Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary 

News: Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh. 

About Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The entire sanctuary is situated on a plateau that forms part of the Upper Vindhyan Range.
• It was established in 1975. 
• River basins: It lies within the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic region and forms part of both the Ganga and Narmada river basins.
• Connecting: It plays a crucial role as a wildlife corridor by connecting Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve.
  • It also indirectly connects Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve through Veerangana Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary, enabling movement of large mammals across landscapes.
• Rivers: The protected area is crossed by several rivers, including the north-flowing Kopra and the Bamner, Vyarma, and Bearma, all tributaries of the Ken River.
• The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve encompasses areas within the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Vegetation: The sanctuary is dominated by tropical dry deciduous forests, which are part of the Central Indian Monsoon Forests.
• Flora: Teak is the dominant tree species found throughout the sanctuary.
  • Other important tree species include Saja, Dhawda, Sal, Tendu (Coromandel Ebony), Bhirra (East Indian Satinwood), and Mahua.
• Fauna:
  • Freshwater crocodiles are mainly found in natural water bodies such as Chakai Kunda Nala and the Bamner River, which provide suitable habitats for their survival.
  • Some of the highlighted bird species recorded in the sanctuary include the Dusky Eagle Owl, White-bellied Minivet, Himalayan Vulture, Eurasian Wryneck, and Verditer Flycatcher.