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Context

• Gandhisagar Sanctuary will be developed as a second home for cheetahs within six months to retain the tag of cheetah state, Madhya Pradesh chief minister announced.

Why the need?

• The move comes after experts suggested that Kuno National Park (KNP)does not have enough space for all cheetahs.

About the sanctuary

Location

• Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary situated on the northern boundary of Mandsaur and Nimach districts in Madhya Pradesh, India.
• It is spread over an area of 368.62 km2 adjoining Rajasthan state in India.

History

• It was notified in 1974 and more area was added in 1983.

Geography

• The Chambal River passes through the sanctuary dividing it into two parts.
• The western part is in Nimach district and eastern part is in Mandsaur district.
• It is in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

Flora and fauna

• The principal tree species found in the Sanctuary are Khair (Acacia catechu), Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, Palash etc.
• The predominant animal species that inhabit the sanctuary are the deer, of which the most easily sighted are the chinkara or Indian gazelle, Nilgai and sambar.
• In addition the Indian leopard, langur, Indian wild dog, peacock, otter, and Mugger crocodile are present.

Places archaeological and religious importance

Chatubhujnath temple in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

• Chaturbhujnath temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is located about 8 km from Gandhi sagar dam site.

Hinglajgarh

• Hinglajgarh or Hinglaj Fort is an ancient fort situated near village Navali in Bhanpura tehsil of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh

Taxakeshwar temple

• Taxakeshwar temple or Takhaji is a place of religious and historical importance in Mandsaur district.

Bhanpura Museum

• Bhanpura Museum is located in Bhanpura. The museum depicts the popular arts of Mandsaur.

Dharmrajeshwar

• Dharmrajeshwar is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu cave temple site of 4th-5th Century in Mandsaur.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

Cheetah: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/cheetah

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Which of the following statements with reference to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is/are correct? a. Dharmrajeshwar, an ancient Buddhist and Hindu cave temple site, is located here. b. It is in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion. a only b only both a and b neither a nor b Correct Answer: 3

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bhopal-news/madhya-pradesh-to-develop-gandhisagar-sanctuary-as-second-home-for-cheetahs-within-6-months-cm-chouhan-cheetahstate-wildlifeconservation-101682151167038.html