Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary
| Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
Interactive map of Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary | |
| Location | Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan, India |
| Coordinates | 25°59′00″N 76°22′00″E / 25.9833°N 76.3667°E |
| Area | 131.30 km2 (50.70 sq mi) |
| Established | 1955 |
| Governing body | Rajasthan Forest Department |
Sawai Madhopur Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected wildlife sanctuary in Sawai Madhopur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The sanctuary is part of the larger Ranthambore landscape and is administered by the Rajasthan Forest Department. It covers an area of 131.30 km² and was originally designated as a game sanctuary in 1955. [1][2]
Wildlife and habitat
The sanctuary lies in a semi-arid zone at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill systems. The landscape comprises dry deciduous forest, rocky outcrops, seasonal waterbodies, and grassland patches supporting large carnivores, ungulates, and diverse birdlife. The sanctuary forms part of the Ranthambore–Kailadevi–Sawai Mansingh complex and contributes to regional habitat connectivity. [3]
Large mammals recorded in the Ranthambore landscape include Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), sambar (Rusa unicolor), chital (Axis axis), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), and jackal (Canis aureus). [4]
Conservation and management
The sanctuary is managed by the Rajasthan Forest Department under state and national protected area legislation. It contributes to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve’s conservation objectives. Management actions include anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, regulated visitor access in adjoining protected areas, and population monitoring of tigers using camera traps and surveys. [5]
Threats
Key threats to the sanctuary and the surrounding landscape include:
- Illegal mining and quarrying which is in and around the reserve, damaging habitat and increasing human disturbance. [6]
- Large infrastructure projects and proposed reservoirs, that may submerge forest areas and fragment wildlife corridors. [7]
- Unregulated visitor influx to temples and cultural sites, increasing disturbance inside critical habitats.
Conservation measures focus on landscape-level planning, maintaining connectivity, and regulating extractive activities. [8]
See also
References
- ^ "National Parks and Sanctuaries in Rajasthan". Rajasthan Forest Department. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Initial Environmental Examination: Sawai Madhopur Urban Sector Development Investment Program (IEE)" (PDF). Government of Rajasthan. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: Illustrative profile" (PDF). National Tiger Conservation Authority. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ A. Sadhu, P. P. C. Jayam, Q. Qureshi, R. S. Shekhawat, S. Sharma, Y. V. Jhala (2017-11-28). "Demography of a small, isolated tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) population in a semi-arid region of western India". BMC. 2 16. doi:10.1186/s40850-017-0025-y.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Tiger Conservation Plan: Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve" (PDF). Rajasthan Forest Department. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ Thomas, Abraham (2025-06-04). "SC directs Raj to ban illegal mining in Ranthambore". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ Mazoomdaar, Jay (2025-01-14). "Rajasthan river-link lifeline could submerge 37 sq km in tiger reserve". The Indian Express. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: Illustrative profile" (PDF). National Tiger Conservation Authority. Retrieved 23 August 2025.