Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected nature reserve in Dhamtari, India
Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is a forest reserve in Dhamtari district, in the state of Chhattisgarh, with terrain ranging from around 327 to 736 meters in elevation. The landscape is made up of mixed deciduous woodland, dense thickets, and river corridors that together form a range of habitats.
The Indian government established this sanctuary in 1974 under the Wildlife Protection Act to protect native species and their habitats. The move came at a time when deforestation and hunting were putting significant pressure on wildlife across many parts of India.
The sanctuary takes its name from the Sitanadi River, which flows through the reserve and joins the Mahanadi at Deokhut. For nearby communities, this river has long shaped daily life and remains a reference point in the local relationship with the land.
The best time to visit is between November and March, when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is easier to spot near water sources. The monsoon season, roughly from June to September, can make tracks difficult to navigate and may limit access to parts of the reserve.
The reserve is one of the few places in India where the four-horned antelope, the only living four-horned bovid in the world, can still be spotted in the wild. This species is native to India and lives in hilly, dry forest terrain, which makes this sanctuary one of its last reliable habitats.
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