Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary:- Friends, is it monsoon season and you don’t feel like going to a region of natural beauty? And if free-roaming animals are also found along with natural beauty? Is it fun? So let me take you to one such place today. This place is Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. This place has been successful in attracting many visitors.
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Indian state of Gujarat, located in the West Satpura Range south of the Narmada River and covering an area of 607.7 square km (234.6 sq mi). It shares common border with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It consists of mixed dry deciduous forest, riverine forest, a patch of humid teak forest, agricultural fields and two water bodies. It was founded in It was done in 1982.
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A major watershed in the area, Sardar Sarovar and Karjan fills the reservoirs. The hilly tract of the sanctuary borders the Narmada which supports some of the finest forests in Gujarat. The natural look becomes impressive from the Rajpipla hill. Dhamanmal, the highest peak is located in the eastern part at a height of 882 meters. The general slope of this place is towards west direction.
These forests of the state are among the best and densest forests which are famous for their biodiversity. The sanctuary is home to a variety of birds that have a special affinity with the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, which have developed this fascinating yet unknown region so far. The natural beauty of the forests here is very beautiful. The flora of the biome ranges from semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forests, indicating remnants. Most vegetation has undergone many changes due to the effects of biotic pressures and forestry operations.
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Ecosystem:-
The physical aspect dominates the hills of Rajpipla. Dhanmal is the highest peak of this region. The general slope is to the west. The sanctuary has a vast undulating terrain, lush greenery, high canopy, deep valleys, sombre cliffs, gentle streams and waterfalls. All these are in the Vindhyana and Satpurana series.
Vegetation:-
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the moist deciduous forests of the North Western Ghats. The forests are moist deciduous with a few small dry bamboo breaks, a few pockets of moist teak forest in the hilly areas, degraded shrub forest, and riverine forest connected by the Terao and Narmada rivers and small water courses. The hilly terrain of the sanctuary supports forests harboring floral and faunal elements, which share similarities with the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. It is also a major watershed feeding two major reservoirs that conserve land and water. There are huge bamboo groves. The sanctuary has 575 species of flowering plants.
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Zarwani Falls
The very scenic and eye-cooling Zarwani water falls is inside the sanctuary.
Fauna:-
The sanctuary was started to protect the sloth bear. e. In 1991, a rusty-striped cat was spotted for the time.
The herpetofauna of Shulpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary includes Indian softshell turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, Bengal monitor, Indian rock python, red sand boa, Indian krait, Russell’s viper, Indian chameleon, rock agama, brook house gecko, yellow-bellied house gecko, oriental garden lizard. is and a small population of crocodiles. Recorded frogs include Ramenella species, Asian common frog, marbled frog, ornate narrow-mouthed frog, Indian leaving frog, Indian tree frog, green pond frog, Indian bullfrog, cricket frog and Indian burrowing frog.
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Other mammals include cheetah, leopard cat, rhesus macaque, choguinha, barking deer, pangolin, chital, large Indian heron, palm civet, Indian porcupine and feral dog. Birds including Gaur, Alexandrine Parakeet, Gray Jungle Fowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Shikra, Sparrow Hawk, Great Horned Owl and Gray Hornbill are found here.
Admission and Accommodation:-
The nearest airport is Vadodara, about 90 km (55.9 mi) away. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad, about 260 km (161.6 mi) away, is the nearest international airport. The nearest railway stand and bus stand is Ankleshwar, which is about 60 km away. There are rest houses to stay at Bharuch, Dediapada, Rajpipla and Sanctuary.
How to reach?:-
As the Narmada river flows through the border of Narmada and Vadodara districts and enters Bharuch district, there are many famous places on it and there are enough roads to reach each place.
By Vehicle: Bus service is available to reach Bharuch, Rajpipla, Chanod and Dabhoi. Sardar Sarovar Dam can be reached by private vehicle.
By Rail: Bharuch is the nearest railway station.
By Air: The nearest airport is at Vadodara.
Finally, the close relationship of the birds with the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, the variety of mammals, the Saputara hills, the thrill of encountering a python, a flying squirrel, a pangolin or a big/small cat and the humid landscape of the ephemeral forest. .. All this is an unimaginably spectacular experience for visitors to Shulapaneswar Wildlife Sanctuary. Once you come to this place, you will definitely want to come again and again.
Then who are you waiting for? Make a quick schedule and enjoy the beauty of this place. Monsoon season is the best time to enjoy this place.
Written by:- Mrs. Snehal Rajan Jani
