Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary

Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Banaskantha, Gujarat, India. It covers 542 km2, and falls in the catchment area of Banas and Sabarmati rivers,[1] and is a part of the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests' ecoregion.[2] The sanctuary borders Rajasthan. The period from October to May is considered to be the best time to visit.

Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
View of peaks on the way to Ambaji in Sanctuary
LocationBanaskantha District, Gujarat, India
Nearest cityPalanpur
Area542.08 Km2
Established7 August 1989
Governing bodyGujarat Forest Department
gujaratforest.gov.in

Flora
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The sanctuary has 483 species of plants. 10 species are of lower plants, 40 of grass, 49 of climbers, 58 of shrubs, 107 of trees and 219 of herbs. Some of these, such as the Kadaya, have medicinal properties.[1]

Fauna

Mammals found here are the sloth bear, striped hyena, Indian leopard, Nilgai (bluebull), Indian porcupine, Indian fox, small Indian civet and Indian pangolin. Reptiles found here are snakes (venomous and non-venomous), Indian star tortoises and monitor lizards.[1]

In 2016, a female sloth bear had attacked 8 people, including some forest officials, in Gujarat State's Banaskantha district, near the Sanctuary. 3 of the victims died, including an official who attempted to trace and cage it. The bear was eventually killed by a team of forest officials and policemen.[3]

Indian Honey Badger drinking water from natural water source captured in February 2017

See also

References
  1. "Balaram Ambaji Wild Life Sanctuary". Forests & Environment Department. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  2. "Kathiarbar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  3. "Sloth bear killed in Gujarat". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 February 2016.


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