Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary

Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UKWLS) is a protected area located in the Nagpur and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra, India. It has gained prominence as one of the state’s most successful conservation landscapes, particularly known for its healthy tiger population and its role as an important wildlife corridor connecting major tiger reserves in central India. The sanctuary’s combination of dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and riverine ecosystems supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, making it a critical ecological zone in the Vidarbha region.

Location and Geography

The sanctuary lies about 50 kilometres from Nagpur city, covering an area of approximately 189 square kilometres. It forms part of the Central Indian landscape, which includes other significant tiger habitats such as Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve, Nagzira–Navegaon Tiger Reserve, and Pench Tiger Reserve.
Geographically, the area comprises undulating terrain with hills, meadows, and river valleys. Two major rivers, the Wainganga and Gothangaon, flow through or near the sanctuary, providing vital water sources for wildlife and vegetation. The region experiences a tropical climate, with hot summers, a monsoon season from June to September, and cool winters extending up to February.

Historical Background and Establishment

Umred Karhandla was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 2013 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Prior to this, the forested areas were primarily used for timber extraction and local community needs. Recognition of the region’s ecological importance and its connectivity to neighbouring tiger habitats led to its formal notification as a sanctuary.
The sanctuary quickly rose to prominence after the movement of a famous tiger named “Jai”, who migrated from the Nagzira–Navegaon forests to Umred Karhandla and established his territory there around 2013–2014. His presence highlighted the significance of the sanctuary as a viable breeding and dispersal ground for tigers in central India.

Flora

The sanctuary represents the typical Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest ecosystem as classified by the Champion and Seth (1968) forest type system. Dominant tree species include Teak (Tectona grandis), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), Ain (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), and Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus).
The understorey vegetation consists of shrubs, grasses, and climbers such as Lantana, Zizyphus, and Cymbopogon species. The forest density varies from open woodland in the plains to thicker, more compact forests along the hill slopes and river valleys. The vegetation not only provides food and shelter for herbivores but also serves as ideal cover for carnivores like tigers and leopards.

Fauna

Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary harbours a rich variety of animal life, making it one of Maharashtra’s key biodiversity zones.
Major Mammals:

• Tiger (Panthera tigris): The sanctuary’s flagship species, with a stable population sustained through connectivity with neighbouring reserves.
• Leopard (Panthera pardus): Frequently sighted and forms an important part of the predator-prey balance.
• Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) and Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus) are also found here.
• Herbivores include Spotted Deer (Axis axis), Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor), Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), and Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus).
• Small mammals such as the Indian Jackal, Jungle Cat, Palm Civet, Porcupine, and Monitor Lizard contribute to the area’s faunal diversity.

Avifauna: Over 150 bird species have been recorded, including Peacocks, Indian Rollers, Shikras, Serpent Eagles, Drongos, Kingfishers, and Parakeets. The rivers and wetlands attract migratory waterfowl during winter, making the sanctuary a popular spot for bird watchers.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Common species include Indian Python, Russell’s Viper, Spectacled Cobra, and several species of lizards, frogs, and turtles.

Ecological Importance

Umred Karhandla serves as a vital wildlife corridor, connecting several major tiger reserves in central India. It links the Tadoba–Andhari Tiger Reserve to Nagzira–Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserve, enabling genetic exchange and dispersal of tiger populations across the landscape. This connectivity is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and reducing the risks of inbreeding within isolated populations.
The sanctuary also contributes to groundwater recharge, climate regulation, and soil conservation, highlighting its importance beyond wildlife conservation. Its forests act as carbon sinks and help stabilise the microclimate of the region.

Conservation Management

The Maharashtra Forest Department manages the sanctuary under the guidance of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). Active conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and community involvement. Measures such as solar fencing, fire prevention systems, and habitat enrichment (waterholes and salt licks) are regularly implemented.
The Forest Department collaborates with NGOs and scientific institutions for wildlife monitoring using camera traps, GPS telemetry, and pugmark analysis to track tiger movement and estimate population density. The sanctuary’s management plan emphasises ecological monitoring, conflict mitigation, and ecotourism regulation.

Human–Wildlife Interaction

Several villages lie in the buffer zone around Umred Karhandla, where agriculture and livestock rearing are the primary livelihoods. Occasional human–wildlife conflicts arise due to crop damage or livestock predation. To mitigate these, the Forest Department conducts awareness programmes, provides compensation for losses, and encourages community participation in conservation through Eco-Development Committees (EDCs).
Relocation of human settlements from core areas has also been undertaken in certain parts to reduce pressure on wildlife habitats and to create inviolate zones for key species like the tiger.

Ecotourism and Visitor Information

Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary has emerged as a prominent ecotourism destination in Maharashtra, offering visitors opportunities to experience the central Indian forests and observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The sanctuary provides regulated jeep safaris operated through designated gates such as Karhandla Gate and Paoni Gate.
The tourism model emphasises low-impact visitation, with strict limits on the number of vehicles and time slots to minimise disturbance to wildlife. Local communities benefit through employment as guides, drivers, and hospitality service providers, fostering sustainable livelihoods linked to conservation.
The best time to visit is from October to June, with peak wildlife sightings between February and May when vegetation is sparse, and animals congregate near water sources. During the monsoon season, the park remains closed to visitors.

Research and Monitoring

Umred Karhandla has been the focus of numerous ecological and wildlife studies, particularly related to tiger ecology, prey density, and habitat connectivity. Camera trap surveys and genetic analyses have confirmed the presence of a stable tiger population. The sanctuary’s role in the dispersal of tigers across the central Indian landscape continues to attract research interest.
Remote sensing and GIS technologies are employed for vegetation mapping and fire risk assessment. The data obtained from these studies aid in formulating adaptive management strategies.

Threats and Challenges

Although Umred Karhandla enjoys legal protection, several challenges persist:

• Habitat fragmentation due to encroachment, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
• Poaching and illegal wildlife trade, targeting both tigers and prey species.
• Forest fires and invasive species affecting habitat quality.
• Human–wildlife conflict in fringe villages.
• Unregulated tourism in the past, which required stricter regulation to maintain ecological integrity.

The sanctuary’s long-term sustainability depends on continued monitoring, improved corridor protection, and strengthened coordination between adjoining forest divisions.

Significance and Conservation Outlook

Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a successful example of how smaller protected areas, when ecologically connected, can make vital contributions to large carnivore conservation. Its thriving tiger population demonstrates the resilience of well-managed habitats and the importance of landscape-level connectivity.
The sanctuary also symbolises the synergy between conservation and community participation, with local people increasingly viewing wildlife as a source of pride and opportunity rather than conflict.