Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Haliday Wildlife Sanctuary, is located in the state of West Bengal, India. The sanctuary primarily consists of mangrove forests, and it is situated on the east coast of India.
The sanctuary is rich in biodiversity and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Some of the notable animal species found in the sanctuary include Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Macaque, Barking Deer, and occasionally Bengal Tigers.
It's also a habitat for numerous bird species, including the Spot-billed Pelican, Cotton Teal, Herring Gull, Caspian Tern, Grey Heron, and many more. The sanctuary is also home to various mangrove species, such as Keora, Kankra, Khalsi, Gewa, and Goran.
The best time to visit the Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to March.
|
Table of Contents
|
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Location
The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, India. It is situated on Haliday Island within the Sundarbans region, which is a vast mangrove delta in the eastern part of India. Specifically, it is situated on the river Matla within the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:
The nearest airport to Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which is located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It is approximately 135 kilometers away from the sanctuary.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:
The nearest railway station to Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is the Canning Railway Station, which is situated about 48 kilometers from the sanctuary.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary History
Establishment: The sanctuary was officially notified in the year 1976. This notification marked its establishment as a protected area for the conservation of its unique biodiversity and natural habitats.
Biosphere Reserve: Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Sundarbans region and is part of the 'Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve,' which officially became a 'Biosphere Reserve' in 1989.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Area
The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 5.95 square kilometers. This sanctuary is relatively small in size but is rich in biodiversity and plays a crucial role in conserving the unique mangrove ecosystem and the wildlife within it.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary River
The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the banks of the river Matla. It is situated along the Matla River within the Sundarbans region of West Bengal, India.
The sanctuary's proximity to the Matla River contributes to its unique ecosystem and provides a habitat for various wildlife species, including the occasional presence of Bengal Tigers.
The river and its surrounding mangrove forests make this sanctuary an important area for biodiversity conservation in the Sundarbans.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary features a diverse range of flora, particularly adapted to the unique mangrove ecosystem. Some of the notable flora species found in this sanctuary include:
(1) Mangrove Species:
The Sundarbans is renowned for its extensive mangrove forests, and Haliday Island is no exception. Various mangrove species thrive here, including Keora (Sonneratia apetala), Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), Khalsi (Aegiceras corniculatum), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), and Goran (Ceriops tagal). These mangroves play a crucial role in stabilizing the coastline, providing habitat for wildlife, and acting as a buffer against tidal surges.
(2) Hantal Palm:
The sanctuary is also home to the Hantal Palm (Phoenix paludosa), which is a palm species found in the mangrove ecosystems of the Sundarbans.
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)
The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse fauna, which includes a variety of terrestrial and avian species. Some of the notable fauna found in the sanctuary include:
Mammals:
- Spotted Deer
- Barking Deer
- Wild Boar
- Rhesus Macaque
Birds:
- Spot-billed Pelican
- Cotton Teal
- Herring Gull
- Caspian Tern
- Grey Heron
- Large Egret
- Night Heron
- Open-billed Stork
- White Ibis
- Osprey
- Pallas’s Fish Eagle
- White-bellied Sea Eagle
- Grey-headed Fish Eagle
- Peregrine Falcon
- Oriental Hobby
- Brown Fish Owl
Reptiles:
- Indian Python
- Cobra Species
- Monitor Lizards
- Turtles
- Terrapins (Freshwater turtles)
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions
Q. In which district is Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary situated?
A. The Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the South 24 Parganas district of the state of West Bengal, India. South 24 Parganas is one of the districts in West Bengal, and it is home to the Sundarbans region, which includes the Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary. This district is known for its unique mangrove ecosystem and rich biodiversity.
No comments:
Post a Comment