Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: The site is important due to the presence of nests of the Longbilled Vulture Gyps indicus on the rocky cliffs. In the scrub forest region of the Sanctuary, Pied Tit Parus nuchalis is found (R. Tehsin pers. comm. 2003; Sharma 2002). More than 130 bird species have been reported from the site (Sharma 1998, 2002). The site lies in Biome-11 and harbours 31 species of Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone. BirdLife International (undated) has listed 59 species, so more than half are found at this site. Thus, this site easily fits the A3 criteria.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: This small Sanctuary bordering urban areas supports mammals such as Leopard Panthera pardus, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, India Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Spotted Deer Axis axis, Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata, Grey Langur Semnopithecus entellus Porcupine Hystrix indica, Hyena Hyaena hyaena, Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis, Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica. The reptilian fauna is represented by the Indian Starred Tortoise Geochelone elegans, Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis, and many snakes (Sharma 1999).
Sajjangarh is located within the boundary of Udaipur city therefore, it is easily accessible, leading to illegal collection of firewood and livestock grazing. Forest fires are started by local residents, to allow new grass growth. Also, there is the problem of man-animal conflict. The wild cats kill livestock from the nearby villages. Though the Forest Department has taken important preventive measures, awareness among the people residing around the site is still needed for better implementation of protective measures. The Udaipur based Natural Environment – Education and Development (NEED) Organization along with the Forest Department (Wildlife Division) and Department of Science and Technology has organized several awareness camps for the locals to protect the site from illegal activities and to safeguard the nesting sites of Gyps spp. Trekking and Nature Camps for school children are also being conducted by the Forest Department in collaboration with NEED.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sajjangarh-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 24/12/2024.