Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Wildlife refuge in Kutch district, India.
Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary is a wildlife refuge in Kutch district that combines coastal flatlands with hilly terrain, creating a varied natural landscape. The terrain transitions between open areas and forested zones that support different plant and animal communities.
The sanctuary was established in 1981 to protect the region's wildlife and natural habitats. A major change occurred in 1995 when portions were reduced in size to allow mineral extraction operations to proceed.
The sanctuary takes its name from the adjoining Narayan Sarovar, a lake Hindu pilgrims revere as one of five sacred waters, alongside Mansarovar and Pushkar. The temple town of Narayan Sarovar lies just outside the protected area in Lakhpat taluka, so pilgrims and wildlife visitors pass through the same landscape.
An interpretation center in Loriya provides information about the sanctuary's ecosystems and wildlife. Visit during cooler months when animals are more active and conditions are best for walking and observing.
The Wildlife Institute of India listed this sanctuary as one of the last remaining cheetah habitats in India and a possible site for reintroducing the species. The Gujarat High Court quashed the 1993 de-notification in March 1995, but the state assembly cut the protected area to 444.23 sq km that August.
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