Located in the lap of Aravalli hills in North Gujarat, bordering Rajasthan, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary has many rare species of flora and fauna. The forests generally belong to the forest types of southern dry mixed deciduous and desert thorn forests. It is a home to the endangered sloth bear. The sanctuary derives its name from the picturesque Jessore hills of Aravalli ranges cutting across the sanctuary. The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in May 1978. The area has a great ecological significance as it acts as a buffer between the desert eco-system and the dry deciduous type of forest ecosystem.
Fauna
The major floral species comprise Ber, gando baval, khair, Isaraily baval, dhav, dudhalo, gando baval, dhavado, saledi, kadaya, siras, gorad etc.
Flora
The flagship specie of the area is Sloth bear. The top carnivore, leopard cohabits the area with other vertebrates. Other important animals include rhesus macaque, Indian civet cat, Indian porcupine, striped hyena, fox, jackal, bluebull, wild boar, hare, langur, wolf etc. The reptiles include snakes, tortoises and lizards. The avifauna includes spurfowls, cuckoos, barbets, woodpeckers, tree pies, flycatchers, shrikes, spoonbills, storks, cranes, egrets and many raptors.
Management Approach
Habitat amelioration works to provide well distributed food and water sources and creation of suitable living and breeding environment by blending the rehabilitation of degraded areas with effective protection measures are the major thrust activities for management. Prosopis invasion occurring almost in pure composition in certain areas needs phased replacement with the local floral species. The area being drought prone, water conservation works need special attention for improvement in hydrological cycle of the area.
