MP: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary to be second new home of cheetahs

• Madhya Pradesh recently announced that Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary will be developed as a second home for cheetahs within six months.

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, with one of its boundaries running along the border of Rajasthan.
• The sanctuary was notified in 1974
• Landscape: A major part of the sanctuary consists of vast open landscapes with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain, with small patches of dense forests.
• River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
• Vegetation: Northern tropical dry deciduous forest, Northern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest and Dry deciduous scrub.
• Flora: The principal tree species found here are Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu and Palash.
• Fauna:
  • Herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena and Jackal are found in good numbers in the region.
  • It also has a good population of crocodiles, fish, otters and turtles.
• The sanctuary has many places of historical, archeological and religious importance such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhuj Nath temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Narsinghjhar Hinglajgarh fort, Tarakeshwar temple

Prelims Take Away

• Location Based Question
• Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary