Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Baran district of Rajasthan, India. Notified in 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it covers an area of 81.67 km² along the Parban River on the Vindhyan plateau, approximately 65 km from Baran town.
History
The sanctuary derives its name from the nearby Shergarh Fort, whose ruins date to around 790 AD and contain medieval Jain and Hindu temples. The surrounding forests were officially notified as Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983 by the Government of Rajasthan to protect the region’s dry deciduous ecosystems and associated wildlife.
Geography
Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the Vindhyan plateau in southeastern Rajasthan, encompassing undulating hills and riverine plains. The sanctuary is bisected by seasonal streams that feed into the Parban River, which forms its western boundary. Elevations range from approximately 250 to 400 metres above sea level. The terrain consists of rocky outcrops, gentle slopes, and scattered boulder fields interspersed with flat floodplains. The climate is subtropical semi-arid.
Flora and fauna
The sanctuary comprises tropical dry deciduous forest interspersed with riverine plains. Major tree species include dhok (Anogeissus pendula), khair (Acacia catechu), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), and ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), which form the canopy and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Large mammals recorded in the sanctuary include:
- Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)
- Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
- Striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
- Chinkara (Gazella bennettii)
- Sambar (Rusa unicolor)
- Chital (Axis axis)
- Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
A recent avifaunal survey documented 62 resident and 39 seasonal bird species within the sanctuary, reflecting its importance as habitat for both resident and migratory birds.
Conservation and management
Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary is managed by the Rajasthan Forest Department under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Management activities include anti-poaching patrols, maintenance of waterholes along the Parban River, and periodic wildlife monitoring to ensure the protection of its characteristic dry deciduous habitat.