Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Protected area for sloth bears in Banaskantha, India
Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve in the Banaskantha region between Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India. The terrain consists of forested hills and open areas where sloth bears, hyenas, and various other animals live.
The sanctuary was created in 1978 to protect India's declining sloth bear population. This protection effort responded to the serious losses the species had experienced in the region.
The area takes its name from the Jessore Hills of the Aravalli mountain range, which holds religious meaning for local communities. You can see how the landscape and the stories people tell about it are deeply connected.
Visitors can stay in forest department cottages and have the best chances to see wildlife during the monsoon and winter seasons. Access conditions vary, so it helps to check ahead before planning your visit.
The area is home to over 100 bird species and hundreds of plant species alongside rare predators like striped hyenas and sambar deer. This mix makes it one of the few places where you can find such diverse wildlife in a single location.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
