GANDHI SAGAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - ENVIRONMENT

News: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary to be new home for South African cheetahs

 

What's in the news?

       India plans to import cheetahs that do not develop thicker winter coats — a primary factor behind severe infections in some cheetahs and the death of three of them, according to the head of the reintroduction project.

 

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

       Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.

       The sanctuary was notified in 1974 and is spread over an area of 368 sq.km.

       The sanctuary has vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, along with small patches of dense forests.

       The vegetation comprises Northern tropical dry deciduous forest, Northern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest and Dry deciduous scrub.

       Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu and Palash are the principal tree species found here.

       The River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.

 

Fauna:

       The sanctuary is home to herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai, and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena, and Jackal.

       It also has a good population of crocodiles, fish, otters, and turtles.