Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News?

 A study published in PLOS ONE reported that Asiatic lions have recolonised Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after more than a century of local absence.

• Location: Saurashtra region, Gujarat; spans parts of Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts.
• Area: Approximately 192.31 sq. km.
• Conservation significance: Identified as an important alternative habitat and a potential second home for the Asiatic lion.
• Gir–Barda Project: Initiated in 1979 to develop Barda as another habitat for Asiatic lions.
• Vegetation: Dry deciduous forests, thorn scrub and grasslands.
• Wildlife: Asiatic lion, leopard, hyena, wolf, chinkara and nilgai.
• Water bodies: Bileshvary and Joghri rivers; Khambala and Fodara dams.

Prelims MCQs

Q1. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?

A.      Rajasthan

B.      Gujarat

C.      Madhya Pradesh

D.      Maharashtra

Correct: B. Gujarat

 It lies in the Saurashtra region.

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