Karanja Sohol Wildlife Sanctuary


Karanja Sohol Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Karanja talukas of Washim district in Maharashtra, India. It was created in 2000 to preserve the black buck population. It covers of forest and grasslands.

Description

The Karanja Sohol Wildlife Sanctuary is located some from Karanja town. There are a few undulating hills in the sanctuary with a large area which is a part of the catchment area of Aadan reservoir. The sanctuary is best approached by road from Washim. The nearest rail head is Murtizapur.

History

The management plan for Karanja Sohol wildlife sanctuary is approved vide letter Desk-22/521/172 dt. 29/04/2009 for the year 2009/2010 to 2018/2019 by the Government of India.

Biodiversity

Flora

Karanja Sohol Wildlife Sanctuary is an undulating tract of grasslands interspersed with wooded areas.
The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests harbours teak and Coromandel ebony as predominant species. Other important tree species include ain, axlewood, lendia, shiwan, kalamb, telia, Indian rosewood and bija.

Fauna

The sanctuary attracts a large variety of migratory waterfowl from November to March every year. 17 mammal species, 75 bird species, 18 reptiles, three amphibians, 23 fishes and 48 butterfly and spider species were recorded. Mammal species include Indian muntjac, striped hyena, sambar deer, jungle cat, wild boar.
Grass has been grown to aid restoring blackbuck. and spotted deer.