Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary

Location within Maharashtra

Location Maharashtra, India
Nearest city Pune
Coordinates 19°07′55″N 73°33′14″E / 19.132°N 73.554°ECoordinates: 19°07′55″N 73°33′14″E / 19.132°N 73.554°E[1]
Area 131 km2 (51 sq mi)
Established 1984

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary was created in the Ambegaon and Khed talukas of Pune District, in the Western Indian state of Maharashtra in order mainly to protect the habitat of the Indian Giant Squirrel. Its area is 131 km2 (51 sq mi) and is a part of the Western Ghats (Sahyadri Ranges). This sanctuary was created in 1984 and includes 9 tribal villages. The area's bio-diversity has been retained as it will be preserved as a cluster of sacred groves for generations.[2] These sacred groves act as gene pools of this area, from where seeds were dispersed. In Ahupe - a tribal (Mahadev Koli) village's sacred grove in the sanctuary, in 1984, a climber Khombhal - Xantolis tomentosa was found to be 800 – 1000 years old.[3]

Citations

  1. ↑ "Bhimashankar Sanctuary". protectedplanet.net.
  2. ↑ Deo, Sharmila. "The Environment Education Programme in Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary". Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  3. ↑ Karnik, Kusum (2003-02-21). "Guardians of the Forest". Shaswat Trust. http://www.aseanbiodiversity.info. Retrieved 2011-02-06.

External links