak in this region. The general slope is towards west. The sanctuary has a vast undulating terrain, lush ever pervading greenery, tall canopy, deep valleys, sombre rocks, gentlestreams, and waterfalls. All of these are in theVindhyan andSatpuran ranges.
The Zarwani Waterfall is deep inside the sanctuary.
The Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of theNorth Western Ghats moist deciduous forestsecoregion.[4] The forests are moistdeciduous with a few small drybamboo brakes, a few pockets of moistteak forest in hilly areas, degraded scrub forest, and riverine forest bordering Terav andNarmada Rivers and small water courses.[1][2] The hilly tract of the sanctuary supports forests harboringfloral andfaunal elements, which bear similarities to those in theHimalayas andWestern Ghats. It is also a major watershed feeding two major reservoirs thus conserving the soil and water.[5][6] There are vast groves ofbamboo, and the sanctuary has 575 species of flowering plants.
The sanctuary was initially established for the protection of thesloth bear.[7] Arusty-spotted cat was sighted for the time in 1991.[8]
The Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary'sherpetofauna includesIndian softshell turtle,Indian flapshell turtle,Bengal monitor,Indian rock python,red sand boa,Indian krait,Russell's viper,Indian chameleon,rock agama,Brooke's house gecko,Yellow-bellied house gecko,oriental garden lizard and a small population ofMugger crocodile. Frogs recorded includeRamanella species,Asian common toad,marbled toad,ornate narrow-mouthed frog,Indian skipping frog,Indian tree frog,green pond frog,Indian bullfrog,cricket frog andIndian burrowing frog[1][2]
Othermammalian fauna occurring includes theIndian leopard,leopard cat,rhesus macaque,chousingha,barking deer,[specify]pangolin,[specify]chital,large Indian civet,palm civet,[specify]Indian porcupine andferal dogs.[citation needed]Locally extinct mammal species includeIndian giant squirrel,tiger andgaur.[9]
Birds, includingAlexandrine parakeet,grey jungle fowl,red jungle fowl,crested serpent eagle,shikra,sparrow hawk,great horned owl andgrey hornbill are found here.
The nearest airport is that ofVadodara, which is about 90.0 km (55.9 miles) away.Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport atAhmedabad, which is about 260.0 km (161.6 miles) away, is the nearest international airport. The nearest rail head and bus stand are those ofAnkleshwar, which is about 60.0 km (37.3 miles) away. There are rest houses to stay atBharuch, Dediapada, Rajpipla, and the sanctuary.
