Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary (also spelled Udaipur) is a wildlife sanctuary located in West Champaran district of Bihar state, India. It was established in 1978, and covers an area of 8.74 km².
The wildlife sanctuary is predominantly wetland, located on an oxbow lake in the floodplain of the Gandaki River. It is home to a variety of water birds, both resident and migratory. The sanctuary has areas of swamp forest, dry riverine forest, and khair-sissoo forest (Acacia catechu-Dalbergia sissoo). It is in the Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests ecoregion.
The sanctuary has a rest house. The nearest town and railhead is Bettiah. The sanctuary is under the authority of the Deputy Director of the Champaran Forest Division, headquartered in Bettiah. This sanctuary is about half an hour from Bettiah wetlands.
Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds the Sajjangarh Palace. Situated at a distance of 5 km from the destination, the sanctuary is home to sambars, wild boars, chitals, hyenas, jackals, panthers, hares and blue bulls.
Bansdara Hill provides the backdrop of the sanctuary and provides beautiful views of sunset and sunrise. In the sanctuary, chitals, sambars, wild boars and blue bulls can also be seen.
Apart from a variety of reptiles and birds, the sanctuary is also home to animals like panthers, hyenas, hares and jackals. The ecosystem of the sanctuary is supported by the Tiger Lake that is also known as Bari Lake or Jiyan Lake. This artificial lake was built by Maharana Raj Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Mewar, in 1664. Maharana Raj Singh named the lake after his mother, Jana Devi.
An unusual small fish shaped hill that is known as Machla Magra, is located a short distance away from the sanctuary. From Gorilla Viewpoint, varied species of animals and birds can be spotted.
On the western region of Bansdara Hill is Jhar Water Hole that abounds with Mahua trees. Near the waterhole, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated. Nilgais, sambhars, wild boars, hyenas, panthers and jackals are some of the animals that form a part of this safari park.
Everyone one is well familiar with Sajjangarh or Monsoon Palace. There is a fort which is surrounded by dense forest and honored with rich flora and fauna by the nature. In year 1987 the Government made it a Wild Life Sanctuary. At earlier times it served as a hunting forest for the kings of the Mewar dynasty. The sanctuary has many wild animals like Panther, Sambhar, Chital, Jackal, Blue Bull etc. There is also wide variety of birds and other reptile species which are the regular habitat of sanctuary. Spread across the Aravalli hills the place provides a unique experience for adventure lovers. It also has a small Shiva Temple near the Jhar Water hole.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a major attraction for the tourists coming to Udaipur. This Sanctuary falls under the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Kumbhalgarh Park lies at a distance of 65 kms from Udaipur on Udaipur - Pali - Jodhpur road. If you are a wild-life lover, this is a perfect place for you to visit. Sprawled in an area of 578 sq km, Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary encircles the massive fort of Kumbhalgarh. This wildlife park has imbibed its name from the same fort.
Broadening across the Aravalli Range, Kumbhalgarh sanctuary covers parts of Rajsamand, Udaipur and Pali districts. The sanctuary makes home to many endangered species of wild-life. The sanctuary provides natural abode to many creatures like Wolf, Leopards, Sloth bear, Hyena, jackal, Jungle cat, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chausingha (the four horned antelope), Chinkara and Hare. In fact, Kumbhalgarh is the only sanctuary of Rajasthan, where you can trace wolf engaged in its activities.
This sanctuary inhabits more than forty wolves in number. In the summers, one can easily find pack of wolves strolling around water sources in the sanctuary. If you find your interest in birds, then here you can see a nice variety of birds too. In the park, you can see Grey Jungle Fowl, which is usually inhibited. Peacocks and Doves also gain attention by their own charm. Apart from this, birds like Red Spur Owls, Parakeets, Golden Oriole, Bulbul, Dove, Grey Pigeons and White Breasted Kingfisher are traceable near the water holes.
Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary also enjoys a variety of flora including many trees and plants having herbal qualities. You can also take a safari trip to enjoy the natural habitat of these birds and animals. Every year, Kumbhalgarh draws many a tourists towards itself for its natural beauty. Moreover, Kumbhalgarh is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur. You can take the services of regular buses that start from Udaipur, if you are not interested for a bus ride, you can also hire private taxis to visit this sanctuary.
Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
The Jaisamand sanctuary was built in 1957 and it is located at the banks of the artificial Jaisamand Lake. The sanctuary is spread in an area of 62 square kilometers and serves as home for variety of migratory birds. Crocodiles are also found in this sanctuary. You may find various species like Panther, Wild Boar, Deer and other Antelopes, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Hyena and Fox etc. The lake feed various reptiles and amphibians like Crocodiles, Turtles and a wide variety of sweet water Fishes. A Jeep is the best vehicle to travel within the sanctuary. Various hotels and rest house are available for the wildlife lovers visiting Jaisamand Sanctuary. Jaisamand is located 52 kilometers south east of Udaipur. The Jaisamand Lake was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1685 which is the second largest artificial lake in the World. The lake is amazing and is spread 9 miles in breath and covers 30 miles of circumference.
There is also a variety of migratory birds - peafowl, doves, parakeets, babblers, owls, partridges, quail, nightjars, woodpeckers, mynahs, flycatchers, curlews, orioles, vultures, kites and eagles. Among the snakes are cobras, kraits, vipers and ratsnakes. Aquatic fauna includes crocodiles, otters, turtles and a variety of fish and birds.
