Data Zone
Country/territory: India
IBA criteria met: A1 (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 30,118 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2003 | not assessed | high | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
The Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) is located in the Kotdwar tehsil of Pauri Garhwal district of Uttaranchal. It is named after the Sonanadi (river of gold). Deposits of gold have been reported along this river, hence the name. This Sanctuary spans an area of 30,118 ha of prime forest across the Ramganga river, adjoining the famous Corbett National Park. The Shiwalik-Terai is one of the most threatened ecosystems of the country and receives considerable conservation attention. Sonanadi WLS forms a critical part of the habitat of the northwest population of the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus. There are three major sub-populations in Corbett-Rajaji NP. Sonanadi is significant in that it constitutes a forest corridor between the Corbett and the Rajaji populations to facilitate their movements. Sonanadi WLS, Corbett NP and its buffer areas together comprise the Corbett Tiger Reserve, which holds the second largest population of Tiger Panthera tigris in the world (A. J. T. Johnsingh pers. comm. 2002). The greater part of the Sanctuary is covered with Sal Shorea robusta forests. Anogeissus latifolia can be seen on the slopes, associated with Sal in some places. In earlier days, many parts of the original forest were cleared to raise plantations of Tectona grandis, Ailanthus excelsa and Haplophragma adenophyllum.
Key biodiversity
AVIFAUNA: Although no work has been carried out on the bird communities of Sonanadi WLS, its bird life is assumed to be rich as it adjoins Corbett where about 560 bird species have been reported (Grewal and Sahgal 1995). However, Sonanadi does not have as great a habitat diversity as Corbett. As there is no available checklist for Sonanadi WLS, it is classified here as Data Deficient. Two critically endangered species of vultures are found here but they are widespread, especially the Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis. Very few IBAs have been selected on the basis of only these two species of vultures.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: Sonanadi has almost all the larger mammals that are found in Corbett and Rajaji National Parks, such as the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Tiger Panthera tigris, Leopard P. pardus, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Cheetal Axis axis, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak, Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, Wild Boar Sus scrofa and Sloth bear Melursus ursinus. Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena are the smaller carnivores. No data are available on reptiles and amphibians.
Acknowledgements
Key contributor: IBA team.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sonanadi-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 22/11/2024.