fort fort fort

Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary

geography

Dajipur is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. Rugged mountains and dense forests surround this hilly area. This quiet little place is completely cut-off from human blare. Dajipur is home to bison, wild deer, chital, gawa and many more spectacular wild animals and birds


Situating at 1200 metres above the sea level, it is an exciting and beautiful holiday getaway. An excursion in the vicinity to the Gagangiri Maharaj's Math makes a pleasant outing for the tourists. This scenic resort near the backwaters of the Radhanagari Dam is highly recommended for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts.


Nearest airport is at Belgaum, nearest railhead is at Kolhapur. It is 490 km away from Mumabi, while 80 km from Kolhapur. But it is only 30 km from Radhanagari.


MAP

Goto GMaps
+−
Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Major Features


Flora

Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary contains tropical evergreen forests typical of the northern Western Ghats. 425 species of plants have been recorded in the sanctuary. The main species found over here are Anjani, Jambul, Hirda, Awala, Pisa, Ain, Kinjal, Amba, Kumbha, Bhoma, Chandala, Katak, Nana, Umbar, Jambha, Gela, Bibba and banana. Karvi is found over almost the entire area. Climbing plants such as shikekai and garambi are common. Shrub species and medicinal plants such as karvand, vagati (candy corn plant), ranmiri (orange climber), Tamalpatra Cinnamomum tamala, (toran), dhayati (fire-flame bush), kadipatta (curry tree), narkya, murudsheng (Indian screw-fruit) and a small amount of bamboo are also found. Large numbers of ephemeral bulbs of seasonal plants are also found here. Many sacred groves or devrais have been protected as a result of the efforts of the local communities


fauna

Sanctuary contains 47 species of Mammals, 59 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds and 66 species of butterflies. Amphibians are most visible in the rainy season. 20 species from 2 orders, 5 families and 10 genera are listed in the sanctuary. Indian bison or gaur have a population around 610 in 2004, is the flagship species of the area. Other mammals, living in the sanctuary are Indian leopard (5), sloth bear, wild boar (80), barking deer (140), mouse deer (80), sambar (120), giant squirrel 50) and wild dogs (70). In recent years, 6 to 12 tigers were reported in Dajipur forest 2007-08. (anonymous reports- not yet confirmed)


Birds seen here include: vultures, eagles, jungle fowl, quails, plovers, sandpipers, owlets, doves, owls, nightjars, kingfishers, bee-eater, hornbills, woodpeckers, bulbul, flycatchers, warblers, wagtails, sunbirds are commonly seen. This sanctuary is designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and is home to the rare and globally threatened Nilgiri wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii). Other species found here include the Ceylon frogmouth, yellow-browed bulbul, dusky eagle-owl and great pied hornbill and one of India's most admired songbirds, the Malabar whistlingthrush. Two species endemic to the Western Ghats: the small sunbird and the Malabar grey hornbill have been sighted here. This sanctuary is a favorite nesting place for the speckled piculet, Malabar crested lark, and some species of Himalayan birds such as the Indian blue robin during the winter months.