Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary - Facts for UPSC | Testbook.com

Geographical Position of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal

The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is strategically located between the two rivers, Mahananda and Teesta, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Falling under the jurisdiction of the Darjeeling Wildlife Division, the sanctuary is conveniently accessible from Siliguri and Bagdogra Airport. The Teesta river lies to the east of the sanctuary, while the Hill Cart road and the Mahananda river adorn the west. The sanctuary is also easily reachable via the main forest road.

A Glimpse into the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread across an area of 159 square kilometres, the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary initially started as a game sanctuary, providing joyrides to children. However, in 1959, it was bestowed the status of a sanctuary. The sanctuary is known for providing a safe habitat to the Indian Bison and the Royal Bengal Tiger, both of which are endangered species. Apart from these, the sanctuary is home to a wide variety of animals and birds.

The sanctuary's altitude ranges from 500 feet to 4300 feet, starting from Sukna, known as the Gateway to the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, and extends up to Latpanchar. This altitude variation leads to diverse vegetation types, including riverain forest and dense mixed wet forest.

The sanctuary encompasses several forest villages like Gulma, Sevoke, Saat Mile, Latlong, Sukna, and Kalijhora, among others.

For a successful attempt at the UPSC Prelims , in-depth knowledge about the sanctuary is crucial.

The Royal Bengal Tiger, a resident of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, is also the National Animal of India .

Significance of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary holds a special place in India's ecological landscape. It plays a pivotal role in conserving the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Indian Bison. The sanctuary is also a treasure trove of indigenous flora and fauna. It has recently been declared an "Important Bird Area," owing to its efforts in conserving and protecting various bird species.

Incorporate this information in your UPSC notes for better preparation.

Flora of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

With over 300 types of plants, this sanctuary is a botanist's dream. The most commonly found plant species in this sanctuary include khairu, sisoo, sal, simul, teak, fern, champ, lali, jarul, bamboo, orchid, among others. The sanctuary, surrounded by mountains and crisscrossed by rivulets, offers a picturesque sight to all visitors.

Fauna of the Sanctuary

The sanctuary is particularly known for its diverse bird population. Over 300 species of birds, including both local and migratory, can be found here. Birds like swallow, swift, babbler, sunbird, kingfisher, Himalayan pied hornbill, among others, can be spotted in the sanctuary.

The sanctuary houses 14 Royal Bengal Tigers, as per the 2003 census. Apart from this, the sanctuary is home to 36 other types of mammals. If you're lucky, you might spot Himalayan black bears, clouded leopards, rare mountain goats, porcupines, and barking deer in the sanctuary.

source:wikimedia commons

Exploring the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary offers several watchtowers for a panoramic view of the forest. The Latlong watchtower is popular for elephant viewing, while the Gulma watchtower offers a glimpse of deer and bison. For bird watchers, the Toribari watchtower is a must-visit. The best time to visit the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary is between November and April. The sanctuary remains closed from mid-June to mid-September owing to the monsoon and breeding season of most animals.

This comprehensive information about the Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary will prove beneficial for the IAS exam preparation.