Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Narmada district of Gujarat. This sanctuary has 607.70 km2 area. Best season to visit is from November to March.

Ecosystem

The forest is a moist deciduous forest with semi-evergreen elements. It is one of the densest forests in Gujarat. The hilly tract of the sanctuary bordering Narmada supports some of the best forests of Gujarat harbouring floral and faunal elements bearing similarities to Himalayan and Western Ghats ones. 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, gentle streams, majestic waterfalls-all in the Vindhyan-Satpuran ranges. Moist teak forest, moist mixed deciduous forest, dry deciduous scrub, dry bamboo brakes and dry tropical riverine forest are the varied habitats found here. It is also a major watershed feeding two major reservoirs thus conserving the soil and water.[1][2]

Flora

Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary has 575 species of flowering plants. There are vast patches of bamboo. It is a deciduous forest with semi-evergreen trees.

Fauna

This sanctuary is famous for its nocturnal flying squirrels. Many mammals like sloth bear, leopard, rhesus macaque, chousingha, barking deer, pangolin, chital, Indian civet, palm civet, wild dogs, leopard cat and Indian porcupine are found here. Tigers were also found here but have not been seen since two decades. Herpetofauna includes python and many other snakes. Tortoises and many lizards are also found. Birds including Alexandrine parakeet, grey jungle fowl, red jungle fowl, crested serpent eagle, shikra, sparrow hawk, great horned owl and grey hornbill are found here.

Zarwani Waterfall

There is the fantastic Zarwani Waterfalls deep inside Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Zarwani Waterfall

Access

Air

Nearest airport is Vadodara 90 km and nearest international airport is Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) 260 km.

Rail

Nearest rail head is Bharuch 80 km.

Road

Nearest bus stand is Ankleshwar 60 km.

Accommodation

There are rest house to stay at Bharuch, Dediapada, Rajpipla and Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.Gujarat you risk.com/destination/details/5/184
  2. ↑ "Shoolpaneshwar Wild Life Sanctuary". Wildlifetrips.in. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
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