Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary

Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location in Rajasthan, India Show map of Rajasthan Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary (India) Show map of India
Location	Dholpur district, Rajasthan, India
Nearest city	Dholpur
Coordinates	26°40′34″N77°53′06″E / 26.6761°N 77.8850°E / 26.6761; 77.8850
Area	25.6 km2 (9.9 sq mi)
Established	1955
Governing body	Rajasthan Forest Department

Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Dholpur district of Rajasthan, India. Established in 1955, it spans approximately 26.6 square kilometers and is one of the oldest wildlife reserves in the region. The sanctuary is located about 16 kilometers from Dholpur city on the Vindhya Plateau. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Geography and flora

The sanctuary features a dry deciduous forest ecosystem. Common tree species include Dhok ( Anogeissus pendula ) and Khair ( Acacia catechu ), which are adapted to the arid conditions of the region. ^[4]

Fauna

Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary supports a variety of wildlife. Notable mammals include sambar (Rusa unicolor), chital (Axis axis), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), and leopard (Panthera pardus). ^[5]

The sanctuary is also known for its avifauna, with over 200 bird species recorded. Winter migrants include the sarus crane (Antigone antigone), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), pelicans (Pelecanus spp.), and white-necked stork (Ciconia episcopus). ^[6]

Reptiles found in the area include the Indian python ( Python molurus ), cobra ( Naja naja ), and monitor lizard ( Varanus spp.). ^[7]

See also

• List of wildlife sanctuaries of India
• Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Van Vihar National Park, a national park in Madhya Pradesh

References

1. "Van Vihar Sanctuary Dholpur, Rajasthan | Visiting Time". ranthambore. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
2. "Van Vihar, Ramsagar in Dholpur to get ecotourism boost". Hindustan Times.
3. "Van Vihar Sanctuary". forest.rajasthan.gov.in. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
4. "Wildlife Sanctuary in Dholpur, Ramsagar Sanctuary Dholpur". DholpurOnline.in. Archived from the original on 16 October 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
5. Staff, O. T. "10 Offbeat Wildlife Sanctuaries In Rajasthan". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
6. "Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary Ramsagar RJ - WildTrails | The One-Stop Destination for all your Wildlife Holidays". wildtrails.in. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
7. indianpanorama. "Van Vihar Sanctuary - Wildlife in Rajasthan - Indian Panorama". Indianpanorama. Retrieved 5 June 2025.