About Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary:
Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, about 58 km from Nagpur and 60 km from Bhandara, is spread over Pauni Tahsil of Bhandara district and Umred, Kuhi and Bhivapur Taluka of Nagpur district. This sanctuary has a connection with Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve through the forest along Wainganga river. The sanctuary is home to resident breeding tigers, herds of Gaur, wild dogs and rare animals like flying squirrels, pangolins and honey badgers.
It is bounded roughly by the Wainganga river and the Gose Khurd Dam on the northeast, State Highway 9 and Bhiwapur Town on the south, Umred on the west and a narrow 10 km long range of 600 – 800 m hills to the northwest.
The number of tourists is increasing because it is very close to Nagpur city. Tigers are commonly seen here by many villages around the sanctuary.
Weather:
It has a tropical savannah climate with dry conditions prevailing most of the year. It receives about 163 – 294 mm rainfall from June – September. During this period the park is closed for tourist. Summers are extremely hot, lasting from March to June, with May being the hottest month. Winter lasts from November to January, during which temperatures drop below 10 °C (50 °F).
Fauna:
Mammal species such as the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Indian bison, blue bull, chital, sambar deer, barking deer, mouse deer, monkey, wild boar, sloth bear, and wild dog live here.
There are more than 90 species of birds belonging to 22 families of 12 different orders recorded in the sanctuary. This includes over 10 species of migratory birds and over seven species of endangered birds.
The reserve is home to over 19 species of reptiles belonging to nine families, of which four species are endangered, namely, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, Indian rock python, Indian rat snake, Chequered keelback and monitor lizard.
Visitors Information:
The nearest Airport and Railway Station near Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary is Nagpur which is about 60 kms.
Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary can be clubbed with Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve which is 40 Kms or Pench Tiger Reserve which is 80 kms or Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary which is 50 Kms.
Safari Gates at Umred:
- Karhandla
Tigers:
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) estimated the presence of three tigers in and around the sanctuary but the number has increased to five, with three new cubs sighted in March 2011. The field director of Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary said the 2011 births seemed to be the first litter of this tigress. “Better protection, good prey base and availability of water are three key factors why Bor is becoming a safe haven for tigers,” As per the 2015-16 tiger estimation report, there are five or six tigers in the Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary.
Gypsy & Jeep Safaris are available. The safari Timings are:
Morning: 06:00 AM to 10:00AM
Evening: 02:30 PM to 06:00PM
The entry has to be registered on the gate and a prescribed charge has to be paid. There is a limit set for the numbers of jeeps that can enter the park hence the gate entry booking has to be made in advance. A park guide has to accompany the jeep as a regulation and a fee paid for this service. The gypsy charges are different and has to be paid separately.
The tourists are not allowed to get down from the vehicle throughout the safari. A set of rules and regulation exists for safari and the park guide is aware of that. One has to follow his instruction in order to abide with the regulations.
For the gate entry one needs to produce identification documents of the tourists like Passport/Aadhar card etc. For the foreigners the passport in original has to be shown.
Source: Wikipedia