Sunday, July 23, 2023

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the important wildlife reserves in the country and covers an area of approximately 1,197 square kilometers (about 463 square miles). This is the largest wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh in terms of area covered.


The sanctuary is known for its diverse flora and fauna and provides a habitat for various endangered species. Some of the notable wildlife found in the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary includes Indian wolf, tigers, leopards, wild boars, chinkara, sambars, and various species of birds and reptiles. It is a potential site for the Cheetah Reintroduction in India.


The conservation efforts in Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary are aimed at preserving and protecting the natural biodiversity of the region, including its valuable ecosystems and endangered species.


Table of Contents

  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Location
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary History
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Area
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Hills
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary River
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna
    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Reptile
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Cheetah
  • Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions


Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Location

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is situated in the centre of the state covering parts of Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Raisen districts. It is about 90 km from Jabalpur and about 56 km from Sagar.


Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is the Bhopal Airport (Raja Bhoj Airport). It is an international airport located in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. The distance between Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and the nearest airport, Bhopal Airport (Raja Bhoj Airport), is approximately around 230 to 250 kilometers (about 143 to 155 miles) by road, depending on the specific route taken.


Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest railway station to Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is the Sagar Railway Station. Sagar is a city in Madhya Pradesh and serves as a major railhead for accessing the sanctuary. The distance between Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and the nearest railway station, Sagar Railway Station, is approximately around 50 to 60 kilometers (about 31 to 37 miles) by road, depending on the specific route taken.




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary History

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary has a history that revolves around conservation efforts and the protection of its rich biodiversity. Here are some key points about its history:


Establishment: The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary was established on 18th August 1975. It was declared a sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which aims to protect and conserve the country's wildlife and their habitats.


Expansion: Over the years, the sanctuary's boundaries have been expanded or modified to encompass a larger area for better wildlife conservation and protection.


Conservation Initiatives: The sanctuary has been a focal point for various conservation initiatives undertaken by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and other organizations. Efforts have been made to safeguard the habitats and ensure the well-being of the diverse flora and fauna found in the region.


Ecotourism: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in promoting ecotourism in and around the sanctuary. Responsible and sustainable ecotourism can create awareness about wildlife conservation and provide economic benefits to local communities while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Area

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 1,197 square kilometers (about 463 square miles). It is the largest wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh state. This makes it one of the significant wildlife reserves in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.


Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary acts as a corridor for Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve while indirectly connecting Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve via Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary.


The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is divided into six ranges:

  • Mohli Range
  • Singpur Range
  • Jhapan Range
  • Sarra Range
  • D'Gaon Range
  • Nauradehi Range




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Hills

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is primarily characterized by its undulating terrain, which includes hills and plateaus along with plains and valleys. 


The sanctuary's terrain is part of the Vindhya Range, a series of hills and plateaus that extend across central India. The Vindhya Range is known for its scenic beauty and plays a crucial role in supporting various wildlife habitats and ecological processes.


The presence of hills and diverse landscapes in the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary provides a variety of habitats for different plant and animal species. These varied habitats support a wide range of wildlife, making the sanctuary an essential conservation area for protecting biodiversity in the region.




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary River

Which river flows in Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary?

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the confluence of two major river basins in India, namely the Narmada River basin, which flows west to the Arabian Sea, and the Ganges River basin, which flows east to the Bay of Bengal.


Around three-fourths of the sanctuary's area falls within the basin of the Yamuna River, which is a tributary of the Ganges River. The Yamuna River is fed by the Ken River, which is also a tributary of the Yamuna, and these rivers are significant in shaping the ecology and hydrology of the sanctuary.


The remaining one-fourth of the sanctuary falls within the basin of the Narmada River. The protected area is crisscrossed by several major rivers and their tributaries, including the north-flowing Kopra River, Bamner River, Vyarma River, and Bearma River, all of which are tributaries of the Ken River.


In addition to these major rivers, there are smaller streams that flow southerly toward the Narmada River in the southern part of the sanctuary.


These rivers and water bodies play a crucial role in providing water and supporting the diverse ecosystems within the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary. They serve as lifelines for various flora and fauna, making the sanctuary a vital conservation area in central India.




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Flora

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich and diverse flora, representing various ecological habitats. The sanctuary's vegetation includes a mix of dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and other plant communities. Here are some of the notable flora found in the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary:


(1) Dry Deciduous Forests:

The sanctuary is dominated by dry deciduous forests, which are characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry season. Common tree species in these forests include sal (Shorea robusta), teak (Tectona grandis), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), mahua (Madhuca indica), bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea), and bel (Aegle marmelos).


(2) Grasslands:

The sanctuary also contains extensive grassland areas, which serve as important grazing grounds for herbivores and support a variety of plant species. Grasses such as spear grass (Imperata cylindrica), Indian goosegrass (Eleusine indica), and various sedges and herbs can be found in these grasslands.


(3) Riparian Vegetation:

Along the banks of rivers and streams, there are often lush patches of riparian vegetation. These areas support various plant species that thrive in moist conditions, such as various grasses, shrubs, and trees like banyan (Ficus benghalensis) and peepal (Ficus religiosa).




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse array of fauna, including a wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife species. The sanctuary's varied habitats, which include dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and riverine areas, provide suitable conditions for supporting a rich biodiversity. 


Here are some of the notable fauna found in the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary:


Mammals:

  • Indian Wolf (keystone species)
  • Bengal Tiger
  • Indian Leopard
  • Striped Hyena
  • Wild Dog (Dhole)
  • Bengal Fox
  • Golden Jackal
  • Smooth Indian Otter
  • Sloth Bear
  • Indian Grey Mongoose
  • Four-horned Antelope (Chousingha)
  • Nilgai (Blue Bull)
  • Chinkara (Indian Gazelle)
  • Sambar deer
  • Blackbuck Antelope
  • Barking Deer
  • Grey Langur
  • Rhesus Macaque
  • Chital (Spotted Deer)
  • Wild Boar


Note- Indian wolf is the keystone species of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.


Birds:

  • King Vulture
  • Egyptian Vulture
  • White-rumped Vulture 
  • Long Billed Vulture
  • Lesser Adjutant Stork
  • Indian Pied Myna
  • Wood Sandpiper
  • Red-wattled Lapwing
  • Yellow Wagtail
  • Purple Sunbird
  • White-breasted Kingfisher
  • Painted Stork
  • Open-billed Stork
  • Spotted Owl
  • Barred Jungle Owlet
  • Black-winged Kite
  • Indian Pond Heron
  • Green Sandpiper


Reptiles:

  • Monitor Lizard
  • Mugger Crocodile
  • Turtle
  • Tortoise
  • Snakes




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Cheetah

The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary recommended for holding and conservation breeding of cheetah in India, in controlled wild conditions. Cheetahs would be translocated to Nauradehi Sanctuary from Kuno Natiuonal Park. 


Kuno Natiuonal Park does not have enough space for all cheetahs and that is why Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh), Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) and Mukandra Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan) were selected as other possible homes for Cheetah.


Kuno National Park that spread over 748 sq km can accommodate only nine to ten cheetahs since a cheetah’s territory is spread over 300 to 800 square km.




Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions

Q. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?

A. The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It spans across the Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Raisen districts of the state. 


Q. Which is the biggest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh?

A. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is the biggest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. It covers an area of approximately 1,197 square kilometers (about 463 square miles).


Q. What is Nauradehi sanctuary famous for?

A. The Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its rich biodiversity and being home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Some of the key aspects for which the sanctuary is renowned are:

(i) Wildlife Diversity: Nauradehi is known for its wide variety of wildlife species, including predators like the Indian wolf, Bengal tiger, and Indian leopard. Other carnivores like the striped hyena, wild dog (Dhole), and Bengal fox can also be found in the sanctuary.

(ii) Avian Diversity: Nauradehi has a significant population of various bird species due to the presence of perennial water sources, including several rivers and the Cheola lake.

(iii) Habitat Types: The sanctuary encompasses various habitat types, including dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and riverine areas. This diversity of habitats supports a wide range of flora and fauna.

(iv) Ecotourism Potential: The sanctuary's scenic beauty and diverse wildlife offer potential for ecotourism, providing opportunities for responsible nature-based tourism and generating economic benefits for local communities.
Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

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