Shoolpaneshwar Wild Life Sanctuary

Birds having attraction for Himalayan and Western Ghats, a multiplicity of raptors, the hills of Satpuda range, the delight of coming across a python or flying squirrel, pangolin or big/ lesser cats and the lovely beauty of moist deciduous forest... all this can be enjoyed by an eco-tourist at Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary includes an area of 607.71 sq. km in Narmada district, which comprises a major watershed, feeding the Sardar Sarovar and the Karjan reservoirs. Hilly tract of the Sanctuary bordering Narmada supports some of the unsurpassed forests in Gujarat. The physical aspect is dominated by the Rajpipla hills. DhamanMal, the highest peak located in the eastern portion, is about 882 m in altitude. The general slope of the area is towards the west.

About the Sanctuary

The forests are some of the finest and the densest in the State and are known for opulence of biodiversity. The sightings of various bird species, which have more affinities with Himalayan and Western Ghat, have opened a hitherto unknown, but remarkable aspect of the area. Moist deciduous forests have very high scenic and artistic values. The flora of the ecosystem represents bits and pieces of semi-evergreen to damp deciduous forest. Much of the vegetation is modified due to sway of the biotic pressure and forestry operations.

Wet teak forest, Moist mixed deciduous forest, Dry deciduous scrub, Dry bamboo brakes and Dry tropical forest, constitute varied habitats in the sanctuary. These forest types merge into each other undetectably. Teak is the principal species. Patches of pure bamboo dominate the western and northwestern parts.

Flora

Patches, of pure bamboo, dominate the western and northwestern parts. Adina cordifolia (haldu), Terminalia crenulata (sadad), Emblica officinalis (amla), Acacia catechu (khair), Terminalia chebula (harde), Cassia fistula- (amaltas), Madhucaz indica (mahuda), Ougeinia oogeinensis (tanach), Zizyphus sp. (bor), Diospyros melanoxylon (timru), Sap indus emarginatus (aritha), Derris indica (karanj) and Dendrocalamus strictus (bamboo) are the other main species of the area. A study documented 575 species of flowering plants in the Sanctuary.