Gujarat has legion wildlife sanctuaries that has become popular part of wildlife tourism amongst people especially wildlife lovers all around the world. One of such Wildlife sanctuary is situated in Banaskatha District – BALARAM AMBAJI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.
It is situated in Undulating hills of Aravalli, supporting the dry deciduous forests of North Gujarat providing astonishing view to sanctuary. The name of sanctuary is been derived by two historic temples Balaram Temple and Ambaji Templelocated in opposite corners of sanctuary.
Brief Information about the Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary
This very quaint area was constituted on 7th August’ 1989 as a Wildlife Sanctuary by Government of Gujarat for the purpose of shelter , protection and development of wildlife and its environment around the place. To add upon, the area of sanctuary falls in the catchment of two rivers- Banas and Sabarmati.
It is said “beauty lies in simplicity”. Balaram and Ambaji wildlife sanctuary is actually a hidden treasure of Gujarat which is not much popular but an must visit place to seek the real beauties of mother nature. The precious insight to sanctuary is the alluring varieties of flowers, especially medicinal plants.
It is home to many plant and animal species that are vital to the world’s conservation. Rare plants are Kadaya (with medicinal chewing gum),Gugal and Musali, etc. Themain trees are Khair, Salai, Modad, Dhavada, Kahara andTimru. During late winters specifically in months of February-March Khakhara- the flame of the forests- known by many different names such as- Palash, Tesu, Kesudo, Dhak etc. gets bloom with its striking red color resembling flames in the forests.
In the Sanctuary Conserves
The sanctuary has finest ecosystem that conserves large numbers of flora and fauna consisting 483 species of plants including 107 of trees, 58 of shrubs, 219 of herbs, 49 of climbers, 40 of grass and 10 species of lower plants. Modad, khair, dhavado, saledi, kadaya, timru, khakhara, bor, desi baval, bili, dudhi, golar, kanji, indrajav, karanj, arjun sadad, jamun, behda etc. Along with this, Leopard is the top carnivore, which roams freely in the diverse habitat conditions and others animals like rhesus macaque, sloth bear, Indian civet cat, Indian porcupine, hyena, wild boar, wolf, jackal, hare, langur, blue bull etc are nurtured and conserved within atmosphere . The distinct varieties of birds have also been inhabiting the sanctuary includes bulbul, Indian roller, woodpecker, grey hornbill, peafowl, barbet, shrikes etc. and many raptors.
At last, the best time to visit this sanctuary is in monsoon to get the best views of place. The organization of ecotourism does not yet exist, but education in nature is a well-organized activity. One can get check on Greenspaces, long forest trails and rugged terrain which are ideal hunting opportunities like hiking, trekking and other ecological adventure activities for nature lovers.
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Lovely combination of nature and religious spot, must be planned to enjoy it.