News: Over three decades after tigers became extinct in Gujarat, the arrival of tiger in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary has sparked fresh optimism about reviving the species in Gujarat.
About Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: The Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area located in the Dahod district of Gujarat, near the border with Madhya Pradesh.
- The sanctuary was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in March 1982.
- The sanctuary harbours the highest population of sloth bears in Gujarat.
- It is known by an alternate name of “Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary” also.
- Rivers: The forests of Ratanmahal form the catchment area of the Panam River.
- Forest Types: The forests of the sanctuary include dry teak forests at the foothills.
- Mixed deciduous forests occupy the central parts of the sanctuary.
- Flora: The sanctuary contains species such as teak, dudhlo, sadad, timru, amla, bamboo, dhavdo, kakadiyo, mahuda, tanach, charoli, ber, jamun, and khakhro.
- Fauna: Sloth bear, Leopards, Striped hyenas, jackals, four-horned antelope, Mongoose and porcupine species, Civet cats, jungle cats and Hanuman langurs are found here.
- A total of 147 bird species have been recorded in Ratanmahal Sanctuary.
