Mount Abu Sanctuary is on one of India’s oldest mountain ranges, Aravallis. Sprawling in an area of 288 sq km, Mount Abu Sanctuary also houses the highest peak in Rajasthan, Guru Shikhar (1722 m). The popular sanctuary in Rajasthan is primarily known for its biodiversity of flora. Mount Abu Sanctuary was established in the year 1980.
Around 820 floral species can be found at Mount Abu Sanctuary. It is the only place in Rajasthan where one can sight a variety of orchids. The sanctuary boasts 3 species of wild roses and 16 species of feras some of which are rare. The south-west part of the sanctuary is known for its rich bamboo forests.
Apart from the flora, Mount Abu Sanctuary is also home to a variety of animals including Indian Leopard, sloth bear, Sambar deer, wild boar and chinkara. The sanctuary also houses around 250 species of birds that include grey jungle fowl and the rare green avadavat.
Attractions of Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary:
It was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1960 and is incredibly rich in flora and fauna. It is long and narrow in shape, spreading out into a 19 Km long and 5-8 Km wide plateau. It greatly varies in height with 300 m. at the foothill and 1722 m. at Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli ranges. The rocks have large cavities which are uniformly spread throughout the length and breadth of the Sanctuary.
Flora – It is dominated by subtropical thorn forests at the foothills, subtropical evergreen forests along watercourses and valleys at the higher altitudes and bamboo forests in the Southwest area. The forests comprise of 112 plant families with 449 genera and 820 species out of which 663 species are dicots and 157 species are monocots. It houses some rare and threatened Plants like Ceropegia odorata, Convolvulus blatteri, Dicliptera abuensis, Hydrilla polysperma, Ischaemum kingii and Strobillanthes callosus. Some endangered species like Anogeissus sericea, Begonia tricocarpa, Crotalaria filipes and Indigofera constrata are also found here. It is also rich in a variety of orchids, bryophytes and algae.
The 3 species of wild roses and 16 species of ferns seen here are quite rare. The naturally-growing edible fruits like Mango, Jamun, Karonda, Khajur, Kanti, Phalsa and several varieties of figs are abundant here. The Sanctuary has a rich variety of Herbal Medicinal Plants. About 81 species of trees, 89 species of shrubs, 28 species of climbers and 17 species of tuberous plants having medicinal properties have been identified here. A herbal garden is being developed by the Forest Department near Delwara. Gurushikhar and Gaumukh areas are rich in medicinal plants like Akalkara, Amla, Bahera, Bhringraj, Brahmi, Katkaran, Ketki, Malkangani, Marorphali, Salam Misri, Safed Musli etc.
Fauna – The Sanctury has a rich variety of animals, birds and reptiles including some highly rare, threatened and endangered species. The animals found here are Sambhar, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet, Wolf, Hyaena, Jackal, Indian Fox, Common Langoor, Wild Boar, Pangolin, Ratel, Common Mongoose, India Hare Porcupine, Hedgehog, Sloth Bear, Panther etc.
The presence of a huge number of birds makes Mount Abu a paradise for bird watchers. More than 150 species of birds have been recognised by different bird watchers in the sanctuary. Common birds of the area include Babblers, Barbets, Bee eaters, Bulbuls, Buntings, Cormorants, Cuckoos, Flower-Peckers, Flycatchers, Grey Jungle fowl, Heron, Kingfishers, Kestrels, Kites, Lapwings, Larks, Minivets, Munias, Mynas, Night Jars, Orioles, Owlets, Parakeets, Patridges, Peacock, Pigeons, Quails, Red Spur fowl, Robin, Rock chat Coot, Rollers, Shikra, Shrikes, Sunbird, Tits, Tailorbird, Tree Pie, Vultures, Warblers, Waterhen, Woodpeckers etc.
Among reptiles Cat Snake, Cobra, Indian Krait, Keelback, Python, Rat Snake, Russel’s Viper and a few Water Snakes are found in the sanctuary. Other reptiles like Brooks Gecko, Chameleon, Common Garden Lizard, Crocodile, Indian Mud or Flap- shelled, Monitor Lizard, Rock Gecko, Starred Tortoise and Turtle can also be seen.
