Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary


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 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.

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, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash etc.
The predominant animal species that inhabit the sanctuary are the antelopes and 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.