Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: It is situated on the northern boundary of the Mandsaur and Nimach districts in Madhya Pradesh.

• It is spread over an area of 368.62 km2 (142.32 sq mi) adjoining Rajasthan state.
• It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
• It was notified in the year 1974 and added to the list of sanctuaries in 1984.
• River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
• Topography: The sanctuary is characterized by its diverse topography, which includes hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam on the Chambal River.
• The sanctuary has many places of historical, archeological and religious importance, such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Narsinghjhar Hinglajgarh fort, Taxakeshwar temple etc.
• Flora: The principal tree species found here are Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu and Palash.
• Fauna:
• Herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena and Jackal are found in good numbers in the region.
• It also has a good population of crocodiles, fish, otters and turtles. 

Q1: Where is the origin of the Chambal River?

The river has its source near the Singar Chouri crest in the northern sides of the Vindhyan cliffs, 15 km west to southwest of Mhow in Indore District, Madhya Pradesh.It flows through three Indian states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.This is a major tributary of Yamuna which is 960 km long. 

Source: Madhya Pradesh: Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary to be new home for South African cheetahs