Junagadh

Pania Wild Life Sanctuary
Location: Amreli
District: Amreli
Best season to visit the sanctuary: November to March

The hilly thorn forests in northern part, an integral part of Gir, are an extension of Gir Protected Area. The area is undulating and hilly and availability of good fodder has made the area suitable for Chinkara. The Sanctuary has been established especially to protect the Chinkara. Gir Sanctuary constitutes boundary in south and east of this prime habitat of Chinkara. About 39.64 sq. km. forest of Chanchai and Pania was Jagiri forest before its acquisition by the State Government. The area was notified as Sanctuary in the year 1989. Hills of Chanchai are high in north-west of Gir. Practically, Pania Wildlife Sanctuary is the extension of Gir Sanctuary.

The lions freely move around the foothills in this area. The hilly and undulating tract renders the area suitability for Chinkara and with a view to emphasising conservation of this small antelope, the area has been declared as a separate sanctuary. The area provides ecological security and environmental amelioration to semi-arid area of Amreli district. The area has good number of grass species. However, the absence of natural water source is a limiting factor.

Amongst the fauna of this area lion, leopard, hyena, wildcat, civet cat, spotted deer, chinkara, bluebull, wild boar, four-homed antelope, pangolin, python, peafowl, porcupine, desert cat and fox are the major species. During the census of 1995, 5 lions, 134 spotted deer, 75 individuals of nilgai, 6 individuals of four-homed antelope, 19 individuals of chinkara and 2 wild boars were counted in this area.

Getting There

• By Air: The Nearest airport is Rajkot (150 kms).
• By Road: The Nearest bus station is Visavadar (10 kms).
• By Rail: The Nearest Railway stations- Visavadar - 10 kms, Dhari - 35 Kms

Accommodation
Dediapada 30 kms PWD and Panchayat Rest House are there.

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