Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary — Attraction in Gujarat

Jambughoda is a Wildlife Sanctuary situated in Jambughoda Tehsil, in the South-Central part of Gujarat, and the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests' ecoregion[1] in India. It located 70 km from Vadodara and 20 km from prominent tourist places such as Pawagadhand Champaner.

Located in the Panchmahal district of Central Gujarat and 130.38 km2. area declared as a sanctuary in May 1990, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is home for a variety of animals and plants. A small part of the sanctuary (Targol Round) falls in the adjoining Vadodara district. The area has two water reservoirs – one at Kada and the other at Targol. These water bodies add to the aesthetic settings and diversity of the habitat. The sanctuary's wildlife depends on these two reservoirs.

The most striking feature of the area is the undulating hills having a good forest cover, with the valleys having small human settlements. The places of interest are Kada, Targol and Jhand Hanuman temple. Of these, the most picturesque location is Kada, where a beautiful forest rest house stands on the banks of an irrigation reservoir. Due to its proximity to the cosmopolitan city of Vadodara, the sanctuary is an ideal resort and camping site for the city's people.

People of the area are mainly tribal. There are 25 villages (including 5 villages inside the Sanctuary) which are distributed among five forest blocks and two ranges. Local tribals collect minor forest produce from the area for their livelihood. People also allow grazing of their livestock and cut wood in the forest. The status of the management of the PA is good, but needs to be improved by taking up habitat steps, so that animals can be provisioned with adequate food, water and shelter. Grazing and wood removed by local people and fire in the forest cause damage to the habitat. Local people encroach upon the land of the PA and hence the area needs to be re-demarcated. The area was a part of the princely state of Jambughoda prior to independence. Within India, it was a part of the Bombay Provinceduring the British Raj. Its rulers belonged to the Parmar dynasty and took the title of Thakur Sahib. The last ruler was Ranjitsinhji Gambhirsinhji (b. 1892) who reigned from 27 Sep 1917 to 15 Aug 1947.

Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary hosts 17 mammalian species including large colonies of Indian flying fox.[5] Indian giant squirrel was photographed for the first time in March 2016.[6] A rusty-spotted cat was sighted in October 2013 preying on a bat.[7]

Among the other carnivores are the hyena, wolf and jackal. The Indian sloth bear is occasionally reported from the area. Besides civets, mongoose, porcupine and several species of rodents are found in the area. The area has also many varieties of reptiles as well, which include many venomous and non-venomous snakes. The python, crocodile and other herpetofauna also exist here. Birdlife is plentiful. In the past, the junglefowl was abundant here, but the species is now exterminated from the area, or has become rare. The barking deer, four horned antelope, Blue bull and wild boar are the ungulatesoccurring in...

The Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat, covers an area of around 130 square kilometers and is known for its rich biodiversity. It is nestled in the picturesque and hilly terrain of the Vindhya mountain range and is surrounded by dense forests, making it a great destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

The sanctuary is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including several species of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Some of the prominent animals you can find here include:

Leopards Sloth Bears Wild Boar Indian Fox Sambar Deer Chital (Spotted Deer) Langur monkeys Jackals Nilgai (Blue Bull)

Additionally, the sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a variety of bird species, including:

Indian Peafowl (Peacock) Grey Hornbill Peregrine Falcon Eagles Various species of owls and vultures

The dense forest areas are predominantly made up of teak, bamboo, and other deciduous trees, providing a suitable habitat for wildlife. The sanctuary also offers opportunities for eco-tourism, with trekking, nature walks, and wildlife safaris being popular activities.

Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is a peaceful, lesser-known spot compared to other wildlife sanctuaries in India, which makes it ideal for those seeking solitude and a closer...

This wild life sanctuary, (spread over an area of 130 sq km) was a part of the princely state of Jambughoda before independence. The sanctuary was established in 1990. 20km from Pavaghad towards bodeli. There are 3 eco tourism site in side the sanctuary.(1) Targol Dam Site (2) Kada dam also known as Dhanpuri site (3) Bhat eco tourism .

Zand hanuman is also one of the site to visit.

Teak, bamboo and mahuva form the major canopy of the forest. The sanctuary harbours several wild animals, birds and flora, including plants and herbs of medicinal value. Apart from the panther and the four-horned antelope, the habitat is shared by other animals such as blue bulls, hyenas, jackals and occasional sloth bear. You have to be lucky to spot a panther or four-horned antelope or both as these are shy and elusive animals. In addition, the sanctuary is also home to a wide variety of snakes including cobra, rat snake, russel’s viper and python, and interesting birds such as the Paradise Fly Catcher, Golden Oriole, Tailor bird, etc. During winters, the lakes close-by, attract migratory birds, such as Pin-tails, Teals, Brahminy ducks & the Comb Ducks.

It will be worth while carrying a pair of binoculars and a camera to enjoy the forest and take back memories of a...