Context:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister recently announced that Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary will be developed as a second home for cheetahs within six months.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:
Location:
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.
Establishment:
- It was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1974.
- The sanctuary covers an area of km.
Landscape and Vegetation:
- The sanctuary has vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, along with small patches of dense forests.
- The vegetation comprises of 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.
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.
Places of Interest:
- The sanctuary has many places of historical, archeological, and religious importance, such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Narsinghjhar Hinglajgarh fort, and Taxakeshwar temple.
River:
- The River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
-Source: The Hindu
