Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary

Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Dhamtari District, Chhattisgarh, India.^[1] The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1974 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary sprawls over an area of 556 km².^[2]

Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Forest in Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Location in Chhattisgarh Show map of Chhattisgarh Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (India) Show map of India
Location	Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh, India
Coordinates	20°29′N 81°58′E
Area	556 km2 (215 sq mi)
Established	1974

Geography

It is named after Sitanadi River which originates from this sanctuary and joins Mahanadi River near Deokhut. It has an altitude ranging between 327 and 736 m above the sea level. Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its lush green flora and rich and unique and diverse fauna and has great potential to emerge as one of the finest wildlife destinations in central India. Teak and bamboo predominate among the vegetation.^[2]

Fauna

A Spotted deer in Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary

Animals in the sanctuary include Tigers, Leopards, Flying Squirrels, Jackals, Four-horned Antelopes, Chinkara, Black Buck, Jungle Cat, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Monkey, Bison, Striped Hyena, Sloth Bear, Wild Dogs, Chital, Sambar deer, Nilgai, Gaur, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Cobra, Python among many others.^[2] The sanctuary is also a paradise for bird watchers, as over 175 species of birds can be seen here.^[3]