• Jan 25 2016
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Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Situated on the Ratanmahal Hills of the Panchmahals district, 45 kms from Baria, is the Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, serves as the natural habitat to the sloth bear, a nocturnal and insectivorous species of bear restricted to the Indian subcontinent. This sanctuary offers the unique opportunity for learning the habits and behaviors of the sloth bear. It is estimated that, in 2006, there were 66 sloth bears in the sanctuary. Apart from sloth bear, the sanctuary also has a large population of leopards. Spread out over 56 sq km, a visit to Ratanmahal National Park is indeed rewarding.

Established as a wildlife sanctuary in March 1982, Ratanmahal is a triangular isle, which covers reserve forests of 11 villages whose population is around 7000. An area of 150 ha is in possession of the Gujarat Irrigation department.

Even though it is a wildlife sanctuary, the beauty of the dense forests with rugged topography adds to the feel of a hill station. Ratanmahal is the second highest hill after Pavagadh in the Panchmahal district. The River Panam and Orsang, major rivers of Central Gujarat, flows across the small hamlets on the foothills of this sanctuary. An irrigation dam and reservoir is also built on the Panam River near Godhra which makes these forests, an ecological significance for water conservation.