Data Zone
Country/territory: India
IBA criteria met: A1, A3 (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 27,791 hectares (277.91 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | good | medium | medium |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
The Gomarda Sanctuary derives its name from the village Gomarda in Sarangarh tehsil of Raipur district. The Sanctuary is 15 km south of Sarangarh on Raigarh-Sarangarh-Saraipali state highway, which bisects the Sanctuary. The terrain is gently undulating, with numerous boulders and rocks, unfit for cultivation, and hence naturally protected. The main water source is the perennial Lath nullah (stream) and two medium sized tanks. The vegetation is typical Tropical Dry Deciduous forest with Teak Tectona grandis, Bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus, Terminalia sp. and other species. The forest was under tremendous pressure from lopping and earlier commercial clear felling and selective cutting. Since the establishment of the Sanctuary, such pressures have been reduced. Nevertheless, the vegetation needs respite from further biotic pressure.
Key biodiversity
AVIFAUNA: More than 100 bird species have been recorded (A. M. K. Bharos pers. comm. 2003). The site lies in Biome-11 and therefore, bird species representing Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone are found. The main species of conservation concern is the Green Munia Amandava formosa, which is endemic to India and is decreasing in numbers due to habitat destruction and illegal trapping for trade (BirdLife International 2001, Rajat Bhargava pers. comm. 2003). Gomarda lies within the main distribution range of the Green Munia, so it could be one of the most important sites for long-term conservation of this globally threatened species. Out of the 59 species listed in Biome-11 that are found in India, 27 species have been recorded till now from this IBA site. In the nearby Sarangarh tank, wildfowl are said to be present in large numbers, but we could not get any authentic information.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: Like any typical protected area in central India, Gomarda WLS has Tiger Panthera tigris, Leopard P. pardus, Gaur Bos frontalis, Spotted Deer or Chital Axis axis, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, Four-horned Antelope Tetracerus quadricornis, and Wild Boar Sus scrofa. The Mouse Deer Moschiola meminna could be present, but there is no confirmed record. Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus, and Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena are also found. There are records of Grey Wolf Canis lupus, especially in the outskirts of the Sanctuary near human habitation and in open areas. There would be many more smaller carnivores but no study has been done.
Acknowledgements
Key contributor: A. M. K. Bharos.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gomarda-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 23/12/2024.