Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary
{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary
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| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Gandhi Sagar Dam1.JPG
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| photo_caption = River Chambal in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary
| photo_width =
| map = India Madhya Pradesh
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of India
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| location = Mandsaur and Nimach districts
Madhya Pradesh, India
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coords|24.583|75.712|region:IN|notes={{cite web |url= http://protectedplanet.net/sites/Gandhi_Sagar_Sanctuary |title= Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary |work= protectedplanet.net |access-date= 3 June 2012 |archive-date= 12 December 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131212212752/http://protectedplanet.net/sites/Gandhi_Sagar_Sanctuary |url-status= dead }}|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{Convert|368.62|km2|abbr=on}}
| established = 1974
| visitation_num =
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| governing_body =
| world_heritage_site =
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Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary situated on the northern boundary of Mandsaur and Neemuch districts in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is spread over an area of {{Convert|368.62|km2|abbr=on}} adjoining Rajasthan state in India. It was notified in 1974 and more area was added in 1983. The Chambal River passes through the sanctuary dividing it into two parts. The western part is in Neemuch district and eastern part is in Mandsaur district. It is in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.{{WWF ecoregion |id=im0206 |name=Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests |accessdate=2017-01-29}}
Flora and fauna
The Sanctuary is open throughout the year. With a varied terrain of wooded hills – the forest being dry, mixed and deciduous- and flat grasslands around Gandhi sagar dam submergence, it offers abundant opportunities of sighting a variety of wildlife. The principal tree species found in the Sanctuary are Khair (Acacia catechu), Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash etc.
The predominant animal species that inhabit the sanctuary are the deer, of which the most easily sighted are the chinkara or Indian gazelle, Nilgai and sambar. In addition the Indian leopard, langur, Indian wild dog, peacock, otter, and Mugger crocodile are present.
Places archaeological and religious importance
Sanctuary has many places of historical, archaeological and religious importance. These are Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Narsinghjhar, Hinglajgarh Fort, Taxakeshwar temple etc.
- Chaturbhujnath temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is located about 8 km from Gandhi sagar dam site
- Hinglajgarh or Hinglaj Fort is an ancient fort situated near village Navali in Bhanpura tehsil of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh
- Taxakeshwar temple or Takhaji is a place of religious and historical importance in Mandsaur district
- Bhanpura Museum is located in Bhanpura, about {{convert|30.0|km|mile|abbr=on}} from Gandhi sagar dam and {{convert|127.0|km|mile|abbr=on}} from Mandsaur in north-east direction. The museum depicting the popular arts of Mandsaur
- Dharmrajeshwar is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu cave temple site of 4th-5th Century in Mandsaur
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Indian Buddhist Caves}}
Category:Buddhist caves in Madhya Pradesh
Category:Buddhist temples in India
Category:Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests
Category:Tourist attractions in Mandsaur district
Category:Tourist attractions in Neemach district
Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh